Archive for January, 2010

29
Jan

SAT Registration: Follow These Simple Instructions…

Sometimes navigating websites even to do what seem like the simplest tasks can be overly complicated. But when you’re preparing for the SAT, you’re under enough stress! Follow the clear-cut instructions below to register for the SAT through CollegeBoard.com without a hitch.

  1. Go to http://www.collegeboard.com/student/index.html?student
  2. If you already have a College Board account—sign in. Otherwise, under “My Organizer” click “Sign Up,” enter your information, and create a user name and password.
  3. When signed in, go to http://sat.collegeboard.com/register and click “Register Now.”
  4. Fill out your basic information to get to the “Select Test and Center tab.”
  5. The rest is self-explanatory!

If you’re still in the stages of SAT preparation don’t forget to learn your SAT vocabulary which could help you raise your score up to 150 points!

Good luck on your SAT!

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21
Jan

Vocab Videos: Facebook Challenge for a FREE 1 YEAR MEMBERSHIP!

Hey Vocab Videos fans! We’re trying to give our Vocab Videos Facebook page a boost, and we need your help! We’re asking those of you who “Like” Vocab Videos on Facebook to get your Facebook friends to do the same!

The Vocab Videos Facebook page offers a bit of SAT advice every day whether it’s in the form of the definition of an SAT vocabulary word, a word scramble challenge, a funny vocab video, or some useful tips for test prep success.

Of course, for your help, we would like to give you something in return— A FREE ONE YEAR SUBSCRIPTION TO VOCAB VIDEOS!

  • Get 20 of your friends to become Vocab Videos fans (using the “Suggest to Friends” feature) and we’ll get you started with a one year membership to our online vocabulary system!
  • E-mail staff@vocabvideos.com to let us know all of the Facebook friends you’ve recruited!

To suggest the Vocab Videos Facebook page to your friends, simply follow these instructions:

  1. If you haven’t already, become a fan of Vocab Videos by logging in and going to the Vocab Videos Facebook page.
  2. Once you become a fan, on the Vocab Videos Facebook page, directly underneath Vocab Videos’ profile picture is the option “Suggest to Friends”
  3. Either search for friends you think would be interested in the page, or better yet select all of your friends!
  4. Then click “Send Invitations”

Trust us: It’s that simple, but more importantly—it’s worth it! Vocabulary is essential to success on college entrance exams like the SAT and ACT. So put your SAT vocabulary flashcards aside and study your SAT vocabulary the FUN way with Vocab Videos!

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Join in the Vocab Videos Facebook Challenge to receive a FREE ONE YEAR MEMBERSHIP to Vocab Videos!

*Vocab Videos is a unique web-based learning system that brings vocabulary to life, and is being effectively used in schools across the country to prepare students for standardized tests like the SAT and as a general vocabulary improvement tool. The system uses hilarious short videos to illustrate the meanings of over 500 high frequency SAT vocabulary words making them easy for students to learn and remember. The extensive study material including practice quizzes, word lists with definitions, and recommended study guides, reinforces the vocabulary students learn through the videos and promotes high levels of retention.

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Posted in ALL ABOUT VOCAB, ATTN: Teachers!, Events & Info, SPECIAL OFFERS | Comments Off

20
Jan

SAT Preparation: Have a Plan!

action-plan

Preparing for a standardized test like the SAT or ACT? Have a plan!

If you’re just beginning to embark on the test preparation journey, it’s safe to say that you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed. The test prep process is one that can be stressful. After all, standardized tests like the SAT and ACT, whether we like it or not, are extremely important—they help determine where one is accepted into college. And, it’s no secret that where one goes to college can certainly influence his or her future. Below are a few tips for staying on top of your SAT test preparation.  It is students, themselves, who are largely in control of creating a plan for test-prep success…and sticking to it.

  • Make a Schedule:  Set goals for yourself. Assign a certain amount of time each day to working on test prep, whether you’re taking the SAT or ACT (or any standardized test, for that matter).  Make a plan with your tutor outlining what you hope to accomplish, or resolve to study from your review book for thirty minutes a night. A commitment and a little review per day can go a long way.
  • Study Vocabulary: If you’ve got plenty of time before you take the SAT and/or ACT, and are wondering what you can do to start preparing for your college entrance exams, the answer is STUDY YOUR SAT VOCABULARY!  Vocabulary is an essential part of test prep success, and a manageable way to get a head a head start in your SAT preparation. Essentially, you can start learning it at any age. Study a little vocab a day; knowing you SAT vocabulary will mean higher scores on your verbal sections.
  • Take Practice Tests: This is often, far and away, the best form of review. Take as many SAT and ACT practice exams as you can! Come to know what to expect when it comes to the format, question types, and your time management skills. The more comfortable you are with the test, the more comfortable you will be on the big day.
  • Read: There are lots of wonderful reasons for reading, but if you didn’t know, it can be extremely useful when you’re preparing for your college entrance exams. Pick up the newspaper or go take out a book from the library. Have a dictionary on hand to look up any words you come across that you don’t know (we can’t emphasize enough how crucial SAT vocabulary is!). You’ll be reading about subjects you’re not necessarily familiar with on the SAT and ACT, so get some practice. Make sure that you’re able to grasp the reading passages’ key content.
  • Prepare Essay Examples: It’s a good idea to use past SAT essay prompts to practice writing the essay.  But there is a step you should take before sitting down to practice writing your SAT essay: Prepare your examples! Come up with a handful of essay examples and stories that you can work into nearly any SAT essay topic. Having some well-rehearsed examples to apply to your SAT essay will save you precious time on the test and likely help earn you a higher score.

