Why not to rush into test prep

The SAT/ACT test what students learn in school. Therefore, the more students goes to school, the higher the scores will be.  The tendency to start prep for the tests too early in the summer before 11th grade is a common one, but ultimately foolish.  The time would be better spent on any number of other activities that will make for a stronger application and ultimately better personal grown.  Students will learn much more about the world and themselves scooping ice cream than taking a stack of practice tests over the summer.  

There is a fair amount of math content on both tests that isn’t normally covered until the first half of 11th grade such as complex numbers, basic trigonometry, circle equations, and absolute value.  It is much better to wait until these concepts are covered normally in school than trying to read ahead of normal course work. There are of course the really cool kids who are in honors math and go to math camp, but such students will probably excel in the math portion if they take it in August, and score even higher if they wait till December or March with no additional effort.  Similarly, reading and writing/grammar skills will improve over time and scores tend to float up naturally with normal school work. Students should try to read as much as possible – anything without too many pictures is better than nothing.  

The danger is students rushing into test prep too early, taking the test early in 11th grade, scoring ok but not great, then feeling the need to prepare again for December, rinse, and repeat in a Sisyphean quest for a few more points that won’t make a difference for admissions.  Better to hold off until the second half of 11th grade or the December test at the very earliest.  Prepare once, do well, and then worry about making varsity volleyball or getting the lead in the school play.  You can take the test again if needed, but best to go in with a positive attitude.

How Not to Prepare for the SAT/ACT

For centuries, aspiring civil servants in China spent years of their lives in study to prepare for examinations that focused on rote memorization of the classic Confucian texts.  This type of exam continue today in China with the “Gao Kao” (高考), the results of which dictate where students go to university.  The Gao Kao is best prepared for through sheer brute force and mock test after mock test.  This type of testing is common throughout other Asian nations and the normal preparation process lasts years and in many places offerings are made at shrines of various religions beseeching for divine help, such is the importance of these exams - in many cases the sole criterion for university admission.  

 The ACT or SAT is certainly an important part of the American university admissions process but as we have said again and again, there is no minimum score for any American university.  Every year elite schools reject students scoring full marks and accept other students scoring much lower who are more “complete” applicants. Hence, spending hundreds of hours on test prep at the expense of playing sports and participating in other CCAs is sheer folly.  

 Both the SAT and ACT are not tests of knowledge or memorization skills.  As the College Board states, it tests what you already have learned in school: Reading, Writing and Mathematics.  As such, learning how the test is constructed and specific strategies for different question types is the most efficient way to prepare.  The Testtakers approach is just this: new techniques and strategies rather than tedious practice and rote memorization.  Our programs range in length but seldom involve more than 30-45 hours or so of classroom time as we have found that is enough time to internalize the techniques and apply them to the test.

 Most other SAT preparation providers in the region take a more blunt-force approach with programs ranging up to 200 hours in length, often stretching over Christmas or Summer holidays.  Our research has shown that these extended programs are seldom as effective as our shorter, more efficient programs.  These long programs represent the application of an Asian style of exam preparation to a test that does not lend itself to that approach by the very designs of the tests.  All those additional hours would be better spent working on your other school work and pursuing other noble pursuits (not Pokemon Go!).  High tests scores and top academic marks alone will not get you into a premier school.

 Simply put, very, very few students are capable of getting a perfect score, just as very, very few people are capable of winning an Olympic medal, or very, very few people are capable of becoming a chess master.  Our test preparation programs help students reach their highest potential score as quickly and efficiently as possible.  To use a sports analogy close to the writer’s heart, I know that if I practice golf for 2 hours a day I would certainly improve but no matter what I do there is no way I could ever play against Tiger Woods in a tournament.  It just isn’t going to happen.  Similarly, diminishing returns kick in quite quickly in test preparation and I lament how many over-eager students look to start SAT preparation a year in advance or enroll in course after course chasing a few extra points. For the purposes of getting into a great school, it is just plain stupid.  If you don’t agree with me, give me a call on +65 6728 7476 and I’ll be more than happy to chat.

-- Jeremy Craig, Testtakers Singapore

Expert View from: College vs. University

Many students in Singapore are baffled by usage of the terms “college” and “university” in America. They assume that a college is similar to a junior college in Singapore, and when pursuing a bachelor’s degree, they think only a university will provide them with the academic path they want.

In fact, the words “college” and “university” are often used interchangeably in the U.S. Both colleges and universities in America offer bachelor’s degrees, which usually take four years to complete. The term “college” is often applied to a smaller institution, or part of a larger institution, which focuses on undergraduates, with few or no graduate (postgraduate) programs. A “university” is usually larger, with more graduate degrees available. But there are exceptions to every rule. For example, Dartmouth College retains its “college” designation, even though it has world-famous graduate schools of business and medicine. A college may also be the undergraduate school housed within a large university: Columbia College is the academic home of all undergraduates at Columbia University.

It is important to note the difference between a college and a community college. A community college, also called a two-year college, provides only the first two years of a bachelor’s degree. Students graduate with an associate’s degree and then spend two more years in a four-year college or university to gain a bachelor’s degree.

Should you consider attending a smaller college?

Definitely. A small college can provide many advantages. If you are one of only 1,000 or 2,000 students, you will receive much more individualized attention than if you are one of 40,000. You will enjoy smaller class sizes – perhaps seminars of less than fifteen students, rather than large lecture halls of 200. You will get to know your professors on a personal basis. At small colleges, many professors are actively involved with the college community and may invite your class over for dinner. Although there may be fewer extracurricular offerings at a small college, your chances for participation and leadership roles will be much greater. For example, at a large university, you will have to try out and compete for a place in a drama production, a music ensemble, or a club sports team. But at a small college, if you turn up, you’re in! Many students worry that only universities can provide research opportunities. But in fact, at a college where there are no graduate students, all the research positions go to undergraduates.

In summary, when choosing a university, don’t overlook a wonderful option: a college!



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Revised SAT Feature on the Latest Singapore American Newsletter

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We penned our thoughts and advice about the upcoming Revised SAT in the August 2015 Singapore American Newsletter. The feature was written before additional details on the test were released by College Board, so references to grade level in the feature may be a bit confusing (For example, for pretty much all of the International Schools in Singapore operating on the August - June academic year, the Class of 2015 has already graduated this past June). Our previous post is a bit more current, but the advice in the feature still stands: