Although a lot of people think the admission process for public and private schools are similar, actually there are major differences between public and private institutions and these difference will definitely impact your chance of success. The following table lists the key differences.
Factor Private(percent of private schools consider it is important) Public(percent of public schools consider it is important)
GPA in core courses 85% 90%
Strength of curriculum 69% 75%
SAT/ACT 54% 71%
Grade in all courses 44% 52%
Essay 31% 13%
Extra-curricular activities 10% 5%
Interview 9% 0%
AP/IB tests 9% 2%
For more detail, please check Private schools vs. public ones.
Showing posts with label score. Show all posts
Showing posts with label score. Show all posts
Friday, April 22, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Facebook application "SAT Score prediction" just launched
StarCatcher SAT just launched its facebook application "SAT score prediction". The students now are able to predict their potential SAT score and see which colleges they may get in within seconds.
Friday, January 21, 2011
The characteristics of high scoring SAT essays
We found the the SAT essays that has the following four characteristics will score high, normally 12.
1. The essays that has the word count about 400. The essays that has only 100 words normally only receive the score 2.
2. Use two to three examples to support your point of view. At least one of them come from literature or history. The essay that uses personal experience as support example normally would not get a high score.
3. The essay should be four or five paragraph structure.
4. The first paragraph clarify your point of view; the next two paragraphs give two support ideas; the last one re-state your point of view.
1. The essays that has the word count about 400. The essays that has only 100 words normally only receive the score 2.
2. Use two to three examples to support your point of view. At least one of them come from literature or history. The essay that uses personal experience as support example normally would not get a high score.
3. The essay should be four or five paragraph structure.
4. The first paragraph clarify your point of view; the next two paragraphs give two support ideas; the last one re-state your point of view.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
2010 SAT Average Score
For US students, the 2010 SAT average score is 1509 (CR: 501, Math: 516, and Writing: 492)
For international students, the 2010 SAT average score is 1593 (CR: 496, Math: 587, and Writing: 510)
We can see that for international students, although their first language is not English, their critical reading score is not too bad and is just 5 points lower than US students. The math score for international students is much higher than US students.
For international students, the 2010 SAT average score is 1593 (CR: 496, Math: 587, and Writing: 510)
We can see that for international students, although their first language is not English, their critical reading score is not too bad and is just 5 points lower than US students. The math score for international students is much higher than US students.
2010 SAT Average Score
For US students, the 2010 SAT average score is 1509 (CR: 501, Math: 516, and Writing: 492)
For international students, the 2010 SAT average score is 1593 (CR: 496, Math: 587, and Writing: 510)
We can see that for international students, although their first language is not English, their critical reading score is not too bad and is just 5 points lower than US students. The math score for international students is much higher than US students.
For international students, the 2010 SAT average score is 1593 (CR: 496, Math: 587, and Writing: 510)
We can see that for international students, although their first language is not English, their critical reading score is not too bad and is just 5 points lower than US students. The math score for international students is much higher than US students.
Friday, October 15, 2010
10 Misconceptions About SAT Prep #6 - #10
6: SAT prep programs provided by the “big name” companies are better than those offered by the smaller providers or the private tutors.
FACT: The SAT prep programs provided by the “big names” only mean higher program fees due to the heavy company operating costs but do not necessary mean better program qualities.
Smaller provider also could offer better SAT prep programs which are able to provide you more personal attention, more online tools and resources, better SAT instructors, and more customizable programs to address your specific needs.
7: I could get into my dream university or college if I put all my efforts into preparing for the SAT and get a perfect or nearly perfect SAT score.
FACT: The SAT is only one of the many factors that the admission officers are going to evaluate in order to make a decision on your application. Your GPA, extracurriculars, leadership experience, AP scores, recommendation letters, and application essays also are important factors on your college application. Thus, while you prepare for your SAT test, you also need to allocate enough time for other tasks such as studying for good grades in school, writing application essays, and taking leadership roles in clubs or student organizations. Therefore, in order to maximize your chances of getting into your dream school, students should take the most productive and efficient approach in preparing for the SAT, and apply superior learning methods and time management techniques for their school courses.
8: I have to spend a lot of money to do well on the SAT.
FACT: Although some SAT prep courses cost from $2000 to $5000, with the help of the Internet and mobile technology, students have more options and could do much better at relatively low cost. First, online learning tools that are integrated with good learning method are available at less than $100, and online SAT prep courses are also available for less than $500. Even an online complete SAT self training kit, which works like a private SAT tutor, is available for under $400 from NorthStar Learning Express. Moreover, students have the access to more online resources to learn SAT vocabulary and tips/strategies, review content, and do online SAT practices. As each SAT test generally has the same recurring patterns, as long as the students learn these patterns, decode the SAT questions, review required content, and learn SAT words, they should be on track to get their best SAT scores without spending a lot of money. But students do need to know what they want or need, so they could shop around and compare different options in order to select the best and most affordable solution.
