The Digital SAT
As you may have heard, the SAT is going digital. The PSAT will switch to a digital platform in the fall of 2023, and the SAT will change to digital in the spring of 2024. While you may have some concerns about this new format and what your student can expect to see, there are some exciting changes we are looking forward to! This new test will be shorter, 2 hours and 24 minutes rather than 3 hours and fifteen minutes, which means less cognitive endurance will be required. Students will be able to take the test multiple times without as much mental strain or fatigue as before. It will also allow students more time per question and the ability to receive their scores faster than ever. While the testing content will remain relatively the same, in the verbal section, reading passages will be significantly shorter. On the other hand, the questions will be tougher. Another change is that, in the math section, a calculator (Desmos!) will now always be available. Compared to the ACT, the digital SAT will allow a 60.5% increase in the amount of time per question on the verbal section and 59% more time on math. There are considerably fewer reading problems in the math section, and the percentage of questions from geometry and trigonometry will increase. Accommodations will also be better and they will be linked to your student’s access code. Accommodations include text to speech; talk to text; the ability to change the speed of speech, font, and color; extra breaks; and time and a half to complete the test. Some other tools available to students with or without accommodations are a testing timer, reference sheet of commonly used formulas, a mark for review feature, and the ability to annotate text. For students who cannot test on a computer, a paper test will still be available.
Ways to prepare: Taking a mock test can help establish a baseline. After the baseline is determined and areas for improvement are identified, students can work with a tutor to study efficiently and learn test taking strategy. If your student is a junior next year, they will have the unique opportunity of being able to take the paper AND the digital test to see which medium they prefer. One thing you can currently do is download the Bluebook app from the College Board. This is the official app for taking the SAT, and College Board currently offers four full digital practice tests (with promises of more to come!). The digital SAT is being administered now internationally, which will bring even more information about the new test in the future.Let us help you navigate this change. Learn more.
STUDYING FOR AP AND IB TESTS AND WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
AP and IB testing season is coming up, and we’re so proud of all of our students who will be taking their tests after putting in a long year of hard work in their AP/IB classes! We know that studying for comprehensive exams like these can be stressful, especially if you plan on taking multiple tests. We would like to encourage you to take a careful look at your study plan and put in the time to prepare. For many students, the rewards can be significant.
As you are likely aware, AP/IB classes and test scores can increase the competitiveness of your college applications and prepare you for college level courses. But they can also mean waiving required courses once getting into college, fulfill college credits, and thus save you real time and money. For example, in 2015, a full IB diploma was worth up to 45 credits at Western Washington University (that is a full year of school). Therefore, preparation for these exams can often pay off considerably.
As with any standardized test, much of the work toward earning a satisfying score is to familiarize yourself with the test — its structure, the task, the timing, etc. — and to practice answering the questions in a test-like environment. These tests are designed to be tricky, so be sure to cover both the content, format, and strategies when studying. Try to study at least one exercise or a little bit each day. Start with the units that gave you the most trouble in class. Many individuals find that the AP/IB class is harder than the test (which is the idea!), and this way you start off hard and the process slowly gets easier.
In terms of resources, The College Board has a huge number of prior AP tests in all subjects, and they are great for practicing! Khan Academy also has some great practice material. The more you can practice answering the difficult material in a timed setting, the less stressed you will feel when you take the real test. Other than that, it mostly just comes down to practice, practice, practice.
With all that said, we know how much pressure can be placed on tests like this and want to caution students against biting off more than they can chew. You don’t want to take on anything that will cause you undue anxiety or stress. Remember, you can fail an AP or IB test, face little to no consequences, and be better off for trying! Our test prep tutors of course work on making sure students feel comfortable with the content of the test, but they also work with them on test taking and stress reduction strategies. Doing well on a test is about more than just knowing the material, being comfortable with the format and confident in your own abilities is also incredibly important. Our tutors prioritize working on all of these things during sessions to make sure the student is as prepared as possible to sit down in the testing environment and do their best. Regardless of the end test result, we think with a solid study plan and some regular practice, you will gain from the experience of trying.
If you are interested in one-on-one test prep tutoring support, please contact us.
