Test Prep Launch

07/23/2024

School is right around the corner.

Back to packed lunches
Homework (if your school gives you any...)
Sports
Band

The list goes on and on

But! You don't want to forget that if you are an incoming junior, now is the time to consider SAT/ACT prep.

Think of it this way. If you knock out the test sooner than later, then you can prioritize all the other stuff for the rest of high school.

The longer you wait the less time you will have to prepare.

I can't tell you how many times I have had parents tell me they regretted not getting their teen prepared sooner.

What can you do today for your teen?

Have them pick a date they want to take the SAT or ACT!

After they pick a test date they can then work backwards from there and figure out their study schedule.

If your teen is going to take the SAT, I have a free SAT course available online. It has everything they need to succeed on the test.

If you are interested in tutoring with me, please comment below or send me a DM saying "yes"

Level up your SAT score

07/11/2024

If you are unsure if you should sign up your teen for an SAT course, this is for you...

I have just made my online course for free.

2 months of SAT test prep laid out for you with over 2,000 SAT problems for practice.

It also comes with recommended resources and a system you can follow.

Without a system, you risk wasting lots of time and energy.

This has everything you need to raise your SAT score. All in one place.

Oh yeah, I also do a weekly Q&A where I will answer any questions you have.

If you want to raise your teen's score, click the link below

Level up your SAT score

07/10/2024

Have you ever tried to learn when you are barely awake?

If you haven't, spoiler alert, you don't learn much at all.

When we learn our brain forms new connections. This process is called neuroplasticity.

When you are learning neuroplasticity helps make sure that whatever you are learning is set up to stick around.

Now there is one prerequisite to triggering neuroplasticity...

We have to be ALERT when we learn!

But how do you get alert when you are already bored or tired?

BREATHE!

Here is an effective breathing protocol that will help you get alert before a bout of learning.

1. Take 25-30 deep breathes (inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth)

2. On your last exhale, hold the exhale for 15-60 seconds (do not force this, this is not a competition for time)

3. Once you feel the sensation to inhale again, do so and begin to breathe normally.

Give this a shot before you study for the SAT or ACT and see if you aren't more alert and ready to learn!

07/09/2024

Did you know you can increase your SAT score in just 2 minutes a day?

Millions of people use this 2-minute hack to get better every single day! This is all thanks to James Clear popularizing this idea.

Now you might be saying to yourself? There is no way you can get better at anything in just 2 minutes a day.

You're right...

2 minutes is not nearly enough time to get anything done.

But what the 2-minute rule does is it helps you overcome procrastination. The idea is this.

You can't consistently study if you have not established a habit. Once you develop the habit of studying, then you can put in the work to get better at the SAT or ACT.

If you are struggling to get yourself to study for the SAT or ACT, start with something that you can do in 2 minutes.

For the SAT or ACT that could be

"Attempt 1 single question"
"Read 1 passage from the test"
"Read 1 page from your book"
"Review 1 problem I previously missed"

Once you start doing this daily, then allow yourself to continue to study until you lose focus. Take a break. Start again later.

Over time you will see your studying time go from 2 minutes, all the way to 90 mins (max time I recommend in 1 session).

Here is why it works.

It reinforces your new identity. You are becoming the person who takes time each day to prepare for the SAT or ACT.

If you know someone who struggles with getting themselves to study, tell them about this 2-minute rule and see if they can start developing their new identity!

07/08/2024

A student asked, "how fast can math be improved?"

The answer is...

It depends

- How long is he willing to study?
- How much will he review his missed questions?
- How consistent will he be over the next 2 months?

It can improve in one week if you are looking to just improve on one specific question type

Or...

It can improve in 2 months if you are not really putting in much work

There is no one size fits all answer but there is one MAIN takeaway I want you to have.

You can't improve at anything on the SAT if you are not consistently bridging your knowledge gaps.

