850+ Reasons to NOT Stress About ACT & SAT

My students know my mantra, "stress is the enemy of test performance." In a given class, I might repeat this phrase five or ten times.

Science proves that an unstressed brain learns more efficiently than a stressed brain. Science also proves that stress fosters anxiety which leads to poor test performance. 

While a little stress can keep students focused and on task, too much stress will push test scores down. The SAT and the ACT are not content-driven tests that reward cramming and all-night study sessions. 

As such, the recommended approach to SAT and ACT prep is to avoid stress. If you remove stress from the process, you can practice problem sets with your best problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. 

But if you are not convinced with my one reason to avoid stress, here are 850 additional reasons to avoid stress. 

This link will take you to a list of over 850 school that do not use ACT or SAT scores to admit a substantial number of students. The list is produced by FairTest, the National Center for Fair and Open Testing. 

In other words, there are over 850 schools that will ignore your test scores and instead focus on your GPA, your letters of recommendation, your essays and the many other elements in your application package to consider your admission. 

More importantly, there are many excellent schools on this list. Perhaps some schools are unfamiliar to you but all of these schools offer tremendous educational opportunities. Chances are, there is a school on this list that can offer exactly what you are seeking in a college experience.

So avoid stress in your ACT and SAT preparation. Find the motivation to keep working at it if you want your score to improve, but don't forget that are many schools that will consider the other elements your bring to the table before considering your test score. 

For more stress-free test preparation, contact CROSSWALK. The Monterey Peninsula's local resource for SAT/ACT/PSAT/SSAT prep, CROSSWALK offers face-to-face tutoring and Skype tutoring for standardized tests and academic subjects. 

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. 

1,000 Reasons to NOT Stress on ACT & SAT

Almost two years ago I wrote a blog post about 850 reasons to NOT stress about the SAT and ACT.

Now there are more than 1,000 reasons. 

Check out this list produced by FairTest of over 1,000 colleges that "do not use SAT and ACT scores to admit substantial numbers of students into bachelor-degree programs."

Cue the sound of a valve turning and pressure releasing.

Do you hear that? That is the sound of the release of any stress and pressure around the SAT and ACT. With over 1,000 schools that don't care about your test score, why should you stress?

Stress clouds the brain. An unstressed brain learns better than a stressed brain. Walk into the SAT or ACT stressed out and your score will drop. 

The first step in any test prep is to remove as much stress as possible from the process. My students repeat the following mantra over and over: "Stress is the enemy of test performance."

It's okay to use a little stress to get focused and prepared but too much stress will lead to miserable testing experiences and performances. So use this latest update from FairTest as confirmation that you need NOT stress. 

Sure, you may be interested in schools that are not on this list. Schools not on this list still weigh SAT and ACT test scores heavily in the process of admission. However, at a minimum, the schools on the FairTest list offer terrific alternatives. 

So don't stress. Let your brain work and learn to its full capacity. Consequently, your confidence and your score will improve.

For studying advice on the SAT, ACT, PSAT, SSAT and academic subjects, contact CROSSWALK. 

How Stress Can Help SAT & ACT Performance

All my students know that my first message with respect to test prep is to avoid stress. Stress can lead to negativity. Negativity can deflate confidence. Deflated confidence can reduce performance. 

In fact, I claim that stress is the number one enemy of test performance. 

While I stand by my claim, there may actually be a benefit to stress as long as you know how to use it effectively.

Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman first wrote about pressure and stress on standardized tests for the New York Times in 2013 and expanded upon their original article in the book Top Dog: The Science of Winning and Losing. 

In both pieces, they argue that stress may not necessarily be a bad thing if you know how to harness it. 

Bronson and Merryman cite a study in which students were split into two groups and given a practice GRE. The control group was given the test normally while the test group was given a test with instructions that included a line that "people that feel anxious may actually perform better." 

Turns out the test group that was given the encouragement about anxiety helping performance actually performed better. Results were replicated months later when students turned in their real GRE scores: those that felt stress would help them had scores 65 points higher than those that did not. 

