The PSAT will be undergoing both structural and content changes. Below is a table that compares and highlights the current PSAT to the changes that students should expect from the redesigned PSAT starting October 2015:

1 – The changes to the PSAT are expected starting October 2015

2 – The new evidence-based reading and writing section will be composed of a reading test as well as a writing and language test

3 – Along with each section of the redesigned PSAT receiving a score, each test will also receive its own score.

Whether you’re taking the PSAT now, in 2015 or thereafter, it’s important to keep up-to-date with the latest information. At Dolphin Academic Prep, we take the extra step to inform our students and parents of these changes so that the test-taking experience is as seamless and productive as possible. If you have any further questions or would like more information about the PSAT changes on the horizon, you can visit the College Board website at collegeboard.org or you can contact us at 646.490.5075. We are here to help you succeed!

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For the “summer senior” who has not previously taken the SAT or ACT, they may want to retake either one or want to take one of the SAT Subject Tests, the summer before their senior year, usually devoid of school year distractions and commitments, provides a terrific opportunity for students to prepare. It allows them the chance to be more focused so they can do their best. To accomplish this, our team at Dolphin Academic Prep has come up with a few tips on what your student can do during the summer to keep active and be in the best condition possible to fully maximize their potential. They advise that exercising, reading, and keeping an active journal is a good starting point. Along with those, they recommend that your student utilize the summer to build an impressive resume for college applications to help bolster and maximize their chances of being accepted in to the institution of their choice.  To do this, have your student partake in a hobby, volunteer and/or collaborate on a project or a cause that holds meaning. Essentially, it’s important to keep a balance between prepping over the summer, being active and having fun.

Here are a few steps a “summer senior” can take to remain focused and get an early start on the college process:

(1) Research

With today’s day and age, almost everything is accessible at one’s fingertips due to the convenience of the internet. That being the case, start by researching different colleges and their academic programs and to get additional info, enroll in the college’s mailing list. Next, determine venues where college fairs are being held and check them out in person; talk to a rep from each college and ask any questions you may have. Once you’ve determined a college of interest, try visiting it in person and get a feel for it yourself as you’re more likely to get a different perspective than from what you’ve read on college’s website or brochure.

Another important thing to research, and one that many students don’t take advantage of, is outside private scholarships. Surf the web or go to your local library and research the tens-of-thousands of scholarships that are out there; find out the qualifications that need to be met, what’s required for each and the deadline for submission so that you can start applying accordingly. Don’t forget to map out each deadline so you don’t forget any – deadlines have a tendency of creeping up at the last moment!

(2) Finances

Money can be a major factor so decide on what you potentially can afford and what you can’t. Discuss it with your family and if your family has an accountant, involve them to determine if and how much financial aid will be needed. Start learning about FAFSA and the process that is involved with it. Remember, there are a lot of factors that will determine how much assistance will be needed. It’s really up to the college to determine how much the overall cost will be to attend. Many institutions provide students with scholarships or grants so those are possibilities that should be researched as they may help alleviate part of the cost. Also, take in to consideration any private scholarships from outside companies or organizations that have been applied too and received.

(3) Stay Active

The summer is a great time for a student to become involved in a few extracurricular activities, such as swimming or playing an instrument, in which they hold an interest; these activities would then serve as an asset on their college resume and application. The important thing is that whatever they become involved in should be something that they remain involved in for not only the summer, but also throughout the school year. The main reason for this is that colleges are more likely to be impressed with continuity rather than something short-lived and sporadic. Extracurricular activities don’t only have to be hobbies, but could even be in the form of community service or volunteering somewhere, such as at a local hospital, food bank or soup kitchen. The key is to not be involved in too much that it runs one ragged but just enough to strengthen the college resume.

(4) Map It Out & Prepare

Senior year will be full of tests so sit down with a calendar and map out particular test dates, such as those for the SAT, ACT, SAT Subject Tests, AP exams and potential school tests, such as midterms and final exams. Our consultants, at Dolphin Academic Prep, recommend that students utilize the summer to prepare for these tests when they need to be taken during their senior year. As parents, support your student’s desire and effort to practice and prepare so that they can do well and help any way you possibly can. Also, keep in mind that some colleges may require SAT Subject Tests so learn the requirements and deadlines of the colleges of interest and plan accordingly.  Don’t forget to also incorporate any college visits, financial aid and scholarships deadlines to this mapping to avoid any congestion in the calendar.

(5) Keep It Up

One of the hardest things to do as a parent is to ensure that your student does not lose motivation. Sit down and discuss with them the courses they’re planning on taking and ensure that the curriculum is challenging enough so colleges don’t feel they’re slacking off during their senior year. It’s important that your student keep up their grade point average and continue to do well. At Dolphin Academic Prep, we work one-on-one with your student and can help them manage their time more efficiently and effectively while at the same time helping them do well in school, thus alleviating some of the associated stress.

