From the Preposphere: February 1, 2018

SAT/ACT

The July ACT date is unavailable in New York and California. (ACT.org)

The most common mistake on SAT Reading is that students don't pay attention to context. (SuperTutorTV)

Don't overlook the ACT. (Erica Meltzer)

Have you wondered why Erica Meltzer's SAT and ACT books are written in such a traditional way? She believes strongly in her approach and suggests that private tutoring succeeds in applying it. (Erica Meltzer)

The College Board has recently published updated versions of its study guides for various SAT Subject Tests, including Math Level 2, Math Level 1, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, U.S. History, and World History.


COLLEGE

Which is more math intensive: economics or engineering? (College Confidential)

"The U.S. Justice Department has threatened to sue Harvard University to force it to turn over documents as it investigates whether the Ivy League school's admission policies violate civil rights laws by discriminating against Asian-American applicants." (US News)

CHEMISTRY

Chemistry: Here's an easy way to remember which atomic orbitals get filled first. (Socratic.org)


STUDY SKILLS

“The typical office worker is interrupted or switches tasks, on average, every three minutes and five seconds.... It takes an average of 23 minutes and 15 seconds to get back to the task.” (ThriveGlobal)

In tutoring, results are like a magnifying glass: effort and rewards are correlated. (Erica Meltzer)


MATH

Learn how to use parentheses on the TI-84 to avoid making small calculation mistakes. It's worth it.

FINANCE

Warren Buffett buys this with his billions... and it makes him happy. (CNBC)


COMPUTERS

Is Microsoft Paint pixelating your images when you try to scale them? Try the Pixlr online editor instead. (Pixlr)

Font Squirrel can analyze the font in an image you upload and offer you a list of similar, free fonts. (Font Squirrel)


AMERICAN HISTORY

Barbra Streisand's poignant post-WWII rendition of Happy Days are Here Again gives us a feeling of what it would have been like to have lived through two world wars and the Great Depression.

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From the Preposphere: September 30, 2017

It's time for a break - and some reading!

SAT and ACT

You'll need to know these four sentence types for the ACT and SAT. (Love the SAT)

The National Merit Semifinalist cutoffs are higher for the class of 2018 than they were for the class of 2017. (Compass)

Erica Meltzer's GRE book and new editions of her SAT books are now available on Amazon.

SAT vocabulary hasn't disappeared from the redesigned SAT, but the test does take a new approach. (Compass)

What's the optimal SAT/ACT study timeline? (Compass)

You can request testing accommodations on both the SAT and the ACT. (Compass)

Learn how to stop procrastinating on SAT and ACT prep. (Love the SAT)

If you really need to cram for the ACT, here's how. (PrepExpert)

Learn how to handle parallel passages on the ACT and SAT. (PowerScore)


COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

College rankings are easier to manipulate than one might think. (Chicago Tribune)

"These 7 questions can give you a picture of what type of career support you will receive for your [college] tuition." (Audrey Slaughter)

Can you measure a college's return on investment? (Applerouth)

How do you help your son or daughter get ready for the first day of college? (PrepExpert)

"For all you parents of smart B students who would rather be playing World of Warcraft than writing their college essays, know that there is hope." (Erica Meltzer)

"In a move to “ensure equality and fair access” for lower-income students applying to the university, Cal Poly has announced that it’s suspending its applications for early admissions — putting all students on the same application cycle for the fall 2017 quarter." (SLO)


TRANSFER STUDENTS

A college graduate shares her experience getting into Berkeley as a transfer student from a community college. (SuperTutorTV)


TECHNOLOGY

If you need a new logo for your business or Web site, consider using a design contest. (48HoursLogo)

Did you know that you can create your own custom Google map and embed it on your site? (Create)

Did you know that you can turn off your Google Calendar notifications? (Google Support)


CAREER

Learn about the different types of engineering degrees. (Love the SAT)

"Imagine the difference, not just if you found your own work fulfilling, but if almost everyone else did too. Products would be better and we’d buy fewer of them. And the people selling them to us would be proud instead of indifferent, because their work and their joy would no longer be confined to different parts of the day." (Raptitude)

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From the Preposphere: August 31, 2017

Check out the science-related links at the end of this month's linkfest.

SAT/ACT

Learn how to avoid careless errors on the SAT and ACT. (SuperTutorTV)

Learn three key formulas for the SAT's Math sections. (SuperTutorTV)

Brooke Hanson shares tips to help you ace the ACT Math section. (SuperTutorTV)


LEADERSHIP

"This past school year, 16 high school students from Central Contra Costa County got a flavor of what it’s like to start, run and dissolve a business. It was all part of a 13-week afterschool program, offered free through Junior Achievement of Northern California, that will be launched again this fall to interested high-schoolers in the area." (East Bay Times)

"Leaders sometimes get caught up in linear ways of thinking. Reading helps open up differing viewpoints and fresh perspectives." (Annesha Dutta)


EAST BAY

Did you know that Northgate High School has a peer tutoring program? (MDUSD)


