The first passage on both the ACT and the SAT Reading tests is the fiction/literature passage. For some students, the fiction passage is the most interesting one on the test because it offers a change of pace from the others, which tend to be fact-based and straightforward. However, when teaching these passages, I often hear collective groans from my students because many of them fail to grasp what actually happens within these stories. To reduce confusion, here are some suggestions on how to approach fiction and literature passages on the ACT and SAT:
Read MoreAlthough you have considerable freedom regarding when to take the SAT, being strategic could help you achieve your best score, not to mention save you some money. The decision of “when” depends mostly on two things: your academic situation and your preparedness. Here are some considerations to help you optimize fitting the SAT into your high school timeline.
Read MoreReading comprehension is a complex process that involves understanding both the explicit and implicit, or unstated, meanings of a text. Practicing your reading comprehension skills can go a long way toward improving your test performance as well as your long-term reading progress. Here's how to start...
Read MoreThe SAT is known for testing difficult vocabulary, or so-called “SAT words,” so studying for the SAT tends to evoke images of long lists of definitions and teetering stacks of flashcards. However, the latest version of the SAT (updated in 2016) no longer tests high-level words in isolated vocabulary questions (i.e., sentence completions or analogies). So the logical question is, how important is vocabulary on the SAT? Are lists of vocabulary words outdated?
Read MoreWith so many required school classes and extracurriculars, the idea of taking on test prep classes might feel overwhelming. You might think spending so much time and doing so much work just to prepare for one test isn’t worth it. However, test prep classes have so much to offer. Here are five things they can help you do.
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