Superscore

Taking a “superscore” is when a college considers a student’s best score from each SAT or ACT section, regardless of the date of the test. For example, suppose that John took the SAT twice with the following score breakdown.

Colleges that Superscore take your highest scores from each section to compile your total score.

A college that does not superscore would simply look for John’s single best test sitting. When considering his application, his best score of 1800 would be used. A college that does superscore would look at John’s best score in each section, regardless of date. It would take his 650 Math from October, 650 Reading from May, and 600 Writing from October, for a superscore total of 1900.

Score Choice

Score Choice is a program long used for the ACT and now available for the SAT as well. Before Score Choice, sending any single test score to a college would mean sending all of your test scores. With Score Choice, you can choose to send the scores from certain test dates while withholding scores from other dates.

Some students believe that Score Choice gives them free reign to take the SAT or ACT as many times as they want without any concerns about negative results. While this may sound appealing, it is not always true (some schools require you to send all scores) and there is absolutely no reason to take the test until you are fully prepared. Students who take the test repeatedly tend to see their scores stagnate, while students who focus their efforts on one or two test dates and prepare diligently often maximize their potential. If you want to see which test is better for you or how you would do on either test, take full-length official practice tests at home for the SAT or for the ACT.

SAT vs. ACT

The general rule is that most colleges do superscore the SAT but do not superscore the ACT. However, there are many exceptions. Here is a comprehensive list of SAT score use policies for U.S. colleges, accurate as of September 2011. An unofficial list of colleges that superscore the ACT can be found here.

The SAT and ACT are administered by independent agencies and have no connection to each other. If you take both the SAT and the ACT, consult an SAT-ACT concordance chart and feel free to only send the scores from your better test, except at schools that explicitly require you to submit all tests.

The Exception: SAT Subject Tests

For colleges that require applicants to submit all of their SAT and ACT scores, applicants sometimes can exercise the Score Choice option for SAT Subject Tests. For example, both Stanford and Yale require students to submit all SAT and ACT scores. However, Stanford allows students to use Score Choice for SAT Subject Tests; whereas Yale’s anti-score choice policy extends to SAT Subject Tests. Each school has its own specific policy, so check out the websites of colleges you are considering.

Our General Advice

At Cardinal Education, we generally recommend that students submit all test scores to every institution regardless of scoring policy. Our reasons are threefold:

• The vast majority of schools make their primary evaluation of standardized test scores by examining applicants’ top scores in each section of the SAT or ACT.
• Students can waste valuable time checking and double-checking Score Choice policies for each institution and also run the risk of making a mistake while trying to employ a strategy that will have negligible effects on their ultimate admissions decision.
• The Common Application only has one area for reporting SAT/ACT scores. If you are trying to send all of your scores to one college while simultaneously withholding some scores from another college, you will have to submit multiple Common Apps, which dramatically increases the chances of making an error.

When to Make Exceptions

There are certain situations where Score Choice can prove extremely valuable.

• Some students improve their SAT or ACT scores so significantly after receiving private tutoring that there are major discrepancies between testing dates.
• Similarly, many students take SAT Subject Tests for which they are ill-prepared and end up with disappointing results.

If you find yourself in either of those situations, a careful use of Score Choice could give your application a boost. However, most students will be best served by resisting the urge to tinker with Score Choice and simply submitting all of their scores. Regardless of what tack you take with submitting your scores, your best bet is to be well-prepared for the exams. If you are applying to highly competitive colleges and are interested in using Score Choice, you should consult a professional college counselor to help you with the decision and to verify that you have not made any errors.

What are the SAT Subject Tests? 

You should always do some form of prep for the Subject Tests. The "Official Guide" is the best place to start.

Subject Tests are hour-long tests that gauge a student’s knowledge of a particular subject. They are designed to differentiate between top students. Tests are offered in math, science, history, and language. Unlike the SAT Reasoning Test, the SAT Subject Tests cover material that significantly overlaps with the curricula of most high school classes.

Do I need to take SAT Subject Tests?