What good is a SAT study plan if you’re not going to stick to it?  Make sure you stick to your test-prep study schedule! Study some vocabulary every day; do a practice SAT or ACT section a few times a week; be sure to show some commitment. This is important; it will undoubtedly pay off when you’re mailbox is filled with college acceptance letters!

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Posted in Advice & Tips, Events & Info, The Dreaded...SAT | Comments Off

15
Jan

SAT Vocabulary: Vocab Videos are Better than SAT Vocabulary Flashcards!

flashcards final

Preparing for the SAT? See ya, SAT vocabulary flaschards and hello Vocab Videos!

While the significance of vocabulary to the English language remains constant, modes of studying this vocabulary have remained relatively stagnant. Vocab Videos, an innovative online vocabulary system, offers a revolutionary new way approach to studying SAT vocabulary and GRE vocabulary that trumps more traditional methods of learning new words such as vocabulary flashcards and vocabulary books.

Consider why the Vocab Videos system is more effective and engaging than SAT vocabulary flashcards and books:

  1. They Bring Vocabulary to Life: SAT vocabulary flashcards merely give you a definition (and perhaps a few synonyms and an example sentence), and a stack of 500 flashcards can be overwhelming. Vocab Videos goes way beyond text definitions, bringing vocabulary to life using entertaining short vocabulary videos that illustrate the meanings of 500 of the most common SAT vocabulary words!
  2. They’re Fun & Effective: Vocab Videos makes learning SAT vocabulary fun. The videos feature hilarious characters and many offer parodies of some of your favorite TV shows like Lost, The Office, 24, and Gossip Girl. And, it works! Research has shown that people remember more effectively when they have visual and auditory cues. Vocab Videos show students what the words mean, instead of just telling them.
  3. It’s NOTHING like Typical Study Time: Using the Vocab Videos system is not like most studying—it really is fun.  Students love watching and sharing videos, and the more students enjoy the process, the more effort they will put into learning the words.
  4. The System Includes Study Materials: If you like the idea of being able to bring your SAT vocabulary flashcards around to study, not to worry. In addition to its videos, the Vocab Videos system has plenty of portable review material to take with you when you’re away from the computer. Print quizzes, an SAT vocabulary word list with definitions, suggested study guides, and practice worksheets as a form of review to bring wherever you wish!

VocabVideos.com is passionate about teaching SAT vocabulary as we recognize how essential vocabulary can be to students’ test prep success as well as to their general literary skills. A rich vocabulary will pay off when it comes time to take standardized tests like the SAT, GRE, ISEE, and high school English exams. Even on questions that don’t specifically test vocabulary, students are often required to understand the meanings of words they encounter in sections that involve reading comprehension.

And, don’t forget: Vocabulary remains crucial long after the SAT and other standardized tests, and both inside and outside the classroom.  Here’s why:

  • A rich vocabulary will help you clearly articulate your thoughts whether you’re speaking to your professor or on a job interview.
  • Writing is in some way valuable in every class (with the exception of Mathematics!) and is also an important skill in nearly any career path you choose. A good vocabulary will enhance your writing and will allow you to better express your ideas.
  • Don’t get stuck on difficult words! Enrich your vocabulary for a better knowledge of what you’re reading, whether it’s The Wall Street Journal or a company report.

Vocabulary matters so make learning it a priority whether you’re preparing for a standardized test or not. Sure, you can learn new vocabulary words using SAT vocabulary flashcards and SAT vocabulary books, but why would you? Give Vocab Videos a try for a fun and effective way to speak, write, read, and score better!

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Posted in ALL ABOUT VOCAB, Events & Info, Tests other than the SAT | Comments Off

07
Jan

The ACT: A Basic Breakdown

Many of you aren’t quite as familiar with the ACT as you are with the SAT, but for some of you the ACT could certainly be worth taking. Here’s a quick look at the basic breakdown of the ACT.

The ACT is composed of 4 sections (called “tests”), plus an optional 5th:

  1. ENGLISH 75 questions in 45 minutes. Multiple choice grammar and usage questions.
  2. MATH 60 questions in 60 minutes. Multiple choice math questions.
  3. READING 40 questions in 35 minutes. Multiple choice reading comprehension questions.
  4. SCIENCE 40 questions in 35 minutes. Multiple choice data interpretation questions.
  5. WRITING (Optional) 30 minute essay. If taken, will be combined with English score.
  • You will get a score from 1 to 36 on each of the four main tests.
  • If you choose to take the Writing test, your score will be combined with your English score.
  • Your Composite Score is the average of your four test scores, rounded to the nearest whole number.
  • The English, Math, and Reading tests also have subscores in different categories. Each subscore is scored from 1 to 18.
  • Like the SAT, the ACT is scored by calculating a raw score based purely on the number of right answers, then translating that raw score into a final score using a scoring table. Also like the SAT, each test has its own unique scoring table in order to adjust for slight difficulty differences among tests.
  • Unlike the SAT, the ACT does not take off points for wrong answers. This means that random guessing will not count against you. Most multiple choice questions have FOUR choices instead of five. The only exception is the Math test, which does have five choices.
  • The letters of the answer choices alternate ABCD/FGHJ every other question. On the Math test, choices alternate ABCDE/FGHJK
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ACT prep? Don't forget your #2 pencil, and Vocab Videos!

Remember: The best way to determine whether the SAT or the ACT is a better fit for you, is to take both SAT and ACT practice tests. So, if you’re struggling with the SAT, be sure to give the ACT a shot.

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