(Looking for more help? Check out our articles on studying and finals.)
WHAT DOES SUMMER TUTORING LOOK LIKE?
Many people think that tutoring is defined as help with homework, but that’s not true. So, what are the possibilities of working with a tutor in the summer?
While we appreciate the playful lightness that summer should bring, working with a tutor in the summer can also be a very positive experience. For those who enjoy reading or writing, a tutor can explore genres, encourage creativity, and answer questions that often take a backseat during the hectic pace of the school year. Tutors can teach students how to take notes, to annotate text, and practice the art of thesis statement writing. They can provide feedback on writing that is specifically directed toward students’ needs. With a tutor, students may read short stories and explore the nuances of good writing. They might set reading goals and discuss book topics, run book groups, or work on adding sensory detail to storylines. The possibilities are many and co-creating with students helps with buy-in and engagement.
The beauty of summer tutoring is that sessions can be completely individualized. Times and dates are much more flexible than they are for organized classes or book groups. Vacation weeks can be accommodated, and students can double up during less busy weeks.
The other advantage of summer tutoring is that it gives students a chance to review or preview content and realize their potential. Especially in the wake of online learning and all that the Covid pandemic has meant for schools, many students have a weak understanding of some part of the curriculum. Issues seem especially prevalent in the area of math. Were you first learning about fractions when school switched to online? Did you learn algebra while distracted by the upheaval and you’re now realizing that your knowledge is shaky? Re-taking an entire third grade math or algebra course isn’t likely necessary. After all, you do understand the basics. But if you were able to review numerators and denominators and x+y=z with a tutor, you could skip over the pieces you absorbed the first time around and fully focus on the parts that you missed. A tutor can encourage you to change mixed numbers into fractions and figure out the slope on a graph as many times as it takes to master it. No shame, no stupid questions, no pressure. It’s summer, so there is time. Tutors work to build confidence so that students return to school feeling empowered and ready for the next steps.
Summer is a time for intellectual exploration and tutoring can be used like a personalized “camp.” Setting up a schedule that fits, tutors can help students learn about percentages and ratios or how to explore topics that they find interesting. Would you like to research a topic like cars, artists, beekeepers, or World War II? Summer allows the freedom to learn for the sake of learning rather than for the sake of school, and tutors can empower students along the way.If you are interested in learning more about what summer tutoring could mean for your student, please reach out! We'd love to hear from you.
Test Prep: Our Approach
TEST PREP | OUR APPROACH
Our approach to test prep is unique. We believe students should strive for their personal, best score or a score range that aligns with their prospective schools. To make these goals feasible, our tutors help students build foundational skills where needed, hone strategies best suited to their individual needs, and instill the confidence needed to combat test anxiety. We emphasize study skills, time management, and organizational strategies in addition to providing content review, tips and tricks, and stress reduction tools to prepare students for test day.
Test prep can be all-consuming, but it is only one component of an application. We recognize that time is finite, and life-balance is important. Our tiered approach helps families efficiently manage and allocate time to test prep. This program serves students seeking a longer course of study as well as those requesting last-minute support.
TEST PREP | WHY WE’RE DIFFERENT
Our test prep program is comprehensive and available to students of all ages. We tutor elementary and middle school students taking the ISEE and the SSAT as well as high school students preparing for the PSAT, SAT, and ACT. While elementary and middle school students may work with one of our tutors who can target all subjects, high school students benefit from working with subject-specific tutors to improve their math/science and humanities scores independently. We also offer executive coaching and select content tutoring for advanced tests and certifications; contact us for availability.
Not only do our tutors bring a variety of expertise to test prep, they are well-versed in learning differences and testing accommodations. Whether a student has academic accommodations, calls themself a “bad test-taker,” or is considered an accelerated learner, our tutors curate standardized test preparation to every individual.
In conjunction with our test prep program, Liddane Tutoring is a hub of college application information for students and their families and offers a host of resources, including college counseling, essay workshops, mock tests, and informational sessions. We contextualize standardized tests within the applications process and are available to answer related questions with nuanced advice. The impact high school test prep has on college paths and life goals is significant. We’re here for students and their families to ease the process and offer guidance along the way.
TEST PREP | OUR GOALS
Our utmost goal is to elevate students to perform their best and to encourage them to apply to schools where they will thrive. Standardized tests tend to invite comparisons and test anxiety, so we purposely steer away from classes in an effort to reduce additional social pressures from the preparation process. Our one-on-one tutoring supports students by meeting them where they are in their educational journey to determine personalized target scores. We also set out to familiarize our students with the test structure to reduce stress.
TEST PREP | FOR ALL LEARNERS
Our advice is honest and our advocacy for students with accommodations is unflinching. Accommodations, such as extended time, are an involved process but may result in meaningful difference in individual success. We’re here to clarify the process and ensure that students are successful in doing their personal best with a test suited to their learning profile.
TEST PREP | LEARN MORE
To inquire about test prep tutoring or for further test prep questions, please contact us and check out our full test prep program.
TEST ANXIETY: STRESS REDUCTION TIPS
Test Anxiety
Test anxiety is real, and although it can be present at any test, it is particularly prevalent during high stakes testing, such as final exams and standardized tests. Estimates vary, but according to the American Test Anxieties Association, about 20% of students appear to have truly “high” or “severe” anxiety while another 16% of students might be considered to have “moderately high” test anxiety.
At Liddane, our mission is to help students individualize their skills to best fit their learning needs. For students with test anxiety, we encourage you to try our suggestions below, discover what works for you, or use these as a launching point to try your own ideas! We hope these help you feel more successful and confident in approaching upcoming tests. As always, we offer one-on-one tutoring for even more individualized attention to these skills.
Here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind:
Before the test:
Test day mantra
Mantras can raise awareness around negative self-talk, discourage comparison, and help calm nerves. We often hear, “I’m not a good test taker,” and this may thwart your efforts further. We recommend focusing on what you take pride in. Examples include,
“I know this material.”
“I’m prepared for this test.”
“I will give this my personal best effort.”
Visualization
Using positive visualization and affirmation promote preparedness prior to a test. Here’s what it could look like:
Imagine yourself in the setting (a classroom, for instance). What does it feel like to get comfortable with what is uncomfortable about the test? Can you pinpoint what nerves you have, specific to this test? What preventative work can you do ahead of time?
Anticipate what’s difficult in the moment and ask yourself how you will address it.
Recall a past success.
Think of the success you’ve had in preparation and in practice tests. What worked and what didn’t? Why do you think you experienced success in those moments?
DURING THE TEST:
Timing
Brain dump! Before you dive in, jot down all relevant information you can think of, especially information you feel apprehensive of remembering well. This may include formulas, history dates, all facts that come to mind, step-by-step processes, or acronyms.
Look ahead and preview the test. Note the length of each section, noting how many questions are in each section and how long you expect it to take.
Start where you’ll be most successful. You don’t have to start with number one.
Budget your time. Factor in 5 minutes for brain dump, familiarizing yourself, and deciding where to start.
Keep the focus on your work.
Ignore everyone else as best you can.
It’s okay to take the whole time. The time it takes to complete the test is individual.
Ignore past questions that you’ve struggled with and be present with the question you are currently tackling.
If you don’t know something,
Set it aside and come back to it.
Be aware of the negative self-talk and problem-solve instead.
Write down everything you DO know about the question and everything you’re looking for. Exhume all the information you have to give you new ideas to move forward with the question.
Don’t over analyze how the test was written.
Avoid looking for patterns in multiple choice answers. Just because B hasn’t come up in a while doesn’t mean that the next answer is B.
Focus on your senses when you are in the test and feeling stressed.
Lean back in your chair and take a few deep belly breaths with your hands on your stomach. Taking a deep breath (and spending a few extra seconds away from the test) can have high reward and result in clearer thinking and efficiency.
AFTER THE TEST:
Reward yourself!
Find an exciting way to treat yourself, either with a favorite relaxation activity or something fun.
Notice how you feel after the test. If you feel residual nerves, ask yourself what you need to wind down from the test.
Avoid rehashing the test to yourself and others.
Congratulate yourself on getting through the test!