7 Proven Strategies to Help You Ace Your Next AP French Exam

7 Proven Strategies to Help You Ace Your Next AP French Exam Sign up successful Note, that these study strategies can also be used when preparing for the  International Baccalaureate French exam. 7 Study Tips to Help You Nail Your AP French Exam 1. Create a study plan While it might seem a little soon, start studying two to three months before the AP French exam. The more time that you leave for review, the less time you should have to review each day. Consistent repetition is ideal for learning a language. Set aside 30 minutes a day to review a specific grammar subject; for example, agreement, prepositions, and articles. 2. Review important French conjunctions While it’s important to know the basic conjunctions, such as mais (but) and lorsque (when), it’s a good idea to start reviewing those special constructions that will you set you above your peers. Coordinating conjunctions for emphasis: ne…ni…ni (neither…nor) and ou…ou (either…or). Also, pay attention to those special conjunctions that are used with the subjunctive tense, such as quoique (even though). 3.  Practice conjugating regular verbs and commonly occurring irregular verbs Make sure that youre  familiar with the conjugations of the three different verb groups: -er, -ir, and -re.  Also, be sure to you know the conjugations of être and avoir. These are  two verbs that you will encounter when conjugating not only the simple tenses of present, imperfect, and future, but also as a helping verb when writing in the passé composé and plus-que-parfait. Keep in mind that when using the passé composé with étre, there needs to be subject agreement. For example,  Elles sont allées au cinéma. (They went to the movies). This is a group of women, so you must add an e and an s for agreement. 4.  Listen to French podcasts and the radio One of the best ways to prepare for your AP French exam or to simply maintain your French comprehension is by listening to podcasts. Set aside five to ten minutes, ideally in the morning so that youre  able to start thinking in French without all the distractions of the day. Most French podcasts offer different levels, but you should be listening to ones at the highest levels. I recommend Coffee Break French because it’s quick and easy with the structured time frame. More authentic listening is ideal, so just tune into French radio. Most can be streamed online or via  your phone. 5.  Watch French movies without subtitles There are a ton of American movies that you can stream in the French language. When watching, try not display the subtitles because they do not always coincide with what is being said on the screen. Rather, sit back and watch the movie! If you need some help finding  what to watch, browse through these two posts for some great options: Find the Best French Movies on Netflix Now 12 Classic French Movies (and Movie Series) All Students Need to See 6. Talk to your friends Use your readily available sources. Youre  most likely going to be in a classroom with other anxious students preparing for the AP French exam. Gather a group of students together and set aside 30 minutes to discuss a topic. It could be something that is  pre-determined, such as a movie that everyone watched. Or it could be something more relaxed, such as speaking in French over lunch. 7. Remember to relax This is the most important part of test preparation. Relax. You’ve prepared for months. Do something that you enjoy. Sleep well. Eat a healthy breakfast. Put yourself in a positive mind-set. Cramming last minute benefits no one. So, just know that youre  prepared and you will succeed! Good Luck! Now that  you have some proven methods for success, go tackle your AP French exam with confidence. Post Author:  Jinky B. Jinky B. teaches  French lessons in Jacksonville, FL. She has her  Bachelors of Arts in French, French Literature and Psychology from Florida State University and has over five years of teaching experience.  Learn more about Jinky B.  here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

All Real Numbers Symbol Online Tutoring - Maths Tutors

All Real Numbers Symbol Online Tutoring - Maths Tutors We divide all the real numbers in two sets, they are rational numbers and irrational numbers. Rational numbers are like - 5/3, 23/40, 125/100 etc. The irrational numbers are like 2.3857., - 5. 4737, square root of 3, pi, Eulers number (e), and any number in decimal representation where the digits are continuing. In other words all integer values, natural numbers, whole numbers, rational numbers, irrational numbers and decimal numbers also called real numbers. The real numbers may be algebraically positive numbers or negative numbers, zero, rational numbers, large number and small numbers, irrational number. For example 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, square root 5, -23, pi , cube root 10 are all real numbers because they are not imaginary roots. We can indicate all Real numbers by R. Let us see some real numbers symbols, which are used in addition, subtraction, division or multiplication etc. (=) stands for equality, (+) stands for addition, (-) stands for subtraction, stands for less than (), stands for greater than (), () stands for equal to, () stands for division, square root of 5 is all real numbers. Let us see some examples based on them. Example 1: - Solve 34 + 12 (43- 39) Solution: - For this equation, PEMDAS rule will be used 34 + 12 (43 39) = 34 + 12 (4) = 34 + 48 = 82 Example 2: - Solve 2x + 3 9 find the value of x. Solution: - For this inequality, PEMDAS rule will be used 2x + 3 9 = 2x 9 3 = 2x 6 = x 3