It’s never too early to start thinking about the college process and the steps mentioned will help start you on the right path. If your student has not done so already, it’s important that they introduce themselves and get to know their guidance counselor as they are the ones generally writing the college recommendation letters. Most counselors have a large number of students they’re responsible for, so it’s always best to make an appointment, if needed. In the meantime, to learn more about the college admission process and how to prep for the test required for them, such as the SAT, ACT or SAT Subject Tests, visit www.DolphinAcademicPrep.com.

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Are you a rising sophomore or junior in high school?

At Dolphin Academic Prep, we recommend that students spend the summer after their sophomore and junior years prepping for the SAT or ACT. Summer is an ideal time for students to utilize as they are generally free of most school-time distractions. So whether a student is just starting to think about colleges or whether they are in the middle of the college process, the earlier a student has attained their target score, the more beneficial it will be for them.

What is your target score?

Having an actual target score in mind is beneficial. It does a couple of things: it provides motivation and it serves as a target point as you develop a test-prep strategy. Once you’ve determined how far away you are from your target score, you will know how much time it will take for you to prep and reach your desired score. If you’re further away from your target score, then it might make sense to spend more of your summer prepping for the SAT or ACT.

How many times have you taken the SAT or ACT?

We recommend taking the SAT or ACT no more than three times. If you’re planning on taking either test in the upcoming fall, it might make sense to do the bulk of preparation during the summer so that you’re less pressured during the school year and more confident on test day.

Do you have more free time during the summer versus the school year?

Time management is a balancing act but something that is extremely vital as you work towards your goal. The chances are that you’re more likely to have free time during the summer, even with other obligations, than you normally would throughout the school year. Compare your obligations during the summer to those during your school year (e.g. academic, extra-curricular and personal). The September/October ACT and the September SAT test dates tend to be the most popular times amongst juniors and seniors. Prepping during the summer will allow you to feel better prepared without anxiety and stress playing as much a factor. Once school starts, you can utilize the time frame before test day to keep up rather than catch up by lightly reviewing your study material.

The main thing to ask yourself is how much more of a work-load you want to handle during the actual school year. If during the school year, you are planning on joining any clubs, partaking in any sports, holding any leadership positions and/or taking any AP classes, then it might be in your best interest to manage your time effectively and efficiently by utilizing the summer to study for the SAT or ACT.

Contact Dolphin Academic Prep today!

To learn more about the SAT or ACT or if you have any questions and need help prepping for either test, give one of our Dolphin Academic Prep educational consultants and they’ll help guide you to success.

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To start with, it is very important to educate yourself on which of the two tests is right for you. Of the two tests, the SAT is lengthier and requires that test-takers have a higher vocabulary base than is required for the ACT. A test-taker may need to spend more time during the SAT in determining what’s being asked before they can even answer the question at hand. The ACT, however, allows for an easier read on the first pass-through as the questions are generally more straightforward and easier to understand.

In addition to the math and verbal sections, the ACT has a science component, which the SAT does not include. The SAT, on the other hand, requires a test-taker to complete an essay, whereas the essay on the ACT is optional. That being said, depending on which college the test-taker is applying too, the ACT essay is usually recommended.

For further help on deciding which test works best for you, read our featured article: Which Should I take, the ACT or the SAT?.

There is a major difference between the two tests in how they are perceived by college admissions officers. When evaluating the results of the exams, the ACT score is viewed as a composite score rather than as each individual section whereas when it comes to the SAT, a college admissions officer may focus upon how a test-taker has done in each individual section. Therefore, if you are weak in one subject area but strong in others, you could still end up with a very good ACT score but it doesn’t necessarily hold true with the SAT.

For students who will be taking either test, we suggest you visit collegeboard.org and act.org for up-to-date news and information during the testing season. We recommend that you start your planning and preparation early enough to help reduce anxiety and allow for adequate preparation time. At Dolphin Academic Prep, we offer private personalized guidance and assistance in preparation for either test, and help reduce the stress by mapping out expectations and working with you to ensure you are confident come test day.

Timing is everything, or at least greatly important, when it comes to taking one of these standardized tests. You’ve heard the phrase, “Use your time wisely”, correct? It’s easier said than done, especially during one of these exams. It’s very easy to get caught up on an individual question and lose track of valuable time and waste precious minutes. During the test, if you find yourself stumped by a particular question, skip it and return to it later once you’ve answered those questions that are easier for you. It’s important to be mindful of the clock, but at the same time don’t let it become a cause of anxiety for you. Familiarize yourself with each section of the test and the time allocated to it. Remember to fill in all possible answer choices and then, if needed, go back to questions you were uncertain of and try those again if time permits.

