AP Exam is approaching. What is different this time? Has the pandemic affected how the exams will be conducted? Here is a quick read that will answer all your questions and will update you about the AP exams 2024.

Students Won’t be Choosing the AP Exam Dates

This year, students won’t be able to choose the AP exam date. Rather, the AP coordinators in the schools will be able to choose the dates from the 3 available options. This process will start in early March.

AP 2024 Exams Will be Full Length

AP exams 2024 will be full-length both in offline and online formats. This means they will cover the full curriculum and most exams will be 2-3 hours long.

Digital Exams – Who Can Appear?

This year, digital exams will be conducted for students whose school building is closed because of the pandemic or the student cannot visit the school for health reasons. Your school will authorize you to take the exam at home or school.

Students will be able to appear for digital exams using their laptops, desktops, or Chromebooks. Since the exams consist of free responses, they cannot be attempted on smartphones.

Certain exams can only be taken digitally such as Chinese and Japanese and other exams can only be taken offline (other language exams). Students will have to check out The College Board website for all the details.

Digital Exams will be conducted at the Same Time Across the Globe

Digital exams will start at the set time across the world. Students won’t be able to control the timings. So, international students may have to attempt the test at unusual hours.

Students won’t be able to Re-attempt Questions

Furthermore, the app does not allow moving back and forth between questions, meaning, students won’t be able to move back to a question they did not answer or would like to change the answer.

Students will have to Choose One

Students will be able to take a test online or offline. Both formats cannot be attempted.

Questions for Online Exams will be Slightly Different

Online and offline formats of AP exams will be slightly different. For example, in the case of an online exam, students will be asked to answer questions according to a graph rather than drawing a graph.

Digital Exams will Need some Preparations

In terms of studies, the preparation will be the same. However, to attempt the AP exams online, students will have to undertake some simple setups on their laptops/desktops. These will be related to software downloads and security protocols. The College Board will be using plagiarism software to ensure students are not cheating along with must-haves like a camera and a photo ID. The College Board will share the details with the schools shortly and the students will be updated in time for the exam.

Deadlines have Been Extended

The College Board has extended the deadline for a certain course. If you need to submit a portfolio for an art exam or principal for your computer exams, you must check out the new deadline which has been pushed to May 20^th, 2024, 11:59 PM.

No Cancellation Fees This Year

The College Board has waived the cancellation fees for all AP exams. If you have registered for an exam but you are not sure if you are ready this year, you do not have to pay the fees. You can simply withdraw from the exam and attempt it next year.

Digital Exam Practice Platform will be Launched in April

Since 2021 is the first year when students are going to attempt AP exams online, The College Board has decided to launch a practice platform in April, so that students can get used to how everything is going to look and work on the exam day.

So, yes. The pandemic has changed the AP Exam 2024. Students are requested to stay abreast with the latest information. We will also be updating this page as we get more information. While you keep an eye on the information, do not forget to prepare for the exams, since the exams are going to be full curriculum and future depends on it, like every other year.

You are done with SAT registration. What now? Where should you start reading? How do you prepare all the subjects? How will you achieve your target score? Should you join an online SAT tutoring class?

If these questions are overwhelming you, read on. In this write-up, we try to answer all of these and tell you how you can prepare for SAT test and achieve the perfect score that can get you into your favorite college.

How to Prepare for SAT?

1. Understand the Structure

Start preparing for SAT subject tests by understanding the structure of the test. Learn about the sections and the type of questions you will have to face. This one step will save you a lot of time on the test day. Further, take multiple mock tests once you have covered your syllabus so that you get mentally prepared to jump from one section to another and manage to answer questions with clarity.

2. Read a Lot

SAT test has a huge reading section that calls for acute comprehension skills. Therefore, while preparing for SAT, you must read a lot. Read fiction ad non-fiction books and try to master different writing styles so that you are not surprised out of your mind on the exam day.