Here is the approach I would take if you want to improve your math score FAST

1. Look at EVERY missed question on the math section of your practice exams.

2. For every problem, figure out why you missed it and what you need to learn to not miss it in the future (Bridging the knowledge gap).

3. After you have gone over every question (it should take longer than the practice exam itself) then take another practice exam.

4. Rinse and repeat

There is no magic bullet when it comes to preparing for the SAT or ACT but there is a system you can follow to achieve success.

07/05/2024

This student struggled with her confidence when taking tests. She crushed the homework and rarely missed problems.

Put those same questions on the test and boom. Confidence was in the trash.

Hours of studying.

Hours of preparing.

Giving up her weeknights for test prep.

All of it seemed like a waste of time.

Was I failing her? I couldn't take the test for her. I couldn't find a solution to help bring up her confidence on TEST DAY.

Until...

I remembered a little trick I picked up in college. I call it the 1-2-3 method.

Here's how it works.

For every single question you attempt, give yourself a 1, 2, or 3.

A "1" means you were 100% confident in your answer AND got the question right

A "2" means you were NOT 100% confident in your answer (it doesn't matter if you got it right or wrong)

A "3" means you had no clue how to solve the problem.

This helped my student build real confidence in her homework problems. She finally had a system that made her commit to an answer. If she put a "1" next to a problem then she built CONFIDENCE in what she was doing. No more second-guessing.

No more being lukewarm about every single problem she did. She had to be honest with herself.

When she saw a 2 or 3, she knew what type of questions needed work. She could prioritize those problems and make the most of her time.

She could work on building the skills needed to have confidence in those types of questions. Turing a 3 into a 2 and a 2 into a 1 is the name of the game.

The moment she did this, magic happened.

Confidence went up and so did her ACT score.

She went from a 23 to a 30.

Not second-guessing every answer saved her so much mental energy and TIME.

Give the 1-2-3 system a shot and watch your confidence grow.

07/02/2024

Recently had a student go from a 23 ACT score to a 30!

How?

She stuck to the process and kept making small improvements every single week.

She never missed a class and always came with questions.

The most important thing she did was seek understanding when she missed a problem. After missing a problem, we would break it down step by step and figure out what exactly she was misunderstanding. Then we would talk about how she will approach a similar problem. Finally, she would practice similar problems to engrain the new process.

If you know anyone who is preparing for the SAT or ACT, let them know I can help!

06/25/2024

I think I messed up

I studied instead of cheating on the SAT...

99% of people don’t think of trying this

For a test where every single point matters

You’ve got to stack the deck in your favor.

Here’s how you can “cheat” without getting caught!

Cheat Code #1: Caffeine
Caffeine is king. It amps up your alertness and boosts your concentration—just what you need on test day. But don’t go overboard. A little goes a long way. Stick to around 1 espresso shot or 1 small cup of coffee. And hold the sugar!

Cheat Code #2: L-Theanine
Too much caffeine will have you bouncing off the walls. Enter L-Theanine. It’s the chill pill that takes the edge off, leaving you calm, cool, and collected. Caffeine and L-Theanine together? That’s a power duo.

Cheat Code #3: Electrolytes
You’ve hit the books hard, but if you’re dehydrated, it’s game over. Your brain is an electric powerhouse, and it needs fuel. Electrolytes and water are your brain’s best friends. Add those electrolytes, sip that water, and watch your brain fire on all cylinders.

P.S. In case you didn't catch the sarcasm... the above supplements are not cheating... the same way eating a snack during your test break is not cheating 😂

06/19/2024

Check out my latest video on simple SAT tips for parents.

I am shifting my focus to short-form video for now (plenty of reasons why but I won't bore you). I will still post 1 long-form video per week discussing all things test prep. If you have any questions you would like me to cover please leave a comment.

Enjoy!

P.S - by shifting more to short form, this means I will be doing less editing on the long form since that can take forever haha

Sign up for my Self Study SAT Course using the link belowwww.skool.com/testpreplaunchSubscribe for more SAT, ACT, Math, and Career Counseling advice ...

06/17/2024

What do you really want as a parent? I have spoken to many parents and this is what I have learned.

Your goal is not for your teen to achieve a high GPA, stellar SAT or ACT scores, or even to get into top colleges. While these things are important, what you want is to create a future filled with opportunities for your teen. These accomplishments become the stepping stones that can help unlock future opportunities.

One simple way to increase your teen’s opportunities is by taking and submitting their SAT or ACT scores. Even if the school is test-optional!

Here’s why this can make a huge difference.

Why SAT/ACT Scores Matter

Many colleges emphasize a holistic review process. This means they look at the complete profile of a candidate. However, submitting SAT or ACT scores enhances your teen's application. Consider these statistics:

o Fordham University (NY): Data for the class of 2021 shows that 64% of the 45,000 applicants chose not to submit test scores in the fall of 2020. Yet, students who did submit test scores were admitted at a higher rate. The increase in the rate of admission for those with test scores was 28.7%.

o University of Pennsylvania: Students who submitted ACT or SAT scores had a 94% admission advantage.

These statistics show that even if a college is test-optional, not submitting a score can put your teen at a disadvantage. Having a test score gives admissions committees one less reason to say no to you.

High GPA vs. Standardized Test Scores

You might wonder... what if my teen has a high GPA? Isn’t that enough?

A high GPA is impressive! However, it can vary significantly across different schools and regions. Some schools have more rigorous grading standards than others, yet students from both schools might end up with the same GPA. This variation makes the GPA a less objective measure.

On the other hand, SAT and ACT scores are standardized. This provides a consistent benchmark. This allows colleges to assess an applicant's readiness for their programs.

3 Steps to Enhance Your Teen’s Opportunities

So, what can you do today to increase your teen's odds of having plenty of future opportunities?

o Work Hard at School: Encourage your teen to strive for academic excellence and maintain a strong GPA (but not at the expense of everything else).

o Help Your Community and Be a Leader: Colleges value well-rounded students who contribute to their communities. Go out and show leadership qualities. Think outside the box of how your teen can be of service!

o Prepare and Take the SAT or ACT: A well-prepared student is likely to perform better on standardized tests. Investing time in preparation can pay off in the college admissions process.

To sum it up

While GPAs and extracurricular activities are important, submitting SAT or ACT scores can give your teen a significant edge in the college admissions process. These scores provide a standardized measure of academic ability that can set your teen apart from other applicants. Work hard, get involved in the community, and prepare for standardized tests. This will help your teen have a bright future. Remember, your support and encouragement make all the difference in helping them achieve their dreams.

06/12/2024

So your teen has studied for the past 2-3 months for the SAT (or ACT) but is stuck...

Should they do the same thing the week of the exam?

Should they study MORE?

What about less?

Test day can be treated like any other big performance. This means you need to have a plan leading up to the test.

Therefore, the week of the exam is going to look different than a normal studying week.

Here is the protocol I recommend to my students.

Week of the Exam

- Ramp Down Homework:
Homework quantity will be going down as the quality remains the same. This means you will ONLY focus on areas that will improve your score the most. You will only be doing 45-60 min sessions per day with the last day being a LIGHT review day (30 mins tops).

- Fun Activity:
Do something you ENJOY! This will help you relax before test day. Relaxation is key here. A relaxed mind will give you the best chance for a high score. Studies have sho

- Fill Knowledge Gaps:
Don't focus on knowledge gaps that are too big. Focus on smaller wins that will help you get more easy/medium questions correct

If you have put in the work, then all you need to do is perform now!

06/11/2024

Unsure of how your teen should prepare for the SAT?

Here is a Comprehensive 2-month Study Plan!