SCIENCE

You can use ratios to find the size of the impossibly small planet in Star Trek Voyager's opening sequence. (E.C. Henry)

How does boric acid kill cockroaches and other small insects? (GoodGeek, DenGarden)

Some people are genetically prone to calcium-rich saliva, which protects teeth. (HippocraticPost)

Safe driving speed is determined situationally by observing the surrounding traffic, not by posted speed limits. As a result, speed limits on some highways have increased in order to make those roads safer. (SEH)

The deadliest animal in the world is the mosquito. (GatesNotes)

Schools have earthquake drills, but the odds of dying in an earthquake in California are one hundred times smaller than the odds of dying playing field sports (and only three times as high as the risk of dying from a lightning strike). (Dartmouth)

You can buy a Greek ETF (GREK) for only 80% of its book value. (Yahoo! Finance)

Oenology (wine tasting) majors can't tell the difference between cheap and expensive wine if the labels are switched. They can't tell the difference between red and white wine, either. (The Atlantic)

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From the Preposphere: July 31, 2017

Here's the July linkfest for your reading enjoyment!

SAT/ACT

"A recap of which test dates are still available for rising seniors may help you solidify your test prep plans." (Compass Prep)

SAT/ACT Reading: Background knowledge matters more than you think. (Erica Meltzer)

"Learn the 5 most common mistakes students make when prepping for the ACT." (SuperTutorTV)

Brooke Hanson shares strategies designed to help students score a perfect 36 on the ACT. (SuperTutorTV)


COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

Your AP Scores are Here – Now What? (AppleRouth)

"We’ve got the 17 things you need to do the summer before college." (AppleRouth)

"These steps are meant to guide you and your child through the college admissions process." (PrepExpert)

"Time and finances limit most families to a handful of in-person visits, so using online tours to narrow the list can be very beneficial." (AppleRouth)

"Consider one of these 15 colleges, which Richard Moll noted in his book The Public Ivys: A Guide to America’s Best Public Undergraduate Colleges and Universities as the so-called “Public Ivys.” " (LovetheSAT)

"Let’s take a look at the top 2 global universities in Europe, the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge." (LovetheSAT)

"If you want to get into your Dream School, stop trying to “find your passion” and start collecting a list of your unique strengths and interests." (DreamSchoolProject)

"The key is WHAT you do in college, not WHERE you go to college." (Audrey Slaughter)

"Brooke Hanson shares 5 types of college entrance/application essays that WILL NOT help you get into the school of your choice." (SuperTutorTV)


EDUCATION

"Knowledge is not only cumulative, it grows exponentially. Those with a rich base of factual knowledge find it easier to learn more—the rich get richer. In addition, factual knowledge enhances cognitive processes like problem solving and reasoning." (American Federation of Teachers)

"To boost your student’s brainpower, and give him or her all the energy needed for long study sessions, you should establish a diet that features lots of water, whole grains, berries, vegetables, beans, fish, nuts, and seeds, and limits trans fats and sugar." (PrepExpert)

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From the Preposphere: June 30, 2017

Enjoy this month's linkfest!

SAT/ACT

Beware of free practice tests offered by test-prep companies. (Erica Meltzer)

You, too, can study for the ACT while still enjoying your summer break. (PowerScore)

Finishing ACT Reading isn't about reading fast: it's about reading strategically. (Erica Meltzer)

Recent changes to ACT Science have made background knowledge more important. (Compass Prep)

An SAT perfect scorer explains how to stop making small mistakes on the test. (College Panda)

The new edition of the Official ACT Prep Guide is nearly identical to last year's. (PowerScore)

What's a good ACT score? (SuperTutorTV)


MATH

Life is equal to the integral from birth to death of happiness over time with the change in time. (VesselHead)


STUDY HABITS

Sleep prepares your brain to learn the next day. (Chariot Learning)


COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

The financial aid conversation should happen now, before you decide which schools to apply to. (Erica Meltzer)

Brooke Hanson offers her wisdom on the kinds of activities that can help you get into top schools. (SuperTutorTV 1 and 2)

When it comes to extracurriculars, focus is more important than quantity. (Dream School Project)

Become the kind of creative problem-solver that schools are looking for. (Dream School Project)

Make your Common App activities list your high school resume. (Applerouth)

Before you step into your interview, learn how to command a room. (This is about getting noticed, not controlling other people, and it applies to women, too.) (The Art of Manliness)

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From the Preposphere: May 31, 2017

Have fun with these links!

