Summer at AJ Test Prep Tutoring

Summer at AJ Test Prep Tutoring Whether you are a rising 8th grader looking ahead to a fall or winter ISEE, SSAT, or HSPT; or you are a rising junior looking ahead to a first go-around at the PSAT, SAT, and ACT, the summer is an excellent time to get a head start on test prep. At AJ Tutoring, we’ve worked with thousands of students in the summer to instill key test-taking strategies, cover crucial content areas, and review proctored practice exams. These days, students are super busy during the school year with school, sports, and other extracurriculars, so summer studying can be a nice way to hone in on exam prep without the pressures of the academic year. With that in mind, please read on to learn more about how we can help this summer.What are the options for summer test prep at AJ?As a team of professional tutors who specialize in 1-on-1 tutoring, we do a lot of such customized prep over the summer. You can learn more about our approach to middle school, high school or college admissions tests here. We also o ffer small group classes for the SAT.Keep in mind, we’re also highly knowledgeable about tough classes like algebra, US History, and chemistry, and summer is a great time to dive into these curricula to review, enrich, or get ahead. You can learn more about our academic tutoring here.Read on for a more in-depth breakdown of our primary summer test prep plans!How can we help prepare students for the ISEE, SSAT, or HSPT?We want every student who is taking an ISEE, SSAT, or HSPT and is perhaps new to standardized tests to feel confident and capable on test day. By introducing important test-taking skills that will help students throughout their academic career, we strive to set students up for long-term success.Not sure which exam your student should take? Click here for a short quiz to identify the right fit.Generally, students aim to complete ten 1-hour sessions over the summer and also take two or three full-length proctored exams in preparation for a middle or high school entranc e exam. If you plan to schedule an exam for late fall or early winter, it can still be wise to start preparing in the summer and continue into the fall or simply do a few refresher sessions as the exam approaches.If you’d like to discuss your student’s options and put together a customized plan, give us a call.How does SAT or ACT tutoring fit into your summer schedule?The SAT and ACT are rites of passage for American high schoolers. At AJ, we don’t believe these exams have to be stressful and mysterious. Our professional tutors know the tests back and forth and delight in working with students to familiarize them with the exams and build confidence.For context, we estimate that a student’s chances for admission to a college depend on high school courses and grades (60%), SAT and SAT subject test scores (30%), and essays, recommendations, and extracurricular activities (10%). Because grades are a multi-year effort, the exams offer a great opportunity to showcase your skills o n a shorter timeline.How does SAT or ACT tutoring fit into your summer schedule?If you choose to prepare for the SAT or ACT with an AJ tutor (and we hope you do!), you can expect to complete ten 1.5-hour sessions leading up to the August 24 SAT test date or September 14 ACT test date . If you start tutoring after school is out, this generally means meeting about once per week throughout June, July and August. We also ask our SAT or ACT prep students to complete at least 3 full-length practice SATs or ACTs, preferably proctored at our office on Saturday mornings. You can find our complete schedule of proctored practice SATs and ACTs on our website.If you’ve a rising senior who has already worked with us for SAT or ACT prep, we can usually shorten your prep for a retake. Students will often complete four 1.5-hour sessions in preparation for retaking an exam. You should also plan on taking 2 full-length practice tests on the weekends. During the retake prep, your tutor will focus mor e closely on your areas of difficulty from the last exam and work on fine-tuning your approach to the test.In general, we think that the late summer exams are great moves by The College Board and ACT to give students more options. Most rising seniors should at least consider taking the SAT in August and/or ACT in September.What about the PSAT?The PSAT is a practice run for the SAT which students take in their junior year and often in their sophomore year. The PSAT gives students a baseline for SAT scores and qualifies the top percentage of test-takers for the National Merit Scholarship.While the vast majority of students won’t qualify for the National Merit Scholarship, it can still be valuable to prepare for the PSAT. Because it is so similar to the SAT, preparing for the PSAT can give students a great head start on SAT preparation and an indication of where they can improve.You can learn about timelines and options for PSAT prep here. Most students who prepare for the PSAT over the summer go on to do preparation for the SAT and/or ACT in the spring of their junior year.Because each student has a different starting point, learning style, and summer schedule, we’ll help you find the right match for a tutor and for a test prep plan. Give us a call and speak with one of our directors today!

Should I retake my A Levels

Should I retake my A Levels The A Levels can be a make or break you thing for many students. They can determine whether you gain admission to the university of your dreams or any university for that matter. Also, A Level scores can hold you back from receiving the degree you want. If you don’t obtain high enough scores in the subjects you need for your degree, then you cannot pursue that career path. Call and check, it never hurts to ask! If you did not receive the scores you were hoping, don’t panic. Take a deep breath and consider some options you may have available to you. First, you should contact the university/universities that you were seeking admission to and ask if they have had many applicants to your field of study. If they have openings, you may be able to get in with your current scores. It never hurts to check! Retaking the A Levels Check to see if your school or college will allow you to resit your A Levels. If they don’t allow retakes, then look into other schools or college that may let you resit them. If you are considering retaking your A levels, you should talk to your teacher to see if they think you will do any better on your second attempt. Many students achieve better scores the second time around, however, everyone differs. Referring to your GCSE scores can also help in determining whether or not it’s worth it for you to retake the exams. Many schools and colleges use GCSE scores to predict how pupils will perform on A Levels. If you are planning to retake the exams, then you will need to officially decline your offers from universities in order to start the retaking process. A Levels can only be taken again during the summer, usually in June. You can talk to your Head of Sixth Form or class tutors to receive more information about retaking A Levels for individual subjects. What is the best decision for me? You should really think hard about if you want to retake the A Levels. If you truly gave it your best shot the first time and don’t think you’ll improve, why take it again and waste that time? Also, if you put forth your best effort on a subject you need for your degree and didn’t do as well as you were hoping, you should determine whether this career is the one for you or if you should pursue another path. Provide an explanation Don’t worry about universities judging you based on the fact that you took your A Levels again because declined A Level grades are not displayed anywhere. Although when you re-apply for the university/universities, you can explain why it has taken longer for you to  complete your A Levels in your personal statement. When applying for subjects such as medicine and veterinary science, most universities will not accept pupils who have taken 3 years to complete their A Levels unless there have been extenuating circumstances. Achieving the best possible scores can be difficult and very trying at times. Tutorfair has many tutors who are willing to help you as much as you need to help improve your scores and achieve your dreams. Didn't get at least a C in Maths or English GCSE? Read our blog  post on what you could do to help.

San Diego Academic Tutor 5 ways to Improve Concentration

San Diego Academic Tutor 5 ways to Improve Concentration San Diego Academic Tutor Tips: 5 Ways to Improve Concentration Students have so many things to concentrate on these days, and they’re encouraged to multitask at every turn. Unfortunately, so many difficult academic tasks can often lead to a serious amount of fatigue. When students are tired, they lose their concentration almost straight away, and that can make focusing on homework a major challenge. Once students develop this unhelpful cycle, the entire semester could be at risk. However, there are some great ways students can improve their concentration so they can get their work done efficiently and still have time left over to rest, relax, or just have some fun our private San Diego academic tutors are here to help you concentrate on your studies. 1.   Block out the world Although its important for students to be able to work as a team and socialize, sometimes its better to block out the world when a student needs to do some serious studying. Finding a quiet study space is important, but students can also listen to ambient noises or relaxing music in their headphones to help block out noise in a coffee shop or school library. Students are also encouraged to shut down social media and put their cell phones in another room, so theyre not tempted to take a quick peek at what their friends are doing online â€" which usually leads to several hours of social media surfing. 2. Meet with an organizational consultant Organizational and educational consultants have been working with students for years to help them make the study more efficient. In many cases, high school students are spending two hours completing an assignment worth two points and but spending 45 minutes trying to finish a three-page paper. Elementary and middle school students might not even understand what the percentage and points system means and dedicate equal time to every assignment regardless of what its worth. Organizational consultants can help students prioritize their time and manage different assignments by importance, often leaving them with more free time and increased concentration. 3. Boost self-esteem If students are worried about the grade they got on their last assignment or what their friends at school think about their contribution to the study group, theyre less likely to be able to maintain their focus. Its very normal for teens to have lots of different worries but those worries take away from mental focus. Its essential for students, at this age, to feel that their teachers and parents are proud of their work and receive compliments when they do something correctly. Students may also get a self-esteem boost from participating in sports or working on a creative activity. Its important they get to participate in something they excel in so that they can feel good about themselves and put that extra effort and focus on more difficult assignments (READ: San Diego Admissions Consulting: How Many Schools Should I Apply to?). 4. Limit time with electronics When students spend too much time on a tablet or laptop when not working on assignments, their eyes and brains can become overly fatigued. Students can spend some time in nature or just get a little bit of exercise to help counterbalance their lack of movement while studying or can download an app that cuts the amount of blue light they’re exposed to during extended study sessions. 5. Sleep One of the simplest and most effective ways students can improve their focus is to get eight or more hours of sleep every night. Of course, this is easier said than done, especially for college prep students who are trying to fit in SAT or ACT study along with their regular academic courses. Regardless, students who are running on empty during the day will have a difficult time focusing and find that relatively easy tasks become difficult. Adequate sleep is the key to maintaining concentration throughout a student’s academic career. Learn how to concentrate on your studies from our experienced San Diego academic tutors. Call us today for more information. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.