Many highly competitive schools require two or three Subject Tests.  Top universities like Harvard, MIT, and Yale require Subjects Tests; some even specify which exams must be submitted. Other elite universities like Stanford, USC, and Johns Hopkins all “recommend” taking Subject Tests. This is their way of saying that you should take the exams. Some colleges and universities require or recommend specific Subject Tests when applying to certain majors or programs within the university. For example, applicants to the UC Berkeley College of Chemistry and College of Engineering are recommended to take Math Level 2 and a science. This is a crucial fact which may elude prospective applicants. Due to the unique admissions requirements of each university, it is recommended that students research the requirements of the colleges and universities they are interested in.

 Which subject tests should I take?

After you have researched the application requirements for the schools you are applying to, it is time to decide which tests to take. Follow these recommendations:

• Focus on your strengths when choosing tests because you are aiming for great, not good, scores.
• If you received an “A-“ or better in a rigorous honors or AP class in biology, chemistry, physics, US History, World History, or junior-year English, strongly consider taking the corresponding Subject Test.
• Never take the Math Level 1, as most schools do not even consider it.  Talented math students should always take the Math Level 2.
• Foreign language tests should only be taken by exceptional AP students or native speakers.
• If you are unsure where you stand, take a diagnostic test.  Collegeboard.com also has practice questions.

When should I take the Subject Tests?

Each test is tailored to material learned in various high school courses. Therefore, it is best to take the Subject Test after the equivalent class has been completed, typically in May or June. Since AP tests, SAT/ACT, and final exams make this a very busy time of year, students should plan ahead as far in advance as possible to avoid a mountain of stress.

How Do I Prepare for the Subject Tests?

High school courses are good introductions to the content of each of the Subject Tests; AP courses are even better. However, to achieve a competitive score, more preparation is necessary. The Official Study Guide for All SAT Subject Tests is a good place to start. It includes practice tests for each of the twenty Subject Tests as well as tips for taking each test. Because a high, competitive score is essential, students should also consider professional test prep.

The SAT Subject Tests can cause a lot of stress. By researching college requirements and playing to your strengths, you can make the experience less hectic. Do not let signing up for the tests be harder than taking the tests!

Like what you see here? We are happy to permit you to use our material as long as you link back! Please refer to us as the Cardinal Education Blog.

Courses at College Campuses

Admissions committees do not want students who work tirelessly for that “A” in Chemistry or Pre-Calculus only to forget everything they learn over a listless summer break.  They want students who possess an intellectual vitality that extends beyond the confines of the classroom.  Taking a college course or two, even at a community college, during the summer is a great way to demonstrate this sought-after quality.  Furthermore, through this opportunity, students can display their interest in higher education as well as show off their academic abilities.  This is also true for the many academic camps that colleges host for bright and talented students every summer such as Stanford’s EPGY.

Summer Work

One of the best ways to demonstrate independence and responsibility on a college application is to get a summer job.  Of course, prestigious internships and research opportunities look great on an application, but hard labor like construction, or even working at Wendy’s, also shows real character in an applicant.  Students should avoid working at a parent’s firm as it diminishes the aforementioned qualities in an application.  However, if your family is well-connected, your student should pursue these networks as they can be invaluable in attaining positions that are impressive and intellectually inspiring.  Above all, it is critical that your student commits a significant amount of time to whatever job that he or she lands as dedication and work ethic are primary factors in the way colleges assess summer work experience.

Community Service

Many schools, churches, and community groups sponsor 1 to 2 weeklong community service trips abroad every summer.  Do not sign up.  Admissions officers know what these trips boil down to: a glorified vacation where students from middle and upper class families get a glimpse of another culture and experience a warm, fuzzy feeling about helping others in need.  Similarly, creating non-profit organizations that are financed by wealthy parents will not impress admissions officers.  Instead, students should engage in community service that directly corresponds to their passions.  For example, a talented guitarist could give free lessons to underprivileged children.  Or a science-loving student could spearhead an environmentally friendly initiative.  In short, whether local or abroad, community service work that demonstrates ingenuity, independence, commitment, and passion is always the most compelling.

