Major Changes Coming to the SAT in 2016 - Will Affect Current Freshmen Students

Is your son or daughter currently a high school freshman?  Have you heard the headline news about changes to the SAT?  Changes to the SAT will directly impact the way your son or daughter gets into college.

Yesterday, March 5th 2014, the College Board announced some radical changes to the SAT that will take place starting in the Spring of 2016.  Sorry current high school Juniors and Sophomores, these changes won’t affect you.  You will have to take the test before the arrival of this new SAT format.

So what is changing?

1.  Students will not be penalized for incorrect answers. 

Currently, students lose 1/4 of a point for every multiple choice answer that they mark incorrectly.  As a result of this point deduction, we teach students to eliminate answers before making guesses.  We also teach students to assess the difficulty level of a question before attempting a guess. Although effective on the current SAT format, on the new SAT, students will want to attempt a guess on every question. Interestingly, this is exactly the way scoring works on the SAT’s main rival, the ACT.

2.  The essay will become optional. 

Currently, the essay is mandatory.  It accounts for 30% of the Writing score.  

There are three sections on the current SAT format:

1. Critical Reading
2. Math
3. Writing

The Current Writing section includes two elements:

• The essay - 30% of the score
• Multiple choice grammar questions, which make up the other 70% of the score

This essay will no longer be required for students to complete. It might be "recommended" to be completed by many universities (especially top-tier schools), but this remains to be seen. It seems as though it will be a similar format to what the ACT does, and even though the essay is "optional", many schools "recommend" a student completes it.

The redesigned SAT will have two sections:

1. Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing 
2. Math

As well as an optional essay which will provide a separate score. Traditionally the SAT had always had a maximum score of 1600.  Since 2005, when the Writing section was added, it has had a maximum score of 2400.  Now that the test is returning to a two section format, it will once-again have a maximum score of 1600.

The essay itself will also change dramatically.  On the current SAT, students have 25-minutes to write a paper based on their studies, experiences, and observations.  As a results students are encouraged to create false examples to prove their points.

The new essay will be 50-minutes long. Students will be required to “analyze evidence and explain how an author builds an argument to persuade an audience.”  Students will be graded on the quality of their writing and analysis.  In this manner the SAT essay will be more like the Document Based Questions from an AP exam.  AP exams, by the way, are also designed and administered by the College Board.

Interestingly, this optional essay format is also a hallmark of the ACT.

3. The vocabulary will become less esoteric, meaning students won’t be tested on words like esoteric. 

What does esoteric mean?  Not widely known.  For years students have spent countless hours learning rarely used vocabulary.  On the new SAT, vocabulary questions “will focus on words that students will use consistently in college and beyond.” Once again, there are some similarities with the ACT.  Success on the ACT English and Reading sections does require vocabulary knowledge, but the ACT does’t really directly test vocabulary knowledge.  

4. The test will be offered in a digital format.

The new SAT will be offered both on paper and in a digital format.  For years grad school admissions tests like the GRE have been offered digitally, but the SAT and ACT have not.

Yet again, the ACT had announced last year that starting in 2016 it would offer a digital format for its test.

Over the last few years the ACT, for decades the less popular test, has overtaken the SAT as the most widely taken college admissions test.  High Schools and Colleges like it because they feel it more closely reflects high school curriculum than the SAT.  These changes to the SAT are most likely a reaction to that. 

This, however, is where the SAT/ACT similarity stops.  These next several changes are entirely unique to the SAT.

5. Math sections will cover fewer topics.

The new math sections will focus on three areas: 

1. Problem solving and analysis
2. The heart of algebra; 
3. Passport to advanced math.”  

Loosely translated this means it will focus on reading charts and graphs, linear equations, and functions.  In many ways these are the hardest elements on the current SAT math sections, so the math might get harder.

This is also very different from the ACT, which currently tests far more math topics than the SAT does.  As of 2016, the SAT will be testing even fewer of these topics.

6. Students will be required to use evidence in their answers.

Some of the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing questions will require students “to cite a specific part of the passage to support their answer choice.”

The SAT is changing, but it remans a test, and like any test, you can prepare for it and succeed.  At Tried & True Tutoring we will be closely following every College Board announcement so that we can continue to create curriculum and develop programs that will help you beat the SAT, no matter what the format.  

Truth: The SAT & ACT Will Soon Become Obsolete

The SAT exam and the ACT exam are the primary tests that universities look to in order to determine which students are "college ready" and therefore are qualified for admittance. I understand, as a business owner, institutions need ways to swiftly sift through hundreds of applications to narrow the choices to the select few, or the "qualified" ones. The proprietors of the SAT and ACT claim that they have an exam that provides a direct correlation: The higher the score, the higher probability for success at the college level.

However, many researchers have contested that very assertion. One researcher, Joyce Walsh-Portillo from FIU in Miami, conducted a study in 2011 titled, "The Role of Emotional Intelligence in College Student's Success" found that overall higher Emotional Intelligence play a more significant role in College Success than Logical Intelligence.

SAT and ACT exams test mostly reading, writing, and math, topics that most students "learn" in high-school. What these test-makers and universities fail to realize, is more is learned in high school than what is ever "taught" by teachers in the classroom. What about social skills, problem-solving, initiative, and self-management? These are all skills which are components of Emotional Intelligence, and these skills have a significant impact on the success of a college student.

When someone finally creates an assessment that tests student's Emotional Intelligence along with their Logical (academic) Intelligence, and markets it correctly to the universities, the SAT and ACT will become obsolete. Also, the creator the new exam will become a millionaire one-hundred times over. I can't say it is something I haven't thought about. However, I am not an expert test-writer...yet.

For now, we have the SAT and ACT, so this is what we have to prepare for. Tried & True Tutoring has become well-known for having the best SAT prep program, and best ACT prep program available. Individualized, customized, and free assessments available through our website. In order to access our free resources, e-mail or call us.

If you are preparing for the SAT or ACT (in March, April, May, or June), make sure to have the proper guidance. At least take advantage of our free diagnostic exams - you will thank me later!

When Should I Start Preparing for the SAT?

As college admissions continue to be more and more competitive, the importance of SAT scores seems to be ever increasing.  

Some recent articles like this one from USA Today suggest that SAT scores are not that important.  The article includes quotes from directors of admissions at Harvard, Cal Tech, and Duke that suggest that SAT scores are only a small piece of the admissions puzzle.

It is true that the scores are just one of many things that these competitive schools consider, but in reality these schools only seem to accept students with very high scores. 

Almost all students who get into Harvard have an SAT score above 2100.

Cal Tech students appear to have even higher SAT scores.

These admissions directors might say that the scores aren't that important, but students who don't have strong SAT scores rarely get into their schools. 

The better your score, the better chance you have of getting into the school of your dreams.


With that in mind, students and parents continually ask me when to start SAT preparation.  The answer varies a little from student to student, but in general here are some tips that will serve almost all students well. 

When should I start preparing for the SAT?

-Many students take the SAT 2 to 3 times

Years ago students would take the SAT once an be done with it.  Because so many students are striving for the best score they can get, many take it more than once.  Many colleges and universities will look at the best scores.  Some will take the top score from each section.

-Students should plan on taking it for the first time in the Spring of their Junior year.

The SAT is offered January, March, May, and June.  Often times the January test coincides with 1st semester finals, so I recommend taking the test for the first time in March.  If you take it in March you will have another opportunity to take it again in May or June.  

AP students should definitely consider taking it in March.  They will be preparing for their AP tests in April and May, so it is difficult to take the SAT at the same time.  

Keep in mind that if you plan on taking SAT Subject Tests, you will want to take them in June.  The Subject Tests assess your mastery of a specific subject, like Chemistry.  Take them in June, near the end of your Chemistry class, so you will be well prepared for them.  If you take a Subject Test in June, you can't take the SAT in June.

Because you will be applying to colleges and universities in the Fall, the last time to take the SAT before applying is in October.  You can still take it in November or December of your Senior year, and send your results after your applications, but this is a last minute solution, and I do not recommend it.

-Students should start preparing 3-months before they take their first SAT.

Over the course of 10 to 12 sessions with a Professional SAT Instructor, like the instructors we train at Tried & True Tutoring, most students can improve their score by about 300-points.  This is a very significant improvement.  An extra 300-points on your SAT score will open up many new school possibilities for you.

Students usually do sessions weekly, so you want to budget about 3-months for preparation.  If you are planning on taking the March test, you might want to think about starting in December or January.

How do I know if I really need 3-months to prepare?

-Find out what type of score you need to get into the college you want to go to.

Find out the score you need.  Go here, to find out the average scores of students accepted into your dream school.

-Take a practice test.

Take a practice test to see how you are currently performing on the SAT.  You can take a free, complete practice test by visiting www.triedandtruetutoring.com, scrolling over STUDENTS, and clicking FREE SAT.

After you take that test, you will get a detailed score report that shows you exactly what you need to do to increase your score!

Arne Duncan Digs Himself Deeper with Racist "Common Core" Comments

Education Secretary Arne Duncan commented on the Common Core Academic Standards which are starting to implemented all over the U.S, stating that the opposition to these standards are coming from "white suburban moms" who upon seeing their students struggle with the change realize that "their child isn't as brilliant as they thought they were."

The Common Core State Standards Initiative is to provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so that teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. You can find more information about the common core here.

Why Do People Protest The Common Core?

The most common complaint from students, parents, and teachers is the overemphasis on and poor quality of standardized tests that scores are made to impose. These tests include the CAHSEE, STAR, FCAT, SSAT, SAT, and ACT exams. All of these tests are to determine the "knowledge", "critical thinking", and "college readiness" of the students, but in fact, they are not a great indicators at all.

Students who get Private Tutoring for SAT Preparation tend to score 300 points higher than their peers who don't receive private tutoring. 300 points can be the difference between going to UCLA and going to Cal State Northridge. Is it fair to assume that the student who scored 300 points higher on the SAT is that much "smarter" or "college ready" than the other student? Or is it a factor that they just learned the tips, tricks, and techniques used to maximize the score on the exam?

The emphasis on Standardized Testing is causing a large issue with parents, students, and teachers because we all know that standardized testing can not gauge true intelligence. Truthfully, humans have over 9 intelligences (musical, visual, verbal, logical, bodily, interpersonal, intrapersonal, naturalistic, and existential), so how is one test going to determine all of that?

Having said that, more and more students and parents are turning to companies like Tried & True Tutoring to prepare for the SAT and ACT exams, in order to score higher than their peers, and get into the university of their dreams.

Standardized testing is not the best way to measure college readiness, however, it is the best way we have available now, and the way that colleges determine who gets admitted into their schools. Therefore, until someone comes up with something better, we have to do what we have to do.

It's clearly a sensitive situation, so teachers, students, and parents are in an uproar about Arne Duncan's comments. Arne needs to consider things before he speaks, since everything he says will be dissected and discussed. His educational reform policies are not only opposed by "white suburban moms", but people of all ages and races.

SAT Exam Prep Tricks & Treats - A Halloween Story for you Scaredy Cats

'Twas the day of Halloween, and all of the students were in class showing off their costumes, anxiously waiting for the bell to ring and school to begin. 

Jenny, a little blonde-haired girl with blue eyes, was dressed as Cindarella, in a beautiful blue gown and blue head band. Greg, a little brown-haired boy with green eyes, was dressed as a vampire, with long fangs and blood coming out of his mouth. The bell rings, a eerie ring on Halloween, "BOOOO, BOOOOO, BOOOO" and all of the children laugh.

"Where is the SAT Exam Prep teacher?" Jenny inquires.

"If she doesn't show up for 10 minutes, we are allowed to leave" Greg replies. "Those are the rules".

After 5 minutes pass, the students are out of the chairs, getting wild, throwing candy, and playing with their costumes, when suddenly, the SAT Exam Prep Witch comes flying through the door.

"BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" cackles the witch. "Hello all my little ones. Please, have a seat, pull out your vocabulary lists from yesterday, and let's review for the SAT exam."

"Is that you, Mrs. Firestone?" Jenny asks. 

"Well of course it's me, princess. Fangtastic. Let's get started. Take a look at this sentence, and tell me which of the 17 grammar errors is occurring".

The students look at the sentence written on the board in her red marker. "Ghouls just want to has fun".

Greg raises his hand, "Subject-Verb agreement!" 

"Goooooood, Greg. Here is some candy". Mrs. Firestone tosses Greg some candy corn.

 "How about this one? I not only summoned a ghost, but I banished it" says Mrs. Firestone. "Who sees the error?"

Jenny raises her wand, "An idiomatic error!"

"Wow Jenny, it looks like you ready to do very well on this SAT exam" says Mrs. Firestone as she giggles maniacally.

