Love this! It's why we do what we do....

Hi MaryEllen,

How all is well with you!  I wanted to drop you an e-mail to inform you that, I feel the

tutoring/and tutor (Steve) is working very nicely for Michael.

I feel Steve is a very bright young man.  Very knowledgeable and very pleasant.  Michael and he seem to also get along very well which is a plus. 

From what I am told Michael is catching up quickly on Chemistry missed work and soon will be all caught up to current work (which I feel is great).  

Steve told me Friday before leaving that, they will start after vacation on the PROGRAMMING work.

Thank you so much Maryellen for Steve, as I said previously he seems to be a very bright young man.

You are doing a great job on selecting your tutoring staff.

Talk to you soon!  Have a great day.

Thanks again,

Gina R.  

Panic Strategy

What happens when something unforeseen occurs during a test? Your calculator dies? You break you pencil? You get an unexpected question? Don't panic! Panic causes me to forget information. It  distracts me, confuses me, and discourages me.... Now I have a plan for panic!

One of my favorite plans for nervousness or panic is visualizing. Picture yourself in a favorite place. For me, it's the beach. I picture myself sitting in my chair, my eyes closed, my toes playing in the sand, the big white cumulus clouds floating by, and the sun warming my face.  This takes maybe 10 seconds. I can actually feel myself calming down and breathing slower. It's my "time out." What's yours? Running? Listening to music? Whatever it is, go there. Put the test out of your mind for  15 seconds. That's about all the time you will need to get your panic under control and get back to work!
Try it and let me know how you do!

Why the ACT??

The ACT has four multiple-choice tests - English, Math, Reading and Science. The ACT measures your achievement in theses core subjects.There is an optional writing component  so check with your colleges and know their requirements.

In sophomore and  junior years, take the courses  (English, Math, and Science) while they are fresh in your memory. You may decide to take the test twice to improve your score, so plan to take it spring in your junior year.
Why take it in your junior year:

1. You probably have finished most of the class work that's on the test and it's still fresh!
2. Your scores will help you make decisions for classes during senor year.
3. You will have your scores so you may visit colleges.
4. You have time to re-test.
5. Colleges will know of your hope to attend and will contact you  during the summer for tours, admissions, etc.

So get busy, think about your classes, and exercise your mind!

Practice the skills and learn the strategies. We can help. Call us today for ACT info!

SAT Prep Works!

Still not convinced you need SAT Prep???

The SAT is not a test of high school mathematics. There are no questions on trig, parabolas, complex numbers, etc. Much of the questions are on material you learned before high school! There are some questions on geometry and elementary algebra but not many.

The SAT assumes you know how to calculate an average or find the area of a triangle.If this were the case, most students would score a perfect or near perfect score.The SAT tests your logical thinking skills and to use the concepts you learned in ways that are unfamiliar to you. So get the advantage and contact us now!

Quick Facts...SAT vs ACT

Still undecided... Let's take a look at other factors to consider...

                  SAT                                                            ACT

Offered 7 times a year.                                        Offered 6 times a year.

Length: 3 hrs, 45 min.                                         Length: 3 or 3 1/2 hrs.     
                                                                                                                           
Tests: math, critical reading, writing.               Tests: English, math, science, writing.

Cost: $49.00.                                                         Costs: $34.00 - $49.50.

Max. score: 800 per section.                              Max. score: 36
                     Perfect score: 2400.
Avg. scores: Math - 516. Writing: 492.              Avg. Score: 21.
                      C.R.: 501.

SAT if....you posses an extensive vocab, are a strong reader, and enjoy test-taking tactics.

ACT if... you read fast, process quickly, and have a strong working memory.

So again... Which test is for you?
Which test? Practice them both.. Pick the one on which you do better!

ACT vs SAT?

Lots of parents ask me which test their child should take and what's the difference?? A generation ago, the answer was easy -- geography  The students in Midwest generally took the ACT. If you lived on the coasts -- or dreamed to attend a highly selective school -- you took the SAT.

ACT Test 

1. The ACT is more straightforward. The questions are easier to understand on the first read.
2. Vocab is easier on the ACT.
3. ACT has science. which tests your  reading and reasoning skills, based upon a given set of facts. Not for the science-phobe.
4. ACT has trig, Algebra I, II, and geometry. Questions are more straightforward not necessarily harder.
5. 30 minute Writing test is optional.
6. Tackle each content area (Eng, MA, Sci) in one chunk.
7. Colleges concerned about your composite score.
8. Concentrates on grammar, punctuation and syntax.

SAT Test

1. On the SAT, one needs to spend more time on what the question is asking before one can begin to solve it.
2. SAT is of the ardent wordsmiths. College level words. Critical Reading requires strong working vocab.
3. No science sections.
4. No trig. Tests Algebra I, II and geometry.
5. 25 minute writing essay is required.
6. SAT has more (10) sections.
7. Colleges concerned about how you did on each section.
8. Measures verbal skills and focuses on vocab.

Great test takers are great test takers. But you can learn the strategies! Get an edge! Call and sign up for some classes starting March 30 and April 2, 2013.

For more info.... visit 

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505145_162-37241433/sat-and-act-which-is-the-better-test/

SAT Word of the Day....

Word of the Day

Despondent: gloomy, depressed.

        Alex was despondent after his car accident.

Look at the beginning of the word.. "despond"... Think to yourself this word is like" respond" which means to react, to act positively... Continue thinking... 

The prefix "de" means down.. so to act down.. drop your head....sad.... depressed.... Think despondent...

Tip of the Day

Remember all questions can be answered without a calculator . Use your own  calculator to do math you can not do in your head or if you can do it quicker with a calculator --  like long division or changing percents to fractions.