Independent Reading and Writing

Summer reading can improve SAT and ACT scores.

No matter what year of high school your student is in, it is critical that he or she catch up on some independent reading and writing over the summer.  Well before the end of the school year, students should ask teachers, tutors, or counselors to assist them in compiling an appropriate summer reading list that will improve their reading comprehension and vocabulary.  These factors will play a significant role in determining how a student will score on the critical reading section on the SAT and ACT.  In terms of writing, even something as simple as keeping a daily journal will help students to hone their composition skills, which are most often sorely below collegiate standards.  Finally, a journal can act as an instrumental source of information when your student is required to write statements about life experiences in the college application essay writing process.

In short, summer activities can be a great opportunity for your student to expand upon his or her passions.  It is important to recognize that some activities are far more compelling than others on a college application.  Summer activities that will both inspire your student and impress college admissions committees are vast and varied.  If you do not have the time to wade through the myriad opportunities available, consider seeking out a college admissions consultant as their personalized, expert advice can eliminate the stress of what should be a season of fun and inspiration.  It is summer break after all!

You may wonder, how exactly do practice tests help prepare students to deal with performance anxiety on test day? In her book Choke: What the Secrets of the Brain Reveal About Getting It Right When You Have To, Dr. Sian Beilock takes a scientific approach to understanding human reactions to high-pressure situations. Beilock, a psychology professor at the University of Chicago, expounded upon ways to combat test anxiety in this NPR interview:

“The key is to really be accustomed to dealing with whatever sort of reaction that you might have so that you’re ready in the high-stakes situation for whatever comes your way. And that really gets at how you’re practicing for these sorts of important pressure-filled situations. We often spend a lot of time, say, studying for a test, just going over our notes, but we rarely sit there and actually take a practice test, like, that’s very similar to what we’re going to find in the high-stress situation.”

The New York Times has also cited research that substantiates the educational value of testing. The benefits of practice tests are particularly potent for admissions tests. Tests like the SAT and ACT cover a broad range of material. While there are many strategies for increasing scores, taking realistic practice tests is perhaps the most important element of test preparation. As Beilock explains,

“Students and parents spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on test prep courses, where the goal is to get the secrets of the test, but one of the main reasons I suspect that those courses up the scores of some students is because every week, they sit and take practice tests in essentially the same environment they’re going to face on testing day.”

At Cardinal Education, simulating the test environment is a core tenet of our approach to test prep tutoring. We offer proctored practice exams every weekend. All of our test prep students take several full-length practice tests before sitting for the actual exam. Beilock’s research supports this approach:

“You don’t have to practice under the exact high-stake situations you’re going to face in competition or an interview or even a test. It’s hard to mimic those in reality. Just getting a little bit of pressure in these practice situations can actually be enough to get people accustomed to performing well when the stakes are high.”

Like what you see here? We are happy to permit you to use our material as long as you link back! Please refer to us as the Cardinal Education Blog.

Traditionally, people on the coasts take the SAT, and people in the middle of the country take the ACT. Don’t feel pressured into taking one test or another because of where you live or what your classmates are taking! Most schools readily accept either test and do not show a preference for one or the other. The question now becomes, what is the difference between the two tests?

Content: The SAT covers three broad categories: critical reading, math, and writing. The ACT tests English, math, reading, and science. There is a large overlap of material, but the two tests do differ in small but significant ways.

• Reading: The SAT focuses more on vocabulary than the ACT. In each critical reading section of the SAT, there are five to eight sentence completion questions that test vocabulary and reasoning. The ACT reading section does not have specific vocabulary questions. Students with a strong vocabulary may want to take the SAT.
• Math: The SAT tests material up through geometry and algebra 2. The ACT covers algebra 2 and geometry, as well as trigonometry. Students who haven’t been introduced to trigonometry concepts should shy away from the ACT.
• Essay: Both the SAT and ACT have essay sections, which differ in length and topic. The SAT topics are broader and more global, which require writing a formal, persuasive piece. The ACT topics are more specific and more relevant to the lives of high school students, which translate to a personal opinion essay. Students who have trouble developing ideas and examples on the spot may find the ACT’s more personal topics easier to work with. The SAT gives students 25 minutes to complete the essay, while the ACT gives students 30 minutes.  Students who need more time to write may want to take the ACT.
• Science: The most obvious difference is that the ACT has a science section. Contrary to its name, the science section does not test science facts. Instead, students must interpret data, diagrams, and charts to answer the questions.  Students who have trouble rapidly understanding and analyzing scientific data may want to take the SAT.