6 Questions to Answer Before Buying a Musical Instrument

6 Questions to Answer Before Buying a Musical Instrument Suzy S. Thinking about buying a new instrument? Its a big decision, as an instrument is truly an investment especially if youre spending several hundred dollars (or more, for higher-end brands and models) on it. Before making your purchase, youll want to do some research. But where do you start? With so many brands out there, how do you know which ones are worth the money? What do you  really need to ensure years of playing and practicing? We came across a great article  over on Donna Schwartzs blog  that we think hits the nail on the head for what to consider before handing over your cash whether youre looking at new or used musical instruments. Donna writes: Whether you are a beginner, hobbyist or pro, here are 5 questions to ask yourself when trying out different musical instruments: Does the sound of this instrument match my concept of how I want to sound? Is the instrument free-blowing enough to allow me to get my “perfect sound”? (Or maybe I want a little resistance on this trumpet to help out with high notes?) Is it easy enough to play in all registers of the instrument comfortably? Can I control the intonation in all registers of the instrument? Are the keys placed in such a way that I can perform rapid passages comfortably? The above 5 questions are important and vary for every performer. This next question though is absolutely necessary for every musician that wants to perform at their best for a long time. When you are comparing a few different brands and have found some you really like, before you pull out the credit card, it is crucial to ask this question: If my instrument breaks, do you have the parts to fix it, and if not, can you get the parts? Donna continues to point out that an instrument like the saxophone has more than 600 moving parts so if you end up with an instrument with sub-standard parts that cant be replaced you may be out of luck if it breaks. Moral of the story? Do your research. Ask questions. Get help from your music teacher, and have him or her try out instruments with you. Make an informed decision! You can read the article in full  here. For even more tips, we also like this article from the Tampa Bay Music Academy blog.  As part of their steps for buying an instrument, they offer some additional pointers regarding instrument quality: Instrument quality can generally be assessed using three categories: student quality, intermediate quality, or professional quality. Your 5th grader doesn’t need a professional quality instrument yet, but should you go the cheap route with a student model or shell out a few more bucks for the intermediate? Ultimately, that depends on your goals for your student. Is this a “try it and see if you like it” endeavor, or have you and your child committed to this instrument for the long haul? Student quality instruments are usually made of cheaper materials and won’t produce as nice a sound, but they are good for students who don’t know if they will stick with it or not. They’re also good starter instruments if money is tight. If your child (and you) have committed to playing this instrument throughout middle and high school, however, go ahead and invest in the better quality option if possible. Continue reading the article here. And finally, if youre opting for the used musical instruments route, Get-Tuned.com has a great article on how to evaluate a used instrument. Readers, how have your experiences been buying new or used instruments? What other tips would you add? Let us know by leaving a comment below! Image by Vincent Diamante Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for safe, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

Losing Weight through Boxing

Losing Weight through Boxing How to Lose Weight and Tone Your Body with Combat Sports ChaptersLosing Weight with BoxingHow Does Boxing Burn Calories?Which Type of Boxing is Best for Toning and Slimming?How Often Should You Box to Lose Weight?“You never lose until you actually give up.” - Mike Tyson62% of adults in the UK are classed as overweight and adult obesity has quadrupled in the last 25 years.Don't panic, though! Boxing is a high-intensity sport that has many benefits including sculpting your body and burning excess fat. Boxing is a good way to lose weight and tone up. Of course, it’s not the best sport for becoming skinny as you’ll replace fat with muscle mass.If that's what you're after, here’s our overview of how different types of boxing can help you lose weight. AndreyBoxing Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KostiaBoxing Teacher 5.00 (1) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LeeBoxing Teacher £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SajBoxing Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tuto rs KaranBoxing Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ThomasBoxing Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HaileyBoxing Teacher 4.50 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidBoxing Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsLosing Weight with BoxingIf you’ve ever been to a boxing club, you’ll notice that very few of the attendees are overweight. If you put in the effort, you'll start seeing the weight fall off. (Source: jarmoluk)This is because boxing is a great way to combat obesity.  