Winter 2019 Test Prep Series: Only Four Spots Left!

Four spots remain for CROSSWALK's Winter Test Prep Series. Hosted by Brooke Higgins, this six-week course is a great way to kick off 2019 with focused and individualized SAT and ACT test prep. 

Sign up today! Only four spots remain! You can attend in person at the Stevenson School in Pebble Beach or via Skype.

All sessions meet on Tuesday evenings from 6-8pm. Here is the schedule:

• 1/8: SAT and ACT Test Overview and General Strategies
• 1/15: Reading Strategies for Success
• 1/23: Math Strategies for Success
• 1/29: Writing Strategies for Success
• 2/5: Science Strategies for Success
• 2/12: Essay Strategies for Success

Sign up or get more information via the following form. 

And don't forget, new this year: Students who sign up for the entire six-week program receive a FREE one-on-one coaching session. 

Questions? Or need further information? Contact CROSSWALK here.

CROSSWALK is the Monterey Peninsula's local resource for SAT, ACT, PSAT, SSAT prep and academic tutoring. 

SAT & ACT: It's Not the Content, It's the Process

Most tests in school are content-based: vocabulary memorization, chapter reviews, math problem sets, comprehensive exams, etc. 

After years of content-based tests, students learn how to memorize facts and regurgitate them on an exam. Students develop keen ways of cramming content the night before in order to succeed on a test. 

Content learning is a useful skill in school, for now. Education is undergoing a massive shift as content is simply a search engine or finger swipe away. Students in the future will likely not have to memorize as much. Instead, they will be faced with the process of learning. 

One such learning process is how to succeed on the SAT or ACT. 

On the surface, the SAT and ACT tests look like content-based tests. But dig deeper and find that both tests assess a student's ability to process more than a student's ability to memorize. 

For example, the reading tested on the test is about comprehension, not knowledge. Test makers select reading passages that will challenge students to process how a writer uses evidence, states an argument, persuades an audience or tells a story. A student cannot memorize the passage the night before. 

Even math, though seemingly content-based, assesses the process of getting through a litany of different math problems in a defined set of time. Memorizing math content might help here, but it is more about the process of navigating algebra, geometry, word problems, trigonometry and more. Math is a mash up of content which means the process is more important. 

So if the SAT and ACT are more process-based than content-based, how do you perform better? 

Simply embrace the process.

Understand that test success is a journey. It is not something you can cram for the night before. Prepare your game plan, practice and make test prep part of your normal routine. 

Consider a group class like CROSSWALK's upcoming Winter Test Prep Series. 

Above all, approach the SAT and ACT with the process in mind. These are not tests based on strict content memorization. These are tests that take trial and error. 

Start your process today by contacting CROSSWALK, the Monterey Peninsula's local resource for test prep and academic tutoring. 

The Source of SAT/ACT Stress and How to Overcome It

Stress is the enemy of test performance. Stressed students perform worse than unstressed students. Stressed brains do not learn as effectively as an unstressed brain. 

As an SAT and ACT prep tutor, my primary goal is to reduce as much stress as possible for my students. Stress reduction starts with stress recognition so my students and I often start our tutoring sessions with a discussion of stress and where it comes from. 

In unpacking the source of ACT and SAT stress, we identify typical culprits like peers, parents, expectations, and performance. While these stressors are indeed present, there is one aspect of the SAT and ACT that seems to cause the most stress: uncertainty. 

Uncertainty is a major stressor. When you don't know what is coming, anxiety sets in and panic can ensue. On a test, if anxiety is the predominant emotion, then logical problem solving and critical thinking skills are not able to function. 

Imagine trying to solve a Rubik's Cube while being attacked by a bear. The anxiety and panic in your flight or fight response would dominate your brain and you would have no brain power to logic your way through the Rubik's Cube. 

The good news is that overcoming the stress and anxiety of SAT and ACT uncertainty is actually quite simple. Since the test directions, format and content have not changed in several years--the last major change was on the SAT in 2016--a student can prepare for the unknown. 

Practice tests, test prep books and classes like CROSSWALK's upcoming Winter ACT and SAT Prep Series are all ways to reduce the uncertainty. 

When dealing with the uncertain, it helps to have a script or a plan to follow. By learning key test prep strategies, like when to spend time and when to save time, a student can enter the unknown of the SAT or ACT with a pretty good sense of what is coming. 

