PSAT

The PSAT: Why It Matters and Why You Should Prep for It

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The PSAT is an exam intended for college-bound students to take in the fall of their junior year. It’s just over half the length of the SAT (2 hr. 10 min., vs. 3 hr. 45 min.) and comprises the same three sections—Critical Reading (sentence completions and reading comprehension), Math, and Writing (I always chuckle at a test called Writing, but on which there is NO actual writing to do, only multiple choice grammar questions to answer). Unlike the SAT, there’s no essay on the PSAT, nor is there an experimental section. It is NOT required by any college, nor can […]

PSAT Image

The PSATs Are OVER!…Now What?!

 tagged ACT / PSAT / SAT / standardized tests by

So you took the PSATs this past week. For many of you, sophomores and juniors alike, that began your foray into the wonderful world of high-stakes (college entrance exam) testing. That’s the bad news. The good news is that sophomores have a really long break before the next one (PLAN and/or Subject Tests next spring) and juniors get a little break in the otherwise nonstop bombardment that is the junior year in American high school. As far as standardized testing goes, the vast majority of juniors don’t sit for another exam until January (SATs) or February (ACTs). Some may choose to […]

Mindfulness-Based Reading Comprehension

 tagged ACT / mindfulness / PSAT / reading / SAT / test prep by

Ever start a reading comprehension passage on a standardized test and recognize halfway through the first column that you have absolutely no idea what the passage is about? Ever sit down to read a book or magazine and suddenly realize that while your eyes are running down the tracks of words and lines, your mind is on a completely different train? Yeah, um, you’re not alone.

Preparation for Standardized Test Game Day

 tagged ACT / junior year / PSAT / SAT / senior year / sleep / stress management / test anxiety / test prep by

October marks the first big month of standardized testing for college bound juniors and seniors.  SATs, SAT Subject Tests, PSATs, and ACTs are all given this month.  Hopefully, you have been taking practice tests, going over every item you got wrong or left blank, and studying the material you need to learn.  If you haven’t been, stop what you’re doing and callCollegePrepExpress at 413-329-7540: do not pass go, do not collect $200, do not even finish this blog. No seriously, as your game day approaches, here are some valuable tips for squeezing out your maximum score on whatever exam you’re taking: […]

Standardized Test Planning, Grades 9-12

 tagged ACT / freshmen / junior year / PSAT / SAT / senior year / sophomores by

Don’t let the title of this week’s blog fool you: the most significant thing you can do in any grade for college admissions is to take the most rigorous classes available to you and earn the best grades you can in them.  Period. So as this year begins, keep your eye on the prize: A’s in school! Having said that, another important component in the college admissions game is, for better or worse, standardized test scores.  Consequently, it’s never too early to start to plan which ones you’re going to take, and when you’re going to take them.  Forewarned is forearmed, […]