You may have several reasons to lose weight including:Wanting to lose weight after pregnancy.Getting a flat stomach.Getting rid of cellulite.Slimming your arms.Building muscle mass.Losing a few pounds permanently.Increasing your metabolism.Going down a size.Getting to a healthy weight.We could list even more reasons to lose weight.Regular exercise is a great way to lose weight and amateur boxing is a great way to do it.Different types of boxing such as traditional boxing, savate, kickboxing, or Thai boxing, and martial arts (taekwondo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Krav Maga, etc.) can help to lower your body mass index (BMI).  BMI is often used by coaches to work out a healthy weight range for you.  A healthy BMI range depends on your age, height, weight, and gender and in general:Under 16: malnourishedBetween 16.5 and 18.5: underweight.Between 18.5 a nd 25: healthy weight range.Between 25 and 30: overweight.Between 30 and 35: low-risk obesity.Between 35 and 40: moderate-risk obesity.Greater than 40: high-risk obesity.If you’re reading this article, you probably have a BMI higher than 25.  Joining a boxing club might be the solution.This combat sport is great for strengthening many different muscle groups and improving your:EnduranceLung capacityCardiovascular system and cardio performanceAgilityFlexibilityReactionsCoordinationStress levelsComposureSelf-confidenceStrengthHowever, if you’re not losing weight after a few sessions, you may want to take a look at your diet to ensure that you lose weight.How Does Boxing Burn Calories?Whether you’re doing traditional boxing (with just punches) or savate, Thai boxing, or kick-boxing, there’ll be intense training sessions. If you want to lose weight, you also need to eat right. (Source: Free-Photos)Boxing is a good way to burn fat and tone muscle.  Of course, this is on the assumption that you’re eating healthily, not snacking between meals, and not consuming too much sugar or fat.  Combat sports, cardio boxing, or high-intensity interval training (HIIT) will all burn a lot of calories.Boxing is a combat sport that allows you to train safely on a punching bag or with a sparring partner as if you were in the ring.  â€œAs if” being the important words here...  In a lot of boxing clubs, you don’t actually have to fight.Generally, you’ll need to have equipment such as:Boxing gloves.Tape for your hands.Mouthguards.Shin guards.Cups for men.Chest protectors for women.Knee pads.Boxing helmets.Boxing lessons often involve an intense warm-up session, punching bags, pad work, technique, weight training, and stretching.So how can you lose weight with such a programme?In most boxing, you’ll regularly be b ouncing around and working your legs.  A skipping rope is often used to get your cardiovascular system going and improve your physical endurance; the foundation for most sports and exercise.  You’ll slowly but surely sculpt your abs, chest, and arms while learning techniques that are also useful for self-defence.Which Type of Boxing is Best for Toning and Slimming?So which boxing club should you sign up for? Fitness boxing, cardio boxing, savate, Thai boxing, or kickboxing? Which type of boxing is good for toning? Are there any differences in women’s boxing?We can’t say that one particular style or discipline is better than another.  It really depends on what you like. While all types of boxing are effective for losing weight, you should probably find the type that you enjoy the most. (Source: Claudio_Scott)Some prefer traditional boxing where you can only punch.  Others like the idea of kicking, too. Savate, Muay Thai, and kick-boxing all use kicks.  Kick-boxing also allows kneeing and Thai boxing allows elbowing.  You should know that Thai boxing allows almost any blow. Of course, you can’t hit “below the belt”, but this is the only place you can’t hit.  This might put off certain people because the risk of injury is greater than in the other types of boxing.Women in some cases may be drawn towards women’s boxing clubs.  Women’s boxing clubs (i.e not mixed) often include muscle toning, cardio training, and fitness training.  This may include ab work, shadow boxing, and elliptical trainers designed to strengthen a woman’s body.Find out more the different types of boxing.In any case, physical exercise and training can help you lose we ight quickly.During any boxing session, expect to:Sweat a lot.Push yourself.Build muscle.Lose weight.Tone your body.Similarly, boxing is a well-rounded discipline that allows you to build strength, become healthier, and learn self-defence skills.  In boxing, warming up often involves using a skipping rope, doing squats, sit-ups, push-ups, burpees, etc. and combines cardio and weight training.  It’s like several sports in one.Find out how boxing can help with stress.How Often Should You Box to Lose Weight?So how often should you go to the gym or boxing club?There are a lot of ways to work out how many calories you burn in a session. Make sure your boxing turns into a habit. (Source: Free-Photos)For example, based upon a 35-year-old woman measuring 5’6” and weighing 10st 3lbs weighing doing high-intensity 90-minute boxing session will yield the following results:1,230 calories burnt.1 session per week: around a pound lost.2 sessions per week: around two pounds lost.3 sessions per week: around three pounds lost.4 sessions per week: around four pounds lost.Generally, boxing burns around 800 calories per hour.Whether you want to lose weight or train for a competition, you’re not going to train with the same frequency.  Boxing clubs often have several sessions a week for each discipline which means you can go multiple times a week.  With around 300 to 400 calories burnt in half an hour, this is more intensive than surfing or cycling.There’s also an effect known as “afterburn” whereby your body continues to burn calories at an increased rate after having done exercise.To keep in shape or lose weight, we re commend at least two sessions a week.  