New italki Help Pages

New italki Help Pages Sometimes people want more explanations of how to use the various features on italki. Thats why weve created the italki Help Pages: http://help.italki.com/ If youre unsure how to use a feature on italki, simply click the image at the top of any page and it will take you straight to that Help section. The Help images look like this: In the Help Pages, youll find explanations of every feature and policy on italki. For example: help.italki.com FAQ Frequently Asked Questions How to find a Language Partners How to find a Language Teacher How to use the marketplace Tips on how to get the most out of italki Our policies and service agreements We often hear from new users that they have no idea where to begin on italki. Even older users dont know the details on how the teaching marketplace works. We wanted to start pulling together the best explanations of what italki can do, and put those in a central place where everyone can get access.  If you dont want to view the help banners anymore, you can click on hide explanation in the upper right corner. If you have suggestions for additional topics or questions to be covered in the Help Pages, please contact us through our feedback form or email us at feedback (at) italki (dot) com and let us know.   Well keep expanding these pages so that theyll eventually cover everything you need to know about italki. New italki Help Pages Sometimes people want more explanations of how to use the various features on italki. Thats why weve created the italki Help Pages: http://help.italki.com/ If youre unsure how to use a feature on italki, simply click the image at the top of any page and it will take you straight to that Help section. The Help images look like this: In the Help Pages, youll find explanations of every feature and policy on italki. For example: help.italki.com FAQ Frequently Asked Questions How to find a Language Partners How to find a Language Teacher How to use the marketplace Tips on how to get the most out of italki Our policies and service agreements We often hear from new users that they have no idea where to begin on italki. Even older users dont know the details on how the teaching marketplace works. We wanted to start pulling together the best explanations of what italki can do, and put those in a central place where everyone can get access.  If you dont want to view the help banners anymore, you can click on hide explanation in the upper right corner. If you have suggestions for additional topics or questions to be covered in the Help Pages, please contact us through our feedback form or email us at feedback (at) italki (dot) com and let us know.   Well keep expanding these pages so that theyll eventually cover everything you need to know about italki.