Stress is reduced when students know what is on the test and how to tackle each section. A Game Plan is the key to reducing any stress of the uncertain. 

Learn how to prepare your own Game Plan with CROSSWALK through private sessions or a group class. Contact CROSSWALK today to learn more. 

Winter 2019 ACT & SAT Test Prep Series

Kick off 2019 with a focused and individualized SAT and ACT test prep program by Brooke Higgins of CROSSWALK.

Starting Tuesday, January 8th, CROSSWALK is hosting a six-week winter ACT and SAT test prep series.

Attend in person at the Stevenson School in Pebble Beach or via Skype.

All sessions meet on Tuesday evenings from 6-8pm. Here is the schedule:

• 1/8: SAT and ACT Test Overview and General Strategies
• 1/15: Reading Strategies for Success
• 1/23: Math Strategies for Success
• 1/29: Writing Strategies for Success
• 2/5: Science Strategies for Success
• 2/12: Essay Strategies for Success

Drop in for the session you need and pay by the class or sign up for the whole program and save.

Sign up via the following form. 

New this year: Students who sign up for the entire six-week program receive a FREE one-on-one coaching session. 

Questions? Or need further information? Contact CROSSWALK here.

CROSSWALK is the Monterey Peninsula's local resource for SAT, ACT, PSAT, SSAT prep and academic tutoring. 

From the Vault: Greatest Hits of SAT/ACT Test Prep

After four years of (mostly) biweekly blog posts on SAT and ACT test prep advice, it's high time to offer a post of greatest hits.

Without further ado, I humbly present several of my more popular test prep blog posts:

One of the hardest parts of SAT and ACT passage-based reading (aka evidence-based reading) is when students get stuck between two possible answer choices. This posts helps students Get Unstuck Between Two Answer Choices.

Here's a post to help students reduce their stress around the test by reminding them that there are over 1,000 Reasons to Not Stress on the ACT and SAT.

Success stories seem popular. Here is an ACT Success Story.

My six-part series about how to Conquer the SAT and ACT Math with the Math Toolbox generated lots of interest.

For test takers planning to take the test soon, here are the Do's and Don'ts 24 Hours Before Test Day.

And finally, one of my favorite posts of all time, is Stop Calling Students "Bad Test Takers."

More hits to come. Subscribe to this blog to get free test prep advice directly to your inbox. Or contact CROSSWALK today to learn more about our SAT/ACT prep and academic tutoring.

5 Keys to a Better SAT and ACT Essay

On the surface, the SAT and ACT essay prompts look remarkably different.

The SAT essay asks students to first read an article then write an analysis of how the author uses evidence, reasoning and stylistic elements to persuade an audience. The ACT essay asks students to first consider three perspectives on a debatable topic then write about which perspective makes most sense to them while also addressing why the other perspectives don't make sense.

Despite this seemingly vast difference, the path to a good essay score on both the SAT and the ACT is quite similar. 

To get a good essay score on either the SAT and the ACT, students must do all of the following:

1) Address the Prompt

If a student writes off topic, there is no way s/he can score well. Often students get caught up in the argument on the SAT and debate the author's point instead of analyzing the author's persuasiveness. To maximize your essay score, be sure you are answering the question.

2) Organize Your Thoughts

Logical structure on both the SAT and ACT is a major scoring category. For either essay, start with a thesis statement and then build paragraphs to support this thesis statement with evidence. Each paragraph must be a coherent argument that adds to the overall thesis statement. Finish with a strong conclusion that summarizes the main points. The old five-paragraph essay structure is not necessary but certainly offers an excellent way to organize your thoughts.

3) Vary Your Vocabulary

You don't need to use fancy words, just the right ones. Use signposts to tell the reader where you are going with your argument. Phrases like "for example," "nevertheless," and "furthermore" are simple yet effective phrases that help your organization and demonstrate mastery of key writing structures. Throw in a couple more words from a good SAT/ACT vocabulary list and you should be in good shape.

4) Cite Evidence

Any strong argument is supported with evidence. The nice thing about the SAT is your evidence is from the passage. Cite specific examples of reasoning, facts, stylistic elements and other pieces of evidence the author uses to make your point stronger. ACT evidence can come from your studies, things you have read, movies you have seen, current events or even personal experiences. Evidence is the key to getting your point across to the reader.