There is a lot more science to this study, including things like biomarkers that indicate the level of one's anxiety. For example, students with hunched shoulders may appear "threatened" by the test while those with open shoulders may seem "challenged" by the test. Both threatened and challenged students feel anxious and stressed, but those that feel challenged perform better. 

Overall, the message is clear. As long as you have to face a stressful situation, embrace the stress of it. Use the stress of the experience to challenge you. Approach test day with a positive attitude of "I look forward to this challenge" and not "I am threatened by this and I hate this." 

After all, as this study shows, if your attitude is in the right mindset, your aptitude will shine. 

Learn more useful test day tips by reading 2400 SCORES: 24 Life Lessons to Demystify the SAT and Boost Your Score. Contact Brooke Higgins today to schedule your ACT or SAT prep or visit CROSSWALK to learn more about tutoring options. 

What NOT to Tell Your ACT or SAT Tutor

At CROSSWALK, we pride ourselves in our ability to work with just about any student. For this reason, we remain flexible in our approach: we can tailor a test prep plan for just about any situation.

However, there are a number of situations that create challenges for us. While there is no doubt that all of our tutors can handle almost any challenge, there are some situations we hope to avoid.

As you prepare for the PSAT, ACT, SAT and/or the SSAT, try and ensure that you don't approach your tutor by saying any of the following:

1) "I'm too stressed to do this." My students and followers of this blog know that I consider stress as the number one enemy of successful test performance. A little positive stress to keep a student motivated and on task is good. However, the moment negative stress enters into test prep is the moment scores drop. Approaching test prep in a stressed manner will only hurt your score. I recently chatted with a parent whose daughter performed poorly on the June SAT test. When I probed for more details, it turned out that her daughter spent the last two weeks of May studying for APs and final exams while balancing a loaded social schedule. Her daughter was overwhelmed with stress by the time June rolled around and her scores showed the same.

2) "I am taking the test next week." It still baffles me that new clients will call with a week before the test to schedule tutoring. There is very little we can do in a week. We can get started on a couple of things, but test preparation takes time. The more time we have, the more we can improve. Cramming test prep into the last week before the test only creates stress. And stress--as detailed above--is the number one enemy of successful test performance.

3) "My parents made me do this." When a student blames a parent for signing him or her up for test preparation, it shows me that the student is not engaged and involved in the process. Even if your parents force you to do test prep, consider the opportunity to learn a new skill. Instead of assigning blame of the drudgery of extra academic work, take ownership of your chance to improve yourself. The more ownership a student takes in his or her preparation, the greater the potential for a score increase.

When considering test prep options, be sure to reduce stress, give yourself time and view the chance to learn a new skill in a positive light. Staying motivated, dedicated and engaged will make a major difference in the final score. 

Avoid approaching your tutor with too much stress, too little time and not enough ownership of your opportunity. 

To learn more about how CROSSWALK prepares its students for the SSAT, PSAT, ACT, SAT, academic subjects and lifelong learning, contact CROSSWALK today. CROSSWALK is the Monterey Peninsula's local resource for test prep and academic tutoring. 

Contact CROSSWALK today and schedule your private tutor at the location you choose or via Skype.

When is it Too Early to Prepare for the S.A.T.?

When is it too early to prepare for the S.A.T.? Never.

It's never too early to prepare for the S.A.T. Any preparation is better than no preparation with one significant caveat: do not create more stress.

Stress is the absolute enemy of successful S.A.T. test-taking. Stress punishes those that take just about any standardized test.

Sure, there is a small segment of the population that strives on stress. If you are one of those people then kudos to you.

For the rest of us, stress creates major mental blockages that results in poor test performance. I've seen it too often to not believe in its devastating effects.

The best way to avoid stress is to prepare in advance. The more time you have to prepare, the better you will perform. Only you know how much time you need. Some students can prepare in a week, others may need a year and yet others may need several years.

The bottom line is that it is never too early. Get going on a study guide, check out www.collegeboard.com to register for the question of the day, or invest in another study tool like vocabulary flash cards or something similar.