ESL Study Tips For Taking The SAT - TutorNerds

ESL Study Tips For Taking The SAT - TutorNerds Making the SAT More Approachable for ESL Students Many students arrive in Irvine from all over the world. In fact, it is no surprise that people move to Orange County. The weather is beautiful and the public school system has a great reputation and our private Orange County tutors make in-home sessions. However, when it comes to the SAT, and other standardized tests, speaking English as a second language can be an issue. Being bilingual is a fantastic skill for college and for life in general and it also looks good on applications. Let’s look at some issues as well as ways to overcome them if you happen to be an ESL student (READ: 8 SAT Essay Tips). 1. Nuances and “Humor” I put humor in quotations because nothing about the SAT is really funny but there are several instances in the critical reading section where humor is displayed in Standard American English, and if standard American English happens to be your second language it can be really tricky. Actually, if Standard American English is your first and only language, it can still be really tricky. This is where a tutor comes in handy. Tutors who specialize in the Critical Reading section have read, memorized and learned to love these sections and passages. So, it is a safe bet that your tutor can help with these small yet crucial issues (CLICK: The Story Behind the SAT Overhaul). 2. The Dreaded (Now Optional) Essay SAT and ACT essay graders look for common mistakes in sentence structure and subject verb agreement that are often made by ESL students. I have seen some incredible essays with excellent examples that I know will likely not receive a 5 or 6 (out of 6) score because there are some basic grammar or sentence structure issues. A few hours with an essay specialist can help a lot when it comes to fine tuning the SAT and ACT essay. By the way, the SAT essay is very different from the ACT essay so check out our earlier blog post to learn the differences (READ: A Timeline Study Guide for the SAT). 3. Vocab, Vocab and More Vocab We all know that people don’t use words like supercilious or perfunctory in real life* but words like these appear on the SAT every year. About 1/3 to 1/2 of the words on the SAT actually do have some real world usage and will certainly impress your university English professor (you do know that everyone is required to take at least one college level English class, right?). If your English language vocabulary is not at a level that you need to reach your verbal target score, you may find yourself at quite a disadvantage. Tutors spend a lot of time going over vocab with English only and native speaking students, so ESL students will definitely want a few extra hours with their tutor to focus on this section. Native speakers also have the advantage that they have heard at least some of the SAT vocab words used in real life and, as a result may be able to figure out what the word means in relation to the context. If ‘meaning in context’ is a new term for you, now is a good time to arrange for a private tutor. *In case you were wondering Supercilious means arrogant Perfunctory means automatic 4. Grammar Errors I’m not talking about grammar errors that you make yourself but rather the errors that you have to fix in the verbal section. It is very easy for a teacher of English to fix all the little grammar and punctuation errors that are found in the verbal section. They do it every day. Did you know that ‘neither’ goes with ‘nor’, not ‘or’? Did you know that tenses must be consistent throughout a sentence? There is a good chance that you do but can you identify the errors in another’s writing, especially when that ‘other writer’ is a staff member at the SAT? SAT is not a logical test and thus getting good grades on your English homework is really no indication of how well you will score on the test. If you’re scoring 750-800 on both the Writing and Critical Reading sections then you are probably good to go. Actually, if you are scoring that high, you should probably apply to teach SAT. Getting below a 750? Call that Irvine SAT tutor. 5. Math No, I’m not crazy; math can still be an issue for an ESL student. Of course, numbers are numbers and calculators are calculators but word problems are written in English. Tutors go through math word problems with native English speakers all the time helping them pick out what the question is actually asking for, which words have no meaning and which words are meant to make test-takers confused and frustrated (dont wait too late and fall behind! Contact us today for one of our excellent Irvine math tutors). Allocate a couple of hours of your tutoring time to dissect these pesky word problems and see how much your score increases (READ: Use Your Math Intuition). Taking standardized tests like the SAT can put bilingual and ESL students at a slight disadvantage but there is no reason why you can’t completely beat the SAT verbal section with the help of a tutor. Work through it and get the score that will get you into that dream school. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at info@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us post about. The beginning of a new school year is crucial for establishing a strong academic performance. In other words, if your child wants to reach his or her potential, they can’t fall behind from the start. Hiring an Orange County private tutor is much more than extra academic help, it’s a confidence boost. Have your child be the first to raise their hand in the classroom by hiring a college educated tutor from TutorNerds. Contact us today!