If you want to become a professional boxer, however, you’ll need to practise every day. Professional boxers can train for up to 5 hours a day!If you'd like to do boxing, mixed martial arts, or kickboxing classes, consider getting in touch with one of the many talented and experienced tutors on Superprof. There are three main types of tutorial available, face-to-face tutorials, online tutorials, and group tutorials, and each type comes with its own pros and cons.Group tutorials tend to be the cheapest per student per hour since they're all paying for a share of the tutor's time. Of course, this means that you'll get less one-on-one time with your tutor or coach and they won't be able to tailor the sessions to just you as they'll have other clients that they need to keep happy.Face-to-face tutorials are just between you and your private tutor. In this case, you'll be paying for a bespoke and tailored service and during your lessons, you'll enjo y the tutor or coach's undivided attention. This all comes at a price and while face-to-face private tutorials are the most cost-effective, they also tend to be the most costly per hour.Finally, thanks to the advent of the internet, you can now enjoy online private tutorials. With video conferencing software, a webcam, a microphone, and a decent internet connection, you can enjoy private tutoring from tutors all over the world. Since the tutor won't be travelling to their students and they can schedule more tutorials each week, they can charge a more competitive rate and online tutorials are usually cheaper per hour than face-to-face tutorials.Think carefully about your budget and your learning goals, look at several different tutors and the different types of tutorials before you make your final decision, and don't forget to make the most of the fact that many of the tutors on Superprof will offer the first hour of tuition for free. While this hour won't usually be a proper session , it's a good opportunity to get to know your potential private tutor, see if you get along with them, discover what their teaching approach is, and discuss the finer details of the type of coaching and tuition you'd like.

Are You Doing Any of These 6 Things Wrong In Your Elevator Speech - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Are You Doing Any of These 6 Things Wrong In Your Elevator Speech - Introvert Whisperer Are You Doing Any of These 6 Things Wrong In Your Elevator Speech? These days we all know we need an elevator speech, especially if you’re a job seeker or a business owner. An elevator speech can be a great and memorable way to introduce yourself, if done right. When elevator speeches go wrong, they’re memorable for the wrong reasons mostly they’re boring or cringe-worthy. Don’t let that be you. Here are 6 of the more common issues you want to avoid in your elevator speech: 1. Waaaay Too Long I’ve heard elevator speeches that were longer than commercials. These people are attempting to put a full-length resume in an oral review. Don’t do that. Make your elevator speech one or two sentences as a maximum length. In the case of elevator speeches, less is more. (Click here to tweet this thought.) 2. Filled With Overused Terms Just as you need to avoid certain overused, trite terms in your resume and interview, that also applies to your elevator speech. Terms like “customer service-oriented, “people person” and “results oriented” need to be kept out of your elevator speech. Use more powerful, specific terminology instead. 3. Wimpy Words Instead, use powerful verbs. You need to think about your results and if you can toss in numbers or comparisons. They all add to your credibility. 4. Starting With “I Am” The fastest way to the snooze button is to start an elevator speech with “I am…” The primitive brain of your listener will go into autopilot. “I am” allows their brain to instantly categorize you and go to sleep. You will lose them. Your elevator speech should be interesting and compelling enough to make the listener want to ask more about you. They can’t get too engaged with you when they’ve checked out. 5. You’re Cringing Yourself I’ve heard some elevator speeches that simply made you cringe with embarrassment. The person saying it made up something, but it wasn’t something they were comfortable with. You do have to practice your elevator speech so you’re comfortable, but if you’ve fully memorized it and you feel like you have fleas in your shorts you need to toss it out and start over again. Apparently, it’s just not who you are authentically. Your elevator speech needs to be something you can feel comfortable with and even proud to say. 6. Not Compelling It’s kind of tough to think about ourselves in glowing, interesting terms. But you only have one opportunity to make a first impression on someone, and you need to hold their attention. I have yet to meet a person who didn’t have at least one seriously interesting thing to say about them or their business. That should be the thing you have in your elevator speech. If you can’t think of it, you haven’t thought hard enough. If you still can’t think of something, ask people you know to tell you what sorts of things they tell people about you those are usually very memorable. You don’t want to be on the receiving end of an elevator speech you want to run away from. More importantly you don’t want that elevator speech coming out of you. Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll have an elevator speech that will make a great, lasting impression. Go to top Personal Branding starts with how well you speak about YOU.   I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook â€" The Definitive Guide to Creating and Using an Elevator Speech.   In this guide, I give you simple to follow instructions for creating a “wardrobe” of ways to talk about you â€" to leave a lasting impression.   Get your copy now: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential. What’s your current elevator speech? Share your example with us in the comments! Image: Flickr