5) Write More

Fill the pages not with huge handwriting but detailed and developed paragraphs. Essay graders won't spend too much time reading everything you write but they will see how much you write. Assuming you can present a strong thesis, back that up with loads of evidence that show the reader you are prepared to write and write.

Both the SAT and ACT essay prompts present their own unique challenges. Nevertheless, as long as you address the prompt, present your arguments in a logical structure, vary your vocabulary, cite evidence and write as much as you can, you can achieve a high score on either test.

For more help in SAT and ACT prep, contact CROSSWALK today.

The Best (and Easiest) App for SAT & ACT Prep

There are many apps available to help students navigate the SAT and ACT prep waters. 

IXL offers math practice. ACCUPLACER helps with reading. Magoosh is great for vocabulary. 

While these apps are all great options, the best (and easiest) app to use for test prep is your calendar app. 

Wherever you are in your test preparation, pull out your calendar app and note the days and times you will study. Like many tasks in life, if you put them on a calendar, you increase the likelihood of getting them done. 

Many students have test prep books, practice sets, online resources or other helpful study tools. All of these are all worthless unless you take the time to use them. 

And there is no better way to take the time than making the time. Set up specific hours in the day over a period of several months when you will read through the books, try practice sets, review test content and take full-length practice sets. 

Putting these tasks on a calendar is a simple and extremely effective way to ensure that you get your prep done. Avoid procrastination by scheduling what you will do and when. 

Calendars and routines may be boring but they enable amazing productivity. Set your routine on your calendar app, heed the event reminders and build towards your test prep success. 

If you need help along the way, CROSSWALK is here. Contact us today. 

Time as a Currency on SAT and ACT

On standardized tests like the SAT and ACT, time is money. Not money in the sense of cash but money as a currency to be saved or spent. 

Make no mistake: the SAT and ACT are strictly timed tests. For a student to maximize a score, a key approach is to know when to spend time and when to save time. 

Let's take the ACT math section as an example: 

The ACT math section is 60 questions in 60 minutes. In other words, each question should take one minute. ACT math questions are also organized so that easier questions are found in the beginning of the set while harder ones are found towards the end. 

Easy questions are perfect opportunities to save time. If you can solve a math problem in less than 30 seconds, you save 30 seconds to use on a harder problem. Save 30 seconds on five or six problems and you now have an extra 2-3 minutes to spend on hard problems that require more time. 

You can even save time on the really hard problems. If you were to come across a problem that seems impossible, save time on this one by guessing the answer and moving on. The 2-3 minutes you would have spent on an impossible problem is now saved time that you can use to score points in other areas. 

This approach works on the other sections as well: time saved is time you can spend in other areas. 

If you want a perfect score, then be sure to spend time on all of the problems. But if you don't need a perfect score, determine where to spend time and where to save time on the ACT and SAT. 

Learn how to spend or save your time on the SAT and ACT with help from CROSSWALK. Contact us today to get prepared for test day. 

SAT and ACT Reality Check

"Stress is the enemy of test performance" is the mantra my students hear repeatedly. Much of my test prep work is about reducing the stress that surrounds SAT and ACT test day. 

By familiarizing students with the content and strategy of the tests through practice sessions, the goal is to make test day routine and comfortable. 

Along with test practice, students are routinely reminded that there are over 1,000 schools that do not place substantial weight on SAT and ACT scores in the process of admission. Thanks to FairTest, this fact provides great stress relief for students who realize there are many potential college opportunities regardless of test performance. 

Further, students learn that test scores are just one piece of the pie. Colleges consider GPA, admission essays, interviews, letter of recommendations and more when reviewing applications. 

So do test scores actually matter?

Reality check time: yes, they do. 

Let's assume, like most students, you wish to apply to a competitive school. Competitive schools receive many applications. With so many applications, schools need a quick and easy method to identify top prospects. Test scores provide such a method.

Schools do not want to discourage applicants. Along with the financial gain of the application fees, schools want as many applications as possible so as to keep their admission rates low. 

The lower a school's admission rate, the better its ranking on the US News and World Report list. The better its ranking, the more competitive the school. The more competitive a school, the more applications received. More applications means a lower admission rate and the cycle continues. 

But admission rate and rankings are not the only reasons schools continue to use test scores in the process of admission. An article from the Wall Street Journal earlier this year cites several researched-backed reasons colleges continue to consider test scores in the process of admission. 

The reality is that the SAT and ACT, particularly for the more competitive schools, are not going anywhere. 

