Tip #5. Mastering the Sections

Some things in life never change. However, it turns out the SAT is not one of those things! in 2005, the SAT made significant changes by adding a "Writing" section and revising the existing "Math" and "Critical Reading" sections.
What this means for you:

• The addition of a writing section means students' writing ability is now being evaluated by admissions departments in two ways, the SAT and their admissions essay. Translation: Writing is more important than ever for admissions.


• The Critical Reading section was revised weighting comprehension heavier than vocabulary. Translation: Colleges are more interested in students that can comprehend and analyze what they read. The days of being able to memorize "frequently tested word" lists as a means of compensating for poor comprehension skills are over.


• The Math section now includes additional concepts and content typically seen in college bound student's third year of high school math. Translation: These changes may affect your testing timeline. Most students will be through all of the revised junior year content by the time they are taking the SAT, but if not, be prepared to take extra test prep time and be sure all math concepts have been covered.

Understanding the test is as important as understanding the content of the test. Every point counts!

Success Story

I wanted to share this story with everyone, I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to work with this family!

"Our son had unexplained seizures as a child. He was on medication for his seizures that surpassed the development of his fine motor skills. This lead to a learning disability that involved speech, writing, and reading deficiencies. Speech therapy helped with uncurling and straightening his tongue so he could talk. Occupational therapy taught him how to hold a pencil. From kindergarten through third grade, he received all the help the public school could provide. His third grade teacher was in tears on his graduation because she felt she had failed him and that he would not succeed in life as well as his classmates would.
We realized that, despite all the school system offered, it was not enough to help our son excel as we knew in our hearts he would do someday.
Reading a magazine one day, I came across the ad for Sylvan tutoring and decided we had nothing to lose. After interviewing with Victoria, our son was tested, and the road to learning had begun.
He started the fourth grade at a pre-k reading level, but had the determination to succeed. The words, 'I can't' never existed in our house or in our minds. Our son was willing to learn and try anyway to learn. Ryan excelled at math. He was a sponge and soaked up every lesson in his head. His 4th grade teacher wanted him to go to special education for math--in addition to reading and writing. He did not like that Ryan knew the answers to the math problem, but only if someone read the words to him. The teacher thought that watching TV was the reason he could not read. 'Just shut off the TV and he will be forced to read,' we were told. Our son could not even phonetically sound out a letter so he could not be 'forced to read.'
Victoria worked hand in hand with the teachers and the counselors at school to implement the best plan of learning for him, and the rest of elementary school went on without a hitch.
In two years, Ryan went from reading at a pre-k level to a 4th grade level. To see this little boy, who has a heart of gold, make this much progress made us very proud. He could not sound out a letter when he started Sylvan, but now he could read!
Sylvan was there to help him in middle school when he had to write a persuasive argument paper. His teachers helped him every step of the say. His mind works faster than he can write, so he misses some key words, so Sylvan started him typing on a computer so he could re-read his papers and correct them.
Ryan graduated from middle school on the honors list with As and a few Bs. He is right on target with reading and writing and an equal to any of his other classmates.
As a Junior in HS, he was asked to, and did, join the International Baccalaureate Program. Such an honor for the boy who could not read or write in the 4th grade!
Counselors wanted him to take easier classes, but Ryan would not do it. Sylvan has always stood behind him, gone to all the parent/teacher conferences and all the IEP meetings. They have helped us fight for things that Ryan needed to be successful and confident. We are so very thankful for all their help, but more so, we are so very proud of Ryan."

As are we! Thank you for allowing us to be part of this journey! It has been an honor!

Overheard

I was at the center lobby tonight and heard two teenage boys talking. One had received a "successful completion" certificate this evening and was (apparently) feeling pretty good about himself.

The other was looking at the certificate and said to him, "You know, I think this place is really designed to make you feel good about yourself."

The recent Sylvan "graduate" responded, "Oh, I know that's what they do here."

What a great thing to overhear!