Jenny looks at Greg and spells out "C-R-E-E-P-Y" on her paper. They both laugh. 

"Ok my little children, time for a coffin break....I mean coffee." 

While Mrs. Firestone is in the other room, all of the lights go out. All of the children stay silent. The front door to the room creeks open slowly, and the "ghost of guessing" rushes into the room.

It's the ghost of guessing! A ghost which forces students to guess on problems when they haven't eliminated at least two answers giving them a statistical disadvantage to guess on the problem!

"NOOOOOOOOO" screams Greg who wants a perfect score.

"Please don't make us guess" screams Jenny, afraid she will lose her college scholarship by scoring less.

"HELP!" scream the college-bound children.

Mrs. Firestone rushes out of the back room, sees the ghost, and starts conjuring a spell to banish it. She says:

Before the SAT, You're Sure to Have a Fright,

But These Cool Ghouls go to School so they aren't Fools on this night

But We don't Guess on the problems that we don't really know,

Just as sure as a Jack-O-Lantern tonight will Glow.

So go away, only friendly ghosts are allowed here,

And Poof ghost, be gone, so all the children can cheer.

The ghost looks at Mrs. Firestone quizzically and says, "Is that all you've got? You think a little poem and SAT tricks are going to defeat me?"

The ghost slowly approaches Mrs. Firestone, and with all of the SAT exam prep training Jenny received, she is thinking on her feet. She grabs he 982 page SAT manual, pulls it way back over her head, and SWINGS it right into the ghost's head, but it all goes in one ear and out the other.

"Haha" laughs the ghost. "You think a one-size-fits-all-ghost-slaying approach is going to defeat me?"

Greg grabs Tried & True Tutoring's customized SAT manual, based on the initial assessment of the ghost, swings it at the ghost, and boom he goes down! A custom program for this specific ghost of guessing. That's the power of customization.

All of the children cheer for Greg and cheer:

YAY Greg, way to think on your feet! 

The SAT exam prep has prepared you to critically think. 

Now let's go ace the SAT Exam with the help of Tried & True Tutoring, 

and tonight we'll celebrate and and gather our treats.

Happy Halloween and good luck on the Oct 26th ACT and November 2nd SAT!

5 Key Differences Between SAT Exam Prep and ACT Test Prep

There are many differences between the SAT exam and ACT test, and today we are going to explore those differences and highlight the similarities. We are also going to decide which test is "better" to take. 

So what's the Difference Between the SAT Exam and the ACT Test?

SAT Exam Prep Book

The SAT Exam Prep Breakdown: The SAT is composed of 3 Sections - Math, Writing, and Critical Reading. The Math section covers content learned in school up until Algebra 2. The writing section is composed of Grammar questions (70% of writing score) and an Essay (30% of writing score). The Critical Reading section is composed of vocabulary questions, short-passage, and long-passage questions.

The SAT penalizes students for marking an incorrect answer. You get 1 point for a correct answer, and -1/4 of a point for an incorrect answer.

The SAT is organized in such a fashion that problems are positioned throughout sections in order of increasing difficulty. This means, you should not "guess" on the questions at the end of sections, as students are notoriously bad at guessing correctly on these questions.

ACT Exam Prep Book

The ACT Exam Prep Breakdown: The ACT is composed of 5 sections: English, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing. The Writing section of the ACT is optional. Some colleges require students to take the Writing Section, some colleges recommend students take it, and some colleges do not look at it at all. Find out what the schools your son or daughter are interested in require before you sign up.

The ACT questions are normally more straight forward than SAT questions, but the timing on the ACT is tougher than that on the SAT.

The ACT does not penalize a student for marking an incorrect answer. This means, if you don't know the answer, it is still best to guess. 

The section on the ACT that does not appear in any fashion on the SAT is the Science section. This section does not cover scientific knowledge (i.e, what is the role if the mitochondrion in an animal cell), but rather, a student's ability to make inferences given a data set either in chart, graph, or other form. 

Should I Take the SAT Exam or ACT Test?

There is no clear-cut answer here. It depends on what school you want to attend (some prefer SAT, some ACT, some want both). It also depends on your initial SAT or ACT Diagnostic exam results. Go take the free ACT or SAT assessment at Tried & True Tutoring, and we will go from there!

