The College Board introduced the August SAT in 2017. My students who took it last year were happy with the results.

I believe there are two reasons to at least consider taking the August SAT:

• Junior year and fall of senior year are exceptionally busy times for most students. Knocking off the SAT means one fewer time commitment and one fewer worry.
• The curve is generous. The two biggest groups sitting for the August SAT are:
  • Rising seniors who didn’t get the best scores in March, May, or June, and
  • Rising juniors, many of whom are taking the SAT with minimal preparation “to see what it’s like”.

A well-prepared student should rise to the top on the August SAT.

In 2018, the August SAT will be given on Saturday, the 25th.

Feel free to reach out if you would like to discuss whether or not the August SAT is a good option for you (or your child).

Enjoy the summer!

Jeff Urdang

jeff@GreylockTestPrep.com

(203) 536-2011

There is a lot of discussion and a lot of agony over the SAT/ACT decision. While each student has different strengths and weaknesses, I do believe it is possible to over analyze this decision. Most students’ scores are highly correlated.

Often, it comes down to preference. The content is very similar. The SAT is easier to finish within the time limit. If a student is barely finishing the SAT, the SAT is probably the better test. The ACT is more straightforward, but requires working at a brisker pace.

The good news is studying for either is studying for both.

Please feel free to reach out if you would like to discuss your or your child’s situation.

Prime numbers are defined as numbers greater than one that can be divided only by one and itself.

It is helpful to know the prime numbers under 100, which are:

2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31, 37, 41, 43, 47, 53, 59, 61, 67, 71, 73, 79, 83, 89, 97

http://www.factmonster.com/math/numbers/prime.html

Based on what we’ve seen so far, using the “New” SAT as the foundation to prep for the October 2015 PSAT has been a winning strategy. One student went from 92nd/96th percentile in Critical Reading and Writing as a sophomore to 98th percentile as a junior. In Math, this student went from 91st percentile to 98th percentile. Overall, this student scored in the 99th percentile due to work done over the summer and the early fall and is well positioned for the March 2015 SAT.

Practice is good. Perfect practice is better. Well done!

Tutors are available for the March and May SAT, as well as the April ACT.

1. Review your score details from the spring. The tests cover similar topics. Identifying the topics you didn’t understand in May is the foundation for doing better in October or November.

2. Practice, practice, practice. The more practice tests you do, more comfortable you will be and the less time pressure you will feel. Review each practice test to identify topics that require more attention.

3. Review the fundamentals. If you don’t remember topics from algebra, geometry, or grammar, now is the time to review!

4. Do the SAT Question of the Day. An easy download for iOS or Android.

5. MAKE A PLAN. Your schedule will not get easier as the school year continues! You are unlikely to improve without setting aside time to practice every week. If we can help you develop and stick to a plan, please call us at (203) 536-2011 or e-mail jeff@GreylockTestPrep.com

Greylock Test Prep focuses exclusively on SAT and ACT Preparation in Fairfield and Westchester Counties. Recent students are from such schools as Darien High School, Greens Farms Academy, Greenwich High School, New Canaan High School, Suffield Academy, Trinity Catholic, and Westhill High School.

Over the weekend, I read Debbie Stier’s “The Perfect Score Project.” As an SAT tutor who takes the test every few months to stay sharp and as a parent, I enjoyed her stories.

The book’s core message is that no amount of strategy or gamesmanship can make up for weaknesses in fundamental knowledge.

At Greylock Test Prep, we start with assessing that fundamental knowledge.  Once we have a baseline, we work on filling in the gaps, test taking strategies, and confidence.

The Essay counts for 30% of your Writing score.  Make sure you write enough to impress the graders.  350-450 words is a helpful guideline (count your words in your practice essays).  When you are making your outline, this will help you determine how many examples to use and how much detail for each.