Tag Archives: Tips

SAT Countdown Tips

Posted on October 1, 2011 by Compass
Make sure to get some sleep the night before the test!

1.  Dress for Success! The thermostat at the testing center is likely to have been set earlier that morning by some grumpy person who’s even groggier than you are. You don’t want to trust that person with your comfort. Shivering while you bubble is a sure way to “make a stray mark” on your test. Avoid this by wearing adjustable layers so you can adapt to your surroundings easily. 2. Yummy Yummy in your Tummy Eat a good, healthy breakfast before your test.  Your growling stomach won’t be whispering the correct answers to you. 3.  Forty Winks Falling asleep during … Continue reading →

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Top 10 SAT Mistakes

Posted on September 6, 2011 by Compass

The SAT is one of the primary factors that college admissions officers use to determine whether or not a student is a good fit for their college — so, it’s pretty important. The last thing you want to do is make one of these 10 common mistakes on the SAT. Better keep an eye out for these before the October exam! 1. Not knowing the directions beforehand Every second counts on the SAT. Time spent reading directions is time wasted. The directions don’t change on the SAT, so, if you already know them, then you won’t have to read them! … Continue reading →

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Finding The Right Simile For College

Posted on July 25, 2011 by Compass
Would Forrest Gump think college is like a box of chocolates?

Trying to boil a 4 year experience down to a single trite simile is a near impossible challenge. But… we’re gonna try! College is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get. This is kind of true. Forrest Gump’s statement was more about the overall arc of his life. College is a bit more structured – you have classes, and activities, and homework, and finals. However, you still have a lot of scope to make different experiences for yourself and blaze a new path. Don’t get boxed in by prior conceptions of yourself. College is a … Continue reading →

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Applying To College: The 7-Eleven Approach

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Compass
Applying to college should be just as convenient as 7-Eleven.

Funny how this post about the 7-Eleven approach to college apps is going up on 7-11. Total coincidence. That aside, we know you’re scratching your head here: what’s the 7-11 approach to applying? Well, scratch a little longer because first… some trivia about 7-Eleven convenience stores. The chain was founded at an icehouse in Dallas, TX back in 1927 when an entrepreneurial dock worker realized that they could increase sales by supplying goods like milk and butter along with their ice block deliveries. Voila! The first convenience store was born. Since then, the 7-Eleven chain has grown to over $10,000,000,000 … Continue reading →

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What Is Score Choice? How Do I Use It?

Posted on June 8, 2011 by Compass
Yay for Score Choice!

The SAT is kind of a big deal.  But you, whether you’re a student or a parent, probably already know this.  The College Board, creator of the SAT, knows this as well, and, believe it or not, they actually have some policies specifically designed to help you. “OK, so how does the College Board help me/my child perform their best on the SAT?” Glad you asked. Score Choice If you don’t know what score choice is, you should definitely do yourself a favor and read on.  As we’ve already established, the SAT is a big deal.  Not surprisingly, the pressure … Continue reading →

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Tips For The Last Week Before The SAT

Posted on May 30, 2011 by Compass
Stay Connected While Studying

The big day is just around the corner. You have studied, practiced, timed, tested, bubbled, agonized, thought deeply, and flat out hustled to prepare so far. Now, you have to push yourself through to the final day, where you can finally execute and vanquish the test. How do you make it through the home stretch? 1. Stick with your schedule Just because it is the last week doesn’t mean your schedule should go out the window. If you have been following along with a schedule you made months ago, stick with it – it’s gotten you this far, right? And … Continue reading →

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The SAT Question-And-Answer Service

Posted on May 25, 2011 by Compass
The Thinker by Rodin

The Question-and-Answer Service offered by the College Board is a great way to help students improve their SAT scores.  If you don’t know what the Question-and-Answer Service is, read on! What is the Question-and-Answer Service, and Why Is It Important? The Question-and-Answer Service allows students to pay a nominal fee to College Board prior to an examination in order to receive the answers to selected questions, helping students pad their scores if academically needed. Just kidding! Haha, don’t we all wish such a service existed? The real Question-and-Answer Service is a part of the College Board’s student answer verification service, which … Continue reading →

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5 More Awesome SAT Tips

Posted on May 23, 2011 by Compass
mclovin-id

The SAT is a challenging experience. Read this article to find 5 great tips to help you prepare for the SAT! 1. Don’t Cram Alright, so it’s Friday night and you’re taking the SAT tomorrow: it’s time to get an energy drink and crack open the prep book you bought four months ago, right? Wrong. Studies have shown that cramming is not an effective way of preparing. Not only will you end up groggy and unhappy while you’re taking the SAT, odds are you won’t be able to remember what you studied last night. Lots of practice is also the … Continue reading →

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5 Great SAT Tips – What to Expect on Test Day

Posted on May 16, 2011 by Compass
sat tips

1. Start Preparing Early To get the most out of SAT prep, you should start early. In fact, many National Merit Scholars-who usually score above 2100 on the SAT-begin preparing for the PSAT and SAT the summer before they become sophomores so they can make the most of the PSAT they have the option to take that year. Don’t start wondering whether or not third-order polynomials will be included in the math section the week before. Create a plan! If you need more structure or guidance, consider SAT prep classes, private tutoring, or an online course. 2. Dress Well Think … Continue reading →

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Cramming for the SAT is like Cramming Glue in Your Mouth

Posted on May 13, 2011 by Compass
Cramming_for_Test_H

The SAT is less than four weeks away.  Commence hyperventilation. Take a huge, deep breath, and then exhale as quickly as possible. Then, repeat the process until you feel lightheaded and fall over. Then, you’ll hit your head and form a blood clot in your brain.  Then, you’ll miraculously transform into a megasavant, like the Rain Man.  Then, you’ll get a 10,000 on your SAT.  Then you’ll die.  And then, in a few years, a Jonas brother will win an Oscar for starring in a movie about your life. Actually, that’s probably not going to happen, so, you know, don’t … Continue reading →

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