As a parent, you want to help your teen do well, especially with something important like the SAT. But you don't remember much from high school, so it's hard to know how to help your teen study. You remember the stress. You remember the long study hours. You remember wanting to get the best score, but things have changed since then. This post will give you a clear, easy-to-follow 2-month study plan for your teen. It will guide them week by week to be ready and confident on test day. This plan isn't perfect or the only way to study for the SAT, but it's a good place to start. Remember, doing something is better than doing nothing at all.

Week 1
Math:
- Pre-requisites: Ensure your teen has a solid understanding of the basics (PEMDAS, Fractions, Negatives, etc.)
- How to Backsolve: Teach them the technique of backsolving, starting with answer choices to find the correct solution.
Reading and English:
- Rhetorical Synthesis Questions: Learn how to systematically solve these problems without using the notes.
- Transitions: Practice using and identifying correct transitional words and phrases to improve the flow of sentences and paragraphs.

Week 2
Math:
- Understanding and Translating Word Problems: Break down word problems into manageable steps to solve them more easily.
- System of Linear Equations: Practice solving systems of equations using various methods (substitution and elimination).
- Manipulating Math Equations: Work on simplifying and rearranging equations to solve for different variables.
Reading and English:
- Sentence Structure: Review the basics of sentence construction, including subject, predicate, and objects.
- Non-Essential Clauses: Identify and correctly punctuate non-essential information in sentences.
- Combining Sentences: Practice combining independent clauses and dependent clauses.

Week 3
Math:
- Functions: Understand the concept of functions and how to work with function notation.
- Exponents and Radicals: Simplify expressions involving exponents and radicals.
- Absolute Value: Solve equations and inequalities involving absolute values.
Reading and English:
- Subject-Verb Agreement: Ensure subjects and verbs agree in number and person.
- Verb Tenses: Maintain consistent verb tenses throughout sentences and passages.
- How to Approach Reading and English Questions: Develop strategies for tackling different types of questions effectively.

Week 4
Math:
- Quadratics: Solve quadratic equations using factoring, completing the square, and the quadratic formula.
- Parabolas: Understand the properties of parabolas and how to graph them.
- Polynomials: Work with polynomial expressions, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Reading and English:
- Comparisons: Make accurate and clear comparisons in sentences.
- Parallelism: Ensure parallel structure in lists and comparisons.
- Modifiers: Dangling and misplaced modifiers.

Week 5
Math:
- Percent and Percent Change: Calculate percentages and understand percentage change problems.
- Ratios and Proportions: Solve problems involving ratios, proportions, and similar figures.
- Mean/Median/Mode: Calculate and interpret mean, median, and mode in different questions.
Reading and English:
- Understanding the Main Idea: Focus on identifying the main idea and supporting details in passages.

Week 6
Math:
- Graphs and Tables: Interpret data from various types of graphs and tables.
- Angles and Triangles: Work on problems involving angles, triangles, and their properties.
Reading and English:
- Text Completion Strategy: Develop strategies for completing sentences and passages accurately.

Week 7
Math:
- Right Triangles: Understand the properties of right triangles and the Pythagorean theorem.
- Trigonometry: SOHCAHTOA
- Circles: Work with the properties of circles, including circumference and area calculations.
Reading and English:
- Strengthening and Weakening Arguments: Practice identifying and evaluating arguments within passages.

Week 8
Math:
- Area, Volume, and Surface Area: Calculate the area, volume, and surface area of various shapes.
Reading and English:
- Two Passage Strategies: Develop strategies for comparing information in paired passages.

Resources
Books:
- PrepPros: The Complete Guide To Digital SAT Math: The Best SAT Math Book For Students Seeking A Perfect Score
- Sixth Edition, The Ultimate Guide to SAT Grammar
- The Critical Reader, Fifth Edition: The Complete Guide to SAT Reading

Website
- www.collegeboard.com

Remember, consistent practice and a structured approach are key to success!

College Board is a non-profit organization that clears a path for all students to own their future through the AP Program, SAT Suite, BigFuture, and more.