3. Take a Class

If you find it hard to stick to a schedule and study alone, you must consider joining online SAT tutoring. Joining a class will help you in situations where you get stuck and need help from an experienced person. Online tutoring can be best for you if you prefer to learn at your own pace and clear your doubts in a one-on-one session.

4. Work on your Memory

SAT preparation, you will have to work on your memory, so that you can remember all the formulas, tables, and other important things. There are two ways of remembering things, one is to memorize formulas and two is to practice problems frequently so that the formulas get embedded in your mind.

5. Learn Mental Math

Calculators are not allowed in one of the math sections of SAT test. You will have to solve everything by hand, which will take a lot of time or you can learn a few mental math tricks and shortcuts so that you can quickly cross the section and save time for other sections.

6. Improve your Vocabulary

A good vocabulary can work wonders for your SAT score. Work on it by checking out the suggested reading list of the College Board. You can also make it a habit to underline the difficult words and sentences in whatever you read.

7. Study on the Go

SAT test prep needs continuous practice. You should consider taking up an online SAT tutoring course so that you can study from anywhere and at your own pace. Online classes also give you the luxury of taking a lesson again and again till the concept is clear to you. With your lessons and classes on your phone, you can study while commuting from one place to another and even at the dentist’s office.

8. Practice

Practice, practice, and practice. There is no other mantra for cracking SAT with good scores. You must practice all the topics multiple times to ensure that you remember spellings and formulas even while asleep. Further, you must SAT Practice Mock Tests so that you are thoroughly familiar with the sections.

FAQs

1. What should I read for SAT test practice?

Answer – Experts say that you must read a lot of non-fiction because SAT test is heavy on reading and on your test day, you will have to read five passages within an hour and answer questions based on them. 4 out of 5 passages on the SAT paper are non-fiction. The questions won’t trouble you but the reading part will test you. You need to prepare for the reading section by reading every day. You have to train your mind little by little to make sure that you do not run out of energy on the day you sit down to take your SAT.

2. Should I take mock tests every day?

Answer – Yes, once you have covered your syllabus, it will be good to take a mock test every day. Taking a mock test every day will prepare you for the format of the SAT and will improve your timing tremendously. Expert tutors believe that you can improve your SAT scores tremendously by getting used to the format and the fact that you will have to jump from one section to another during the test duration.

3. How many hours should I study for SAT?

Answer – When you decide to take the SAT, you must spend a majority of your time studying for it. If you have a few months before you take the test, you can give 2-3 hours a day to cover the syllabus on time and be ready. If your SAT test is just one month away, experts recommend that you have to give 10 hours a week to be completely ready, on time.

4. Can I get a good score with one month of SAT test prep?

Answer – Yes, you can get a good SAT score with just one month of preparation. In this one month, you will have to study hard and if possible, get help from the best SAT tutors online or offline. According to experts, you must study for at least 10-20 hours a week to prepare for SAT in just one month. Some tutors also believe that as the SAT day approaches, you must spend all your time studying and preparing for the test.

5. Can online Tutoring help me do well in SAT test?

Answer – Online SAT tutoring is an effective method of preparing for SATs. They offer clear preparation along with a structured curriculum. When you register for SAT online tutoring, you receive a well-designed curriculum with top-class resources and lessons from some of the most experienced subject matter experts (SMEs). Apart from covering the syllabus, online tutoring can also help you identify your weak areas and enable you to work extra on them to prepare well for SAT. With online tutoring, you can also set a learning pace that suits you and make the most of your preparation time.

Whether you’re a high school student or the parent of a young scholar, you’re currently conducting research on programs that can help to improve an SAT test score. Chances are that you have seen some programs that guarantee a certain increase in points on the SAT. However, you need to proceed with caution when it comes to these guarantees. While it’s true that some of these programs offer full refunds if the guaranteed score is not met, you still must keep some important criteria in mind.

