SAT Critical Reading Refresher Videos

Check out these SAT Critical Reading videos by one of our instructors, Mr. Chris Lee. Be sure to subscribe to MEK’s YouTube channel to get the latest helpful videos!

9 Crucial Differences Between the ACT & SAT

The ACT has quickly become a major competitor and alternative to the SAT for standardized testing. Here are 9 things every student and parent should know when deciding between the ACT and SAT:

1. DIFFERENT SKILLS:  The ACT is an achievement test that measures what a student has learned in school, meaning you need to know a wider range of material. Example:  on the Science section (the SAT doesn’t have one), the ACT will assume a student’s familiarity with terms, formulas, apparatuses, and procedures and weave them into the questions. To do well on the SAT you must develop quick reasoning skills and master tactics that you wouldn’t use anywhere else but the SAT.

2. READING CAN BE MUCH EASIER:  The question types are easier on the ACT because the SAT tests you with many more inference questions. The ACT is more straightforward and has less overall reading passages than the SAT.

3. NO VOCAB:  There are no sentence completions on the ACT. There may be vocabulary-in-context questions about the passages, but vocab is much less important on the ACT.

4. SCORE CHOICE:  Unlike the SAT, you can choose which ACT scores you want to send to colleges. The College Board always sends all your SAT scores together. For the ACT, however, you must specify which scores you want to send to a college.

5. NO PENALTIES:  The ACT does not take off points for wrong answers. If you are about to run out of time, guess. Never leave a question blank!

6. OPTIONAL ESSAY:  The ACT doesn’t require an essay. However, some colleges may require the ACT essay, so double-check with your list of schools.

7. HIGHER MATH CONTENT:  The ACT contains higher level concepts than the SAT and is closer to Pre-Calculus math. Also, the ACT does not provide the formulas at the beginning of the section like the SAT does. You must know them by memory.

8. SCIENCE:  This is the biggest content difference between the ACT and SAT. Though the ACT primarily tests your ability to interpret scientific data, quick assessments (remember the timing!) are a must. Many students run out of time on the Science section, so this will require lots of practice.

9. TIMING:  This is the biggest problem students have with the ACT because each subject has just one long section. On the ACT, one hard question can mess up your timing and you won’t have another opportunity to salvage your score. Timed practice is very important on the ACT. This table shows that on average, you have less time per question on the ACT:

	SAT			ACT
	Ques.	Min.	Min/Q	Ques.	Min.	Min/Q
Writing/English	45	35	.78	75	45	.53
Math	54	70	1.2	60	60	1
Reading	67*	70	1.04	40	35	.875
*includes 18 sentence completions

Though the ACT and SAT have some similarities, there are also real differences. Some students really do perform better on one compared to the other. Take some practice tests or come in to MEK Review for a consultation to see which test is a better fit.

MEK’S ACT 36 course starts February 1, 2013! In-depth coverage of every nuance of the test, top-notch instructors, and full-length simulations will help you master the ACT. Call (855) 346-1410 or visit www.mekreview.com for consultations to see if the ACT is for you!

4 Smart Tips to Prepare for SAT II’s

1. TARGET AN EXAM DATE.

Your first step is to select a target exam date. We recommend May 4th or June 1st of this year. Why? While the actual test date is important, the real work happens in the months leading up to the test. Clear any scheduling conflicts that will hinder your preparation. Don’t get sidetracked by time-wasting video games, non-essential extra-curricular activities, or dare we say—getting a new boyfriend or girlfriend. Save it for summer vacation. Pick a target exam date—and stick to it.

2. SELECT YOUR BEST SUBJECTS.

Studying for the SAT II can give you a head start at school. Depending on where you are in your curriculum, your schoolwork can reinforce your SAT II prep. When looking over the menu of SAT II tests (there are 20), choose subjects that you enjoy, do well in, or both. For a broader subject like SAT II Bio, you can lean towards a concentration. After the first 60 questions, you’ll have a choice of doing 20 additional questions in the E section (ecology/evolution), or the M section (molecular). Go in planning for whatever you are more comfortable with.

