Educational Awareness: College Admission and Transition
  • Home
  • EA Test Prep /Tutoring
    • SAT Prep Program
    • ACT Prep Program
    • College Essay
    • Academic Tutoring
  • EA Power Coaching and College Counseling
    • College Essay
    • College Coaching and Counseling
    • College Application
    • Networking
  • Contact
  • Our Approach
    • Our Results
    • FAQs
  • Calendar
  • Our Team
    • Our Students' Colleges
    • Testimonials
  • Registration
  • Blog

College Admission and Transition​

Blog

Spring is in the air

3/27/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
​Well, we have returned from our Spring Break, and it is officially Spring even though some days it feels like winter. Although the weather fluctuates, the dates do not, and this year’s opportunities to take the college entrance exams are rapidly approaching. As usual, EA will run sessions for the final SAT exams(May 7 and June 4) and ACT exams (May 6 and July 16) of this school year, but EA would like to suggest that you plan to take the SAT or the ACT in May for a variety of reasons.
May is a more desirable time of year to take the exam than June or July because students are still completely involved with their academic lives. By constant involvement in their courses, their critical thinking skills must remain sharp in order to succeed. However, many students are thinking about the prom - either with tension or joy - or their summer adventures by late May and June. They are waiting for the school year to end and don’t feel like preparing for or taking another exam. For those students who are taking AP courses, the focus should be on the AP exams since they have worked hard in those courses and are hoping to get college credit based on the exam score. (And as parents, we are very pleased to pay for one less course.) As far as taking the ACT in July, this is useful if a student doesn’t mind continuing to work on academic skills once the official school year has ended. Well now that we have stated and explained the EA opinion, we are hoping that you will take our point of view into consideration as you identify which test you will take.
Just one more thought, you want to visit colleges while the students are on campus. Without witnessing the day-to-day activities, it is difficult to really get the “vibe” of that campus. At most colleges, the midterm point has just passed and in seven weeks, students will return home. So if you can, make a list of colleges and take a family outing.
Our next six-week session for the SAT begins this Tuesday and will end on Tuesday before the SAT is given. If you want to read about our upcoming schedule or events, or just learn more about us by visiting www.eatestprep.com For any specific questions or concerns, you can reach us by email ([email protected]) or phone (845.582.0017).

0 Comments

March 13th, 2022

3/13/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
​Yesterday, there was snow on the ground, and today it is cold. Yet, we can see the beginning of spring. Little buds sprouting against the cold and wind. Sometimes, a student feels like a spring flower trying to survive the challenges of the demands of school work and simultaneously beginning the college process. By now, many juniors are realizing that they want to take the SAT or the ACT before they finish the school year.
Today the EA Team wants to describe the major difference between reading comprehension sections one the SAT and the ACT. On the SAT, the questions are sequential, which means that each question can basically be answered as you read the selection. This is useful to a test-taker because they know where to look to find the answer within the reading. However, on the ACT, the questions are not set up sequentially, so the reader has to keep the questions in his or her mind - memory- while reading the passage. Knowing that significant difference can help you decide which test is right for you.
On either test, if the test taker needs to refer back to the text multiple times to find an answer, then it is time to skip that question. If you are wondering why a test taker should do that, it is because if the answer can’t be found easily, then the test-taker usually becomes anxious. Once a person becomes that nervous, the answer is even more difficult to find. It is best to return to it after you have answered all the questions for that passage. At that point, the answer usually pops off the page.
If you would like to learn more about taking the reading comprehension portion of the test or ways to choose the test that is right for you, please contact the EA Team. You can reach us by email ([email protected]) or phone (845.582.0017). Our small classes (maximum of 6 students) for the last tests of the year are filling.
Please note that starting this Wednesday till next Monday, our team will be taking our Spring Break. We are hoping that the weather will cooperate and provide us with spring-like temperatures.
EATestPrep DEMISTIFY THE TEST
# Read Less #Stress Less #Score Higher