Potential Increase Possibility
You have to start by assessing what the possible potential increase even is. In other words, imagine a company promising that your SAT score will increase by 130 points. However, now also envision that you already have a score that is less than 130 points from the maximum score that you can earn on the exam. Obviously, this program is not going to be able to guarantee you an increase of 130 points.

Increase and Exact Score
Also, a difference exists between guaranteeing an exact score and guaranteeing an increase by a specific number of points. A company is more likely to guarantee that you will personally increase your score by a certain amount than that you will earn a specific score. You also have to determine what they are basing the increase on. For example, if you took the SAT test more than once, you need to confirm with the company which score they are guaranteeing the increase on.

Stipulations
Furthermore, you must make sure that you read all of the stipulations with a careful eye. The company might require you to log a certain number of hours of study per week in order to qualify for the money-back guarantee. Some companies might only give you a portion of your money back in the event that you don’t achieve the guaranteed score. Still other companies may require you to take the exam within a certain timeframe. You need to make sure you know what you’re getting into before agreeing to any such program.

Room for Error
You must remember that companies leave room for error. If you sign up for a program that offers a money-back guarantee, the company is essentially acknowledging the possibility that you might not get that score. While the entity likely has a strong sense of confidence that you will, it is impossible for any person or business to predict exactly what score you’re going to get on your exam.

Preparation Efforts
Putting in effort is also necessary. Taking only one SAT practice test, for example, might not be enough. If you are going to sign up for a particular tutoring plan with a certain company, you have to follow the guidance given. You’ll need to practice, and you’ll have to pay close attention. Furthermore, on the day of the exam, you need to employ the strategies that you were taught during the program. The company cannot guarantee that you will take any of these actions. As a result, the company also cannot guarantee that you will definitely earn a specific score.

Ultimately, no one can guarantee a specific SAT score with absolute certainty. The best anyone can do is make educated predictions. Select a tutoring service that you’re comfortable with. Additionally, put all of the efforts that you can into your studies.

School and College Ability Test (SCAT) is a standardized test conducted by the John Hopkins Center for students in grades 2 to 8. Elementary SCAT, Intermediate SCAT, and Advanced SCAT are the three levels of the test administered to 2nd and 3rd graders, 4th and 5th graders, and 6th to 8th graders, respectively. This above-grade-level test is used to measure the verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities in talented youth/gifted children.

The test contains two sections, verbal and quantitative, with 55 multiple choice questions each. SCAT scaled scores for the Advanced level range from 410 to 494 for the verbal section and from 424 to 514 for the quantitative section. The test duration ranges from less than an hour to 90 minutes, depending on the test-takers’ comfort level. Ideally, it takes 22 minutes per section with a 10-minute break.

Advanced SCAT Prep through Online Learning

Preparation for Advanced SCAT can be done through online learning. Online learning has become the new norm this year due to brick-and-mortar classrooms closing down as a result of a global pandemic. Teachers and students have adapted to the online learning environment out of necessity and with ease with the help of digital learning tools.

You can register with an online test prep service for Advanced SCAT practice test programs and worksheets to help your child prepare for Advanced SCAT 2020-2021. The practice tests are prepared by experienced tutors and what’s more, you also get performance reports and correct answers with explanations for each test.

Here are some tips to help 6th to 8th graders with their Advanced SCAT prep.