What is an Average SAT Score

What is an Average SAT Score As a high school student, test prep is likely on the forefront of your mind. Regardless of if youre in the early stages of SAT prep or have just sat for an exam, its important to understand how the SAT is scored. A common question to ask when deciphering SAT scoring is, What is the average SAT score? Answering this question can help you to know how you fare against other students applying to your desired schools. According to The College Board, the average SAT score in 2017 was a 1060 (on a scale of 400-1600). Its one thing to know the average SAT score, and another to understand how it applies to you. To understand the average SAT score, its key to know how the SAT section scores are broken down, how your target schools use SAT scores, and how to establish a proper SAT study routine. Heres what youll find in this article: How the SAT is scored How SAT sections are scored What to know about the optional SAT essay What equating in SAT scoring means How schools use the SAT How to navigate an above or below average SAT score Where to focus your time on the SAT How to establish an SAT study routine What this SAT breakdown means for you SAT scoring can conjure up many questions for students. When understanding the average SAT score, its important to note section scores, how to navigate an above or below average score, and how to identify your goal score. Keep reading to learn the average SAT score and how it applies to you. How is the SAT scored? SAT scores are about more than national averages. Youll instead be looking at the average score of students attending the schools to which you will apply. First, however, it's important to understand how SAT scoring is broken down. Below, you will find a chart detailing the percentile that various SAT scores fall in. Noting that the average SAT score is 1060, receiving this score would put students in the 51st percentile. What this means is 51 percent of students taking the SAT scored at or below 1060. Additionally, if you receive a perfect score of 1600, you fall in the 99th percentilemeaning 99 percent of students scored at or below this score. Percentile Range Average SATScore (out of 1600) 99th percentile 1600 82nd percentile 1250 71st percentile 1170 51st percentile- average 1060 *The above data points come from The College Board. Unfortunately, an SAT score report is not as simple as reading your average report card. Youve got to know what youre looking for and what youre looking at. First, its important to recognize that SAT scores represent a range of scores you might receive if you were to take the test multiple times. Colleges recognize that most students (in certain sections) may score around 40 points above or below their true ability, though a range is typically an adequate predictor of college readiness. You will receive a raw scorewhich represents the number of questions answered correctlythat is converted into a score between 200 and 800 for each of two sections. This will be adjusted for differences in versions of the test. Your score report will show college readiness benchmarks and how you compare to other students. SAT test-takers also receive a percentile between one and 99, as discussed above, that reflects the percentage of students who are equal to or below the score you received. This percentage is divided into two categoriesthe first, which compares your performance to all U.S. students in a particular grade level (even those who dont typically take the test), and the second, which shows your score in comparison to only some U.S. students (only those who do typically take the test) in your grade. [RELATED: What Does SAT Stand For?] How are SAT sections scored? Now that you have learned the buzzwords involved in SAT scoring, its important to understand how your overall SAT score is broken down. Every section of the SAT has its own raw score, which indicates the number of questions you answered correctly. You will receive two main scores on your report: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, which combines the scores from the Reading and the Writing and Language sections, and Math, which includes both the calculator and no-calculator portions of the exam *The above data points come from The College Board. When finding your SAT Math score, youll want to begin by identifying your raw score. There are two types of points in the SAT Math sectioncalculator and no-calculator. There are 38 possible points in the calculator section and 20 in the no-calculator. You receive no penalty for blank or incorrect answers, and your top achievable score is 58. When calculating your raw score in the Reading section, youll need the total number of questions you correctly answered. The highest score possible is a 52. To do well on the Reading portion, youll need to demonstrate that you can read and comprehend the passage given to you. Your analysis points will come from analyzing the passage as it relates to the prompt and presenting a good argument. The SAT Writing and Language section will reward you with points for constructing a response that is grammatically correct and logical. To