0 Comments

Get ready for the big test next weekend

3/6/2022

1 Comment

 
Well the March 12th SAT will be arriving at high schools shortly, proctors have been hired, and all plans are set. The real question is “Are YOU ready?” Hopefully, the answer in your home is a resounding “Yes!”
Last week, the EA Team posted some helpful tips to prepare for the exam. Here they are again in case you missed them. (The rationale behind each one can be found on our blog at our website www.educationallyaware.com.)
There is still time to purchase any needed items on the list.
1. Verify that your registration slip is correct and that photo identification can be easily accessed. Decide where you will place it.
2. Sharpen at least four pencils (or as many as you feel comfortable taking to the exam , make sure you have erasers, and replace the batteries in your calculator.
3. Decide what high protein breakfast you will have that morning. A meal that is filled with sugar and/or carbohydrates will interfere with your performance on the test.
4. Purchase a high-protein snack (protein bar or nuts) and water to consume during your SAT break.
5. Plan your transportation to the SAT. Who will drive and determine how long it will take to get there on time or early?
Well, those are the five that get you ready physically for the challenge, but everyone needs some tips to calm their nerves. With each tip below, we have provided the reason why we suggest the action because when a student understands how or why a strategy works, he or she will be more likely to actually do it.
1. REVIEW the EA Test Prep Strategies for each section of the SAT each time you feel anxious as a reminder that you possess new, proven test-taking skills for each type of question on this exam. If you did not take a course with us, remind yourself of whatever strategies you have learned.
Why? Reminding yourself that you have acquired these strategies helps reduce anxiety and allows you to remember the successes you have experienced using them. Additionally, it provides another opportunity to make sure that you fully understand those strategies.
2. DO NOT PRACTICE any SAT questions on the day before the exam.
Why? If you get one answer incorrect, it will cause you to worry that you will not do well on the exam. As one student said, “I got one wrong, and I felt I wasn’t going to get the score I wanted.”
3. Sometimes, it is difficult to fall asleep the night before an event that you feel is important. The SAT can fall into that category, but DON’T WORRY about getting a good night’s rest.
Why? You will have enough adrenaline to keep you focused during the SAT whether you have had a restful night’s sleep or not. (No doubt, you will be exhausted after the exam.)
4. REPEAT your EA anxiety-reducing term(s) and remind yourself to use the word(s) until the exam is complete if you should feel nervous during the exam. Remember that deep breathing will help control tension. At EA w recommend that you close your eyes and breathe in for the count of four, hold it for a count a four, and breathe out for the count of four. Then open your eyes and resume your focus with new clarity. These few seconds of relief from answering questions will save you from answering questions incorrectly.
Why? These word(s) help control your anxiety, which reduces the cortisol that is released in your body. Once your body releases the cortisol, it interferes with your ability to concentrate.
5. VISIT www.fairtest.org and review the colleges that are “test optional.” Identify one school that is not interested in your SAT score that you would like to attend. Imagine yourself entering as a member of that college’s freshman class.
Why? Reminding yourself that some schools are not interested in your SAT score reduces your anxiety about the test. A lower level of tension increases your performance
Remember, the largest “item” you will take into the exam are the strategies you have learned. If you have our proven EA Test Strategies, you are well on your way to achieving a high score on the exam.
Remember, the next SAT exams will be given on May 7 and June 4. Our small classes (maximum of 6 students) for those exams are already filling, and these classes will still be held on Zoom. The next class begin Tuesday, March 29 and Wednesday, March 30. If you want to become part of the EA family, contact us by email ([email protected]) or phone (845.582.0017).
GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!

1 Comment

    Author

    Learn about the process of getting into college and then what to do you have completed your four years.

    Archives

    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

    Author

    Both Judy Marano and Ava Drutman, life coaches and college educators, contribute to this blog with their years of experience working with young adults.

    RSS Feed

Who We Are

We are college professors, life coaches for young adults, and teachers with more than thirty years experience who provide high quality test preparation, college application and essay support, and college transition guidance.

What We Do

We have created two divisions to motivate students to grow personally and academically. We offer assistance in making the transition to and from college.  
Copyright 2024

Contact Us

230 Doansburg Road
Brewster, NY 10509
845.582.0017
[email protected]
Picture