I usually recommend at least six months of preparation. Take two or three months to prepare and take a practice test (or sit for a real test, but call it practice just to get yourself a benchmark score). After the practice test, take another two to three months to hone your skills and then take the test for real. If you're still not achieving your desired score, try again one more time but keep in mind that after the third time your score will not move very much. All things being equal, you will see the biggest increase from the first to the second time you take the test. After that, only small improvements are most common.

So it's never too early to start preparing. Just don't cram the night before. Cramming creates stress and stress will punish you.

If you want the best score possible, start early and often. Start with ten minutes a day, then increase to 30 minutes a day and soon you'll be primed for the 4 hour marathon that is the S.A.T.

The Best Test Prep Gifts are FREE

The holidays are here. Time for giving, loving and spending time with those that are special to you. 

This is also the time that many high school juniors start to turn their attention towards college. As students enter the second half of their junior year, they should start to consider which school or schools might be a good fit. 

Inherent to the college search is research into what test scores are needed to get into the school(s) of choice. The best test prep starts with the end in mind: figure out what score you need and map out your strategy to get there. 

Since this a fairly involved process, most every student needs support along the way. And in the spirit of giving, here are three gifts that you can give to your student or child as they embark on this journey:

A Stress-Free Environment: As I tell my students, stress is the enemy of performance. If there is stress in your life, it will manifest itself on your test score. Stress reduces ones ability to focus which makes problem solving and logical thought more difficult. The ability to solve problems and think logically is what will determine success on a test, so the student that is stress-free will indubitably score better. Support the student through any challenges (i.e. not just test prep) and remove as much stress as possible particularly as test day approaches. 

Achievable Goals: Getting the best score you can on the SAT or ACT can be a long process. Test-taking, for many, is a new skill and learning a new skill can be overwhelming. Avoid the overwhelming feeling by setting manageable goals. For example, set a goal to complete at least three full-length practice tests before you take an official test. Or, set a goal to master graphing functions by March. Set and achieve small goals along the way and get to your end goal easier. 

Resources: Every student needs some resources for test prep. The good news is that there are two key free resources for test prep: the downloadable ACT test prep guide and SAT prep resources via the Khan Academy. You can also subscribe to this blog for study tips and hints directly to your inbox for free! These gifts cost nothing and are highly valuable. Nowadays, it is not totally necessary to hire a tutor or take a course. Many things students can do on their own. 

Yes, the holidays are here. If you know a student about to embark on the test prep journey, give them resources, goals and a stress-free environment and watch them soar.

If you have any questions about test prep and academic tutoring, contact CROSSWALK. 

You Are More Than a Test Score

One of my first lessons for my students is that you cannot stress about the SAT or ACT. Stress is not allowed on the test because your life represents more than just a test score. The more you get wrapped up in the score, the more you stress. And the more you stress, the worse you perform. 

Even the latest study by the National Association for College Admission Counseling points out that a student's success in college has little or nothing to with the fact that he or she reported test scores to the university. 

In fact, this study implies that using standardized test scores as a predictor of college performance is not a reliable model. Students that submitted test scores to colleges finished their degrees with a trivial difference in both GPA and graduation rate as compared to students that did not submit test scores. 

Now, it would be premature to think that the sunset is upon the SAT and ACT. These tests remain major factors in the college application process. But since over 800 schools hardly use the ACT or SAT for admission decisions, the writing may be on the wall. 

The best advice, at this point, is to prepare for both the SAT and ACT as if they were games or puzzles to solve. Don't let stress enter the equation. Keep your brain focused, fresh and flexible. Just because you may have to take the test doesn't mean you should stress about it. 

If you remove the stress over achieving a perfect--or near perfect--score, then your performance will soar. 

Learn more test prep tips by reading 2400 Scores or by contacting CROSSWALK. CROSSWALK offers SAT/ACT Boot Camps, private tutoring in person or via Skype and other tools to prepare academically.

Is the SAT Dying a Slow Death?

The validity and efficacy of standardized testing remains a highly debatable topic. 