It is important to keep in mind that scoring is tabulated differently for the ACT than for the SAT. For the SAT, incorrect answers penalize you and therefore cause you to lose more points for answering a question incorrectly whereas skipping a question and not answering it at all wouldn’t affect your score. Therefore on the SAT, we recommend that you only answer a question that you feel that you have a better chance of getting correct. On the other hand, when taking the ACT, it’s important to answer every question possible as you are awarded points for each question answered correctly and there is no deduction for incorrect responses. So, even if you are completely unsure of how to answer a question on the ACT, take a guess and bubble in a response as it’ll increase your chances of scoring higher.

Just as it’s important to study for these or any other standardized tests to do well, it’s also vital to be mindful of your health. Nutrition, or brain food, is something that is completely overlooked in preparation for these tests. Eat a nutritious dinner the night before and make sure not to skip breakfast the morning of the test. For both meals, eat foods such as eggs, avocados, salmon, blueberries, nuts, and dark chocolate that are known to help boost memory, mood and concentration. Try to stay away from processed sugars because they usually can cause a person’s concentration and stamina to crash at inopportune times resulting in a feeling of tiredness. Also, remember to eat in moderation; don’t over stuff yourself, especially on the morning of the test. Pack a snack as there is a break given during these tests that will allow for you to refuel and reenergize yourself.

Lastly, remember to breathe! It sounds simple enough, but it’s surprising how many students don’t take deep breathes to reduce their stress and anxiety. Just focus on what’s at hand in front of you and try not worry about anything else. If you’re an anxious person by nature, then rely on your family, friends, tutors and support team to help you find ways to cope with the stress of the upcoming test. At the end of the day, as important as it is to study for the test, eat right, and plan ahead, it’s just as important to stay calm so that you can do your best. The goal for surviving the SAT and the ACT is to beat the test and not let the test beat you. Good luck!

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Why is it used?

The purpose of utilizing stanines is to allow for comparison of your student’s performance on both the ability tests and the related achievement tests to others who have taken the same test. It allows both you and admission officers to utilize one number rather than several different scales, raw test data, percentages or scores when determining and deciding on school admissions.

A look at a sample report:

How does it work?

Regardless of the number of individuals who take the test, the percentage breakdown remains standard. For example, let’s say 100 students take the test. Out of those, 4% of the students (4 out of the 100) will receive a 9, 7% (7 out of the 100) will receive a 8, 12% (12 out of the 100) will receive a 7, 17% (17 out of the 100) will receive a 6, 20% (20 out of the 100) will receive a 5, 17% (17 out of the 100) will receive a 4, 12% (12 out of the 100) will receive a 3, 7% (7 out of the 100) will receive a 2 and 4% (4 out of the 100) will receive a 1. No matter the number of students who take the test, whether it’s 10 or 10,000, the percentages will remain the same, meaning that 4% of students will always receive a 9, 7% of students will always receive an 8, 12% of students will always receive a 7, etc. Therefore the mean, or the average, will be 5. In essence, stanines of 1 – 3 are below average, stanines 4 – 6 are average, and stanines of 7 – 9 are above average. Simply put, if you’re in the 1 -3 range, then there’s quite a bit of work that needs to be done so don’t delay!

More information

We are here to answer your questions about the ISEE and interpreting the stanine score, so give us a call or send us an email to see how personalized tutoring with a private Dolphin Academic Prep tutor can help benefit you.

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Keep the following guidelines in mind as you become invested in the college admissions process:

Class Selection
One of the most important factors in the college admissions process is the rigor of a student’s schedule and the student’s performance in classes. Both are compared relative to other students at the student’s own school and relative to the offerings at each high school. Advanced Placement (AP) courses are not for everyone, so consider what’s right for you before you go the entire school year regretting a decision that may adversely affect your GPA. Depending on the high school, certain school will offer less AP classes than others as they don’t have the capability to offer them. Students attending those high schools should understand that they will not be penalized by colleges. Colleges are mostly looking to see how students challenged themselves within their own environment among their own peers in school. That being said, it’s important to understand that certain schools, particularly ivy leagues, will compare top students throughout a region or area when deciding on which candidate is right for them.

Grades
It’s essential that you keep up your grades. Although, you may be applying for Applications for Early Action (non-binding) or Early Decision (binding), which are due in October and November, keep in mind that colleges have the right to ask for grades later on. Depending on the situation, they also have the right to rescind their offer. Therefore, it’s best to try to maintain your grades and GPA throughout your academic years.

Testing
October is the time when high school juniors will take the PSAT in school. Though colleges won’t see these scores because it is a “practice” run for the SAT, it is important to remember that a strong score could translate into scholarship money since the PSAT is the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT).