9: I am a motivated student so I could prepare for the SAT by myself, get my best SAT score, and maximize my chances for college admission.
FACT: If you are exceptional talented and have good time management skills, you might be able to get a good SAT score by self-studying.
But if you are not very talented or do not have great time management skills, this is not the best and most productive approach as you will spend a lot of time on routine tasks such as planning your study, analyzing your practice results, tracking your performance, and isolating your weaknesses, which could be done easily by available online tools (e.g. “SAT I: identify weakness” and “SAT self training kit” from NorthStar Learning Express) within minutes. This will lead to less time for school course work, leadership roles, college admission essay, etc. Therefore, although you may not realize this consequence at the first time, it does decrease your chances to get into your dream school. We always recommend the students to take the most efficient and effective approach in preparing for the SAT – take the advantage of online resources such as learning tools and low-fee courses to maximize your chances for college admission.
10: All the SAT practice questions are the same. The more SAT practice questions I do, the higher SAT score I will get regardless where the SAT questions comes from.
FACT: First of all, all the SAT practice questions are not the same. While some are relevant to the real SAT tests such as those in the “Official SAT Study Guide” from College Board, others may not be relevant to the real SAT questions at all. While your SAT score may be higher if the questions you practice are relevant to real SAT test, your SAT score may be lower if the questions you practice are misleading or inaccurate.
As each SAT test generally has the same recurring patterns, students do not really need to do a lot of practice questions as long as they can learn and recognize these patterns and know how to decode SAT questions for each pattern from a limited number of SAT practice questions, and they should spend time learning the knowledge and skills in order to solve these decoded questions correctly in a timely manner.
For more information, please visit StarCatcher SAT
FACT: The SAT prep programs provided by the “big names” only mean higher program fees due to the heavy company operating costs but do not necessary mean better program qualities.
Smaller provider also could offer better SAT prep programs which are able to provide you more personal attention, more online tools and resources, better SAT instructors, and more customizable programs to address your specific needs.
7: I could get into my dream university or college if I put all my efforts into preparing for the SAT and get a perfect or nearly perfect SAT score.
FACT: The SAT is only one of the many factors that the admission officers are going to evaluate in order to make a decision on your application. Your GPA, extracurriculars, leadership experience, AP scores, recommendation letters, and application essays also are important factors on your college application. Thus, while you prepare for your SAT test, you also need to allocate enough time for other tasks such as studying for good grades in school, writing application essays, and taking leadership roles in clubs or student organizations. Therefore, in order to maximize your chances of getting into your dream school, students should take the most productive and efficient approach in preparing for the SAT, and apply superior learning methods and time management techniques for their school courses.
8: I have to spend a lot of money to do well on the SAT.
FACT: Although some SAT prep courses cost from $2000 to $5000, with the help of the Internet and mobile technology, students have more options and could do much better at relatively low cost. First, online learning tools that are integrated with good learning method are available at less than $100, and online SAT prep courses are also available for less than $500. Even an online complete SAT self training kit, which works like a private SAT tutor, is available for under $400 from NorthStar Learning Express. Moreover, students have the access to more online resources to learn SAT vocabulary and tips/strategies, review content, and do online SAT practices. As each SAT test generally has the same recurring patterns, as long as the students learn these patterns, decode the SAT questions, review required content, and learn SAT words, they should be on track to get their best SAT scores without spending a lot of money. But students do need to know what they want or need, so they could shop around and compare different options in order to select the best and most affordable solution.
9: I am a motivated student so I could prepare for the SAT by myself, get my best SAT score, and maximize my chances for college admission.
FACT: If you are exceptional talented and have good time management skills, you might be able to get a good SAT score by self-studying.
But if you are not very talented or do not have great time management skills, this is not the best and most productive approach as you will spend a lot of time on routine tasks such as planning your study, analyzing your practice results, tracking your performance, and isolating your weaknesses, which could be done easily by available online tools (e.g. “SAT I: identify weakness” and “SAT self training kit” from NorthStar Learning Express) within minutes. This will lead to less time for school course work, leadership roles, college admission essay, etc. Therefore, although you may not realize this consequence at the first time, it does decrease your chances to get into your dream school. We always recommend the students to take the most efficient and effective approach in preparing for the SAT – take the advantage of online resources such as learning tools and low-fee courses to maximize your chances for college admission.
10: All the SAT practice questions are the same. The more SAT practice questions I do, the higher SAT score I will get regardless where the SAT questions comes from.
