One year has gone by, so quickly! Time for some resolutions for the next year.

Hard work always pays rich dividends. There is no doubt about that. But “smart hard work” pays exceptional dividends.

Let us see this at a very basic level. I am thinking about this blog and am sitting on my computer having a cup of coffee. Now, I can think about this while doing the laundry also. And then after turning on the washing machine, I can sit and work on my blog. So, I am doing parallel processing. By the time I am done with this article, it will be time for me to move the clothes to the dryer. Now that is smart! Like getting two birds with stone. Sounds clichéd but thinking about it, it surely is smart.

The acronym SMART, is not something I have invented. It has been used by everyone all over the world.

S – Specific
M – Measurable
A – Achievable
R– Relevant
T– Timely

An example of a SMART goal to improve your comprehension, give you ideas for essays, improve your vocabulary, patience and staying power (all of these are needed for the SAT) is:

“For the next two months, I will read every issue of “Time ®” from cover to cover”

• This goal is specific.
• It is measurable – You have to read about 8 issues of the magazine.
• It is achievable – You are not going to read 300 issues in 2 months, but just 8 –     about one issue every week.
• It is relevant. It is relevant because it s going to help you on the SAT – to improve your comprehension, give you ideas for essays, improve your vocabulary, patience and staying power.
•  It is timely – you are not planning to do something over the next two years but within the very near future starting immediately.

So, make some SMART goals for this year.

• For the next six weeks, I will take an essay topic, research on it and write a two page essay every Sunday morning.
• For the next four weeks, I will study 30 minutes every single day for SAT from the TestChamps SAT prep manual.
• For the next three months, I will submit all my assignments one day ahead of time.

Wish you a happy and successful new year!

We hear about percentiles – in our SAT score report, in college rankings and everywhere else. It is very easy to get confused. We begin wondering what they mean! Let me try to explain.
Percentile Rankings

Suppose you are applying to a good school and they tell you that the SAT Math percentile is as follows:
                25th percentile = 680, 75th percentile = 770
So, what does that mean?
• 25th percentile means that 25% of the accepted students made a 680 or below on the test.
• 75th percentile means that 75% of the accepted students made a 770 or below on the test.

Another way of putting this is
• 25th percentile means that 75% of the accepted students scored above a 680
• 75th percentile means that 25% of the accepted students scored above a 770.

What is your take on it?
The percentiles give you a good idea on where you stand. Suppose your SAT Math score is in the range of 720. Then you have a a good chance of applying to that particular school as 75% of the students scored above 680. If your score is not consistent with the percentiles, then, you may not qualify.

So what are my chances?
Remember that SAT score is not the only thing that college admission counselor’s look into. Your GPA, essay, social service, school activities, recommendation letters etc. play a role in your admissions. Nevertheless, SAT is a very important thing and you should always do your best.

Your SAT percentile
Suppose your SAT percentiles are as follows:
• Critical Reading: 79th percentile
• Math: 38th percentile
• Writing: 90th percentile
This is what it means:
• Critical Reading: You scored higher than 79% of the people who took this section. (You did really well!)
• Math: You scored higher than 38% of the people who took this section. (You need to buckle up and retake the SAT after taking a test prep course)
• Writing: You scored higher than 90% of the people who took this section. (You did really well!)

SAT is one of the core requirements for college admissions and it needs to be in the minds of every junior and senior!

A lot of our students ask us a question which is always on the top of their minds – When to take the SAT? The fall SAT is usually in the first week of October and the registration is usually cut-off before the second week of September.

Our recommendation is that you take the SAT as many times as possible (at least two times, even if you have scored 2300 in your first attempt). Generally it is better to take the SAT once in the Spring of your Junior year. If the score was not that good, you will have time in the senior year to take it once more.

You also need to keep in mind that the official scores are released via the internet three –four weeks after the test and that scores are mailed only after that. So, if you are in a rush to submit your college applications, you need to plan for it accordingly.
Happy testing!

Since the majority of schools slect the best SAT score or allow you to choose the score you want to submit, you need to take it as many times as possible. The key is to learn from the mistakes of an earlier test and perform better the next time.

Should you score a 2400 on the SAT, do not take it again!

All the best!

Well, so time management is not one of your key strengths? But you may still be able to take the test. How?

You can register to take the SAT Standby, which means you need to come to the center very early, and hope there is a seat available for you.

How do you register for the Standby Testing?

1. Talk to your school counselor and take the SAT Paper Registration Guide.
2. Have a check or a money order made out to “The College Board” for the Standby Testing fees ($47 currently), but check the College Board website for accurate details.
3. Arrive at the center very early and hope for the best.

You cannot do standby SAT testing if
1. You are over the age of 21
2. You are a student testing at a school because of special needs
3. You require any accommodations other than 50% of more time
4. You are testing in a country that has exceptions (security concerns etc.)