Words of the Week!

Vitriol- Hateful speech Amiable- Friendly Brazen- Too bold Circumspect- Cautious Despot- Ruler with total power Furtive- Secretive Infamy- Notorious (famous for bad reasons) Knell- Solemn sound of a bell Maverick- Independent-minded person Nominal- Insignificant Umbrage- Offense (to take offense at something) Wanton- Immoral, lustful Aver- To declare Corporeal- Tangible, material, not spiritual Disabuse- To correct[…]

ISEE Practice problems

1. The average score of 6 students is 98. We know 5 of their scores: 92,50,68,99,120. Find the sixth score. 2. The average price of 7 items is $40.00. The average of 5 of them is $23.00. Find the average of the other 2 items. 3. For what value of x does G(x)=0? For what value of[…]

How can you pick the best homework helper/tutor for your child?

1. Go with an expert-As children get older, the coursework becomes harder and harder. By 8th grade, parents may struggle to assist their children with daily homework. We recommend that parents use tutors who have undergraduate degrees in substantive fields like English, the sciences, or math rather than a general degree in elementary education. 2. Local-Choose a tutor who[…]

Important SAT/ACT Math Formulas

V(cylinder)= πr²h SA= surface area SA(cube)= 6s² SA(rectangular solid)= 2lw+2wh+2lh V=Volume V(cube)=s³ V(rectangular solid)= lwh How do you find the total degree measure in a polygon? Total degree measure= (n-2)180 where n= # of sides Measure of 1 angle in a regular polygon= (n-2)180/n If you know 2 sides in a right ?, how do[…]

TIPS for ACT Writing!

Set up the debate in your introduction. State the two sides of the argument and let the reader know where you stand. Avoid the passive voice throughout your essay. You active verb (see verb sheet for ideas). Do not use the verb to be (is, was, will be, are, am, etc…). Do not use the first person.[…]

ACT Math Practice Problems

GDP of a country grows by 10% from 2007 to 2008 (with 2007 GDP as the base for calculating percentages) and 25% from 2008 to 2009 (with 2008 GDP as the base for calculating percentages). What is the GDP growth from 2007 to 2009 with the 2007 GDP taken as the base? (A) 35% (B) 37.5% (C) 40%[…]

10 Tips for the PSAT

 Complex conjugate Multiply numerator and denominator by the complex conjugate Possessive Girl’s room=1 girl with 1 room Girls’ rooms=many girls with many rooms Girls’ room=many girls with 1 room Girl’s rooms=1 girl with many rooms Contractions vs. Possessive They’re=They are It’s=It is Its=possessive (The dog chews its bone) Its’ NOT A WORD NEVER PICK THIS[…]

5 Tips for Back to School Success

1. Start early. Make sure all summer reading is complete so your child does not start the year behind. 2. Make a plan. Talk with your child and together make a nightly schedule for homework, sports, and family time. 3. Integration. Reach out to your child’s teachers, advisors, and administrative mentors as soon as possible. Being proactive early[…]

 5 Tips to Become a Better Test Taker

    How can I become a better standardized test taker? Whether you are taking the SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT, or MCAT, follow these 5 tips. 1. Stay uni-focused. Never think about what you are missing out on when you take practice tests or are studying. Only think about mastering the material in front of you.[…]

5 Tips for Standardized Math Tests-SAT, ACT, GRE, and GMAT

  Follow these math tips to improve your score and become a better test taker! 1. Know what you are looking for. Questions may seem simple, but many have a twist at the end that can make you choose the wrong answer. For example, the question may be asking for x + 5, not just x. Paying attention[…]