exams

The TOEFL is an exam that tests your mastery of the English language, and it is separated into four parts: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. The best score you can get is 120, but if you score 100 it means that you understand and speak English well enough to follow college level classes. This may seem very easy, but in reality, it’s not that simple because much of the listening goes very fast and involves lots of technical language, simulating a college lecture, some of it a college science lecture. Most of my friends have gotten between 100 and 112.

This is part one of our 5-part March series that will help high school seniors preparing to take the SAT or ACT for college admissions.

The difference between the SAT and ACT verbal test.

The SAT Critical Reading section has three scored sections that each test vocabulary and reading comprehension. Each section begins by asking students to complete sentences using multiple choice vocabulary words. The rest of the questions ask students to read short passages and answer comprehension questions or compare the themes from one passage to another.

Pearson, the publisher of the WPPSI™-III, is currently in the process of collecting and analyzing data that will be used to determine revisions that may be made for the WPPSI™-IV. Among some of the possible changes are the elimination of the Coding section, the use of a hand-held stamp (in lieu of an eraser-less pencil) for the Symbol Search subtest (Processing Speed), a Working Memory task, and updated illustrations. Overall any potential revisions are expected to be minimal.

Robert Franeck of the Princeton Review discusses the SAT II tests and his advice for deciding whether or not to take them.

Two views on a commonly debated issue.

MUST
The more practice you get on a test the better your chances for a higher score. The SAT exam is a standardized way for college admissions directors to compare your performance to students across the country. A high score is often one of the first indicators to a school that you are capable of high level work therefore it is important to get the best score possible on the test.

MYTH

Are you gearing up to take a standardized test this winter or spring? Whether it's the PSAT, SAT, ACT, GRE, ISEE or SSAT; researchers recently found that the test itself will help you learn.

The New York Times reported that students retained more information when tested than just repeatedly studying the material or drawing detailed diagrams - i.e. re-imagining the material.

So in order to really retain the information you're being tested on, your best study tactic could be taking practice tests. Good luck!

What are the differences in content between the ISEE and the SSAT?
The verbal section of the ISEE has sentence completions, while the verbal SSAT has analogies. One of the ISEE math sections (middle and upper level ISEE only) will have quantitative comparison questions. There is no guessing penalty on the ISEE test, while the SSAT has a guessing very similar to the SAT test (1/4 point deduction for incorrect answers).

If you are a junior you may be getting ready to take the SAT this month

Aristotle Expert and independent college counselor Jane Mcclure explains the difference between the SAT and the ACT.

Below are the most commonly asked questions about the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children.

1. What is the test used for?
   Some private schools administer the test to get an IQ score for your child that they can compare to prior school performance when considering them for admissions. Check with the schools that you are applying to, to find out which test they administer.