calculate your score for this section, use the same formula as above. The highest score possible is 44. Instead of adding your raw scores together, consult a conversion table to get the scaled scores for both the Reading and the Writing and Language sections. Add them together and multiply by 10, which will give you your final score. To get a composite score, add both Math, Reading, and Writing and Language scores. As part of the official SAT changes in the 2016 redesign, SAT sections are broken down even further into subscores that offer students insight into various skill sets. These subscores include: Expression of Ideas Standard English Conventions Heart of Algebra Problem Solving and Data Analysis Passport to Advanced Math Words in Context Command of Evidence What should you know about the optional SAT Essay? The SAT does not include the essay score in the final composite score, so there is no need to calculate it to find out how you did on the other parts of the test. Instead, the SAT essay awards a total of three scores, each between two and eight. The three sections scored include reading, analysis, and writing. Two people will read your essay and each will provide scores ranging from one to four for each portion. Note that there is no composite score for the SAT essay, meaning the three scores are not added together. As of late, the SAT Essay is required by fewer and fewer schools. This prompts the question of whether you should take it. Generally, it is still recommended to sit for the SAT essay. The essay can showcase your readiness for college writing and allow schools to see your writing skills first-hand. Contact your schools of interest in order to see if they require the SAT essay, or visit the schools website for further details. The College Board also offers this tool to search for your schools requirements. As a note, the below schools no longer require the SAT essay in order to be considered for admission: Columbia University Harvard University Cornell University Stanford University Princeton University Boston University The SAT will require you to plan, write, and edit an essay in a short amount of time. Look at past essay prompts and suggested practice prompts to see where you can improve. Meet with a teacher or an SAT tutor and have him or her review your response with you to determine your strengths and weaknesses. Perhaps you are struggling with organization and need to pay closer attention to the way paragraphs fall. Or perhaps your spelling needs improvement or your sentences dont flowwhatever the problem, practice will ensure that your score doesnt suffer. What is equating in SAT scoring? Its also important to note that SAT scores go through an equating process. This ensures that scores from one test date are equal to another date and truly reflect all students abilities. In order words, this is in place to keep scoring fair for all students. The difficulty of exams can vary; therefore, one wrong answer on one exam could hold as much weight as two or three wrong answers on another exam. The June 2018 SAT saw this process put into play. This exam was easier than previous exams, resulting in a score drop for some test-takers. That is to say, on the June 2018 exam, students lost more points for wrong answers than on previous versions of the test. Its important to note this process if you plan to take the SAT on multiple dates. How do schools use the SAT? While it may seem unfair to use your SAT score as a significant indicator of college success, test results often correlate with the academic dedication of the student. Understanding how schools use your SAT score is vital when determining which schools may be the right fit for you. If youre early in the process of looking at schools and thinking about potential SAT scores, it may be useful to have a general idea of the average SAT scores in particular locations. The following chart provides a sample of average 2017 SAT scores at select schools. University Average SATScore 2017 Princeton University 1500-1600 Dartmouth College 1478 Columbia University 1490-1580 Cornell University 1480 All schools hold different average scores for both sections and overall, so be sure to investigate your schools thoroughly. Understanding how particular schools use test scores can help you to identify which colleges and universities fall into your reach, target, and safety school categories. How do you navigate an above or below average SAT score? Going into your SAT test day, youll likely have some idea of what your score will be. If you score lower than you expected, create a revamped prep plan and test again. There are a number of benefits to testing multiple times, one of which is a general increase in score. In this event, let the first test act as another practice. This way, youll feel more confident going into the second SATand your score will likely reflect it. If you find you have performed better than expected on the SAT, keep an open mind and explore new opportunities that may be available to you now. Reexamine your reach, target, and safety schools to note if your options have changed. For example, a school you had previously identified as a reach may be more realistic based on your recieved score. Keep in mind that your SAT score, while important, is not the only deciding factor for college admissions departments. Adequately prepare for the test, but dont allow yourself to get knocked down if you dont get the results you were hoping for. Either way, make yourself a competitive candidate by maintaining a high GPA, taking challenging classes, and involving yourself in relevant extracurricular activities. As