When you’re sitting in front of your student and thumbing through strategies to help improve their vocabulary acquisition, most tutors will immediately launch into teaching memorization skills:  root words (prefixes and suffices), spelling, and plain, “you just need to know this.”

However, what students are not retaining is a deeper understanding of that word.

I currently tutor an 8^th grader named Mary Kate, no, not one of the Olson twins, but a bright student currently studying to pass her ISEE exams.  After reviewing her practice test results, I found a common thread – she’s was above grade level but she wasn’t able to decode or decipher difficult vocabulary terms and that’s when I decided to use the Word Wall method while adding my added touches.

A Word Wall is an interactive tool organized around key vocabulary terms students will need to master.  There are many types of word walls:  high frequency words, word families, chunking similar words together, etc., but the end goal is that students to get engage and interact with their vocabulary words—so the experience of “memorizing the word” becomes personalized for them.

I added another element with Mary Kate.  Instead of using pictures next to a word, I chose the word “chagrin,” and made her do the following:

1. Look up the definition and write it down next to the word.  (Definition)
2. Draw a picture of what chagrin means (she drew a picture of a soccer match and the ball bouncing off the goal post)—I had her then explain what she drew to me.  (Cognitive Awareness)
3. Then, draw a picture of something that connotes the opposite of chagrin.  (She drew the same soccer match, except the goal went inside.)—I had her explain to me what she drew (Teaching Antonyms)
4. Next, I had her write out any misconceptions or difficulties with the word.  This is when I got to teach her how chagrin could be used in a sentence or in a reading passage.  (Guided Practice/Addressing Misconceptions)
5. Finally, I asked her to write her own sentence using chagrin and reflected back with her, “what makes this sentence correct?”  (Independent Practice)

While the process is pretty scaffolded, it’s important to go over the steps until the student understands how to do it on their own.  After another round, she was able to do the entire process on her own, this time, she picked the word debunk.

I then asked for feedback, “How did you like creating your own Word Wall?”  Her response, “That was the most fun I ever had learning vocabulary words, I really like how you asked me to draw it out and explain it to you.”  We, high-fived then took it a step further as I asked to play charade with the words.  I could see Mary Kate quickly processing information while she thought of how she could physically act out a vocabulary word without speaking.  This was my opportunity to teach her test-taking strategies.   I gave her 45 seconds to act out each word and she responded afterward with, “putting me on the stop to quickly think like that was so cool.”

What Mary Kate didn’t realize was that I was implementing “quick thinking strategies,” just as she would have to access during her ISEE exam—where she needs to make an educated choice and move on.  Except I made it fun and interactive for her.  

Not only did Mary Kate learn difficult and challenging vocabulary words during our tutoring session, but she was able to internalize it and personalize it for herself.

She was able to master the vocabulary words and use them in context, but more importantly, she experienced the many shades of those words.  And that  “ah-ha” moment is priceless toward learning and retaining vocabulary.

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Dyslexia

What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a neurological condition that makes reading more difficult. People with dyslexia have difficulty reading despite having average or above average intelligence. They may experience trouble matching letters with their sounds, sounding out words, spelling, short-term memory and language/verbal comprehension.

How is Dyslexia diagnosed?
Dyslexia must be diagnosed after a proper evaluation by a trained psychologist. If you suspect your child has dyslexia, you should visit it a neuropsychologist for testing.

How do I find a neuropsychologist?
Please see the following list of recommended evaluation agencies in New York City on the Hunter college website:
http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/studentservices/access/agencies

My child has been diagnosed with dyslexia? Now what?
First, it’s important to find the right educational environment for your child. If your child is  thriving in a mainstream setting then it is important to consider what kind of support s/he is receiving for her/his dyslexia. If the school is unable to offer Wilson or Orton-Gillingham training then it is important to think about supplementing the child’s education with Wilson or Orton-Gillingham tutoring.

What are Orton-Gillingham and Wilson?
Orton-Gillingham is a multi-sensory approach for teaching reading and writing that has been found to be effective for teaching dyslexic people. When first meeting with a student, the Orton-Gillingham instructor presumes no prior knowledge on the part of the student. The student is systematically taught the rules of the English using visual, kinesthetic and auditory cues. Students begin by learning sounds of letters and then move on to sounding out syllables and learning the rules of syllabication. The curriculum moves forward sequentially and cumulatively from isolated letter sounds to reading  and writing passages.

The Wilson Reading System is a branded reading program based on the Orton-Gillingham approach. The Wilson company publishes materials and curricula that are based on Orton-Gillingham principles.

Additional Resources

Institutes:

The Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity

Books for Parents

Overcoming Dyslexia by Sally Shaywitz, M.D.
Dr. Shaywitz is the director of the Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity.

Multisensory Teaching of Basic Language Skills Activity Book by Suzanne Carreker & Judith R. Birsh.
This book explains why multi-sensory teaching methods work in the classroom. Specific strategies are outlined to increase reading comprehension, phonological awareness, organization, study skills, and more. Observation tools, assessment models, instructional materials, and activities are included.

Books for Children

It’s Called Dyslexia by Jennifer Moore-Mallinos & illustrated by Nuria Roca
(Ages 4-7)
“This is one of several titles in Barron’s Live and Learn series for younger children. They are books that take a child’s point of view, especially if the child suffers from some physical challenge or lacks self-confidence in going about everyday activities. These attractively illustrated picture storybooks encourage kids never to be afraid of a challenge. Following each story are four pages of suggested activities that relate to the book’s theme. A final two-page section offers advice to parents. The child in this story knows the alphabet, but she sometimes has trouble putting all the letters together to read words. No matter how hard she tries, she often mixes up the letters or writes them backwards. She’s unhappy until her teacher explains that she has dyslexia, and that she can be helped to read and write correctly.”

Author: A True Story by Helen Lester
(Age Level: 4 – 8, Grade Level: P – 3)
“Lester’s lighthearted book of how she came to write children’s books will give aspiring authors of any age a lift and encouragement to persevere.” -Publishers Weekly

An inspirational true story of a girl, Helen Lester, who has trouble writing even something as simple as a grocery list and ends up becoming a teacher and then a celebrated children’s book author.

Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester & illustrated by Lynn M. Musinger
(Age Level: 4 – 8, Grade Level: P – 3)
“This book is must reading for any kid–or grown-up–who refuses to follow the pack.” -Publishers Weekly

This  tale of an odd penguin who doesn’t fit in with the perfect penguins in his  colony is well suited to budding out-of-the-box thinkers who often do things differently from their peers. Stories give children a way to think positively about themselves and Tacky is a hero for children who struggle with differences.

Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco
(Age Range: 5 – 8 years, Grade Level: Kindergarten -3)
“…an inspiring picture book…the author clearly shows the ways that children internalize critical comments made by others and suffer for their differences.” -School Library Journal

“This story is truly autobiographical. It is about my own struggle with not being able to read. This story honors the teacher that took the time to see a child that was drowning and needed help…Mr. Falker, my hero, my teacher, not only stopped a boy from teasing me, but he also noticed that I wasn’t reading well and got a reading specialist to help.” Patricia Polacco

The Alphabet War: A Story About Dyslexia by Diane Burton Robb and Gail Piazza
(Age Level: 7 – 10, Grade Level: 2 – 5)
“Adam’s experience will inspire and encourage many youngsters who find themselves in similar predicaments. Equally important, the book sounds an alarm for educators and parents.” -Booklist

“When Adam started kindergarten, the teacher wanted him to learn about letters. But “p” looked like “q,” and “b” looked like “d.” Adam would rather color or mold clay. In first grade, his teacher wanted him to put the letters into words so he could read. That was the beginning of the Alphabet War. “Was” looked like “saw,” and “there” looked like “then.” Almost everyone else in his class was learning to read, but Adam was fighting a war against letters. In second grade, he had to learn to spell, which was also impossible. Now he was so frustrated he got into trouble and had to go to the principal’s office. At last, in third grade, he got the right kind of help. Slowly he began to do better. During fourth grade, he learned that he could excel in other things. That gave him the confidence to take chances with reading. One day he found himself reading a book all by himself!”

Hank Zipzer: The World’s Greatest Underachiever,  A Series by Henry Winkler & Lin Oliver
(Age Level: 7 – 11, Grade Level: 2 – 5)
“Hank Zipzer is the kid next door. Humor, magic, a school bully, a pet dachshund named Cheerio, and a pet iguana that slurps soup at dinner add up to a fun novel with something for everyone.”          -Library School Journal

What Is Dyslexia?: A Book Explaining Dyslexia for Kids and Adults to Use Together
by Alan M. Hultquist, illustrated by Lydia Corrow (Ages 8 and up)

“What is Dyslexia?” is designed to help adults explain dyslexia to children.The author provides information about all the possible most common types of dyslexia: trouble with sounds, trouble remembering how letters and words look, trouble finding words, and mixed dyslexia. He deals with the basic facts and adopts a style which is accessible to children without talking down to them. This book includes clear examples which children will be able to understand, as well as activities for parents to do with their children. The author emphasises that everyone has strengths and weaknesses and that having dyslexia is okay.This book will be valuable for parents of children with dyslexia, as well as other adults working with children with dyslexia.”

My Name Is Brain by Jeanne Betancourt
(Age Range: 8 – 12 years, Grade Level: 4-7)
“Children with learning problems will relate well to this book.” – School Library Journal

“Struggling with problems that the kids in his class see as clowning around, such as mixing things up and spelling letters backwards, Brian learns he has dyslexia and suffers peer teasing when his friends do not understand. Reprint. K. SLJ.”

Two-Minute Drill: Mike Lupica’s Comeback Kids by Mike Lupica
(Age Level: 8 – 12, Grade Level: 3-5)

“Chris Conlan is the coolest kid in sixth grade?the golden-armed quarterback of the football team and the boy all the others look up to. Scott Parry is the new kid, the boy with the huge brain, but with feet that trip over themselves. These two boys may seem like an odd couple, but each has a secret that draws them together, and proves that the will to succeed is even more important than raw talent.”

Eleven by Patricia Riley Giff
(Age Level: 9 – 12, Grade Level: 4-7)

“Sam is almost 11 when he discovers a locked box in the attic above his grandfather Mack’s room, and a piece of paper that says he was kidnapped. There are lots of other words, but Sam has always had trouble reading. He’s desperate to find out who he is, and if his beloved Mack is really his grandfather. At night he’s haunted by dreams of a big castle and a terrifying escape on a boat. Who can he trust to help him read the documents that could unravel the mystery? Then he and the new girl, Caroline, are paired up to work on a school project, building a castle in Mack’s woodworking shop. Caroline loves to read, and she can help. But she’s moving soon, and the two must hurry to discover the truth about Sam.”

The Lightning Thief and others in the series by Rick Riordan
(Age Level: 10 – 14, Grade Level: 5 – UP)

From Myth & Mystery: The Official Blog for Author Rick Riordan…

On a more personal level, mythology was very helpful to me. Before I wrote The Lightning Thief, my son Haley was struggling in second grade, or Year 3. It turned out he was dyslexic and ADHD. These learning disabilities, by the way, are also a frontier, a way of seeing from the edge. ADHD and dyslexic people are creative, out-of-the-box thinkers. They cannot do things traditionally, so they learn to improvise. Percy Jackson was a myth to help him make sense of who he is. Mythology is a way of explaining something that can’t be explained, except by allegory, and my son’s struggle in school definitely applied. He completely bought in to the idea that ADHD/dyslexia, taken together, was an almost sure sign that you have Olympian blood.

Close to Famous by Joan Bauer
(Age Level: 10 and up, Grade Level: 5 and up)

“When twelve-year-old Foster and her mother land in the tiny town of Culpepper, they don’t know what to expect. But folks quickly warm to the woman with the great voice and the girl who can bake like nobody’s business. Soon Foster – who dreams of having her own cooking show one day – lands herself a gig baking for the local coffee shop, and gets herself some much-needed help in overcoming her biggest challenge – learning to read . . . just as Foster and Mama start to feel at ease, their past catches up to them. Thanks to the folks in Culpepper, though Foster and her mama find the strength to put their troubles behind them for good.”

Trapped. A Novel by Judy Spurr
(Upper elementary levels-teens)

“A short, empathetic novel for middle-schoolers that addresses learning disabilities and bullying…nicely executed fiction with a neatly resolved ending that will leave readers smiling.” -Kirkus Reviews

School is difficult for Jamie–dyslexia not only makes coursework a challenge, but he is often bullied at school. Spurr, a former reading teacher, enters the real-life, day-to-day struggles of kids with dyslexia and shows how friendships and perseverance can change a life. The book is written appropriately for young people, but parents will learn something, too, of both the academic and social challenges kids face. The book offers lots of food for thoughtful discussion between parents and kids or kids in a classroom or book-club setting.

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What is the Gifted and Talented program?

By placing in the 90th or above percentiles, kindergarten through second-grade students who are New York City residents have the opportunity to become eligible for one of the city’s highly regarded Gifted and Talented programs.

What score does a student need to qualify?
A score in the 90th percentile is needed to be eligible for placement in a district G&T program and students who score in the 97th percentile are eligible for district and citywide G&T programs.

How are students tested?
The New York City Gifted and Talented Assessment uses the Otis Lennon School Ability Test-8th Edition (OLSTAT-8) to measure verbal reasoning, abstract thinking and logical reasoning skills and the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test- 2nd Edition (NNAT-2) to measure critical thinking and problem solving skills.