So as long as these tests are here to stay, you may as well find ways to navigate the process. Reduce your stress around the testing experience. Familiarize yourself with the content and strategies. And above all, read, read and read some more. 

CROSSWALK is here to support you in the process. Contact CROSSWALK today and we will be happy to come alongside your journey. 

Stuck Between Two Answer Choices? Here's How to Get Unstuck

It's SAT and ACT reading time and you know the drill: skim and annotate the passage, dive into the questions and start to eliminate answer choices based on your understanding of the passage. 

While this approach to SAT and ACT reading is excellent, it fails to address a common challenge: what do you do if two answer choices both seem possible? 

You know you have been there before; even after eliminating some answer choices, you are still stuck between two potential answer choices and both seem correct. So how do you get unstuck? 

Getting unstuck is about asking yourself a simple question: "Which answer choice is most supported by the evidence in the passage?" 

In order to answer this question, you will need to do a deep dive into the details of the two options and compare the exact words to the evidence in the passage. The one best answer choice will be supported by the same tone, structure and words as written in the passage.

For example, one of the questions on SAT Practice Test #8 asks the following:

The main purpose of lines 1-10 ("Even...awaited me") is to

A) introduce the characters who play a part in the narrator's story.
B) list the difficult conditions the narrator endured in childhood.
C) describe the passion that dries the actions the narrator recounts. 
D) depict the narrator's aspirations before he met Sempere. 

To uncover the best answer, go back to the passage. Here are lines 1-10 for reference: 

Even then my only friends were made of paper and ink. At school I learned to read and write long before the other children. Where my school friends saw notches of ink on incomprehensible pages, I saw light, streets, and people. Words and the mystery of their hidden science fascinated me, and I saw in them a key with which I could unlock a boundless world, a safe haven from that home, those streets, and those troubled days in which even I could sense that only a limited fortune awaited me. 

At a quick glance, it is pretty easy to eliminate two answer choices: with no introduction of characters, the answer cannot be A, and there is no mention of any aspirations, so D is out.

But what about B and C? Both seem to hint at some evidence. Might both be possible? How do you differentiate between these two? 

Get unstuck by answering, "Which answer choice is most supported by the evidence in the passage?" 

Choice B offers "troubled days" and "limited fortuned." But is this a list? Don't you need more than two conditions to constitute a list? And are these really difficult conditions of childhood? Troubled days, yes, but the limited fortune is in the future, not during childhood. It appears we may not have the evidence for that one. 

Choice C, on the other hand, talks about "the passion" and lines 1-10 offer many passionate expressions: "I saw light," "mystery," "fascinated," "unlock a boundless world," and maybe even "safe haven." There is a ton of evidence to support the answer choice here. 

So clearly choice C offers more evidence. It is the answer to the question "Which answer choice is most supported by the evidence in the passage?" 

For reading, the devil is in the details. Each word matters. Each word connects (or lacks a connection) to the evidence in the passage. For an answer choice to be the best (i.e. correct), the words must mimic the evidence from the passage more than any other answer choice. So get unstuck between two possible answer choices by connecting back to whichever answer choice offers more evidence. 

Get unstuck on other SAT and ACT problems with help from CROSSWALK. The Monterey Peninsula's resource for academic tutoring, test prep and more, CROSSWALK is here to help. 

How to Guarantee UC Admission, Take II

A college counselor friend of mine likes to tell the story of Matthew, a student with a dream to go to UC Berkeley.

Upon meeting with Mathew, my friend reviewed his clients test scores and grades. Since his scores and grades were good but not great, my friend recommended that Matthew consider other UC schools. UC Berkeley, my friend told Matthew, was a long shot. 

Somewhat disheartened, the student agreed to apply to UC Merced as well UC Berkeley. While not his top choice, UC Merced appeared to be a viable back up. Both the counselor and the student agreed that his good grades and test scores would be more than enough to get admitted to UC Merced. 

Months later, Matthew received follow up communication from both UC Berkeley and UC Merced. Unexpectedly, Matthew was rejected by UC Merced yet offered admission to UC Berkeley. 

This seemingly improbable outcome proves that as much as college admission appears to be a science--good grades plus good test scores equals the college of your choice--nothing is ever guaranteed. 

Or is it? I wrote previously about the new UC Transfer Admission Guarantee. If your goal is a degree from a UC, that is a great way to do it. 