5 Tips for Successful Advanced SCAT Prep

1. Go through sample SCAT test questions: Familiarizing your child with the SCAT question format will make it easier for him or her to take the actual test. Take printouts of the sample SCAT questions (which are available online) in verbal and quantitative sections and give them to your child along with scrap papers to work out the answers.
2. Don’t expect to know the answers to all the questions: As an above-grade-level test, your child is not expected to know all the answers since the test is designed for students in a grade or two above your child’s. Therefore, advise your child not to panic for not knowing all the answers.
3. Read each question carefully: Your child must answer all the questions, especially in a multiple-choice question paper. There is no negative scoring for wrong answers in SCAT. Advise your child to read each question carefully and select the best answer but also not to spend too much time on any one question and neglect the rest.
4. Make use of Advanced SCAT practice test programs: Practice taking Advanced SCAT online to perfect your child’s test-taking skills. Focus on familiarizing him or her with the question format and the test duration. Choose a reliable online tutor service for your child’s SCAT prep and to get access to worksheets and SCAT practice tests prepared by experienced tutors.
5. Be thorough when answering multiple-choice questions: In multiple-choice questions, first, always eliminate the least likely options and choose the best option left as the probable answer. Before submitting the test, it’s good to go through all the questions and answers once again but do not second-guess too much at the last moment.

            In addition to the above-mentioned tips, there are a few things that students and parents should keep in mind, such as:

   • Creating a study schedule/timetable for SCAT prep with breaks to stimulate the mind.
   • Getting proper rest the night before the test date.
   • Eating a healthy and nutritious breakfast before taking the test.
   • Ensuring the system (desktop, laptop, or tablet) and Internet connection are in working order before taking the test.
   • Staying calm and taking deep breaths when having panic attacks before or during the test.

    

   Here’s wishing you all the very best for Advanced SCAT preparation!

It is no surprise that children must have been feeling sluggish with their reading, writing, and creativity over the last couple of months since the worldwide pandemic began. The pandemic has led to long periods of isolation from social groups and is dominating everything and impacting everyone’s daily routine. Summer is considered the best time of the year to enjoy the bright outdoors and engage in fun activities with friends and family. However, this year, as we are confined to our homes to keep up with the social distancing norms, it can be quite challenging to keep the kids and teenagers engaged. 

Joining an online reading group is one of the most ideal solutions to keep your children occupied. It is not just about reading a book along with a group of people but an experience to share one’s thoughts, views, and opinions on topics such as the theme, plot, character analysis, style of writing, and so on. It is about being heard and listening to people with different points of view- an indirect way of educating and learning about things that are beyond the scope of a classroom lesson.

Thus an online reading group can prove to be advantageous in more ways than one:

1.Gives the opportunity to network: 

Reading a book of your favorite genre or author with a group of people who have similar interests can build a sense of belonging to a community and improve the networking ability of the child. This helps in developing communication skills and teaches them how to build and maintain good relationships.

2.Adds structure to their day:

Developing a daily habit of reading, analyzing, and engaging in meaningful conversations about various topics at a particular time of the day will help in setting a daily routine. It acts as an exercise for the brain and their involvement in such activities will make them value and appreciate their leisure time. This is because without the feeling of having done some ‘ productive work’ the child will not be able to appreciate and value his or her ‘playtime’ or ‘screen time.’

3. Helps in developing other skills and habits: 

Reading can develop skills such as creative writing, the ability to write short and long essays, book reviews and even learning a new language. Kids can be given creative writing exercises to get their thinking caps on. Reading multiple genres will let them get an experience of different writing styles which could serve as an inspiration to those who love writing. When people read in groups, they are often divided into teams based on their reading preferences which can develop the skill of teamwork as well.

4.Reduces the stress of being stuck indoors: 

The freedom to express one’s thoughts and ideas without the fear of being judged reduces the stress of holding up feelings and emotions. In a group, the child is free to express his likes and dislikes about the book. The conversations in an online reading group could lead to a healthy debate which gives the child a sense of authority and respect when he is being heard. Validation can boost the interest and help in de-stressing about being confined to his house.

5.Teaches the child to focus on the set goals: 

Just like the curriculum of K12 education which has goals set for the students to complete during their schooling years through their lesson plans and course outlines, the mutual goals set by the online reading group will inculcate the habit of reading a book to finish within a given time frame. The idea of working towards one’s objectives and goals is a great lesson for their future and this teaching lesson can start right at home through the amazing virtual experience of a reading group.