On one hand, highly competitive universities continue to use standardized test scores to sift through thousands of applications received annually. For these schools, an objective and standardized assessment can prove to be an efficient way to determine whether or not a student has the potential to succeed in college.

On the other hand, many schools realize that standardized tests create unnecessary stress for students and results are often biased against certain groups. These schools are moving away from using test scores as a means to weigh an applicant's potential for college success. 

And according to FairTest, the number of schools moving away from using test scores in their process of admission is growing. 

FairTest states that, since the SAT launched its revised version of the test in March 2016, more than 100 colleges and universities have dropped SAT and ACT requirements. Now, there are almost 1,000 colleges and universities that "do not use the SAT or ACT to admit substantial number of bachelor-degree applicants." 

The good news is that with so many schools eliminating the need for SAT and ACT, there are now more reasons to not stress about SAT and ACT performance. The bad news is that there are still thousands of other schools that continue to use test performance in their admission evaluations. 

The SAT may be dying slowly but cynics note that the College Board is a big business with stakeholders and investors who will fight for its relevance, survival and, most importantly, profitability. 

My work as an SAT and ACT tutor is safe for now because I will continue to remind students that they need not stress about test performance. Stress is the enemy of test performance and with almost 1,000 schools not using SAT or ACT performance in their admission decisions, there should be no reason to stress on test day. 

To prepare for the SSAT, PSAT, ACT or SAT stress-free, contact CROSSWALK today. 

5-Day SAT Prep Plan

Many students will be taking the SAT on Saturday, August 28th. 

That's in five days.

At the end of summer. 

Talk about getting back to school! 

If you are in this situation, and you want to perform your best on test day, consider this very brief and easy 5-day test prep plan:

1) Don't Stress: Followers of this blog and all my students know that, say it with me, "stress is the enemy of test performance." So first and foremost, don't stress! There are so many reasons to NOT stress and the main one is that most schools will remain test-optional for this upcoming year (and beyond). Since test scores are not as meaningful as GPAs, transcripts, essays, letters of recommendation and the other key components of the application, then don't stress! 

2) Practice a Section Each Night: Starting tonight (Monday), practice one section each night. Do the reading tonight, writing and language tomorrow night, math no-calculator Wednesday night and finally the math calculator section Thursday night. But don't worry about scoring your practice, unless you are curious. Just practice the section like you would on test day meaning against the clock. This is no time to try out new or crazy strategies (that usually don't work). Just get into the rhythm of the test, read the directions (so you don't have to on test day) and rehearse your performance. 

3) Take Care of Yourself: Since the goal is to wake up on Saturday as fresh and focused as possible so that your brain can work at its maximum power, you need to take care of yourself all this week. Eat well, get plenty of sleep, and do whatever you need to do to ensure that you wake up on Saturday rested, stress-free and mentally firing on all cylinders. Self-care goes a long way, especially when it comes to standardized tests. 

4) Chill on Friday Night: The night before the test is the night to simply chill. Relax, watch a movie, hang out with friends or family. Just don't any test prep. Remember: the SAT is a mental marathon. A marathon runner does not run a marathon the night before the race so you shouldn't either. Perhaps you could organize your testing materials the night before, like get your calculator ready, your pencils sharpened and your testing identification all set up. Otherwise, do nothing! Chill out and relax. 

Really, with only five days left the key is to familiarize yourself with the test and take care of yourself. That's it. That's the plan. 

You can't go back in time and do a bunch of practice tests so why start now? Just relax, review each section of a practice test and then see how Saturday goes. 

You might be surprised: a summer off from school might actually help you stay calm and relaxed on Saturday. 

FREE and FAST Prep for the ACT

With the ACT just around the corner, some students are in stress mode. How can you prepare for the test with only a week to go? What can you do on the cheap? 

The bad news is that test prep takes some time. If you really want to move your score, you need to put in several weeks if not months. Test-taking is like any skill: the more time you have to practice, the better you can get. 

However, not everyone has the benefit of time. Especially those that will take the test in about a week. Further, not everyone can afford to hire a private tutor. 

So what can you do? 