The other path towards potentially guaranteed UC admission is to ensure you are in the top 9% of California high school graduates. This "statewide path" is by no means easy since you must ensure you achieve a certain GPA and SAT or ACT score. Find out if you are in the top 9% by visiting this website and using the interactive tools to input your GPA and test scores. 

If you are in the top 9%, and you are not admitted to a UC, you should be "offered a spot at another campus if space is available." 

Perhaps this is not a guarantee but it is certainly something pretty close. 

And who knows? Maybe you could be the next Matthew and find yourself admitted to your dream school too. 

For test prep advice, contact CROSSWALK today. CROSSWALK is the go to resource for ACT, SAT, PSAT, SSAT and academic tutoring on the Monterey Peninsula. 

Three Spots Left for Summer Test Prep: Register Today!

There are exactly three spots left for CROSSWALK's six-week Summer ACT and SAT Test Prep Series. This is a highly personalized and individualized small group class ideal for Juniors and Sophomores. 

Students can attend in person at the Stevenson School in Pebble Beach or via Skype.

All sessions meet on Tuesday evenings from 6-7:30pm. Here is the schedule:

• 6/26: SAT and ACT Test Overview and General Strategies
• 7/3: Reading Strategies for Success
• 7/10: Math Strategies for Success
• 7/17: Writing Strategies for Success
  
• 7/24: Science Strategies for Success
• 7/31: Essay Strategies for Success

Drop in for the session you need and pay by the class or sign up for the whole program and save.

Sign up today via the following form. 

Questions? Or need further information? Contact CROSSWALK.

CROSSWALK is the Monterey Peninsula's local resource for SAT, ACT, PSAT, SSAT prep and academic tutoring. 

Register Today for Summer SAT/ACT Prep

Register today for a focused and individualized SAT and ACT test prep program by Brooke Higgins of CROSSWALK.

Starting Tuesday, June 26, CROSSWALK is hosting a six-week Summer ACT and SAT Test Prep Series.

Attend in person at the Stevenson School in Pebble Beach or via Skype.

All sessions meet on Tuesday evenings from 6-7:30pm. Here is the schedule:

• 6/26: SAT and ACT Test Overview and General Strategies
• 7/3: Reading Strategies for Success
• 7/10: Math Strategies for Success
• 7/17: Writing Strategies for Success
  
• 7/24: Science Strategies for Success
• 7/31: Essay Strategies for Success

Drop in for the session you need and pay by the class or sign up for the whole program and save.

Sign up via the following form. 

Questions? Or need further information? Contact CROSSWALK.

CROSSWALK is the Monterey Peninsula's local resource for SAT, ACT, PSAT, SSAT prep and academic tutoring. 

Your Summer ACT and SAT Prep Plan

Is school out for summer? Maybe not yet but we are getting close.

With summer around the corner, now is a good time to map out a test prep plan, particularly for current juniors in high school. Hopefully you already have a program, like CROSSWALK's Summer SAT/ACT Test Prep Series. If not, here is plan you can do on your own over eight weeks:

Week 1: Start with the End in Mind

Take the first week of summer to do some research into potential universities. Most importantly, as it relates to ACT and SAT prep, find out the score you need to get into the school(s) of your dreams. This score represents your Goal Score and your Goal Score is the key to your entire test preparation and strategy.

Week 2: Take a Practice Test

You may have already taken the PSAT or PreACT. If not, download a practice SAT and/or a practice ACT and take the test according to the directions and timing. Be sure to recreate the testing environment as realistically as possible so your practice experience is comparable to test day. For example, ignore your cell phone while taking the practice test.

Week 3: Run the Numbers

If you have a detailed score report from a PSAT or PreACT, be sure to access it. If you took a practice test, score your test according to the instructions. Running the numbers means determining the test score in your practice and comparing it to your Goal Score. Take the time to calculate your score so you can see the difference between your current score and the one you need. 

Week 4: Dig Into the Data

Once your have compiled your test score results, now you have to dig further into the test results. Turn over all stones and determine what kinds of questions you missed and what kinds of questions you aced. A strong understanding of your strengths and weaknesses is a major part of developing your preparation and strategy going forward.

Week 5: Get Better

Simply put, take your weaknesses and put a plan together to improve. For example, if you find you always miss graphing function problems, ask a friend, find a teacher or even access some videos on Khan Academy to get better at this skill. 