How to Take a Free SAT & ACT Diagnostic:

SAT Customized Curriculum Based on SAT Diagnostic

Take a Free SAT Exam Diagnostic or ACT Test Diagnostic, and Receive a Full Score Report by Credentialed Teachers for Free. You can do that at Tried & True Tutoring by simply registering your e-mail address! Just go to www.triedandtruetutoring.com, scroll over the "Students Tab" and click on "FREE SAT" or "FREE ACT", and fill in your e-mail address and create your password!

I took the ACT and SAT Diagnostic Exams, now what?

You will receive a full, detailed score report and customized analysis from a credentialed teacher in your e-mail. Now you want to compare your ACT to SAT scores. There is an easy way to convert SAT to ACT Scores:

Calculate Your SAT and ACT Conversion:

Look at your Base SAT and ACT Score. If you have your ACT score (out of 36 with a national average of 20), MULTIPLY it by 66.6666667. This is your SAT equivalent. If you have your SAT Score (out of 2400 with a national average of 1500), DIVIDE it by 66.6666667. This is your ACT equivalent. Compare, and see if you are much better on one exam over the other.

What if I already took the SAT or ACT Exam? Do I have to take another Diagnostic?

It depends on how recently you took the exam, but credentialed SAT and ACT experts at Tried & True Tutoring can look at your exam scores, and write you a full, detailed analysis from the score report you provide to us. Just give us a call, and find out what free services we can provide for you!

How Do I Prep for the SAT Exam and the ACT Test?

After taking the initial diagnostic exam, you will want to develop a game plan or curriculum so you can study the specific areas that will increase your score the most. The SAT Exam Prep books are very large and daunting, so it is important to identify what your weaknesses are, so you do not waste time studying what you already know.

Tried & True Tutoring's credentialed teachers can develop a curriculum for you, if you sign up for one of their SAT or ACT Prep programs. 

Feel free to e-mail info@triedandtruetutoring.com or call (747) 444-9907 with any academic related questions, or SAT Exam Prep or ACT Test Prep questions.

The Taming of the Algebra Tutor - Summer Ends, School Begins

Well, September is around the corner and Labor Day is here. Summer is winding down, although the recent temperature spikes in LA would not indicate anything of that sort. Children go back to school, as we see parents scrambling to find an Algebra Tutor at an affordable rate, blowing up Tried & True Tutoring's phone line like we're giving away free tickets to watch Channing Tatum dance shirtless on stage at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. All you moms out there, settle down, we just provide tutoring. It is tutoring from a credentialed, expert, and trained tutor so your excitement is understandable, since your child will learn and outperform their classmates and be on their way to a better and brighter future. I get the excitement, but please everyone just calm down, take a number, and we will be right with you.

Preparing for Labor Day Weekend

Oh, you were just planning on relaxing this weekend and hanging out with friends? I'm sorry, I didn't realize we would celebrate our union workers dedication to creating those unions just by relaxing. That's what they would have wanted? I was a teacher and if there is one thing I know about union workers is that they love to party. Don't believe me? Check this out.

Is that Principal Anderson surrounded by drinks and balloons while Mr. Jones the science teacher does his best Walter White impersonation? I don't know, but one thing is for certain - these union workers love to party. So you better BBQ as much food as humanly possible, literally be immersed in water at all times, and celebrate for these guys.

Back to School

Ok, now it's all business. School is starting, and parents are rushing to phones, schools, and newspapers to find an expert private algebra tutor, chemistry tutor, SAT tutor, or whatever else they want to have their child succeed in. You would think, how come they can't use the same tutor from last year? Or why are people always looking for a new Algebra tutor? I'll tell you why. Tutors are unreliable, young, and unprofessional, for the most part. Luckily, at Tried & True Tutoring our tutors are treated fairly, extensively trained, and given enough hours so that they can continue tutoring for the long term. Our clients are not scrambling for an expert Algebra tutor, because we have them covered. It is a great feeling knowing how many students we are able to help, as our professional, reliable, and trained tutors are available throughout the country.

And a Big Thanks...

Thanks to all of our tutors, schools, students, parents, marketers, writers, developers, accountants, lawyers, and everyone else that contributes to make Tried & True Tutoring the best place to work. We will continue to provide you professional, expert tutoring at an affordable price. We do what we can.