a student, youre in a great position to be flexibleembrace your score, whether it is what you expected or not. Where should you focus your time on the SAT? It can be difficult to know where your time is best spent, so take some time to create a study plan that will work for you. Your first step will be to determine how much time you have available and what score you are aiming for. Are you working toward an average SAT score with a year of alloted prep time? Do you hope to score in the top 10 percent with three months of study time? Knowing the answers to these questions will give you a good place to begin your prep. As for time spent on the actual test, there are other things to consider. First, always make a guess if theres an answer you dont know on the exam. Youre not penalized for wrong answers, so dont leave anything blank. Dont spend a lot of time on these types of questions; make an educated guess and move on. Math may not come as naturally to some students, but this means it can be a significant distinguisher if you perform well on this section. If youre looking for more than an average SAT score, excelling in math could help you stand out. While a high composite score is more valuable, you should still aim to do very well on the essay. A lot of colleges look at your essay score to get a general feel for your ability to write, so brush up on your reading comprehension and grammar prior to test day. [RELATED: 3 Habits that are Hurting Your SAT Prep] How do you establish an SAT study routine? One of the most important parts of establishing a study routine is identifying a dedicated study space. Having a go-to location can help prepare your brain for study and testing by freeing it of other distractions. Ideally, your SAT study space will be for studying onlyno double duty. It should be well stocked with everything you need to study, including practice tests, writing utensils, calculators, paper, and a timer. It should also be comfortable and maintain the level of noise that is most conducive to your studying. Youll want to think carefully about how long you should study for the SAT. Think about when your test date is and how much time youll realistically be able to spend studying with all of your other obligations. Identify areas where you need the most practice and those in which you are most comfortable, in an effort to pinpoint the appropriate amount of study time. [RELATED: 5 Factors that Affect How Long You Should Study for the SAT] To avoid feeling bogged down by the enormity of the SAT, try dividing your prep into smaller, more manageable tasks. Familiarize yourself with the structure of the test so you know exactly what to expect. Work on comprehending math formulas that will undoubtedly be on the test by using flashcards. Begin reading material in areas where you may be weakerthis will strengthen your knowledge of a subject and increase your reading, grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. Use a variety of SAT resources to study, including SAT flashcards, SAT videos, outlines, and podcasts. Cater to your specific learning style and dont be afraid to try some new tactics. An alternative strategy is to place a heavier focus on prep for the sections you are stronger at, in an effort to elevate your overall score. However, you cant let one score be dramatically lower than the other. For example, earning a 750 on Reading and Writing and a 450 on the Math section will raise questions from schools. Focusing on your strengths, as opposed to your weaknesses, only works if your performance level is relatively similar in both areas. Otherwise, it can pay off to place a larger focus on the areas where you could use improvement. Youll also want to familiarize yourself with your calculator, taking care not to switch calculators in close proximity to your test date. Since youll be timed, knowing how to use all of the features on your calculator efficiently might help you reach your desired score. Finally, the best tool you have at your disposal is the many SAT practice tests available to you. Aim for a practice test at least every two weeks, and take them as though youre taking the real exam. Use a timer, take the test uninterrupted, and figure out how youll pace yourself. This will help with test timing, but will also give you a better idea of where you could use additional study time. [RELATED: Benefits of Taking SAT Practice Tests] What does this SAT breakdown mean for me? Given that the average SAT score you need can vary depending upon your goals, it is important to be able to tell what score youre aiming for. To do this, try using a range of tools to match you with a school. Tools can allow you to enter a region, school size, average SAT score, selectivity, and public or private distinction, and will provide you with a list of schools that meet your criteria. This is a great option if youre still considering which schools to apply to, scored higher or lower than you anticipated, or are taking the SAT with enough time to retake as necessary. The most important part of aiming for a certain SAT score is to equate your overall raw score with the number of questions you need to get correct. This gives you a measurable goal to work toward and a way of thinking about your score as high, medium, or low. Noting that the average SAT score is 1060 can help you to pinpoint your target score and narrow down what schools to apply to. By arming yourself with test-taking knowledge, subject-specific information, and confidence, youll be well on your way to beating your target SAT score. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us atblog@varsitytutors.com.