Question Style: The SAT is a more of a reasoning test while the ACT is more of an achievement test. This means that the SAT tests a student’s ability to reason through a problem and find the solution, and the ACT tests how well a student has mastered the fundamental skills taught in school. ACT problems tend to be more straightforward while SAT questions require students to problem solve. Even students who excel in high school sometimes find themselves stumped by the SAT’s cryptic questions. Students who perform strongly in school and can answers questions quickly and accurately may want to take the ACT.

With regard to scoring, the SAT has a guessing penalty, meaning that students lose points for wrong answers but are not penalized for leaving them blank. The ACT does not have a guessing penalty. On the ACT, every question should be answered regardless of whether or not the question has been read. On the SAT, students should only guess if they can eliminate one or more wrong answer choice.

Time Limits: The SAT has 10 sections and lasts 3 hours 45 minutes. The ACT has 5 sections and lasts 3 hours 25 minutes. Because the SAT is broken down into more sections, students focus on a given topic for shorter periods of time. On the ACT, the students have to answer all the English questions at once then all the math questions. Depending on the student, one test may be preferable to the other. Students who can focus for long periods of time should consider taking the ACT.

The ACT contains more questions in less time than the SAT. The ACT reading and science sections are particularly difficult for many students to finish within the time limits. Students who feel nervous under time constraints or who take longer to read and do math problems may want to take the SAT which will give them more time per problem.

So Which Test Do I Take?
Despite these differences, fundamentally the tests are very similar. One test is not inherently easier than the other, so either test is a good choice. Depending on what type of student you are, one test may be a better fit, so be sure to take a practice SAT and a practice ACT. Many test prep companies offer free diagnostic exams to help you decide which test to take. Compare the scores and see which test is better suited to your strengths. Because admission is so competitive, test preparation is essential for either test. If you are looking to maximize your options for college, begin test prep early and take both exams.

Like what you see here? We are happy to permit you to use our material as long as you link back! Please refer to us as the Cardinal Education Blog.

Setting goals is a valuable tool that can help the school year run smoothly. Creating goals gives students a clear idea of what they want to accomplish, provides steps to meet those targets, and motivates them to follow through with the plan. When setting goals, follow these steps:

• Discuss what the goals should be.
• Set achievable goals.
• Implement steps to reach the goals.
• Reevaluate the goals from time to time.

Discuss: Before school starts, sit down with your student and think about what goals to set this year. Discuss previous semesters. Make sure to emphasize the positives of last semester and how those successes can be built upon. Keep in mind that being overly critical can make students shut down and not want to participate in the conversation. Instead of dwelling on previous failures, suggest what improvements can be made to ensure the same problems do not arise this semester. This discussion will set the foundations of this semester’s goals.

Achievable: After talking about last semester, decide what this semester’s goals will be. Whatever the goals are, make sure they are clear, well thought out, and realistic. An example of a good goal is “I got a ‘C’ in math last semester, so this semester I will get a ‘B’ in math.” The goal is specific and can be measured. A bad goal would be “I will do better in math.” This is too vague and has not clear way to measure progress. Goals do not always have to be school related. Another excellent goal is “I was not involved in enough outside activities last semester, so I will participate in two different clubs this semester.” Goals can be about anything so long as they are thought-out and well-written.

Implement: Now that the goals are set, it is time to think about the steps needed to achieve them. If the goal is a “B” in math class, some steps to achieving this are doing homework every night, keeping track of the next test date, and studying for the test starting a week in advance. Mapping out the steps in between is an important part of the process. It shows what needs to be done in order to achieve a goal and if performance is being made in the right direction.