ACT/SAT

If you'd like to take the August SAT, register sooner rather than later. Seating is limited. (Compass Prep)

Who should take the August SAT? Will seats be available? (Compass Prep)

You can see which test centers are available by going through the SAT registration process. (PrepScholar)

Is the new SAT easier than the ACT? The answer may be more complicated than we think. (Applerouth)

Erica explains how to handle the toughest SAT and ACT transition word questions. (Erica Meltzer)

Jed Applerouth co-authored a review of the factors that influence SAT performance. (Applerouth)


SAT SUBJECT TESTS

The top five subject tests taken by Compass Prep students are Math Level 2, Literature, U.S. History, Chemistry, and Biology E/M. (Compass Prep)

Which Subject Tests does the new SAT overlap with? (PrepScholar)

The SAT was redesigned in 2016, but the Subject Tests are staying the same! (College Board)


APUSH

Magoosh has collated four sources of useful AP U.S. History practice tests. (Magoosh)


AP ENGLISH LANGUAGE

The beta version of Erica's AP English Language and Composition book is available. (Erica Meltzer)


MATH

A physics professor explains what he likes about Common Core math. (Forbes)

Get the Math teaches students how math is used in the real world. (Thirteen.org)

Find grade-specific Common Core games and apps. (Common Sense Media)

A math teacher figures out how to catch cheaters in the U.S. History class he's teaching. (Education Realist)


COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

Are Ivy League summer programs really worth it? (Erica Meltzer)

How do you find a mentor? (Dream School Project)

How can you stand out from other applicants? (Dream School Project)

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From the Preposphere: April 29, 2017

The April linkfest has some great SAT/ACT and college admissions videos!

TUTORING

How do you choose a tutor for the ACT or SAT? (Magoosh)


SCIENCE

Why do dogs tilt their heads? (BrainStuff)


SUPERTUTORTV

What are the five most common ACT prep mistakes? (SuperTutorTV)

What do you have to do to get a perfect 36 on the ACT? (SuperTutorTV)

How do you self-study for the New SAT? (SuperTutorTV)

How do you write a winning ACT essay? (SuperTutorTV)

Here's a summary of the changes to the ACT essay that happened in fall 2016. (SuperTutorTV)

What are colleges looking for? (SuperTutorTV)

Brooke Hanson explains how she got into Stanford. (SuperTutorTV)

Hack Your Brain: 3 Study Tips that Tap into the Power of Psychology (SuperTutorTV)


GRADUATE SCHOOL

Which test should you take: the GRE or the GMAT? (Magoosh)

Use Flocabulary to learn old SAT (and current GRE) vocabulary. (Flocabulary)


LEGISLATION

A proposed bill would let Minnesota schools replace snow days with e-learning days. (Edweek)


LIFE

Don't be afraid to be different! (Hannah Brencher)

The best way to explain Zeno's Paradox

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From the Preposphere: March 18, 2017

Here's the linkfest for this month! Read your heart out.

ACT

The ACT will offer a new July test date starting in 2018. (ACT.org)
This complements the SAT's new summer test date, which will start in August of 2017.

The ACT evolves: harder science and math arrive with May update. (Applerouth)

The national average for the ACT is a composite score of 20. The ACT publishes a list containing all of the percentiles. (ACT.org)

Here's a list of the best ACT books to prep for a perfect score. (SuperTutorTV)


SAT/ACT GRAMMAR

Dangling modifier grammar problems can seem harder than they actually are. (Erica Meltzer)


SAT/ACT ESSAY

Essay tip: Find alternatives to the word "say." (Erica Meltzer)


AP TESTS

Here's a look at the new and updated AP exam offerings for 2017. (Compass)

AP scores have changed as the tests have been updated. (Compass)


COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

Make the most of your college visits with these ten tips. (Applerouth)

What should you do if you're waitlisted? (Applerouth)

MATH

Remember the definitions of sine, cosine, and tangent. (Mathwords)


LIFE

Make the most of the summer while doing what you love. (Applerouth)


LOL

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From the Preposphere: January 27, 2017

This month's list of links focuses on the SAT and ACT.

SAT/ACT

Official SAT Practice Test #7 is now available for download. (Khan Academy)

How to answer those pesky adding/deleting sentence questions (College Panda)

What to bring to the SAT - and what not to bring (PrepScholar)

How to get a perfect score on the SAT (SuperTutorTV)

Ten tips for getting a perfect score on the ACT (SuperTutorTV)

What your ACT score report looks like to colleges (Compass)

You still need to know vocabulary for the SAT and ACT. (Chariot Learning)

Comparing tasks: the SAT essay vs. the ACT essay (Compass)

To get a high score on the ACT essay, you need to analyze all three perspectives, not just one of them. (Magoosh)

Harvard's SAT scores (Magoosh)


COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

Wowing the admissions office (Magoosh)

Five steps to get into schools like Stanford (StudentTutor)

Are you a rebel? The Ivy League wants you. (Dream School Project)

Eight schools that are just as selective as the Ivy League (Business Insider)


SCHOOL

Doodling during class may actually help you learn the material. (Chariot Learning)

Why students need experienced teachers (Erica Meltzer)


LIFE

Personal finance for college-bound students (Magoosh)

Five ways to study while working full-time (Magoosh)


GRE

A vocab app isn't enough if you want to ace GRE verbal. (Erica Meltzer)

GRE score percentiles (Magoosh)


LOL

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