SATs 2012-2013: Details and Dates

There are a few things to know about the SATs before I list the dates for you. First of all, SATs are only a portion, although weighed heavily in most admissions processes, of the application process. The highly researched SATs were, in part, developed to standardized the thousands of different grading systems found across the globe. And its name, the Reasoning test is a hint as to how to study for it. It's all about your reasoning abilities.

For years people have asked me if there are any tricks to know other than studying math, English and writing. First and foremost- go to class. As a bad test-taker in my day, I thought the answer was to study more and totally understand each subject. Although I have never done a true blind-experiment, I have found that it is not so much about inherently great test-takers with awesome grades (let's not joke- SATs usually come easy to these kids) as it is about confident and realistic critical thinkers. Duly noted, people who are trained to test, like Brazilians, seem to have better first scores on the exam in general- especially on the Math section. But there are very few of us who test and magically transcend all sections of the exam. There are some great helpful hints out there- and one of the best is knowing a little more about the college-success-indicator itself.

What is on the SAT exam?
The SAT Reasoning test is divided into three subjects and about 10 sections. With several bathroom breaks, the exam lasts about five (5) hours. It consists of English comprehension, math and an essay. You can score up to 800 points per section, totaling 2400. The essay is a subscore grade on a 12-point scale graded by two readers giving you a maximum of six (6) points each. Many, many universities consider the English comprehension and math sections more heavily than the essay section. You can clarify this information on a school's admissions website. The median average for SATs is about 500 or so per section. Each university has its own average scores listed in a freshman profile and the admissions requirements.

What is the SAT Subject exam?
These content-based exams are offered to students wanting to show exceptional mastery in a particular subject to enhance their profile or used as admissions criteria for students entering into majors like Engineering or Pre-med. If you are one of the students declaring a major during admissions- you will want to see if these exams, offered but not taken the same day as SATs, are part of your check-list.

SAT Help
I started researching tutoring partners about three years ago after finding it difficult to provide teacher-based practice for students. Firstly, because many of our teachers are SAT test center proctors and would feel they were violating ethics by privately teaching to the test; Secondly because I wanted to discover, with a professional's opinion, what this nagging feeling was that told me the SAT was not all about content. After interviewing several candidates, I chose New York City-based company because of its philosophy in creating and enforcing critical thinking and its highly educated and dedicated professors with international experience. Part of the agreement was that they would not just offer sessions to my students, but to my teachers and student-SAT tutors as well. Why should my students know all the tricks? After one lunch period being trained by Isaac Foster, I had an answer to my question- SATs were more than an indicator of mastery of curriculum- but heavily weighed-in a student's independent thought process and problem-solving skills. What I learned from doing the course as one of the students is that the answers to all the questions can be 'seen' within the context of the prompt and answer selection. The finely-tuned eye can make very educated guesses, extrapolating necessary information through the process of elimination. You do not need a calculator or a dictionary. In fact, those who know how to work without them, in my experience, are ready for the exam and much more than that. An interesting comment from my students once they saw how the exam really worked: What will become of us if we continue to rely on technology to "help" us do our work?? (Wow- that could be the next SAT open-essay question!!) This being said- make those Greek and Latin Root flash cards, write letters by hand and use a thesaurus, try not to use a calculator- and learn to apply and connect your classroom content to your life so it sticks. If that doesn't work, sign up for the CollegeBoard's free SAT help,ask us about our NYC tutoring partner who helped scores go up by an incredible 100 points, or be happy you go to a teach-to-the-test school if you are in Brazil! Oh- and one last hint- it seems like the essay section scores best when you write more. Just remember to ANSWER THE QUESTION.

Registering and Sending Scores
SATs (both the Reasoning and Subject tests- which you cannot take the same day) are usually offered the first Saturdays in October, November, December, January, March, May and June. When you register to take the SATs on Collegeboard.org, you will be advised of the test location and dates available. If you are taking the SATs in the United States, you will look at the first table- your registration dates are different. If you are taking the SATs OUTSIDE OF THE US, please scroll down for the international dates. Please remember that not all Test Centers (such as the American School of Brasilia) offer all SAT test dates.You will have the opportunity to send your scores through the SAT system to the universities to which you apply. In fact, the scores MUST be sent through the CollegeBoard system to be considered official by the admissions committees.

EAB will offer the exams in October, November, December, May,and POSSIBLY June.

SAT Specials Tips
Some schools, if you talk to the admissions office, will waive the need for a TOEFL if you score high enough on the English portion of the exam.

There are over 800 post-secondary institutions test free universities that do not require the SATs and some that do not require SATs for international students. As these cases are more rare, planning is pertinent.

If you need financial help or other arrangements to take the exam, Collegeboard offers SAT fee waivers and test accommodations for students with disabilities.

Summer/Feriados Options: A Way to Enhance You

I am a big supporter of students attending summer school programs (the right ones) for enhancement academically and emotionally, as well as development for interests and hobbies. Truly, there is no better way to experience being away from home and learning accountability, than having to make your own decisions based on guidance and expectations outside of your regular comfort zone. The tools summer schools can offer are invaluable and are transferrable to the classroom and beyond.

Almost all college applications question your summer activities and your college campus visits. Did you enrich your learning or just your tan? How about enriching your learning and getting a tan? When is it best to go? Any summer (that is June/July on the American/European calendar)- especially the summer after you are finishing up Grade 10- if you are Brazilian- you should plan to go after your first year of ensino medio.

Choosing programs is easy- either choose one that will allow you to be a better student by reinforcing a subject or aim for a course that will help you discover if you want to get into engineering of marine biology. Remember, US colleges do not expect every student to declare a major during admissions- you can take time to develop and refine your taste in the hundreds of majors out there. By exploring your options during holidays, you will build your confidence and your abilities.



