Preparing for the 2013 PSAT

Preparing for the 2013 PSAT Every October, most high school juniors (and some sophomores) take the PSAT.   Short for Preliminary SAT, the PSAT is exactly that a shorter version of the SAT that most students take before they take the actual SAT.   Questions on the PSAT are similar to those on the SAT, covering critical reading, math, and writing.     The PSAT, however, is scored out of 240 points, only takes 2 hours and 10 minutes to complete, and does not have an essay.Also, a students PSAT score doesnt count for college admissions.   That last fact is why many of my students tell me that they blew off the test, or forgot their calculator, or gave up halfway through that really boring reading passage on the feeding habits of bats.   Yes, its true, their scores on the PSAT wont affect which colleges they get into.   However, I still encourage students to take the PSAT seriously for several reasons:1) Your performance on the PSAT is a good predictor of your performance on the SAT.When you take the PSAT, the Coll ege Board is giving you a sneak preview of your SAT score.   Because PSAT questions are so similar to SAT questions, you can expect to get about the same score on both tests (just add a zero to the end of your PSAT score).   If you blow off the PSAT, youre giving up the chance to see how youd score on the SAT and adjust your approach accordingly.   Did you get that low PSAT score because you genuinely struggled with the test material, or because you got bored?   Dont underestimate the importance of this feedback!2) Taking the PSAT in a real testing environment boosts your confidence.Even though colleges dont see your PSAT score, most students still feel some nerves and pressure on PSAT test day.   Its inevitable when youre surrounded by hundreds of other students hopped up on adrenaline!   Youll feel the same way when you take the SAT.   The more chances you have to get nervous in a testing environment and deal with your emotions effectively, the more your confidence will increase. (This is why AJ Tutoring encourages all of our students to take proctored SATs at our office on Saturdays!)   If you take the PSAT seriously, allow yourself to get nervous, and take the test anyways, youre that much closer to confidently scoring your best when it counts on the SAT.3) The PSAT gives you valuable experience with SAT questions.Because PSAT and SAT questions cover the same content at similar levels of difficulty, taking the PSAT lets you know what you can expect on the SAT.   Students usually have not encountered anything like SAT questions in their schoolwork, and they can be blindsided by tricky function questions on the math section or convoluted sentences in the writing section.   If youve taken the PSAT and seen those questions before, youll get a leg up on preparing for the SAT and youll know what to expect on test day.4) High scorers can earn National Merit recognition from their PSAT performance.If youre one of those 99th percentile test takers, the PSAT might b e your ticket to a National Merit scholarship and an advantage in college admissions.   The National Merit program recognizes high scores on the junior year PSAT with several designations Semifinalist, Finalist, and Scholarship winner.   Only the top 1% of students from each state are chosen to be National Merit semifinalists.   If you have the potential to score high enough to get National Merit recognition, dont pass up the chance to take the PSAT!Whether you anticipate a stellar performance on the PSAT or youre just hoping to not bomb the test, I encourage you to take it seriously.   Good luck!The PSAT will be administered on October 16 and 19, 2013.   Looking for last-minute PSAT prep?   AJ Tutoring offers a short 3-session PSAT tutoring program to familiarize you with the test.   Email info@ajtutoring.com or call (650) 331-3251 for more information!

New Common App essay prompts for 2013-14

New Common App essay prompts for 2013-14 Juniors are you ready to start thinking about college essays yet?   The deadline may seem far away, but the earlier you start the brainstorming and writing process, the easier the essays will be.   In case you want to get a head start, the Common App has released five new essay prompts for the 2013-14 admissions season.Not sure what the Common App is?   Its a universal application that allows students to apply to multiple colleges at once. 488 colleges accept the Common App (a complete list of those colleges can be found here).There are several big changes to the Common App this year:A minimum word count of 250 words for the essay will be enforced.The maximum word count has increased from 500 to 650 words.Students will no longer be able to upload a resume unless a college specifically requests one.The topic of your choice prompt has been eliminated.There are five new essay prompts.The five new essay prompts are:Some students have a background or story that is so central to their ide ntity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it.   If this sounds like you, then please share your story.Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure.   How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea.   What prompted you to act?   Would you make the same decision again?Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content.   What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.What do you think of the Common Apps new essay prompts for 2013-14?   Do they stifle students creativity by eliminating the topic of your choice, or do they provide welcome direction and focus?   Id love to hear your thoughts!