What is on the NNAT-2?
The nonverbal assessment  (NNAT-2) is comprised of the following four types of questions:

1.  pattern completion: the ability to perceive patterns and identify missing components;
2.  reasoning by analogy: the ability to recognize ability among geometric shapes;
3. serial reasoning: the ability to identify sequences
4. spatial visualization: the ability to identify how two shapes would look when combined

What is on the OLSTAT?
The verbal assessment (OLSTAT) measures:

1. verbal comprehension: the ability to interpret directions’
2. verbal reasoning: the ability to identify patterns and solve problems using language
   

How does my child apply for the exam?

To apply to take the exam, visit www.nyc.gov/schools/ChoicesEnrollment/applyonline. The deadline is usually in November and tests are administered in January and February. 

What are the city-wide G&T schools?

Manhattan	Brooklyn	Queens
NEST+M = New Explorations into Science, Technology and Math (K-12) PS/IS/HS 539M – District 1 111 Columbia Street New York, NY 10002 (212) 677-5190 http://www.nestmk12.net	Brooklyn School of Inquiry PS/IS 686K – District 20 50 Avenue P Brooklyn, NY 11204 (718) 685-5730 www.brooklynschoolofinquiry.org	STEM PS 85, Judge Charles Vallone – District 30 23-70 31st Street Queens, NY 11105 (718) 278-3630 http://www.ps85q.org
TAG Young Scholars (Gr. K-8) PS 12M – District 4 240 East 109th Street New York, NY 10029 (212) 860-6003
The Anderson School (Gr. K-8) PS/IS 334M – District 3 100 West 77th Street New York, NY 10024 (212) 595-7193 http://www.ps334school.org

Additional Resources:

New York City’s Dept. of Education Gifted & Talented Resources Page

Admission to New York City’s G&T Schools

New Explorations into Science, Technology and Math (NEST)

NEST is a kindergarten thru 12th grade school that is open to city-wide admissions but only admits students for kindergarten through third grades, sixth, ninth and tenth grades.

• Lower School, K-3 admissions requirements: Students who score at or above the 97th percentile on the New York City Department of Education Gifted & Talented Program Test are eligible for a spot at NEST+m, but they are not guaranteed one.

• Middle School, 6th grade admission requirements: In addition to taking the NEST+m 6th Grade Entrance Exam, applicants must also meet the following criteria:
  • Fourth grade final report card with an average of 88 or above or levels 3 & 4 in English, math,social studies, and science
  • Most recent 5th grade report card
  • Good attendance and punctuality in lower school

• High School, 9th and 10th grade admissions: Prospective students must take the Nest+m Entrance Exam in order to be considered for admission. The NEST 9th and 10th grade entrance exams will be given in November and December of 2014. To learn more visit, www.nestmk12.net/admissions/upper-school.  In addition to the NEST+m Upper School Entrance Exam, applicants must also meet the following criteria:

• • • Middle school report card with an average of 90 or above in English, math, social studies, and science
    • Seventh grade New York State ELA test (Levels: 3-4) 
    • Seventh grade New York State math test (Levels: 3-4)
    • Excellent attendance and punctuality in middle school

Preparing for the NEST+m middle and Upper School Entrance Exams
The Nest+m entrance exams measure middle school and high school preparedness. As with all tests, at Central Park Tutors we believe success on the NEST+m exams depends on mastery of the content, rather than learning tricks. Therefore, in preparation for the exam, Central Park Tutors’s tutors  guide students through the math and English content that they are likely to see on the exam. Students then practice applying their knowledge to the types of questions they will encounter on the exam.

Anderson School, PS 334
The Anderson School, PS 334, is a kindergarten through 8th grade gifted and talented school on the Upper West Side. Initial admissions are open to applications from students living anywhere in New York City, without regard to current school district, who meet the following initial criteria:

• • Kindergarten-Third Grade admissions is based on the NYC Department of Education G&T exam. Students must score in the 97th percentile and above to be considered.
  • Fourth and Fifth grade admissions are based on students’ scores on the state ELA and math exams
  • Sixth grade admission is based on high academic performance and good attendance in fourth and fifth grades and state exams scores. For 2014 admission, public school students must have achieved a minimum score on both the 4th and 5th grade New York State tests of 343 on English Language Arts  (10 wrong answers) and 350 on math (8 wrong answers).

If a child meets the above criteria for admissions s/he may then take Anderson’s own admissions test given at the school which includes a writing assignment and math assessment.
At Central Park Tutors, we first focus on material suited to the student’s current grade to assess and build proficiency. From there, knowing that Anderson expects students to be comfortable with material that is suited for the grade above them, we prep at the level one grade above. In addition we use other types of tests such as the SSAT and ISEE and the Math Olympiad.

Mark Twain I.S. 239
Mark Twain, I.S. 239, has a unique testing system that requires that prospective students excel on exams in two of the following categories:

ART: The art test consists of three 30 minute sections. Part I asks the applicant to draw a still life using a  pencil. Part II asks the applicant to draw a scene from imagination using colored pencils and crayons. Part III is a writing section and asks applicants to compare and contrast two works of art.  All necessary supplies will be provided.

ATHLETICS: Applicants will be tested on their ability to perform a variety of physical education activities (including soccer dribble, basketball dribble, running, throwing, and catching) designed to determine coordination and balance, physical fitness, eye-hand coordination and motor skills. 

COMPUTER /MATHEMATICS:  Sixty percent of the the exam is math related and consists of mostly multi-step mathematical problem solving, puzzle and logic questions. Forty percent is computer related and measures students’ facility with a basic skill set in the application of computers, general use of the internet and students’ potential programming skills. This section covers computer vocabulary, familiarity with current events issues related to technology, reading comprehension of technical documentation, logical, sequential and iterative thinking skills.

CREATIVE WRITING/JOURNALISM: The exam consists of two parts. In Part One (40%), applicants answer forty multiple choice questions on a variety of topics including reading comprehension, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary. In Part Two (60%), applicants write an original composition (choice of two topics) that will be evaluated on idea development, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, originality, creativity, writing mechanics and use of conventions.

DANCE: Applicants perform a 1-2 minute dance sequence with or without music that has been prepared at home.

DRAMA: Applicants prepare and perform a monologue and do a cold reading. They are judged on diction, expression, poise, characterization, mood, sincerity, interpretation, creativity, voice quality and directions, concentration, audience appeal and timing. The monologue will be sent to each applicant in advance and/or posted on their web site before testing begins.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC (Winds or Strings): Applicants are not required to have previous musical training and instead will take a specially designed written test of musical potential.

MEDIA: Applicants will be shown photographs and films and will then be given a written test on content, genre, aesthetic awareness, visual perception, and ability to solve visual problems.  Students will be tested on general photographic and video knowledge, including media on the internet, on television, and in the newspaper.