Kumon Staff Pick Fever, 1793

Kumon Staff Pick Fever, 1793 Kumon Staff Pick: Fever, 1793 RRL Title: Fever, 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson Grade/Kumon Level of Book: 9-12/H 7 Why do you personally enjoy this book? Fever, 1793 is a moving work of historical fiction that, once begun, is a hard one to put down. While it is a quick read, the character development is such that readers can feel as if they are reading about actual people and events. The narrative makes it easy to imagine what it was like during this devastating time in late 18th c. Philadelphia. This novel was awarded the Scott ODell Award for Historical Fiction in 2009. Why do you think students would enjoy this book? Mattie Cook, the protagonist and narrator, takes us through the horrific effects that yellow fever had on the citizens of our nation’s capital, Philadelphia, in the summer of 1793. Students may enjoy this novel, as it is told through a series of journal-type entries made by fourteen year old Mattie Cook. Her outspoken personality and quirky imagination keep readers engaged and wanting to know what is going to happen next. When one of her friends dies from the fever, it’s only the beginning of a chain of events that tests Mattie’s moral fiber. In order to survive, she must employ the independence and fortitude gained from helping her widowed mother and paternal grandfather run their family-owned coffeehouse. Mattie is forced to grow up quickly and leave her carefree youth behind to come to the aid of her family. This is a great story for students who are interested in American history. What skills and/or values might students gain by reading this book? Reading this book gives students an insight into what it was like to live in the late 1700s. Mattie has to trust her own judgement and, at times, remind herself of the right thing to do. Perseverance, dealing with loss, and hanging on to a dream in the face of adversity are a few of the values that are evident throughout the story. Students will also learn about the invaluable importance of a strong family bond. You might also be interested in: Kumon Staff Pick: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry Kumon Staff Pick: Were Going on a Bear Hunt Kumon Staff Pick: My Father’s Dragon Kumon Staff Pick: Clown by Quentin Blake Kumon Staff Pick Fever, 1793 Kumon Staff Pick: Fever, 1793 RRL Title: Fever, 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson Grade/Kumon Level of Book: 9-12/H 7 Why do you personally enjoy this book? Fever, 1793 is a moving work of historical fiction that, once begun, is a hard one to put down. While it is a quick read, the character development is such that readers can feel as if they are reading about actual people and events. The narrative makes it easy to imagine what it was like during this devastating time in late 18th c. Philadelphia. This novel was awarded the Scott ODell Award for Historical Fiction in 2009. Why do you think students would enjoy this book? Mattie Cook, the protagonist and narrator, takes us through the horrific effects that yellow fever had on the citizens of our nation’s capital, Philadelphia, in the summer of 1793. Students may enjoy this novel, as it is told through a series of journal-type entries made by fourteen year old Mattie Cook. Her outspoken personality and quirky imagination keep readers engaged and wanting to know what is going to happen next. When one of her friends dies from the fever, it’s only the beginning of a chain of events that tests Mattie’s moral fiber. In order to survive, she must employ the independence and fortitude gained from helping her widowed mother and paternal grandfather run their family-owned coffeehouse. Mattie is forced to grow up quickly and leave her carefree youth behind to come to the aid of her family. This is a great story for students who are interested in American history. What skills and/or values might students gain by reading this book? Reading this book gives students an insight into what it was like to live in the late 1700s. Mattie has to trust her own judgement and, at times, remind herself of the right thing to do. Perseverance, dealing with loss, and hanging on to a dream in the face of adversity are a few of the values that are evident throughout the story. Students will also learn about the invaluable importance of a strong family bond. You might also be interested in: Kumon Staff Pick: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry Kumon Staff Pick: Were Going on a Bear Hunt Kumon Staff Pick: My Father’s Dragon Kumon Staff Pick: Clown by Quentin Blake

Should You Buy a Chemistry Diagnostic Test?

Should You Buy a Chemistry Diagnostic Test?A lot of people wonder if it is worth getting a chemistry diagnostic test. It's definitely a good idea, but a lot of things need to be considered before you make a decision. The cost of the test can vary from one company to another, so you may not want to go with the cheapest one.There are many different types of tests and they all have different cost ranges. A test for high levels of lead in the blood can run into thousands of dollars, while a simple urine test is relatively inexpensive. A basic test may run under $100, while more detailed tests can be between several hundred dollars and several thousand dollars. There are plenty of reasons to go with a basic test, however. Before you decide to do a test yourself, you should consider what type of results you want.For one thing, urine tests are always more accurate than the more complicated ones, as urine tends to come out more cleanly than other bodily fluids. Urine may even contain a bit o f lead that the other tests miss. Therefore, urine testing is one of the best tests to get. Even though it costs more, it will give you the most accurate results.On the other hand, a blood test can only tell you if there are certain levels of lead or other metals in your blood. Other types of tests that are available can measure the levels of lead in your body over time, which can help you choose the best treatment for you. If you are currently working with children or pregnant women, a blood test may give you the most useful information.There are tests that are for free and there are also some that you can take for a fee. Some of these include the HLA blood test, which can be done at your local pharmacy. This test, which is for the very specific blood group, can only be done once every five years, so the cost is relatively low and will probably save you money over the long term.A basic test is usually free and you can often get discounts for multiple tests. Other tests like the TCA P (a type of blood test) require a payment, and they can be a little more expensive. For example, if you have a high degree of resistance to drugs, a lab that takes your blood will need to have you have a complete drug test as well.Most companies will offer you a test for free to see what they can do for you, and they are open about this. If you are looking for a basic test or one that can be completed online, you can choose your own treatment for high levels of lead. Whether you choose a test that costs hundreds of dollars or a lab that costs pennies, there are plenty of options out there.