Top Test Prep's SAT, ACT, LSAT and MCAT Prep Tips, Admissions Tips and Admissions Advice » SAT exam http://toptestprep.com/blog SAT, ACT, LSAT and MCAT Prep, Admissions Tips and Admissions Advice Wed, 01 Sep 2010 21:12:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.1 en hourly 1 SAT 2010: SAT Test Days http://toptestprep.com/blog/sat-2010-sat-test-days/ http://toptestprep.com/blog/sat-2010-sat-test-days/#comments Wed, 01 Sep 2010 21:12:47 +0000 admin http://toptestprep.com/blog/?p=653 Here’s some information on the SAT 2010: SAT Test / Exam Days:

The SAT exam will be offered on the following days for 2010-2011:

Oct. 9, 2010: SAT and Subject Tests
Nov. 6, 2010: SAT and Subject Tests
Dec. 4, 2010: SAT and Subject Tests
Jan. 22, 2011: SAT and Subject Tests
March 12, 2011: SAT Test Only
May 7, 2011: SAT and Subject Tests
June 4, 2011: SAT and Subject

In a few posts, we have discussed how to prepare for the SAT exam, here are some of the best…

Should I take the SAT or ACT?
Other SAT Test Days
How to improve your SAT scores

For more information on the SAT 2010-2011, or to get some help preparing for the exam, call (800) 501-Prep or check out SAT Tutoring.

]]> http://toptestprep.com/blog/sat-2010-sat-test-days/feed/ 0 SAT Writing – How to Improve Your SAT Writing Scores http://toptestprep.com/blog/sat-writing-how-to-improve-your-sat-writing-scores/ http://toptestprep.com/blog/sat-writing-how-to-improve-your-sat-writing-scores/#comments Thu, 19 Aug 2010 17:36:10 +0000 admin http://toptestprep.com/blog/?p=645 The SAT writing section on the SAT exam can be mastered. Use these tips on how to improve your SAT writing scores from the SAT tutors at Top Test Prep.

]]> http://toptestprep.com/blog/sat-writing-how-to-improve-your-sat-writing-scores/feed/ 0 SAT Math Word Problems – How to Answer SAT Math Problems http://toptestprep.com/blog/sat-math-word-problems-how-to-answer-sat-math/ http://toptestprep.com/blog/sat-math-word-problems-how-to-answer-sat-math/#comments Tue, 17 Aug 2010 19:40:10 +0000 admin http://toptestprep.com/blog/?p=640 Here’s a lesson on SAT Math Word Problems and how to answer SAT math questions. This should help you prepare for the SAT.

]]> http://toptestprep.com/blog/sat-math-word-problems-how-to-answer-sat-math/feed/ 0 The SAT Exam – All about the SAT http://toptestprep.com/blog/the-sat-exam-all-about-the-sat-exam/ http://toptestprep.com/blog/the-sat-exam-all-about-the-sat-exam/#comments Tue, 10 Aug 2010 18:22:56 +0000 admin http://toptestprep.com/blog/?p=622 Here’s some helpful information on the College Board’s SAT exam, if you are planning on taking the SAT- this should explain much about the SAT test. The video is produced by SAT prep tutors with Top Test Prep.

]]> http://toptestprep.com/blog/the-sat-exam-all-about-the-sat-exam/feed/ 0 Summer SAT and ACT Prep http://toptestprep.com/blog/summer-sat-and-act-prep/ http://toptestprep.com/blog/summer-sat-and-act-prep/#comments Wed, 02 Jun 2010 00:43:50 +0000 admin http://toptestprep.com/blog/?p=540 Top Test Prep’s summer SAT and ACT prep programs have started. If you’re preparing for the SAT or ACT this summer and need help, our test prep programs can help you improve your scores. Summer test prep doesn’t have to be difficult.

If you need help with the SAT and/or ACT exams, give us a call today at (800) 501-Prep or fill out our contact form.

This is the time to improve your test scores so that you can apply to the best colleges and universities.

Top Test Prep’s private tutoring and test prep programs continue to lead the field. Be part of the best program.