SCIENCE: Applicants will be given a multiple choice test dealing with science concepts and facts covered in grades four and five in biology, earth science, physics and chemistry. Question topics include the following: scientific method, experimentation, analysis and graph interpretation, problem solving, developing scientific hypotheses and logical thinking.

VOCAL MUSIC: Applicants are asked to demonstrate their vocal ability with a prepared song. Applicants are tested for their sense of pitch and rhythm with a listening test. They are asked to determine differences between rhythmic and melodic patterns played on the piano.

Hunter College Campus Schools

What are the Hunter College Campus Schools?
Hunter College Campus Schools (71 East 94th Street, NYC, 10128) are state funded schools that serve academically gifted students from elementary through high school.

Who may apply?
Hunter Elementary School is open to Manhattan residents only. The high school is open to all New York City residents.

Hunter Elementary School

When do students apply for Hunter Elementary School?
Kindergarten is the only year when students may enter Hunter College Elementary School. The admissions process will open on August 18th, 2014 for the class of 2015.

How many students are accepted to the kindergarten?
Each year the school receives approximately 2500 applications and admits 25 boys and 25 girls.

What exam is used for the Hunter Elementary School entrance exam?
Students are given a modified Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale- fifth edition (SB5).

What is on the SB5?
The SB5 measures fluid reasoning, knowledge, quantitative reasoning, visual-spatial processing and working memory.

When should my child take the exam?
The SB5 is designed so that children are tested within two month blocks of their age, meaning a three year old will be tested relative to other three years olds and then to other 3 year and two month olds and then 3 year and four month olds etc… Since two months can mean a very significant developmental difference for a three year old, parents should arrange to have their children tested at as late as possible within each time block. For example, let’s say your child is 3 years. She might be better off if tested when she is 3 years and 15 weeks old then if tested when she 3 years and 9 weeks old.

What score will my child need to qualify for the second round?
Students must usually score in the 98.5 percentile and above.

For more information, contact Hunter College Elementary School at:

Telephone: (212) 860.1401
Email: HCESAdmit@hccs.hunter.cuny.edu
https://www.hunterschools.org/page/elementary-school/elementary-school-welcome

Hunter High School

What is on the entrance exam?
The Hunter High School entrance exam tests students’ abilities in English and math. Students are given three hours to complete two multiple choice sections and a writing assignment. The English, or critical reading section is made up of six reading passages and fifty corresponding multiple choice questions.

The math section is made up of thirty multiple choice questions that test estimation, fractions, decimals, percents and whole numbers, rules of divisibility, simple probability, rate, average, ratio, time, money, area of shaded regions, perimeter, counting, visual and numerical pattern recognition and three dimensional figures. The writing assignment is either an essay or an autobiographical piece of up to two pages.

When is the exam?
The exam will be administered on January 11th 2019 (January 18th in the event of inclement weather).

 

To learn about our Gifted and Talented Test Prep Tutoring, please click here.

To learn more about tutoring in general, please click here.

Gifted children are not at the top of most educators’ priority list. When faced with children who are struggling to learn basic skills, educators too often forget about gifted kids who seem to require less than their peers. In fact, educators aren’t even particularly good at identifying gifted children. Most of them aren’t trained to identify giftedness and often confuse it with other traits, such as confidence, verbosity and exceptional intrinsic motivation. Dr. Miraca Gross, a leading scholar of education for the gifted, warns that teacher nomination is “probably the least effective method of identifying gifted children in the early years of school.”

The problem is compounded when the child doesn’t behave in ways that are celebrated at school. A 1988 study by Drs. George Betts and Marueen Neihart showed that as high as 90% of children identified as gifted by untrained teachers were high-achieving conformists who sought approval from teachers and acted accordingly. These are the so-called well-behaved students who pose few problems for teachers and administrators. The study suggests that gifted students who don’t fit this profile are unlikely to be identified.

If not the teachers then who will identify these children? Not surprisingly, it’s the people who know them best, i.e. their parents.  Studies have consistently shown that parents are more reliable than teachers in identifying giftedness. A 1992 study of 550 children reported that half of the children identified as gifted by their parents had i.q.s of 132 or higher. Considering that only 2.3% of the population scores in this range, a rate of 50% accuracy is extraordinary.

Gifted children who are not adequately challenged run the risk of becoming bored and uninterested in school. They may benefit from early intervention and an individualized education plan. Unfortunately, in many cases it will be up to parents to identify and advocate for their child. If you suspect your child is gifted, we encourage you to explore the resources below and to consider psychometric testing. We can work with you to supplement your child’s education so that s/he is challenged, engaged and growing.

To learn about our Gifted and Talented Test Prep Tutoring, please click here.

To learn more about our tutoring in general, please click here.

Resources

Davidson Institute  for Talent Development

“Small Poppies: Highly Gifted Children in the Early Years” by Dr. Miraca Gross.
Dr. Gross is a leader in the field of education for gifted children. She argues that gifted children are woefully underserved.

PRIVATE SCHOOL ADMISSIONS

Which test will my child be asked to take?

The test that your child will be asked to take depends on the school and your child’s grade. See the list below for the tests that she might be asked to take. A description of each test follows the first section.

Pre-Kindergarden, Kindergarten and First Grade

• ERB-AABL (ERB- Admission Assessment for Beginning Learners)
• ERB-ECCA (ERB-Early Childhood Admission Assessment) or ERB-WPPSI-IV (ERB- Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence IV)

Second Grade

• ERB-CTP-4 (Comprehensive Testing Program- fourth edition)
• ERB- ECCA (The Early Childhood Admission Assessment) or ERB-WISC- IV (Wechsler Intelligence Scale- fourth edition) or THE ECAA

Third Grade

• ERB-CTP-4 (Comprehensive Testing Program- fourth edition)
• ERB- ECCA (The Early Childhood Admission Assessment) or ERB- WISC- IV (Wechsler Intelligence Scale- fourth edition) or THE ECAA

Fourth and Fifth Grades

• The Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE)
• ERB-CTP-4 (Comprehensive Testing Program- fourth edition)

Middle School (6th, 7th and 8th grades)

• ERB-CTP-4 (Comprehensive Testing Program- fourth edition)
• The Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE)

Description of Exams

ERB-AABL (ERB- Admission Assessment for Beginning Learners)

The ERB-AABL is an online test that is administered to children on an iPad. It measures children’s math skills, quantitative reasoning (the application of math skills to solve problems), and verbal and literacy skills.