FACT: First of all, all the SAT practice questions are not the same. While some are relevant to the real SAT tests such as those in the “Official SAT Study Guide” from College Board, others may not be relevant to the real SAT questions at all. While your SAT score may be higher if the questions you practice are relevant to real SAT test, your SAT score may be lower if the questions you practice are misleading or inaccurate.
As each SAT test generally has the same recurring patterns, students do not really need to do a lot of practice questions as long as they can learn and recognize these patterns and know how to decode SAT questions for each pattern from a limited number of SAT practice questions, and they should spend time learning the knowledge and skills in order to solve these decoded questions correctly in a timely manner.
For more information, please visit StarCatcher SAT
10 Misconceptions About SAT Prep #1- #5
1: SAT I is a logic test
FACT: SAT is not a logic test; instead it tests your skills in reading, writing, and mathematics. It does include logic and reasoning questions, but it is based on the knowledge that you have learned in school. It tests your skills and ability in applying your knowledge in a reasoning and logic way.
2: Anyone could get a high or perfect score on the SAT as long as he or she practices enough.
FACT: Practice does help considerably, but your SAT score will be largely determined by your skills and abilities in applying your knowledge on the topics that are tested on the SAT. If the SAT practice questions that you’re doing are not representative to the questions on the real SAT, extensive practice with misleading or inaccurate questions might give you a worse SAT score!
3: SAT is all about tricks. Anyone could get a perfect score by learning the tricks.
FACT: SAT is designed to test or measure your knowledge in the topics that are tested on the SAT and your abilities in applying your knowledge. Without the requisite knowledge or skills, it is virtually impossible to get a high score on the SAT.
4: You only need to take the SAT on your senior year.
FACT: Normally students should take their SATs before their senior year begins. We recommend that students complete their SATs in their junior year. Students can request the College Board to send all or only their best SAT scores to the colleges to which they applied. Then, students can focus on college application essays and forms during the first half of their senior year.
5: For reading comprehension questions, as long as you understand the content of the passage, you could answer the questions correctly.
FACT: There are three types of questions in reading comprehension part and they are: vocabulary in context, literal comprehension, and extended reasoning. You may be able to answer the first two types of questions correctly if you can fully understand the passage content, but you need to understand the passage’s structure, the author’s purpose, and the author’s craft to answer extended reasoning questions.
FACT: SAT is not a logic test; instead it tests your skills in reading, writing, and mathematics. It does include logic and reasoning questions, but it is based on the knowledge that you have learned in school. It tests your skills and ability in applying your knowledge in a reasoning and logic way.
2: Anyone could get a high or perfect score on the SAT as long as he or she practices enough.
FACT: Practice does help considerably, but your SAT score will be largely determined by your skills and abilities in applying your knowledge on the topics that are tested on the SAT. If the SAT practice questions that you’re doing are not representative to the questions on the real SAT, extensive practice with misleading or inaccurate questions might give you a worse SAT score!
3: SAT is all about tricks. Anyone could get a perfect score by learning the tricks.
FACT: SAT is designed to test or measure your knowledge in the topics that are tested on the SAT and your abilities in applying your knowledge. Without the requisite knowledge or skills, it is virtually impossible to get a high score on the SAT.
4: You only need to take the SAT on your senior year.
FACT: Normally students should take their SATs before their senior year begins. We recommend that students complete their SATs in their junior year. Students can request the College Board to send all or only their best SAT scores to the colleges to which they applied. Then, students can focus on college application essays and forms during the first half of their senior year.
5: For reading comprehension questions, as long as you understand the content of the passage, you could answer the questions correctly.
FACT: There are three types of questions in reading comprehension part and they are: vocabulary in context, literal comprehension, and extended reasoning. You may be able to answer the first two types of questions correctly if you can fully understand the passage content, but you need to understand the passage’s structure, the author’s purpose, and the author’s craft to answer extended reasoning questions.
More info please refer NorthStar Learning Express
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
10 Common Myths on the SAT Test - Myth #3: SAT is all about tricks. Anyone could get a perfect score by learning the tricks.
FALSE: SAT is designed to test or measure your knowledge in the topics that are tested on the SAT and your abilities in applying your knowledge in the reasoning and logic way. So without the required knowledge or the skills to apply your knowledge, it is impossible to get a high score on the SAT.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
10 Common Myths on the SAT Test - Myth #2: Anyone could get a high or perfect score on the SAT as long as he or she practices enough.
FALSE: The practice does make things perfect, but your SAT score will be topped by your skills and abilities in applying your knowledge in the reasoning and logic way and especially will be limited by your knowledge on the topics that are tested on the SAT.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
What is SAT?