Reevaluate: The last step to setting goals is to keep track of progress and to adjust the goals as needed. Regularly look at the goals and steps; compare them to what is being done. This helps determine whether or not the goals need to be adjusted. If math class is easy and all the steps are being fulfilled, perhaps the goal should be revised. Instead of aiming for a “B” in math, elevate the goal to earning an “A” in math second semester. On the other hand, if math is a struggle, think about why that is the case. Was the goal too ambitious or the steps not clearly defined? The goal may have to be redefined, but it is more likely that each step could be completed better or more consistently. Reevaluating the goals is an important step in the goal making process because it is a clear indicator of whether or not the goal will be reached.

Not all goals are as easily accomplished as expected. Whether or not the goal is extremely ambitious, if it is a necessary goal and is difficult to reach do not be afraid to seek outside help like after school tutoring. Our article on Free Educational Resources outlines several options for additional academic help.

The beginning of the semester is an exciting time. There are a lot of adjustments for a student to handle like remembering to get up early and get back into homework mode. One tool that will make the transition easier is setting goals at the beginning of the semester. Start out on the right foot and use the positive momentum throughout the wonderful year.

Like what you see here? We are happy to permit you to use our material as long as you link back! Please refer to us as the Cardinal Education Blog.

Free Educational Resources

For an increasing number of parents today, when their son or daughter is struggling in school, the knee-jerk reaction is to call up a private tutoring or educational consulting service to get one-on-one guidance for their child. While tutors have a powerful impact on students’ performance in school, your family may want to consider taking advantage of the many free resources at your disposal before turning to the experts.

Teachers

The most important step any student can take is to see the teacher outside of class. Despite their busy schedules, most teachers will make time to meet with students and offer them guidance. Meeting with teachers can provide valuable benefits for students.

• Information and feedback.  Outside of class, teachers may clarify assignments and expectations such as instructions for projects or how to properly take notes. Teachers can further explain difficult concepts, which can be especially useful for math, science, and English classes. They can also provide feedback on student work before it is officially submitted, which can increase the student’s chances of getting good grades on important assignments.
• Showing effort.  While most teachers have an objective grading policy, there is often some subjectivity involved. From a teacher’s perspective, a struggling student who does not ask questions and simply shows up for class is a student who does not care. Teachers tend to make special considerations for students who make concerted efforts to discuss their difficulties and ask for help. If you were a teacher, how could you not love a student who is trying to do better?

Some students are apprehensive about seeing the teacher, but they must understand is that the teacher is there to help them. Showing up early or staying after school or sparing a lunch or free period to meet with an instructor can go a long way.

Peers

A teacher’s availability to help often has limits, so peers can serve as another great resource.  There are several ways in which students can take advantage of their peers’ knowledge.

• Peer tutoring. Many schools maintain tutoring centers stocked with volunteer staff and students ready to provide academic assistance. Some have drop-in hours, while others require students to sign up in advance. Additionally, if your child’s school has a National Honor Society (NHS), there is a good chance that NHS members regularly make themselves available for tutoring. Contact the school to find out about school-sponsored and NHS tutoring.
• Study groups.  As the old saying goes, “Two heads are better than one.” Sometimes the most insightful knowledge of what it takes to succeed in a class will come from other students who are already doing well. Your student should take an active role in forming study groups in order to mine the knowledge of his or her peers. Of course, a study group is only as good as the people in it, so encourage your student to use prudence when assembling the group.

One of the most valuable skills students can learn is to collaborate with others. Utilizing peer resources early on in their education can help develop social skills necessary for college and beyond.

Materials

Some students are so heavily scheduled with extracurricular activities that it is hard for them to carve out time to meet with others. In addition to people, online and local resources are abundant.