ERB-ECCA (ERB-Early Childhood Admission Assessment) or ERB-WPPSI-IV (ERB- Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence IV)

The ERB-ECCA or ERB-WPPSI-IV is a modified versions of the Wechsler Preschool and Primary IQ test that tests nonverbal and verbal intelligence. It includes eight of the subtests of the Wechsler. The tests includes two main sections, verbal and non-verbal, and four subtests within each of those two sections. The four verbal sub-tests are vocabulary, similarities, information and comprehension. The four non-verbal subtests are block design, matrix reasoning, bug search and picture concepts. The test is administered one-on-one and usually takes about 45 minutes. It is very important to note that the ERB-ECCA can be taken only once in an admissions cycle. Children are compared to other children in their three month age band. As three months is a considerable amount of time in the development of a four or five year old child, it is best to have your child take the exam when she is at the end of a three month age band.

ERB-CTP-4 (Comprehensive Testing Program- fourth edition)

The ERB-CTP-4 is an assessment for grades 1-11 that measures student achievement in English and mathematics. In grades 3-11 the test includes quantitative reasoning and verbal sections. The CTP online exam includes a science section for grades three through eleven.

ERB- ECCA (The Early Childhood Admission Assessment) or ERB-WISC- IV (Wechsler Intelligence Scale- fourth edition) or THE ECAA

The ERB-ECCA is a modified version of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children- fourth edition (WISC-IV). It is an i.q. test that measures verbal and non-verbal skills, working memory and processing speeds. It includes ten of the fifteen subtests found on the WISC-IV.  The verbal subtests are vocabulary, similarities, arithmetic, comprehension and information. The non-verbal subtests are picture concepts, block design, matrix reasoning, coding and picture completion. The test is administered one-on-one and takes from 60 to 90 minutes.

The Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE)

The lower level ISEE for candidates to fifth and sixth grades includes four sections and an essay. The exam measures verbal and quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, mathematics achievement and writing skills. The test takes about two hours and twenty minutes.

The middle and upper level ISEE include four sections and an essay. The exams measure verbal and quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, mathematics achievement and writing skills. The tests take about two hours and forty minutes.

Resources

• The ERB’s Pre-K to Grade 4 Testing Guide 
• The Upper Level ISEE Guide 

The Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT)

Central Park Tutors is the team to count on for comprehensive SHSAT tutoring in New York City.

What is the SHSAT?

The SHSAT NYC  is a multiple choice, standardized academic test for students seeking admission to New York City’s specialized high schools. The New York SHSAT  measures high school preparedness in math and English. Admission to the specialized high schools is solely based on scores achieved on the SHSAT, not on a student’s previous academic performance, records of any kind or interviews.

What is a specialized high school?

There are approximately 403 public high schools in New York City. Of these 403, nine are highly selective schools. With the exception of Laguardia High School of  Music and Art, the specialized high schools accept students based on results on the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT). Based on the math and English proficiency and AP examination scores of their graduating students, the specialized high schools are consistently ranked among the best public high schools in New York City, in New York State and in the nation.

What are the eight specialized high schools that require the SHSAT for admittance?

1. Bronx High School of Science (Bronx)

2. The Brooklyn Latin School (Brooklyn)

3. Brooklyn Technical High School (Brooklyn)

4. High School for Mathematics, Science and Engineering at the City College (Manhattan)

5. High School of American Studies at Lehman College (Bronx)

6. Queens High School for the Sciences at York College (Queens)

7. Staten Island Technical High School (Staten Island)

8. Stuyvesant High School (Manhattan)

When do most students take the SHSAT?

Late October of their 8th grade year. It is administered only once annually. However, if a student moves into New York City (five boroughs) before the schools reopen in September, the student may take a special SHSAT during the summer (usually at the end of August). Successful students start the school year in a specialized high school.

How many times can a student take the SHSAT?

Only twice. Once for 9th grade admissions (when the student is in 8th grade) and the next for 10th grade admissions (when the student is in 9th grade).

What is on the SHSAT?

The SHSAT is a 2-hour and 30-minute, multiple choice test consisting of two sections: verbal and math.

Verbal Section (3 parts)

• Scrambled Paragraphs  (5 questions)

Students are given the first of six sentences and must then order the other five sentences to form a coherent paragraph. This is intended to measure ability to organize written information in a logical sequence. Questions in this section are worth twice as much as all others.

• Logical Reasoning  (10 questions)

This section intends to assess the ability to reason and draw valid conclusions based on information provided.  There are different types of questions: figuring out codes, determining relative positions of things or people, and identifying correct assumptions. 

• Reading Comprehension  (30 questions)

This section contains five passages followed by six questions that measure the ability to understand written English.  The passages, which range from 350 to 450 words, often include biographies, topics in history, science, art, or music, persuasive essays, and human interest stories.  All are nonfiction.  One of the six questions will ask the main idea. The others intend to assess the understanding of facts and the ability to make inferences.

Math Section (1 part) 

The math section includes arithmetic, algebra, probability, statistics, and geometry problems.  The ninth grade test also includes trigonometry. There are both computational and word questions.  For the most part, the exam requires application of the concepts covered in the New York State Core Curriculum.  Since there is a wide variance in the way that curriculum is used in classrooms across New York City (and State), there may be topics on the SHSAT that have not been covered in your math class. This adds an additional dimension to the test, since creatively responding to unfamiliar situations is an indication of mathematical ability.  Of course, with proper test preparation, encountering an unfamiliar concept would be a rarity.

What are the cut-off scores for the SHSAT? (minimum score required for admittance)

The cut-off scores vary each year. Here are cut-off scores for 2010, 2011 and 2012:

School	2011 Cut-off Score	2012 Cut-off Score	2013 Cut-off Score
Bronx Science	518	512	513
Brooklyn Latin	477	472	471
Brooklyn Technical	487	482	483
High School for Math, Science and Engineering at City College	498	495	498
High School of American Studies at Lehman College	508	502	501
Queens Science at York College	502	?	500
Staten Island Tech	485	499	503
Stuyvesant	567	560	562

How is the SHSAT scored?

The most important thing to know about SHSAT scoring is that there is no penalty for a wrong answer.  Your score is based on the number of correct answers.  Therefore, leaving a question blank only hurts your chances, since wrong answers are not counted against you.  That means if you are about to run out of time, you should answer any remaining questions, even if you have to make a random guess.

For scoring the test, the total number of questions correct is combined with the difficulty level of these questions to yield a student’s scale score in each section, math and verbal.  Together, they comprise the composite score. These composite scores are ordered from highest to lowest for all students who took the test.  Those with the highest scores are assigned to their first choice schools until a school fills all available seats.  Obviously, once seats are filled in a school, it is closed to further admission.  If a student’s first choice school is full, he or she gets the second choice school.  If that school is filled, he or she get the third choice, and so on. 