Week 6: Prepare a Game Plan

After working on your weaknesses, fine tune your Game Plan, or your strategic approach to test day. For example, map out your timing so you know exactly how much time you have to spend on each section. Similarly, determine which problems to guess on and which ones to spend time on. Your Game Plan is the path towards your Goal Score. 

Week 7: Test. Learn. Repeat.

Take at least a week to work your plan. Do practice sets and maybe even a full length practice test. Score them and learn from your mistakes. Adjust your plan accordingly and repeat the process. It's an iterative process but the more you do it, the better you will score. 

Week 8: Set Your Mindset to Growth

Students who believe they can learn anything with hard work, effort and determination will learn more. It's a scientific fact. If you are stuck in a rut and don't think you can learn anything new, get out of the rut of a fixed mindset and adopt a growth mindset. Tell yourself you can get better at anything with time and effort and you will. 

Not too hard of a plan, right? It's totally doable. Now just map out the weeks and dates on your calendar and get your summer test prep plan going. If you need help, contact CROSSWALK. 

Summer SAT and ACT Workshop Series Starts 6/26

Register today for a focused and individualized SAT and ACT test prep program by Brooke Higgins of CROSSWALK.

Starting Tuesday, June 26, CROSSWALK is hosting a six-week Summer ACT and SAT Test Prep Series.

Attend in person at the Stevenson School in Pebble Beach or via Skype.

All sessions meet on Tuesday evenings from 6-7:30pm. Here is the schedule:

• 6/26: SAT and ACT Test Overview and General Strategies
• 7/3: Reading Strategies for Success
• 7/10: Math Strategies for Success
• 7/17: Writing Strategies for Success
• 7/24: Science Strategies for Success
• 7/31: Essay Strategies for Success

Drop in for the session you need and pay by the class or sign up for the whole program and save.

Sign up via the following form. 

Questions? Or need further information? Contact CROSSWALK.

CROSSWALK is the Monterey Peninsula's local resource for SAT, ACT, PSAT, SSAT prep and academic tutoring. 

The SAT During School Hours

What if the SAT was administered during school hours? How might that change the testing experience?

Just recently, the Sacramento City Unified School District did just that for their juniors.

And it seems there is a movement to make the SAT more part of the academic day. 

Lots of hoops to jump through administratively, politically and operationally but worth a consideration. 

Perhaps offering the SAT at school during school hours would reduce the stress around test day. Might scores go up as a result? 

No matter when they offer the test, CROSSWALK is ready to help. We specialize in test prep for the SAT, ACT, PSAT, SSAT and many academic classes. Contact us today. 

How to Guarantee Admission to a UC

Getting into one of the University of California schools is a competitive process; one that requires strong grades and a good test score. And even if you have good grades and a good test score, admission is not guaranteed. 

Or is it?

Good news because if your dream is to attend a UC, there is a way to guarantee admission. 

As of August 2017, six of the nine UCs (Davis, Irvine, Merced, Riverside, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz) offer a Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) for California community college students who fulfill all transfer requirements. Proper coursework and credits at the community college along with an application submitted on time are the main requirements.

There are some restrictions to TAG, like an exclusion on certain types of degrees at particular colleges. Business Administration at UC Irvine, for example, is a major excluded from this program. Similarly, TAG is not available for students who already have a bachelor's degree or a graduate degree.

Also, you can only request a TAG for one UC and most UC schools only offer TAG for the fall semester. For complete details, check the admission information at the University California website here. 

TAG offers an excellent way to guarantee admission into highly selective and competitive colleges. And students would potentially save thousands of dollars starting first at a community college. Yet another reason to not stress about SAT and ACT scores during high school. 

For test prep tips on the SAT and ACT, contact CROSSWALK. The Monterey Peninsula's primary resource for test prep, CROSSWALK specializes in SAT, ACT, PSAT, SSAT and academic tutoring. 

FREE Test Prep Resources for ACT and SAT

Back in the day, only the ACT provided a FREE downloadable guidebook with a full-length practice test and test prep tips. The SAT did not provide much in the way of free resources.

The tides changed when the College Board redesigned the SAT in 2016. Upon launching a new test format, the College Board also launched a partnership with Khan Academy to create an entirely new and FREE test prep platform with FREE full-length practice tests and tons of study resources.

Now the ACT has pushed to be king of the free resource hill with the recently launched ACT Academy, a FREE online platform full of practice tests, test prep tips and more.