• Online resources. Many supplemental lessons and practice materials are freely available to the public on the internet. Interactive quizzes, extra practice, and free worksheets are only a search away. For complicated topics, videos can provide a lucid visual explanation that textbooks lack. Poke around the web; you never know what you might find.
• Public libraries. Even in the age of the internet, your school and local public libraries remain a valuable place to look for resources. The library may have a more easily digestible edition of that Shakespeare play or a book about chemistry that gives a more comprehensive explanation of entropy than the school’s textbook. Using online library catalogs, you may have any book at any library in the county delivered to the most convenient library for you to pick up. Some libraries even offer free tutoring. Do not neglect the resources that might be sitting right in your neighborhood!

Private tutors and educational consultants provide a valuable service for struggling students, but they do come with a cost. For families on a budget, taking advantage of free assistance, tools, and services is a vital component of helping your children achieve scholastic success.

Like what you see here? We are happy to permit you to use our material as long as you link back! Please refer to us as the Cardinal Education Blog.

College Application Do’s and Don’ts

With so much conflicting information out there about what makes a successful college application, it is nearly impossible to avoid the stress, confusion, and anxiety characteristic of your child’s senior year of high school.  Parents, don’t despair.  A few helpful strategies will give your future graduate a leg up on the vast majority of the applicant pool.

One of the first bits of information that college applications require is your son or daughter’s intended major.  Beware that this information can drastically influence the level of competition for admittance.  Intended majors in premed, business, engineering, economics and political science are very popular and are therefore called impacted majors, meaning their competitiveness will adversely impact your student’s chance of admissions.

At many universities, you are free to change your major freshman year.  So choosing a non-impacted major that speaks to your student’s interests will increase his or her chances without limiting opportunities upon admittance.  Schools like Cal Poly and UC Berkeley, however, make changing to certain majors very difficult, so it is critical to research each school’s policy before making this decision.

Another critical portion of college applications is the extracurricular activities section.  Here, avoid simply listing activities and the positions your student has held in them.  Both the Common Application and UC Application provide space to elaborate upon your student’s dedication and involvement.  Use this opportunity to indicate any and all related awards, leadership roles, and achievements.

Colleges also love to see that your student knows the value of a dollar.  Be sure not to leave out any work experience even if it is an entry-level position moving boxes or serving fries.  Such experience demonstrates maturity and work ethic that colleges respect.

The common application requires a short essay about the activity that means the most to your son child.  Whether writing about football or Model UN, your student should reflect upon the activity in a personal way, using anecdotes to illuminate his or her contributions, and explain its positive impact on his or her personal growth, rather than explaining the activity itself.

Finally, most college applications require a personal statement.  This is an opportunity for your student to give a face to the GPA, test scores, and achievements.  Here are several suggestions to keep in mind while embarking on this essay of self-discovery:

• Show, don’t tell.  Anecdotes work well to illustrate your character and personality on an intimate level while demonstrating your writing skills. For example, instead of saying how much you helped someone through volunteering, share stories that show this.
• Avoid listing awards and achievements that are already present in the rest of your application.
• Avoid self-pitying essays about an illness, accident, or death in the family.  Unless you can reflect on an experience in a mature and intellectual way, it is best to avoid such emotionally provocative topics.
• Avoid odes to mentors or role models.  The essay, after all, should be about you.  Listing facts about famous athletes or scholars that are already well-known defeats the purpose of writing a personal statement.
• Essays about hardship are okay.  However, do not dwell on adversity with anger or bitterness.  Instead reflect on how it has shaped you as a person, always ending with a positive message.
• Don’t be scared of topics surrounding diversity.  No matter your ethnicity, there are many ways of being diverse.  Everyone has had unique experiences that contribute to unique perspectives about the world.

Students are often hesitant to share their essays with parents.  For this reason, I encourage seeking out other resources to make sure your student’s application essays will give him or her the best chance of admission.  While professional consultants can give great personalized insight, teachers can be helpful in these matters.  Most importantly, do not procrastinate on applications.  They need careful planning and deliberation to be successful.  After all, colleges assume this will be your child’s absolute best work, and they will determine the next four years of your son or daughter’s life.

Like what you see here? We are happy to permit you to use our material as long as you link back! Please refer to us as the Cardinal Education Blog.

- Your educators at Cardinal Education