Resources

The New York City Department of Education’s “Specialized High Schools Handbook” can be found at:

http://schools.nyc.gov/NR/rdonlyres/D6C63FDF-7A92-41DE-B42C-719634D9172C/0/SHSAT_StHndbk_20132014.pdf

ACT

What is the ACT?

The ACT is a standardized test that measures college readiness.

What is on the ACT?

There are four sections and an optional writing section.

English Section (45 minutes)

The English section is made up of five passages with seventy-five questions that cover grammar, rhetoric and passage structure. Students are asked to correct underlined sections as needed.

Math Section (60 minutes)

The math section is a sixty minute, sixty question test. The test is made up of the following question types:

• 14 questions on pre-algebra,
• 10 on elementary algebra,
• 9 on intermediate algebra,
• 14 on plane geometry,
• 9 on coordinate geometry, and
• 4 on elementary trigonometry.

Reading Section (35 minutes)

The reading section consists of four reading passages with ten questions each.

Science Section (35 minutes)

The science section is made up of seven passages with five to seven questions each, for a total of 40 questions. There are three data representation passages with five questions each, three research summary passages with six questions each and one conflicting viewpoints passage with seven questions.

Optional writing test (30 minutes)

The optional writing test is given at the end of the exam. Students are given a prompt and asked to respond.

When do people take the ACT?

The ACT is administered four times a year. We recommend taking the test three times during junior and senior year.

What score do I need to get on the ACT?

The highest score one can get on the ACT is a 36.  The most selective schools require scores between 31-36, highly selective schools usually require scores between 27-30, selective schools require scores between 25-27, less selective schools require 22-24 and the least selective schools require scores between 18-21.

If I take the test multiple times, can I mix and match the sections on which I’ve scored the highest?

No. The ACT requires that you send in scores from a complete test.

Why do some people take the ACT instead of the SAT?

Please see our ACT vs. SAT article.  

How does Central Park Tutors prepare students for the ACT?

Student begin by taking a diagnostic exam. Based on the diagnosis and student’s goals, the tutor and the tutee develop a study plan. Then using official ACT materials, Central Park Tutors’s tutors work sequentially and systematically through the easiest to the hardest questions as the student is prepared.

Where can I find official tests?

Eleven official practice tests are available .

Here are four free official tests:

Test#1:  Preparing for the ACT 2007-08 (Form 61C)

Test#2: Preparing for the ACT 2013-14 (Form 67C, 2009 June Test

The Real ACT Prep Guide 3rd Edition has five practice tests.

The ACT Online Prep from the ACT test writers includes two online full length practice tests.  The “prep” course provides little if any prep but is worth the expense for access to the two official tests. Cost: $21.95.

Additional Resources

General Information:  http://www.actstudent.org

ACT FAQ: http://www.actstudent.org/faq/

College Confidential: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/act-preparation/

“It is time to admit that the SAT and ACT have become far too disconnected from the work of our high schools. We aim to offer worthy challenges, not artificial obstacles.”

– College Board President David Coleman

The New SAT

The College Board has announced significant changes to the SAT and will begin administering the new exam in Spring of 2016.  Most notably, in response to criticism, the College Board will make the writing section optional. For years, critics of the writing section, led by Dr. Les Perelman of M.I.T., have charged that the section has no bearing on real world writing applications – when was the last time you were given twenty minutes to write an essay on a topic on which you knew little?-  and that the grading was dependent on superficial characteristics such as handwriting clarity, essay length and word choice.

After many studies showed the ineffectiveness of the section, the College Board caved and eliminated the writing section. 

Below we’ve copied a chart from the College Board’s website comparing the old and new SAT.  Also, we’ve listed useful resources for reading about the new SAT.  Happy SATing!

Comparison of the Current SAT vs. Redesigned SAT

Category	Current SAT	Redesigned SAT
Total Testing Time*   *Redesigned SAT testing time subject to research	3 hours and 45 minutes	3 hours (plus 50 minutes for the Essay [optional])
Components	Critical Reading Writing Mathematics Essay	Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Reading Test Writing and Language Test Math Essay (optional)
Important Features	Emphasis on general reasoning skills Emphasis on vocabulary, often in limited contexts Complex scoring (a point for a correct answer and a deduction for an incorrect answer; blank responses have no impact on scores)	Continued emphasis on reasoning alongside a clearer, stronger focus on the knowledge, skills, and understandings most important for college and career readiness and success Greater emphasis on the meaning of words in extended contexts and on how word choice shapes meaning, tone, and impact Rights-only scoring (a point for a correct answer but no deduction for an incorrect answer; blank responses have no impact on scores)
Essay	Required and given at the beginning of the SAT 25 minutes to write the essay Tests writing skill; students take a position on a presented issue	Optional and given at the end of the SAT; postsecondary institutions determine whether they will require the Essay for admission 50 minutes to write the essay Tests reading, analysis, and writing skills; students produce a written analysis of a provided source text
Score Reporting*   *Redesigned SAT scores subject to research	Scale ranging from 600 to 2400 Scale ranging from 200 to 800 for Critical Reading; 200 to 800 for Mathematics; 200 to 800 for Writing Essay results scaled to multiple-choice Writing	Scale ranging from 400 to 1600 Scale ranging from 200 to 800 for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing; 200 to 800 for Math; 2 to 8 on each of three traits for Essay Essay results reported separately
Subscore Reporting	None	Subscores for every test, providing added insight for students, parents, admission officers, educators, and counselors

Test Length and Timing

Comparison of Test Length and Timing: Current SAT vs. Redesigned SAT

Current SAT			Redesigned SAT
Component	Time Allotted (minutes)	Number of Question/ Tasks	Component	Time Allotted (minutes)	Number of  Questions/ Tasks
Critical Reading	70	67	Reading	65	52
Writing	60	49	Writing and Language	35	44
Essay	25	1	Essay (optional)	50	1
Mathematics	70	54	Math	80	57
Total	225	171	Total	180 (230 with Essay)	153 (154 with Essay)

The Old SAT: Still Relevant Information

THE SAT

What is the SAT?

The SAT is the most widely used exam for college admissions. Using a standardized format, it aims to measure and assess a student’s academic readiness for college. In combination with strong grades it is a critical component in the college admissions process.

How does Central Park Tutors prepare students for the SAT?

Having aced the SAT themselves, our SAT tutors know that mastery of the content, timing, and test-taking skills are what lead to success on exam day. Using official College Board questions, our tutors take students systematically through the material moving from the easiest to the most difficult questions as the student is prepared. To learn timing and develop test-taking stamina, students must take practice tests on their own. Students then review their work with their tutors.

How long does it take to study for the SAT?