3. PLAN OR FAIL.

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Remember, this is an optional test, so you must score high. The SAT II covers a wide range of material, best mastered in smaller sizes through a study plan. If you have inconsistent study habits, you won’t perform well. Preparing with MEK guarantees a consistent study plan. While you’re juggling sports, school, and other extra-curricular activities, we’ll help you stabilize your SAT II preparations.

4. PRACTICE FULL-LENGTH TESTS.

Nothing can prepare you for test day like full-length simulations in real-life test conditions. The SAT II not only tests your knowledge and reasoning, it tests your mental endurance and ability to perform under pressure in unfamiliar conditions. Taken properly, full-length practice tests cultivate habits that acclimate you to work under pressure. Don’t make the mistake of lulling your mind and body into passivity. If you only practice a few questions at a time on your couch with the TV on, you’ll form poor habits that will cripple your score.

 

MEK’s SAT II 800 program starts February 4th! In-depth coverage of every nuance of the test, top-notch instructors, and full-length simulations will help you master the SAT II. Call (855) 346-1410 or visit www.mekreview.com for consultations on how you can best tackle the SAT II!

SAT II Subject Tests – Should I Take Them?

YES.  Here’s why:

1. RECOMMENDED REALLY MEANS REQUIRED.

Not many schools make SAT II’s mandatory, but it’s very common for them to “recommend” it. When it comes to college applications, “recommendation” should be read as “requirement.” This is the school’s way of hinting how they would like you to go the extra mile. Let’s say an admissions committee is deciding between two applicants, both similar in GPA and experience. One has great SAT II scores, the other didn’t even take them. Who are they going to accept? The SAT II is a difference-maker.

2. IT’S YOUR CHANCE TO SHINE.

SAT II’s give you the opportunity to show strength in areas that the SAT or ACT don’t. The SAT II is a portfolio piece that allows you to show off your particular interests and abilities. For students that know what they want to major in and declare it on their applications, taking the SAT II reflects dedication, vision, and purpose. For those still undecided, there are 20 subject tests you can choose from. Pick two or three in areas that interest you and make your application stand out.

3. YOU’VE ALREADY STARTED.

If you are excelling in an Honors or AP class, taking the SAT II in that subject is a no-brainer. Your school curriculum has already given you a head start by covering topics and providing general familiarity with the subject matter. The SAT II is a chance to squeeze even more mileage out of your class to enhance your application. You’ve worked hard for that A. It’s time to make that A work for you.

WHY MEK REVIEW?

Your school classes are not designed to prepare you for SAT II’s. They may cover topic knowledge, but fall way short in preparing you for contextual situations or true lab application of the material. For example, a student may be familiar with a biological concept, but the SAT II will present a factual situation with interpretive questions that require application of that concept.

MEK Review’s courses are specifically designed to help you attain a high score on the SAT II. In-depth coverage of every nuance of the test, experienced and engaging instructors, and full-length simulations will help you create a portfolio that admissions committees simply won’t be able to ignore. Call (855) 346-1410 to register!

MEK’s SAT II 800 Courses:

8-week topic review + 10-week exam & Comprehensive Review

SAT II MATH
Pal Park:  Saturdays 9:00 am-12:00 pm
Edison:  Saturdays 11:30 am-2:30 pm

SAT II BIOLOGY
Pal Park:  Saturdays 9:00 am-12:00 pm
Edison:  Saturdays private tutoring

SAT II CHEMISTRY
Pal Park:  Saturdays 9:00 am-12:00 pm
Edison:  Saturdays 11:30 am-2:30 pm

SAT II HISTORY, LITERATURE, or SPANISH
private tutoring available on weekdays

AP5 CALCULUS
Pal Park:  Fridays 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
Edison:  private tutoring

AP5 CHEMISTRY
Pal Park:  Fridays 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
Edison:  private tutoring

AP5 BIOLOGY
Pal Park:  Saturdays 11:00 am-1:00 pm
Edison:  Saturdays private tutoring