]]> http://toptestprep.com/blog/summer-sat-and-act-prep/feed/ 0 Should I take the SAT or ACT? http://toptestprep.com/blog/should-i-take-the-sat-or-act/ http://toptestprep.com/blog/should-i-take-the-sat-or-act/#comments Sun, 30 May 2010 17:50:33 +0000 admin http://toptestprep.com/blog/?p=530 One of the most frequently asked questions at Top Test Prep is whether a student should take the SAT or ACT.

To answer this question, here are the differences between the SAT and ACT, and reasons why you should take one versus the other.

About the SAT:

The SAT is administered 7 times per year.

The SAT includes three critical reading sections, three math sections, three writing sections and one experimental section.

The SAT math section goes up to basic geometry and algebra II.

There is no science section on the SAT.

The SAT reading section includes sentence completions, short and long critical reading passages, and reading comprehension sections.

There is a penalty for wrong answers!

The highest combined score on the SAT is 2400, and the highest per section for the SAT is 800, including math, reading and writing.

Unless you’re enrolled in the SAT’s “Score Choice”, all of your scores will be reported to colleges.

About the ACT:

The ACT is administered 6 times per year.

The ACT includes four sections, including English, Math, Reading, Science Reasoning, and an optional writing test.

The ACT math goes no higher than trigonometry.

The ACT science section includes charts and experiments (theoretically, you don’t need a strong science core base before taking the test)

The ACT reading section includes four passages total.

The ACT English focuses on grammar and the ACT writing essay is similar to most standardized tests including the SAT’s essay prompt.

There is no penalty for wrong answers!

The highest combined score on the ACT is 36, and they’re averaged together for a composite score.

You can decide which schools receive your ACT scores.
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In general, we recommend taking the ACT exam over the SAT exam if your approach to problems is more straightforward. The ACT math and other sections are drier compared to the SAT, which requires a bit more reasoning and analysis. However, our SAT tutors know exactly how to give you in-depth strategies for the SAT test, as it does require more analytical thinking. Also, if you do better in school generally without having to work as hard, we always recommend taking the ACT.

We recommend taking the SAT versus the ACT exam if you have fewer issues with time management. The ACT exam requires more endurance, as students are required to do up to 60 questions in a short amount of time. Our ACT tutors can help you better understand the exam, and ways you can prepare.

If you’re unsure whether you should take either or both, you should take both tests. Your scores will likely be similar according to concordance table.

If you need help with SAT prep or ACT prep, give Top Test Prep a call at (800) 501-Prep and we’ll help you improve your scores.

]]> http://toptestprep.com/blog/should-i-take-the-sat-or-act/feed/ 0 SAT Vocabulary, Word of the Day http://toptestprep.com/blog/sat-vocabulary-word-of-the-day-7/ http://toptestprep.com/blog/sat-vocabulary-word-of-the-day-7/#comments Thu, 27 May 2010 01:53:29 +0000 admin http://toptestprep.com/blog/?p=494 Here’s Top Test Prep’s SAT Vocabulary, Word of the Day -

Hackneyed – adj. repeated too often; over familiar through overuse

Find out more about Top Test Prep’s SAT Prep or ACT Prep, by calling (800) 501-Prep.

]]> http://toptestprep.com/blog/sat-vocabulary-word-of-the-day-7/feed/ 0 SAT Vocabulary – Word of the Day http://toptestprep.com/blog/sat-vocabulary-word-of-the-day-3/ http://toptestprep.com/blog/sat-vocabulary-word-of-the-day-3/#comments Sun, 23 May 2010 02:44:16 +0000 admin http://toptestprep.com/blog/?p=479 Here’s Top Test Prep’s SAT Vocabulary, Word of the Day:

Dauntless – adj. invulnerable to fear or intimidation

Find out more about Top Test Prep’s SAT Prep or ACT Prep, by calling (800) 501-Prep.

]]> http://toptestprep.com/blog/sat-vocabulary-word-of-the-day-3/feed/ 0 May 1st SAT Exam http://toptestprep.com/blog/may-1st-sat-exam/ http://toptestprep.com/blog/may-1st-sat-exam/#comments Fri, 30 Apr 2010 16:26:29 +0000 admin http://toptestprep.com/blog/?p=456 For those students taking the May 1st SAT exam, we want to give you some SAT tips to help you get ready. These SAT tips will hopefully reduce your test anxiety and improve your SAT scores.