First, don't stress. Stress out and watch your score plummet. Stress is your number one enemy. So take a deep breath and get into the mindset that test day is a fun challenge. Tests are just puzzles to solve, riddles to figure out or games to play. 

Now that you have the right mindset, download the free "Preparing for the ACT" right here. This is a free study guide that includes a full length practice test. 

Use this guide and do the following: 

• Read everything cover to cover
• Read the directions for each section so that you don't have to waste time on test day doing the same
• Try some of the practice questions
• Make note of how much time you have per section and how much time you have per question

All told, this should take about two or three hours. Doing more than that with a week left before the test will only stress you out. (Bad idea because remember, stress is the enemy.)

Reviewing the free study guide with only a week before a test is not the ideal plan, but it can help a lot. Again, the ideal scenario is when you have lots of time to prepare. Nevertheless, you can gain a good understanding of test strategy and content by reviewing the "Preparing for the ACT" study guide. It's fast, and more importantly, FREE! 

Learn more ACT and SAT study tips by contacting CROSSWALK, the Monterey Peninsula's local resource for private tutoring, test prep and SAT/ACT Boot Camps. 

Read "2400 SCORES: 24 Life Lessons to Demystify the SAT and Boost Your Score" by Brooke Higgins right here. 

June SAT Cancelled: How to Adjust

Because of COVID-19, the College Board recently announced the cancellation of the June test. 

Many colleges are responding to this pandemic by adjusting their admission requirements. Submitting a test score, for many schools, is not a requirement for current juniors. 

So what does that mean for your test preparation plan? Should you just abandon ship altogether? 

Here are five adjustments you can make with these new changes:

1) Stay the Course

Let's face it: with fewer tests scores and weird spring GPAs for many high schools (pass/fail anyone?), colleges will be struggling to find meaningful and measurable data to compare applicants in 2021. Test optional does not mean test blind. So, stay the course, get a good ACT or SAT score on the books, and improve your chances of admission. 

2) Reduce the Stress 

A stress brained does not perform as well as an unstressed brain. So don't stress about the test cancellation. Instead, consider this an opportunity to spend more time getting comfortable with the testing format, the questions, the time allowed and the overall experience. With more experience comes more comfort and less stress. 

3) Register Early

As of today, the ACT test in June is still open for registration. But this is the only test available over the next several months. This means many will rush to register for the fall tests. So register early to avoid the mad dash. 

4) Take More Full-Length Practice Tests

Now that you have more time to prepare for test day, use the time to take more full-length practice tests. In all honesty, the hardest part of my job as a test prep instructor is to have students develop the stamina needed to sit for three or four hours and take a test. With the extra time you have until the fall test dates, schedule full-length practice tests every several weeks. Practice sitting and focusing for long blocks of time so that your brain can remain fresh and focused for the whole time. 

5) Read

Reading is the path to better scores. After all, this is a reading test. For those of you saying, "well, it's a math test too," then I would like to remind you that the math section is mostly reading. Word problems, the ways the questions are worded and answer choices are all set up as reading challenges. You may need math to get the solution, but you need to read to understand the question first. So really, the ACT and SAT are simply reading tests. And to get better at a reading test, read more! 

All in all, despite these new changes to test dates and potentially test formats (the ACT says they will have an online test ready for fall/winter), the message is to stay the course, reduce your stress, register early, take practice tests and read. 

If you need help with any of these, contact CROSSWALK today. CROSSWALK is the Monterey Peninsula's local resource for test prep and academic tutoring. 

The Mess of Stress

It wasn't that long ago that "pulling an all-nighter" was a badge of academic honor. Spending the whole night studying was seen as the highest form of dedication to your studies. The thinking was that, by sacrificing sleep and rest, you were a hero for cramming all night to gear up for a big test or project.

Most folks trying the all-nighters were either a) procrastinators leaving everything for the last minute or b) uber-studiers that put their lives on hold in hopes of academic achievement. Either way, it now seems that going the all-night route is actually counterproductive, particularly if it is a common practice.

