Test Prep

Look. Not every kid is destined to construct the next space telescope or design the most innovative app for your phone.

But does that mean he or she should be failing 3rd grade math?

Not at all.

Perhaps all your kid needs is a little bit of personalized, one-on-one tutoring. You can't be everywhere at once, doing everything for everyone. And you don't need to feel guilty about it, either. Don't we have enough on our plates as parents? I think you know the answer to that.

There are people out there (gasp!) who have been trained to help your junior out when schooling and attention from you just isn't enough. But does your kid need summer tutoring?

Here are 10 signs to look for...

What's coming up this week in test dates? Here are the registration deadlines, test administrations, score release dates and more!

Week: May 19 - 25

Thursday, May 23

• Late registration ends for the May 30 MCAT
• MCAT Administration
• MCAT Test Dates

Friday, May 24

• SAT scores released for the May 4 test
• SAT Registration FAQs
• What's a good SAT Score?

So, you're already registered for the SAT test which is quickly approaching in just a couple short weeks! Aiyee! What do you need to know?

Here are the SAT basics. Each one of these articles explains the types of questions, points possible, and knowledge required for each portion of the test. SAT 101 shows you the big picture. If you don't know these things, you don't stand a chance of scoring as well as you could. Stay tuned next week for tips and tricks of getting an even better score!

1. SAT 101
2. SAT Mathematics
3. SAT Critical Reading
4. SAT Writing
5. SAT Essay

My high school students were always asking me what I wanted for teacher appreciation week or at the end of the school year. Mostly, I'd reply something to the tune of "World peace" or "Your grade about nineteen percentage points higher" or something else equally as sweet.

Most of my students would roll their eyes and say, "Mrs. Roell, I'm serious."

Shrugging, I'd hand them this list and tell them to get shopping*: The Top 10 Gifts for High School Teachers.

*which is not entirely true. It is, however, a very good list if I do say so myself, and if my students weren't fortunate enough to receive it from me, then hopefully, this list will inspire you when you're shopping (if you must - we teachers truly don't expect a gift at the end of the year) for that teacher you're dying to spend your minimum wages on.

Mostly, teachers just want you to turn in your homework, though. Honestly.

What's coming up this week in test dates? Here are the registration deadlines, test administrations, score release dates and more!

Week: May 12 - 18

Thursday, May 16

• Late registration ends for the May 23 MCAT
• Regular registration ends for the May 30 MCAT
• MCAT Test Dates

Friday, May 17

• Late registration ends for the June 8 ACT exam
• ACT Test Dates
• Late registration closes for the June 1 SAT exam
• SAT Registration FAQs
• Late registration closes for the June LSAT
• 2013 - 2014 LSAT Test Dates

Saturday, May 18

• MCAT Administration
• Average National MCAT Scores for 2012

If you haven't yet registered for the June 1 SAT test, but you're planning to take it, then you only have a few days to do so! Here are all your SAT registration questions, answered.

If you register, but you're not sure what steps you should be taking for SAT prep, then stay tuned! I'll be posting some SAT prep info next week!

SAT Registration Facts:

1. SAT Timeline: When should I take the SAT test?
2. Registration Deadlines: Can I still register for the June 1 SAT?
3. SAT Registration 101: How to register for this or the next administration
4. SAT Fees: What's this thing going to cost me?
5. SAT Subject Test Dates: Are they always offered on the same day as the SAT?

Wondering how you're going to get those reading comprehension scores up? If you're a high school student and you hate reading or are just "not that good at it", then perhaps it's just because you've never found a book you really like. You may not be able to relate to some of the books teachers assign in school. And although not everything you read has to be your very favorite thing, it's a good idea to find one or two books that you'd consider recommending to a friend. Or finishing.

Reading literature helps you get better at reading in general, especially when you question as you go. And we all know that reading is tested frequently on standardized tests.

So, consider picking up one of these great books for teens and diving in for a reading experience you may surprise yourself by enjoying.

Reading How-To's

• How to find the main idea
• How to understand vocab in context
• How to determine author's purpose
• How to make an inference

More Help For Teens:

• 4 Ways Keep That Brain Sharp Over the Summer
• 5 Cool Science Experiments to Try At Home

What's coming up this week in test dates? Here are the registration deadlines, test administrations, score release dates and more!

Week: May 5 - 11

Tuesday, May 7

• Regular registration closes for the June LSAT
• 2013 - 2014 LSAT Test Dates

Thursday, May 9

• Regular registration ends for the May 23 MCAT
• MCAT Test Dates

Saturday, May 11

• TOEIC Listening and Reading
• TOEIC Test Dates
• MCAT Administration
• Late registration ends for the May 18 MCAT

It's the night before the SAT. You're nervous. You're fidgety. You realize that the test you'll be taking tomorrow could help you get into the school of your dreams. So, such a monumental occasion requires celebration, right? Wrong! Save your celebration and any other crazy activities for Saturday night, after you're all finished acing the test.

There are 7 things you should do, however, and overindulging is not one of them. Neither is studying, by the way. Surprised?

Don't be. Here are 7 things to do the night before the SAT. Read it. Get prepared.

Good luck!

The major college admissions tests - the SAT and the ACT - have essays. They just do, so you may as well get over it. If you hate writing with a ferocity only understood by the angry, then consider this:

Writing doesn't have to be awful.

It doesn't.

Writing is only awful when you're sitting there, staring at a blank screen/sheet of paper, trying to be creative about a topic you'd rather launch into the stratosphere on the next rocket to the moon. You hate skateboarding/vegetarian cooking/the Great Lakes/unions. Why must you write about them?

Sadly, we don't always get to choose the topics we get to write about. If you're taking a standardized test, you never do.

But , if you get little bit better at writing about the things you do love, you'll start to get better at writing about topics that bore you. And that's a good thing. Because if you can take a bite out of unsavory topics with just a little less distaste, your loathing for them will start to dwindle, and you'll get better and better at expressing your thoughts.

Want to test my theory? Here are 14 Ways to Be a Better Writer in High School to get you started.