Generally, the PSAT serves as a benchmark for future standardized testing. When you receive your results back, understand the areas where you can improve and work towards a better score.

Build Your Resume
If you haven’t already started building a strong resume for college admissions purposes, then this is the time to start. Join clubs and partake in activities that are of interest to you; take an active role and seek out leadership opportunities within these organizations. Leadership is considered the strongest transferable skill from high school to college, therefore, it is looked well upon by admission committees.

Visit Campuses
Build a list of colleges and universities of interest to you. Plan to visit a few that are nearby. If possible, select ones that are fundamentally different in size and type so that you can understand the pros and cons of each.

It’s never to early to start…To learn more about Dolphin Academic Prep and our college guidance and coaching programs, contact us today at 646.490.5075.

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The ACT tests students in four areas: English, reading, math and science. ACT officials said they set college readiness benchmarks that reflect the minimum scores students need to achieve a 75% chance of earning a C or higher and a 50% chance of earning a B or higher in a typical first-year college course.

Of the 54% of 2013 high school graduates who took the ACT, 64% percent met the English benchmark, 44% met the mark in reading, 44% met the mark in mathematics and 36% reached the science benchmark. According to the 2013 ACT Report, the overall performance of students remains unchanged since 2009, with the average score falling slightly this year, from 21.1 to 20.9; the maximum score that can be attained is 36 points.

In response to the report, Education Secretary Arne Duncan stated, “This report demonstrates that we must be honest about our students’ performance and implement higher standards if we’re serious about improving educational outcomes.”

Jon Erickson, president of ACT’s education division, says, “Our country’s commitment to college readiness for all students is a good one, but we’ve got a lot of work to do.”

As a whole, the majority of states are largely unprepared. The exceptions are Minnesota and Wisconsin where more than half of the 2013 high school graduates met three or more of the ACT benchmarks. Of the 1.7 million students who took the ACT exam, as many as 290,000 were within 2 points of meeting at least one of the four readiness benchmarks.

“There is a group that’s on the fence,” Erickson said. “Sometimes it just takes a refresher, or one more course, or working with students on some skills that they haven’t mastered.”

Erickson remarked, “With a little further instruction or motivation, perhaps some additional remediation or refreshing some of their past skills, they may be able to achieve that benchmark.”

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Time is of the essence, so don’t delay! This is the right time to start thinking of your options for an independent school. For more help on preparing your child for the SSAT/ISEE test or for assistance with the entire independent school admissions timeline, contact one of our Dolphin consultants today by calling 646-490-5075.

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First determine which test, the SSAT or the ISEE, your independent/private school recommends your student take. Then, have your student take a full-length practice test as soon as possible. The practice test will provide you with an estimate of your student’s score while at the same time shine light upon his or her areas of strengths and weaknesses so that you can plan appropriately. Remember, the best case scenario is that your student does exceptionally well, and therefore you don’t have to worry about the test score when it comes to the application process. The worst case scenario, which if you start early enough is not all that bad, is that your student will need to spend a little bit of extra time preparing for the test. In that case, give Dolphin Academic Prep a call and we can discuss how one of our professional SSAT or ISEE tutors can best help your student do better.

As part of our SSAT and ISEE programs, Dolphin offers diagnostic tests to help gauge a student’s readiness for the actual test. We work one-on-one, in the comforts of your home, with each individual to tailor a program specifically to address the needs of each student. Your best tool for the entire independent/private school admissions process is planning ahead. Taking the SSAT or the ISEE is certainly no exception to this. Have your student take a practice SSAT or ISEE as soon as possible or if you’d like give us a call and we can arrange it for you. Whether it’s general questions that you have about the test or need help in preparing for the SSAT or ISEE, Dolphin Academic Prep is here to help so give us a call or email us today.

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One of the most well known components of this form is the essay portion. As of 2013, the Common App has revised this portion, and to the dismay of many students, removed the ‘topic of your choice’ essay prompt. In the place of the older essay prompts, Common App has released five new ones for the 2013-2014 admission season:

• Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
• Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?
• Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
• Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?
• Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

Applicants are advised to choose the option that best helps them to answer the prompt and write a great, inspirational and well-structured essay. The Common App tends to be a stickler when it comes to essay length. In past years, the max word count for the essay used to be 500, but that has been increased to 650 words. That being said, the online version of the application will not accept an essay that is shorter than 250 words in length.

At Dolphin Academic Prep, we advise our students and parents to think ahead. We recommend students start the college application process early. Juniors, who will soon be seniors in high school, should take the time this summer to begin drafting their essays to get ahead of the curve and be better prepared. For those who need help with the college search process, filling out applications or guidance on composing a well-constructed essay, Dolphin Academic Prep is here to assist, so give us a call today.

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