You see, over time, stress on the brain actually kills brain cells. No joke. Check out John Medina's Brain Rules. His Rule #8 is that a "stressed brain does not learn the same as a non-stressed brain." Mr. Medina has scientifically proven that cognitive performance decreases as stress increases.

I've sung this tune before with my students: you can't cram for the SAT. If you think you can pick up the book the night before, or even the week before, and pack in some all night study sessions, you may actually hurt your chances to score the best.

Avoid stressing the brain when learning. Give yourself enough time to review the material at a pace that allows your brain to comprehend and retain the information. A little stress is okay, but prolonged stress may actually kill brain cells. Not a good idea when gearing up for that next SAT or ACT test.

Keep in mind that CROSSWALK has several test prep options for you: try a Boot Camp or private tutoring. A tutor will work with you to make sure learning and cognitive performance are optimized. We are the Monterey Peninsula's local resource for test prep and academic tutoring. Contact CROSSWALK today.

6 Ways to Support Your Child's Test Prep

As a test prep tutor, most of my work deals directly with preparing students.

Nevertheless, I find that parents often need some preparation in order to gain a better understanding of how best to support their child during ACT or SAT preparation.

With this in mind, here are six things a parent can do to provide a supportive, encouraging, and ultimately successful test prep experience for their children:

1) Set a Plan and Follow It: Like most things in life, test prep requires a plan. Though this recommendation is quite obvious, I am surprised at the number of families that do not plan ahead for test prep. Parents do great at scheduling sports practice, musical performances, social events and other things more but they rarely set up a thorough plan for test prep. Ideally the plan should start junior year by taking the ACT and the SAT without prep. The plan should then include a review of scores, a schedule of follow up practice and a retest. Hiring a tutor is a great way to help build the plan but not totally necessary. 

2) Nudge But Don't Nag: The worst kind of student I could have is the one that says "My mom is forcing me see a tutor." This is a recipe for disaster. The student is reluctant to study because mom or dad is obligating them. Parents (myself included) are famous for telling kids, "well, you better go study or else!" This nagging does not yield positive results. The reluctant student starts to dread test prep which in turn leads to dreading the test itself which in turn leads to poor scores. Instead of nagging, simply nudge your child. "Can you show me your latest essay practice?" or "How is your test prep plan coming?" are great questions and won't lead parents into a potential conflict.

3) Recreate the Testing Environment: Vince Lombardi is credited with the saying "Practice doesn't make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect." This applies to test preparation because the student that prepares for the test exactly like the test is administered will be more prepared. This means that when a student is studying, s/he should study in a test-like atmosphere. For example, no cell phones are allowed while testing. So students that are practicing test prep should not use their cell phone. Same goes for the television, radio, computer, etc. Since these items are not allowed during the test, one should not have these items accessible during test prep. Same goes for timing: the test is timed, so practice should be timed. Ultimately, a parent can ensure a student gets the best test prep by practicing in an environment that perfectly matches the testing experience.

4) Be Realistic: Testing is hard. And some students do not respond well to standardized tests. As such, a parent should be very realistic about the potential for their son or daughter to achieve a high score. Any student, with time and practice, can improve. But not all students will get a perfect score. The best parent is one that celebrates improvement and looks for ways to encourage the student to do better. Parents should not add stress to an already stressful situation (see #5). 

5) Remove Stress: The key goal in test prep: remove stress. Stress is the enemy of test performance. Cramming the week before the test is the worst way to prepare for the SAT or ACT. Remember, the test is a marathon. Prepare your student for the marathon with ample time, lots of love and encouragement.

6) Read: Simple enough, right? Just read! Seriously, read books. And lots of them. If you model that reading is a normal activity, your kids will follow suit. Even better, read with them. Pick out a book together, read and and have your own personal book club. Reading is the number one skill tested on the SAT and ACT. Even the math section is more reading than math (remember word problems?). So model good reading habits and watch your son or daughter improve his or her test score. 

All in all, the best way a parent can support a son or daughter with ACT or SAT prep is with love and time. Take the time to prepare a plan, encourage lovingly, recreate the testing environment at home, be realistic, remove stress and read! 