Make sure you keep tabs on your experience to later transfer to applications and/or resumes as well as get sealed transcripts and letters of recommendation to bring back to your school counselor or education consultant.

You can search by individual university websites for high school programs or try the Enrichment Alley site for a comprehensive list of opportunities!



You can always ask Brazil College Counseling for guidance in choosing your program.

Ensino Médio Action Plan Year 1

Since high school for Brazilian schools runs on a calendar year from February to December with vacation periods in July and December, students may be confused as to how to time-manage their three years of schooling with US/Canada/Europe admissions practices. Although what each student chooses to do and when one chooses to accomplish it, the basics are easy. Here are some suggestions:

Year 1: You would be the equivalent of a freshman (Grade 9) and sophomore (Grade 10) at the same time. You can use the action plan suggestions from CollegeBoard to help you. But after almost a decade working in Brazil- here are some fine points about studying in the US (I can get to Canada and Europe later) I would want you to consider:

A) Create a CollegeBoard account and a professional email address that will become your "business" email. Using your name is a great way to start. Sign up to receive the SAT Question of the Day so you get some practice. Use Big Future to get to know the universities and the program.
B) Decide how you will use your name. Since Brazilians often have, by tradition, long names, you may find that many of the forms don't allow you enough space to put your name in and prompt you to put in as many letters as will fit. My suggestion is to use the same name, no matter the length, that is on your transcripts (confirm how your name is printed with your school) so that everything matches up for recipients of your documents.
C)Get involved in a long-term, committed service project that allows you to develop decision-making skills, confidence, leadership and intense learning. You should spend at least an hour a week on this and document, in your own way, the number of hours and weeks you participate. You will need this information for applications. I find one long-term project and several short term with specified goals brings a nice focus. My services also offer connections and development of skill-building service projects.
D) Make an extra-curricular/academic log in Excel or Google Docs. This can be simple or more detailed, depending on your style and will be updated throughout your three years of schooling. It should include sports, academic awards, piano lessons, math tutoring, MUN meetings and travels, etc. Basically, anything you do outside of the classroom that contributes to the development of you as as an individual can be added. You only need to add the hours and weeks per year spent with a description of what it is that you do. Descriptions will end up playing a very important part in the way you "label" yourself within these activities that many other people also do, so make sure the activities give you a chance to have growth and learning to share and show others.
E)Try to attend as many college fairs as possible and check with me, the local newspaper or Casa Thomas Jefferson to see when they are available in your area- or the area closest to you.
F) If possible, study abroad in July on a college campus. You can see a comprehensive list on a website called Enrichment Alley or visit university websites and search for High School programs. What course(s) should you take? Either one that enriches your studies (you excel in Math and want to take a higher level course) , reinforces your studies (you need to improve your English) or engages your area of future interest (You may want to study medicine so you take a pre-med course). Make sure you request copies of your transcripts and a letter of recommendation from your course(s). If they are sealed- leave them that way! Schools abroad will require that you, your educational consultant or your teachers send information like grades and recommendations sealed and with official stamps.
G) If you plan to do a course in July, be prepared to ask your teacher (in the subject you want to study or one whom you are close with) for a recommendation in February. Let them have time to write it- and sit down with them- tell them why you want to study during the summer, where, and what you want to focus on in their class to improve your skills. It is okay to have your teacher write it in Portuguese and take it to Casa Thomas Jefferson or elsewhere to be translated. In this way you give them guidance and focus for your letter. Many schools do online applications, so you will have to be prepared to show your teacher how to upload the recommendation in English (this could be tricky so maybe it is best to ask the translator to send you an electronic copy). You will need to start searching for courses the beginning of the Brazilian school year, but know that many applications and courses are only starting to be available, and you must keep checking the sites. What should a teacher write? Stay tuned for my article on teaching recommendation writing. Be careful of the idea that it is okay to write your own recommendation and then have a teacher sign it! If you are not sure what to do, ask the program advisor!
H) Take a look at which standardized tests you may need. There is the ACT, an alternate to the SATs, and while it is 100% viewed by all 4-year universities, it is not as widely required. Next, we have the SAT Subject Tests, designed to show excellence in certain subject areas, and usually required with regular SATs if you want to enter into a declared program such as Engineering. For US universities, the English proficiency test in the form of the TOEFL (most Brazilians will have to take it. Only some waivers apply) is the most commonly used admissions requirement. Study material can be found online at ACT and TOEFL websites, through CollegeBoard for the SATs, or through the coaching company that works via Internet in Brasilia with the American School of Brasilia. See me for more details about the coaching company.
F) Google College Comparison Sheets, view a few different samples, create your own and plug in information as you find colleges that interest you. Information should include admissions requirements of each school as well as your own personal requirements (big city, soccer team, etc), should you have any. College lists should have 2-3 dream schools, 3-5 target schools, and 2-3 safety schools. Expect this list to be refined after you take time to do college visits and/or interviews, study university profiles and freshman class admission stats, change your mind, receive your standardized test scores, etc. Remember you are looking to matriculate into UNDERGRADUATE programs. You cannot do law school or med school without doing four years of undergraduate studies. And unlike Brazilian university, you do not have to know what you want to study before you apply. So add schools that have a variety of programs that may interest you.
G) Should you do all this if you are not sure where you want to study? Sure! Why not?!? It only adds value to your skills and knowledge. After all, you can always get accepted to a university abroad in Year 3, ask for a deferral, study for the ENEM/Vestibular and weigh your options once you have those results. That is the real secret- to enjoy the ability to give yourself OPTIONS with careful planning.
H) Should you believe the US News and other rankings? Only if you believe that the criteria they use to give rankings is fair. Remind me and I will tell you what that is. Better to do your own research and find the right match for you!