Everyone wants to know but without knowing a student’s strength/weaknesses and goals, it’s impossible to answer this question. If you failed algebra and want to go to Harvard, you will have a very different schedule than someone who aced AP calculus and wants to attend their local state university. After a student has taken an SAT practice test and discussed their goals with us, we would be happy to develop a realistic timetable for studying for the SAT. Remember the SAT is not an easy test and we are tutors, not miracle workers. Hoping to increase your score by a couple of hundred points in a couple of weeks is usually not realistic. Beware of people who promise you otherwise.

When do most students take the SAT?

Most commonly, students take the SAT in the spring of junior year and fall of senior year. Be sure to check on college application deadlines when planning to take the SAT. If a student wishes to apply Early Decision or Early Action to any college, the SAT Tests should be taken by October or November of senior year. For regular decision applications, some colleges will accept SAT Test scores through the January testing dates, depending on their application deadlines.

What is on the SAT?

There are 3 sections on the SAT:

• The critical reading section which includes reading passages and completion of sentences
• The writing, or essay section which includes multiple choice questions and a short essay portion
• The mathematics section which includes algebra, geometry, probability and statistics, and arithmetic

How many times can the SAT be taken?

It can be taken as many times as you like, when offered. Many students take it 2 or 3 times.

How is the SAT scored?

Uggh.. thank goodness this is being revamped as of 2016.  As of now, the convoluted scoring is as follows:

The SAT is scored in several phases:

1. A raw SAT score is derived from the following: 

• Correct Answers: +1 point for questions you get correct
• Incorrect Answers: -1/4 point subtracted for incorrect multiple-choice, 0 points subtracted for incorrect student-produced response (math section)
• Omitted Answers: 0 points subtracted for questions you don’t answer

2. The raw score is then equated, meaning statistical analysis is used to adjust scores to compensate for slight differences in difficulty between test editions.

3. The essay is scored: Each essay is independently scored by two readers. Essays are scored on a scale from 1 to 6. The readers’ scores are combined to produce the score. They score for:

• language, vocabulary and usage skills
• skillful and accurate sentence structure
• clear communication of ideas, coherent focus
• insight demonstrating ability to think critically and to substantiate ideas with supportive evidence
• absence of errors in spelling, grammar, usage, vocabulary and mechanics

Final score: The raw score is then converted to a scaled score

What has changed about the SAT since many of us as parents first took the exam?

Since many parents took the exam, it has changed in significant ways:

• it now includes a 25 minute writing section, distinct from the verbal section, which requires students to write an essay in five-paragraph form
• in the 1990’s the math section changed and is now not limited to multiple-choice format. Students must provide answers for some of the questions and are permitted to use a calculator
• the analogy section has been eliminated
• the SAT can be taken many times in an effort to achieve an increased score- the College Board now allows students to only send their best SAT scores to the schools to which they apply, instead of sending all the scores from every time they may have taken the SAT
• takers can score up to 2400 points on the overall test, with a total of 800 potential points per section. This replaced the old 1600 point scale which was used until 2005, and which contained only 2 sections, verbal and mathematical

When will the SAT be held during the 2014-2015 academic year?

The SAT is held seven times a year.  Here are the upcoming SAT dates and registrations deadlines. For most students, we strongly encourage taking the test as many times as possible.

2014

October 11 (September 12th registration deadline)

November 8 (October 9th registration deadline)

December 6 (November 6th registration deadline)

2015

January 24 (December 29th registration deadline)

March 14 (February 13th registration deadline)

May 2nd (April 6th registration deadline)

June 6th (May 8th registration deadline)

Further Resources:

Websites

The College Board has many resources on their webstie:

http://sat.collegeboard.org/home?navid=gh-sat

College Confidential is a treasure trove for all things related to college. For example, there over 40,000 threads on the SAT alone.

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-act-tests-test-preparation

Practice Tests

Below we have listed where to find official College Board practices tests. Central Park Tutors does not recommend practicing SAT questions with unofficial exams as they are often very different than the College Board’s.  The resources below will provide twenty-two official practice exams.

• The Blue Book: If you are studying for the SAT, the blue book will be your bible. It includes ten official SAT exams.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Official-SAT-Study-Guide/dp/0874478529

• The College Board Online Prep Course: The College Board offers an online prep course that includes eighteen lessons and ten additional SAT exams. As a preparation program, the course is very limited but the $70 expense is well worth it for the additional official exams.   

https://satonlinecourse.collegeboard.org/SR/loginAction.do

• College Board Website: Official practice tests can be found for free at:

SAT Online Practice Tests Can Be Found Here through the College Board:

https://store.collegeboard.org/sto/productdetail.do?Itemkey=040901252&Itemkey=040901252

Further Reading:

• A more detailed explanation of the new SAT, “Test Specifications for the Redesigned SAT,” published by the College Board, can be found at:

https://www.collegeboard.org/sites/default/files/test_specifications_for_the_redesigned_sat_na3.pdf#page=46

• An FAQ can be found at: https://www.collegeboard.org/delivering-opportunity/sat/faqs

• The New York Times published a feature on the events and decisions leading to the redesign of the SAT. See

Balf, Todd. “The Story Behind the SAT Overhaul.” The New York Times, March 6, 2014: newyorktimes.com. <http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/09/magazine/ the-story-behind-the-sat-overhaul.html>

• To read about Professor Les Perelman’s criticisms of the writing section, see

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/04/education/04education.html?pagewanted=all

http://www.actoutagainstsat.com/essay-tips.pdf

http://www.straighterline.com/blog/how-to-ace-the-sat-essay-straighterline-interviews-dr-les-perelman/

Optimizing Student Vocabulary Acquisition – Create an Interactive Word Wall.

When you’re sitting in front of your student and thumbing through strategies to help improve their vocabulary acquisition, most tutors will immediately launch into teaching memorization skills:  root words (prefixes and suffices), spelling, and plain, “you just need to know this.” 

However, what students are not retaining is a deeper understanding of that word. 

I currently tutor an 8^th grader named Mary Kate, no, not one of the Olson twins, but a bright student currently studying to pass her ISEE exams.  After reviewing her practice test results, I found a common thread – she’s was above grade level but she wasn’t able to decode or decipher difficult vocabulary terms and that’s when I decided to use the Word Wall method while adding my added touches.

A Word Wall is an interactive tool organized around key vocabulary terms students will need to master.  There are many types of word walls:  high frequency words, word families, chunking similar words together, etc., but the end goal is that students get t0 engage and interact with their vocabulary words—so the experience of “memorizing the word” becomes personalized for them. 