If you need help, contact CROSSWALK. We know how to prepare students, and parents, for the ACT, SAT, SSAT, PSAT and academic subjects.

What Can I Do Just Before the SAT?

Here's a frequently asked question: What can I do the last couple of days before the SAT?

First, what not to do: stress. Once you start to stress out, your brain does not work as well. A little stress can be productive as a motivator but it should generally be avoided at all costs. That is why you can't cram for the SAT. And it's also why you probably shouldn't try to take a full-length practice test days before the real test.

Now, what you can do: try an SAT Walkthrough. If you only have days before the test, pick up one practice test in any reputable study guide and walk through the pages. Read the directions and skim the problems. In your mind, review your test-taking strategies and tell yourself how you would tackle each question. Limit yourself to 90 minutes for this activity so as to not create any stress.

In fact, CROSSWALK is now offering SAT Walkthroughs every Wednesday evening before the SAT. Join us as we review tactics, timing, scoring and more. Students new to the SAT and students experienced with the test will benefit from the guided discussion. The next one is scheduled for January 23 at the Stevenson School. Contact CROSSWALK for details.

CROSSWALK is Monterey Peninsula's local resource for test prep, SAT & ACT Boot Camps, private tutoring and academic support. Visit CROSSWALK or contact CROSSWALK today. 

SAT & ACT Not Required for UCs: What That Means for You

Big news: in response to COVID-19, the University of California system just announced adjusted admission requirements for 2021 applicants. Most notably, the SAT and ACT are not required. 

This presents a major opportunity for many families. This decision will reduce the stress around college admissions for many. 

Nevertheless, this doesn't mean the SAT and ACT are going away. First, this is a temporary decision just for 2021 applicants. 

Second, students who still choose to take these tests this summer and fall, assuming that is even possible, may have an opportunity to differentiate themselves from other applicants. After all, with the adjusted admission requirements, colleges will likely want to know how a student spent their time during the stay-at-home order. Students who perform well on the SAT or ACT can show colleges that they spent their time studying, learning and preparing. Evidence of motivation and productivity might be the path towards more admission opportunities in 2021. 

Furthermore, since the test is optional, there is no stress in taking it! As CROSSWALK students know, stress is the enemy of test performance. So remove the stress, and see your score go up!  

With this new landscape, how is CROSSWALK responding? With FREE test prep and a new (free) podcast! 

Here are the details: 

1) Free Test Prep: 

CROSSWALK continues to offer its six-week test prep program on Monday nights from 6-7:30. It's online. And it's free. Contact Brooke Higgins directly for sign up information at mail@crosswalkeducation.com. 

2) Free Podcast (English and Spanish available!) 

CROSSWALK and InspirED have taken their partnership to the next level with the "Plan for College Admission" podcast. Find us wherever you get your podcasts or right here. These are crazy times but Brooke and Marisela offer the latest news and changes so you stay informed, prepared and inspired. 

Y para los hispanohablantes, el podcast está disponible en español también. Busca el "Plan para Admisión Universitaria" en tu lugar favorito para podcasts o aquí. 

Stay connected with CROSSWALK on Facebook, Instagram and on the web. CROSSWALK is the Monterey Peninsula's local resource for test prep. 

New August Test Date: Best Month for SAT?

This summer marks the first time the CollegeBoard will offer an August test date for the SAT. 

The reason behind this, aside from the obvious revenue generation for the CollegeBoard, is that this new timing may benefit students greatly. 

Instead of trying to cram in a test during the busy school year, students can use the summer months to prepare for test day stress-free. Since stress is the enemy of performance, a summer date would allow students to focus strictly on test performance with few other academic distractions. 

Another plus is that the August test date allows seniors an earlier opportunity to book a good score. This might mean less stress in September for an October test. Or, in the case that a student does not get a good score in August, they would have the chance to retake the test in October before many college applications are due. 

Additionally, students won't be faced with a gap between test prep and test day. Many students use the summer to prepare for the SAT and subsequently experience a delay from when they finish test prep (usually early August) and when they take the test (usually early October). An August date would significantly reduce this delay. 