First, remember that the SAT is a time intensive examination. You must manage your time wisely. If you get caught on one problem, which you can’t answer quickly, keep moving! For the SAT math section, know that the order of difficulty increases as you move through the math section. So try to get through the easier math problems first, and then keep plugging until you complete the section. For the SAT verbal (Reading and Writing), the order of difficulty does not increase as you move through the sections. Keep this in mind as you’re completing the sections.

Second, make sure to get tons of rest before test day. If you mess up your sleep pattern before the exam, you’re likely to come to the SAT test disheveled and unprepared.

Lastly, remember when you’re writing your SAT essay to be organized and write your argument with cogent examples that make sense. The more examples you use without quoting the actual SAT essay prompt, the better. To write an essay that goes from good to great, you need to have structure, and a great argument based on real-life examples.

If you need help with SAT prep or SAT private tutoring, give us a call at (800) 501-Prep, or fill out or quick contact form for more information on Top Test Prep’s SAT programs.

]]> http://toptestprep.com/blog/may-1st-sat-exam/feed/ 0 SAT Test Dates http://toptestprep.com/blog/sat-test-dates/ http://toptestprep.com/blog/sat-test-dates/#comments Thu, 22 Apr 2010 13:53:36 +0000 admin http://toptestprep.com/blog/?p=353 SAT Test Dates
January 23, 2010, SAT and Subject Tests
March 13, 2010, SAT only
May 1, 2010, SAT and Subject Tests
June 5, 2010, SAT and Subject Tests

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Top Test Prep provides SAT and SAT Prep courses and SAT private tutoring for students across the country, and helps get students into top colleges with their test prep and college admissions counseling.

Call Top Test Prep today at (800) 501-Prep.

]]> http://toptestprep.com/blog/sat-test-dates/feed/ 0 How to Improve your SAT or ACT scores http://toptestprep.com/blog/how-to-improve-your-sat-or-act-scores/ http://toptestprep.com/blog/how-to-improve-your-sat-or-act-scores/#comments Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:11:32 +0000 admin http://toptestprep.com/blog/?p=303 There are several ways you can improve your SAT or ACT scores.  At Top Test Prep, we have improved SAT and ACT scores by isolating the following common issues: timing and test anxiety.  We’ve found ways to help you prepare for these exams and battle these major issues.

How to Improve your SAT or ACT scores:

(A) Timing: The biggest that most students have for either exams is timing.  Learning how to pace yourself for these exams is crucial.   One recommended strategy to use for the SAT and ACT exams is to take practice tests in real, timed conditions.  Often times students take “practice” SAT/ACT exams in pieces instead of in their whole parts.  First, always take the exams at the same time and day of the actual exam.  If you’re taking these SAT/ACT exams on a Saturday at 10am, I would highly encourage you to do all of your practice exams during the same time period.  In addition, if you’re having trouble keeping pace with the time allotted – usually 20 to 25 minutes for the SAT and 35 to 60 minute section on the ACT – try taking the exam under faster conditions.  Both strategies will give you an advantage over other students.

(B) Exam Anxiety: Taking these exams could be the biggest day of your life.  You are bound to be nervous and anxious to complete the exams so that you can move on to bigger and better things like college.

I would recommend you do the following before exam day to calm your test exam anxiety:  (1) Don’t try to rush your studying to the last minute.  Instead, complete your test prep studying a full day prior to exam day.  This will give you some time to relax and not worry as much.  (2)  Don’t have too much caffeine before the exam.  Drinking too much coffee might off-set your heart rate and could cause you unnecessary anxiety.  (3) On test day, if you can get up early enough, go for a quick jog in the morning.  A short 20 minute jog will get the blood flowing in your body and will allow oxygen to travel with it.  Exercise can help you perform better on the exams, and will keep you happier.

Overall, if you can conquer both SAT/ACT exam timing issues and anxiety, you’re half way through the battle of improving your test scores.  Our SAT tutors and SAT prep program can help you, as well as our ACT tutors and ACT prep programs.

Give us a call at (800) 501-PREP if you have more questions.

Best regards,

Ross Blankenship

President, Top Test Prep

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