Birds, Bees, and More French Vocabulary You Need for Spring

Birds, Bees, and More French Vocabulary You Need for Spring Megan L. Cest le printemps! The sun is finally coming out, and  Willy M.  is here to share the French vocabulary you need to know for spring! What on earth could be lovelier than Paris in the spring? After a long cold winter, everyone is ready to get out and enjoy the warm weather. Here are ten French vocabulary words that will get your spring off to a good start. Not only will you get ten new vocab words, but I am also going to give you some tips to help you memorize them, and to put them into practice fast! The first word on our list is the French word for Bird: l’oiseau (masculine noun)! Not only is the word oiseau poetic in its sound, it has the rise and fall (wah-zo) of a bird in flight. A group of related words are found in the popular French-Canadian song “Alouette,” a song about plucking off the feathers of a lark for waking the singer up too early! Alouette, gentille alouette, Alouette, je te plumerai. The next word on our list goes along with our title, and it is the word for Bee: l’abeille (feminine noun). This word should be easy for you to remember, because it is similar to a person in English saying “a bee.” Don’t let the fact that all the bees you see flying around in the world are male drones fool you though, this little French vocabulary word is a feminine word! The next word on our list is one that you have to have if you are going to talk about spring, and it is the world for Flower: la fleur (feminine noun). And as Pepe Le Peu would probably say, females are the flowers of the world, this petit mot is feminine as well. This one should be pretty easy to remember as our English word “flower” actually originally derived from it. And who can have flowers without having some grass around? L’herbe (noun feminine) is the French word for grass. This one is like our word herb. Should be pretty easy to remember, and like fleur, it is also feminine. Another word that goes along with flowers and grass is the verb to plant: planter. Planter is an -er verb, and should be conjugated as such. It shouldn’t be too difficult to remember! A couple words that are often associated with spring are words have to do with rainy days: rain (la pluie), cloud (le nuage), and sky (le ciel). Pluie is actually a feminine word, and it’s interesting to note that very often nouns that end in ie  tend to be feminine. My name is Willy, and other people spell it Willie. But a long time ago, Willy was the shortened form of William, whereas Willie was the shortened form of Wilimina. In English we have not retained this distinction, but when we did, it came to us from the French! Le nuage and le ciel are both masculine words, so keep in mind that clouds in the sky are always masculine! But the rain that waters the feminine grass and flowers are also feminine! But no one wants only rain in the spring. What we’ve all been looking forward to is some warm weather, and some sun to brighten our days! Chaud is the French vocabulary word for warm, and it is important to remember that it is an adjective that follows the noun. Some French adjectives precede and some follow, but the word chaud comes after the noun. Le soleil (masculine noun) should be easy to remember as sun if you know that the Latin name for our sun is sol! So there are 10 French vocabulary words that should get you started speaking French this springtime! Learn even more French words and improve your speaking skills by working with a French tutor! Tutors are available to work with you in-person or online via Skype. Search for your French tutor now! Willy M. teaches guitar, ukulele, and mandolin lessons in Winston, NC. Willy studied French for over 6 years in high school and at Earlham College. He traveled to Quebec, Canada where he was able to practice with native speakers. While working as an ESL teacher for World Relief, Willy had the opportunity to translate for people from former French colonies, such as Haiti, the Congo and Vietnam.  Learn more about Willy  here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by  Linh Nguyen

Blue Pill or Red Pill Matrix Listening Exercise

Blue Pill or Red Pill Matrix Listening Exercise Im still hooked on watching classic movie clips on the YouTube Movie Clips channel. Today I came across one of my favorite scenes from The Matrix, where Morpheus offers Neo the chance to take the red pill or the blue pill.Its a great scene, and for English listening its got a couple nice phrasal verbs and expressions. Watch the video below, then see if you can answer the questions. Also, do you have any favorite movies youd like to see us use as a listening exercise? Let us know in comments.Answer the questions below in comments, and well respond.1. It is the world that has been ____ ___ your eyes to blind you from the truth. 2. Unfortunately no one can be told what the matrix is, you have to ____ ___ ___ ______. 3. After this there is no _____ ____. 4. What happens if he takes the blue pill? 5. What happens if he takes the red pill? 6. What popular story does Morpheus reference when he talks about the red pill? 7. Why do you think Morpheus makes his last warning, just before Neo tak es a pill? 8. Which pill would you have taken?