However, the August date has its downside. 

First of all, while there are fewer academic distractions, summer distractions abound. For many students, summer brain drain is faster than a melting popsicle. 

Secondly, as this excellent article from the The Atlantic points out, the CollegeBoard may be challenged with finding suitable test centers to administer the exam. Schools may still be out for summer meaning counselors are not available to proctor exams. 

So is the August date the best? Only time will tell. Personally, I would encourage many to try the August date assuming they spend some time over the summer prepping. As long as you can avoid the summer meltdown, the end of summer might be a stress-free opportunity to get the score you want. 

If you need help this summer prepping, contact CROSSWALK. We are currently planning our summer Skype and small group programs to help students achieve the SAT or ACT score they need. Contact us today to learn more. 

How to Make Test Day Unlike Kindergarten

Think back to your first day of Kindergarten? Was it stressful?

For many kiddos, the first day of Kindergarten is majorly stressful. Separation anxiety, strange people, and unfamiliarity cause even the most resilient little ones to break out in tears. 

Most kiddos stress out on day one of Kindergarten because they don't know the routine. What is new and different is hard to handle. Learning, or anything for that matter, is impossible when stress is high. 

Kindergarten teachers know this too well and use orientations, meet-and-greets or other ways ease the transition. 

The same is true for the SAT® or ACT®. If the routine is new and different, you stress out and productivity suffers. Even if you can hide your tears better than a Kindergartner, you are crying (and stressing) on the inside. 

So how do you avoid the stress of unfamiliarity of the SAT® or ACT®? 

Just like the Kindergarten teachers set up their systems to increase familiarity and comfort for their students, you too can become more familiar and comfortable with the SAT® or ACT® through routine practice before test day. 

Take practice tests. Learn the directions. Work on your timing needed to complete all test sections. Above all else, become familiar with the process so it is not new and different. 

It doesn't take much to know the routine, just a little preparation ahead of time. 

If you need help with your preparation, contact CROSSWALK. With several summer workshops and ongoing programs, we can help make your test experience less stressful.  

Dos and Don'ts 24 Hours Before Test Day

In approximately 24 hours, hundreds of students will sit down and take the SAT. With this in mind, I offer some helpful hints of what a student can DO and what a student should NOT DO in the last day leading up to the test 

Let's start with the DOs:

• DO gets lots of rest. Solving problems on the ACT and the SAT require logical thought-processing. If you are not rested, your brain won't be able to think logically. 
• DO review test directions. You can save a lot of time on test day if you already know the directions. Get on the test websites to see test directions and be sure you understand them. 
• DO map out a plan to attack the test. Make sure you have a game plan for each question type. For example, on Math, be sure you use the answers to help you solve the problem. On Passage-Based Reading, attack the answer choices by connecting to evidence in the passage. Consider how the test is scored and how to manage your time to maximize your point total. 
• DO prepare the resources you need for test day. Get your admission ticket, snack, calculator, driving directions and the other items you need for test day all ready so you can wake up on test day and arrive stress-free. 
• DO approach the test as if it were a crossword puzzle or a riddle. If you critically think through each question and eagerly solve problems, your chances of success will improve. 

And now for the DON"Ts: 

• DON'T stress. Stress is the enemy of test performance. The more you stress, the more anxiety you have and the less your brain can perform optimally. 
• DON'T cram. The ACT and SAT are not content-based tests. You cannot memorize the content the night before and then expect to do well. Better to rest and relax than try and cram. 
• DON'T let negative thoughts creep into your mindset. If you think you will do poorly, you will.
• DON'T think that your test score determines your future. You are more than a test score and there are many colleges that will want a student of your caliber, regardless of test score.  

In all, there should be little studying tonight. Get your mindset focused on solving the problems you can solve. Remind yourself that the test is just one measurement of your performance but not the only one. 

Best of luck, test takers. If you need further help for the ACT or SAT, contact CROSSWALK today. CROSSWALK is the Monterey Peninsula's resource for test prep and academic tutoring. 

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.