I added another element with Mary Kate.  Instead of using pictures next to a word, I chose the word “chagrin,” and made her do the following:

1. Look up the definition and write it down next to the word.  (Definition)
2. Draw a picture of what chagrin means (she drew a picture of a soccer match and the ball bouncing off the goal post)—I had her then explain what she drew to me.  (Cognitive Awareness)
3. Then, draw a picture of something that connotes the opposite of chagrin.  (She drew the same soccer match, except the goal went inside.)—I had her explain to me what she drew (Teaching Antonyms)
4. Next, I had her write out any misconceptions or difficulties with the word.  This is when I got to teach her how chagrin could be used in a sentence or in a reading passage.  (Guided Practice/Addressing Misconceptions)
5. Finally, I asked her to write her own sentence using chagrin and reflected back with her, “what makes this sentence correct?”  (Independent Practice)

While the process is pretty scaffolded, it’s important to go over the steps until the student understands how to do it on their own.  After another round, she was able to do the entire process on her own, this time, she picked the word debunk.

I then asked for feedback, “How did you like creating your own Word Wall?”  Her response, “That was the most fun I ever had learning vocabulary words. I really like how you asked me to draw it out and explain it to you.”  We high-fived then took it a step further by playing charades with the words.  I could see Mary Kate quickly processing information while she thought of how she could physically act out a vocabulary word without speaking.  This was my opportunity to teach her test-taking strategies.   I gave her 45 seconds to act out each word and she responded afterward with, “putting me on the stop to quickly think like that was so cool.” 

What Mary Kate didn’t realize was that I was implementing “quick thinking strategies,” just as she would have to access during her ISEE exam—where she needs to make an educated choice and move on.  Except I made it fun and interactive for her. 

Not only did Mary Kate learn difficult and challenging vocabulary words during our tutoring session, but she was able to internalize it and personalize it for herself. 

She was able to master the vocabulary words and use them in context, but more importantly, she experienced the many shades of those words.  And that  “ah-ha” moment is priceless toward learning and retaining vocabulary. 

-Soo Jin Kim, teacher and tutor

THE SAT

What is the SAT?

The SAT is the most widely used exam for college admissions. Using a standardized format, it aims to measure and assess a student’s academic readiness for college. In combination with strong grades it is a critical component in the college admissions process.

How does Central Park Tutors prepare students for the SAT?

Having aced the SAT themselves, our SAT tutors know that mastery of the content, timing, and test-taking skills are what lead to success on exam day. Using official College Board questions, our tutors take students systematically through the material moving from the easiest to the most difficult questions as the student is prepared. To learn timing and develop test-taking stamina, students must take practice tests on their own. Students then review their work with their tutors.

How long does it take to study for the SAT?

Everyone wants to know, but without knowing a student’s strengths, weaknesses and goals, it’s impossible to answer this question. If you failed algebra and want to go to Harvard, you will have a very different schedule than someone who aced AP calculus and wants to attend their local state university. After a student has taken an SAT practice test and discussed their goals with us, we can then work on a realistic timetable for studying for the SAT. Remember the SAT is not an easy test and we are tutors, not miracle workers. Hoping to increase your score by a couple of hundred points in a couple of weeks is usually not realistic. Beware of people who promise you otherwise.

When do most students take the SAT?

Most commonly, students take the SAT in the spring of junior year and fall of senior year. Be sure to check on college application deadlines when planning to take the SAT. If a student wishes to apply Early Decision or Early Action to any college, the SAT Tests should be taken by October or November of senior year. For regular decision applications, some colleges will accept SAT Test scores through the January testing dates, depending on their application deadlines.

What is on the SAT?

There are 3 sections on the SAT:

• The critical reading section which includes reading passages and completion of sentences
• The writing, or essay section which includes multiple choice questions and a short essay portion
• The mathematics section which includes algebra, geometry, probability and statistics, and arithmetic

How many times can the SAT be taken?

It can be taken as many times as you like, when offered. Many students take it 2 or 3 times.

How is the SAT scored?

Uggh.. thank goodness this is being revamped as of 2016.  As of now, the convoluted scoring is as follows:

The SAT is scored in several phases:

1. A raw SAT score is derived from the following: 

• Correct Answers: +1 point for questions you get correct
• Incorrect Answers: -1/4 point subtracted for incorrect multiple-choice, 0 points subtracted for incorrect student-produced response (math section)
• Omitted Answers: 0 points subtracted for questions you don’t answer

2. The raw score is then equated, meaning statistical analysis is used to adjust scores to compensate for slight differences in difficulty between test editions.

3. The essay is scored: Each essay is independently scored by two readers. Essays are scored on a scale from 1 to 6. The readers’ scores are combined to produce the score. They score for:

• language, vocabulary and usage skills
• skillful and accurate sentence structure
• clear communication of ideas, coherent focus
• insight demonstrating ability to think critically and to substantiate ideas with supportive evidence
• absence of errors in spelling, grammar, usage, vocabulary and mechanics

Final score: The raw score is then converted to a scaled score

What has changed about the SAT since many of us as parents first took the exam?

Since many parents took the exam, it has changed in significant ways:

• it now includes a 25 minute writing section, distinct from the verbal section, which requires students to write an essay in five-paragraph form
• in the 1990’s the math section changed and is now not limited to multiple-choice format. Students must provide answers for some of the questions and are permitted to use a calculator
• the analogy section has been eliminated
• the SAT can be taken many times in an effort to achieve an increased score- the College Board now allows students to only send their best SAT scores to the schools to which they apply, instead of sending all the scores from every time they may have taken the SAT
• takers can score up to 2400 points on the overall test, with a total of 800 potential points per section. This replaced the old 1600 point scale which was used until 2005, and which contained only 2 sections, verbal and mathematical

When will the new SAT be administered?

Spring 2016. For more information about the revamped SAT, please see our article on the new SAT.

When will the SAT be held during the 2018-2019 academic year? 

The SAT is held seven times a year.  Here are the upcoming SAT dates and registrations deadlines. For most students, we strongly encourage taking the test as many times as possible.

2018

October 6th (September 7th registration deadline)

November 3rd (October 5th registration deadline)

December 1st (November 2nd registration deadline)

2019

March 9th (February 8th registration deadline)

May 4th (April 5th registration deadline)

June 1st (May 3rd registration deadline)

Further Resources:

Websites

The College Board has many resources on their webstie:

http://sat.collegeboard.org/home?navid=gh-sat

College Confidential is a treasure trove for all things related to college. For example, there over 40,000 threads on the SAT alone.

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-act-tests-test-preparation

Practice Tests

Below we have listed where to find official College Board practices tests. Central Park Tutors does not recommend practicing SAT questions with unofficial exams as they are often very different than the College Board’s.  The resources below will provide twenty-two official practice exams.

• The Blue Book: If you are studying for the SAT, The Official SAT Study Guide will be your bible. It includes eight official SAT exams.

• The College Board Online Prep Course: The College Board offers an online prep course that includes eighteen lessons and ten additional SAT exams. As a preparation program, the course is very limited but the $70 expense is well worth it for the additional official exams.
     
• College Board Website: Official practice tests can be found for free at the College Board website.

To learn more about how we can help your family with tutoring in NYC, please click here!