With so many free resources available, this is a glorious time to be prepping for the SAT and ACT.

I am hopeful that free resources will even the playing field. Test scores on standardized tests have historically shown that students who have access to resources will outperform students who don't have resources. Put differently, standardized tests are biased towards those students who had the money to buy guide books, the time to take practice tests or the resources to hire tutors.

Free resources may not completely remove this bias, but they are a good start.

If you need help navigating the resources for the SAT or ACT, contact CROSSWALK today. We offer free resources too, like this this blog, as well as financial assistance or pro bono work for many of our programs.

Spring ACT/SAT Test Prep Series: Register Now!

Register today for a focused and individualized SAT and ACT test prep program by Brooke Higgins of CROSSWALK.

Starting Tuesday, March 27, CROSSWALK is hosting a six-week Spring ACT and SAT Test Prep Series.

Attend in person at the Stevenson School in Pebble Beach or via Skype.

All sessions meet on Tuesday evenings from 6-7:30pm. Here is the schedule:

• 3/27: SAT and ACT Test Overview and General Strategies
• 4/3: Reading Strategies for Success
• 4/10: Math Strategies for Success
• 4/17: Writing Strategies for Success
• 4/24: Science Strategies for Success
• 5/1: Essay Strategies for Success

Drop in for the session you need and pay by the class or sign up for the whole program and save.

Sign up via the following form. 

Questions? Or need further information? Contact CROSSWALK.

CROSSWALK is the Monterey Peninsula's local resource for SAT, ACT, PSAT, SSAT prep and academic tutoring. 

Test Prep Radio Hour Update

What a joy it has been to host the Test Prep Radio Hour on KSPB 91.9FM. For the past two months I have been on the radio from 4-5pm every Thursday with test prep advice and fun music. 

Weekly themes have included the test prep mindset, test content vs test context, how to play the numbers game, the math toolbox and more. 

Even though we have covered some great stuff, we have barely scratched the surface of many major test prep topics. 

I am excited to continue to host the Test Prep Radio Hour but the show will be on hold starting today until we are back on the air March 15th. 

Tune into KSPB91.9FM or stream the show at www.kspb.org starting March 15th and every subsequent Thursday from 4-5pm. 

Also, feel free to contact me via this blog or my twitter handle (@brookewhiggins) to send me questions, comments or suggestions for test prep advice and music. I would love to hear from you and we can likely get your question or suggestion on the air. 

In the mean time, feel free to contact CROSSWALK to find out how we can help you prepare for the ACT, SAT, PSAT, SSAT and all academic classes. 

Challenge with ACT Science is NOT Science

"I am no good at ACT Science," my students tell me frequently. Too frequently, in fact, to be a coincidence.  

The first problem with this statement is the fixed mindset. Someone with a growth mindset would offer, "I am no good at the ACT Science yet." 

The second problem with this statement may have less to do about Science and more to do about stamina. 

Stamina may be the main challenge on the ACT since the Science section is the last section of the test. After hours of testing, tackling another section of critical and logical thinking may just be too much for students to handle. 


However, every challenge offers an opportunity. The opportunity here is to improve test-taking stamina. 

Yes, the key strategies to ACT Science--like annotating passages, covering up answer choices to state your own answer first and eliminating answer choices based on themes--are all valid and helpful. 

Also, students will improve their scores by building stamina and concentration over long periods of time. The best way to do this is with lots of full-length practice tests. Prepare for the marathon by practicing marathons. 

Another method, and much less taxing, is the Hocus Pocus Super Focus method:

1) Remove all distractions. 
2) Hunker down for thirty minutes on an assignment, academic activity or critical thinking task. 
3) At the end of the period, take a five-minute break. 
4) Repeat this until your focus is sustained easily for thirty minutes. 
5) Now go for longer periods or more consecutive periods. 

If you cannot make it thirty minutes, try a shorter period until that is comfortable and build from there. 

The stamina needed for the ACT or SAT is sustained focus for about four or five periods of fifty minutes with five-minute breaks. 

As you build your stamina, remind yourself that you will be more fatigued later the process. Use this knowledge to your advantage and fine tune your focus toward the end. 

ACT Science may not be so bad after all. My students who claim ACT Science is too hard soon learn that focused stamina makes a major difference. 

Build your stamina, build your confidence and watch your score improve. For more test-taking tips and academic support, contact CROSSWALK today.