The SAT Reasoning Test, also called SAT I, is a standardized test for college admissions in the United States. The SAT is owned, published, and developed by the College Board, a non-profit organization in the United States.
SAT score:
SAT consists of three sections: Critical Reading, Mathematics, and Writing. Each section receives a score on the scale of 200–800. The highest score on the SAT is 2400 in total. Each year only about 200 students could get 2400 for their SAT test.
SAT test structure:
SAT test duration:
The testing time is about 3 hours and 45 minutes. But the students usually spend about 4 and a half hour at the test center, which includes completion of biographical sections and the breaks etc.
SAT questions type:
SAT score submission:
Now the students could only submit the "good" score the colleges using the "score choice" program from College Board.
SAT score:
SAT consists of three sections: Critical Reading, Mathematics, and Writing. Each section receives a score on the scale of 200–800. The highest score on the SAT is 2400 in total. Each year only about 200 students could get 2400 for their SAT test.
SAT test structure:
- three sections for writing (one of them is essay)
- three math sections
- three critical reading sections
- one non-score section (any one of CR, Math, or Writing), but the students do not know which one is the non-score section when they take the SAT test
SAT test duration:
The testing time is about 3 hours and 45 minutes. But the students usually spend about 4 and a half hour at the test center, which includes completion of biographical sections and the breaks etc.
SAT questions type:
- one essay
- 10 grid-in math questions
- the rest are multiple choice questions
SAT score submission:
Now the students could only submit the "good" score the colleges using the "score choice" program from College Board.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
As a high school junior, what is the best way to prepare for the SAT?
For high school juniors, you need to find the most efficient way to prepare for the SAT as you are very busy for your school courses.
We would suggest the College Board book "the official SAT study guide" plus the StarCatcher SAT self training kit that help you to pinpoint your weaknesses and focus your effort on your weak-spots. Therefore it helps you to study smarter, not harder.
The above StarCatcher SAT self training kit acts like a private tutor but at a very low price ($399).
The following four items are included in the SAT Self Training Kit:
We would suggest the College Board book "the official SAT study guide" plus the StarCatcher SAT self training kit that help you to pinpoint your weaknesses and focus your effort on your weak-spots. Therefore it helps you to study smarter, not harder.
The above StarCatcher SAT self training kit acts like a private tutor but at a very low price ($399).
The following four items are included in the SAT Self Training Kit:
- Online word practice for over 5000 SAT words
- SAT I Video courses - 28 unit video courses that review all the subjects/concepts/skills on the SAT I
- Answer explanations for practices tests - Answer explanations for the practice tests in the book "Official SAT Study Guide"
- SAT I: Identify weakness
- Hundreds of SAT practice questions
- Essay grading by SAT essay experts
- Unlimited email assistance
Monday, July 26, 2010
As a high school junior, how should you prepare for the SAT?
For high school juniors, you need to find the most efficient way to prepare for the SAT as you are very busy for your school courses.
We would suggest the College Board book "the official SAT study guide" plus the StarCatcher SAT self training kit that help you to pinpoint your weaknesses and focus your effort on your weak-spots. Therefore it helps you to study smarter, not harder.
The above SAT self training kit acts like a private tutor but at a very low price ($399).
The following four items are included in the SAT Self Training Kit:
We would suggest the College Board book "the official SAT study guide" plus the StarCatcher SAT self training kit that help you to pinpoint your weaknesses and focus your effort on your weak-spots. Therefore it helps you to study smarter, not harder.
The above SAT self training kit acts like a private tutor but at a very low price ($399).
The following four items are included in the SAT Self Training Kit:
- Online word practice for over 5000 SAT words
- SAT I Video courses - 28 unit video courses that review all the subjects/concepts/skills on the SAT I
- Answer explanations for practices tests - Answer explanations for the practice tests in the book "Official SAT Study Guide"
- SAT I: Identify weakness
- Hundreds of SAT practice questions
- Essay grading by SAT essay experts
- Unlimited email assistance
Thursday, June 17, 2010
The average SAT score
The average SAT for all 2009 seniors is about 1517.
But the average SAT score for admitted students are higher than it.
For Ivy universities, the average SAT score is from 2100 to 2200.
For top private universities, the SAT average is about 2100
For top public universities, the SAT average is from 1800 to 2000.
For detail SAT scores vs. colleges, you may check the website: http://www.satscores.us
To see what score you might get on the SAT, go to SAT Score Prediction
But the average SAT score for admitted students are higher than it.
For Ivy universities, the average SAT score is from 2100 to 2200.
For top private universities, the SAT average is about 2100
For top public universities, the SAT average is from 1800 to 2000.
For detail SAT scores vs. colleges, you may check the website: http://www.satscores.us
To see what score you might get on the SAT, go to SAT Score Prediction
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