When Will the SAT Test Begin?

Canva - Grayscaled Photo of Laptop on Glass Table.jpg sat testing sat prep college admissions sat tutoring educational consultant claremont upland los angeles county orange county inland empire college prep sat registration sat practice sat dates s…

2020 SAT Test

Deadlines, tips, and resources to help you prep for this year’s unique SAT Test.

Here are the deadlines, and resources for the upcoming SAT Test

As of right now, the SAT Test date is August 29, 2020.

  • If you want to get the top SAT score, download this e-book. 

The SAT Exams for May and June 2020 have been canceled, due to COVID-19. If you need to cancel, reschedule, or get a refund, read this article. The late deadline for additional fees is August 6, 2020, for mail registration. For phone or online registration, the date is August 13, 2020. Make sure you register and check the costs for the SAT Test.

On September 6th, 2020, the SAT scores will be released.

  • You might be wondering, what's a good SAT score? Aim for a specific score that will get you into a school. Do a little research to find the average SAT score for the reach, fit, and safety schools on your list. Depending on your ambitions you can try to reach for the top score or the average of all the scores.

If you want to get a perfect score, follow these resources:

This pandemic has affected students preparing to take college entrance exams. If you have questions about your student’s unique situation, Link Educational Institute will assist students and parents find answers to their college preparation.

AP Exam Changes

laptop.jpg ap testing link educational institute ap testing schedule college admissions college preparation educational consultant ap subjects claremont claremont tutoring center upland tutoring center virtual learning remote learning

2020 AP Testing

Changes have been made to the AP Test to make sure students complete the exam on time.

The educational community has taken a hit due to the Coronavirus pandemic. College placement testing has been on hold for the time being. However, the AP Test will continue but with major changes. Link Educational Institute will discuss the virtual setting of the AP Test, if colleges will accept the scores, and resources to prepare students for the AP Test.

Virtual Setting of the AP Test

AP Testing changes consist of:

  • Students taking the online test from home.

  • 45-minute time duration.

  • Free-response questions

  • Topics covered in early March.

Students will be able to take the AP Exams on a computer, tablet, laptop, or smartphone. You can take photos of the answers, and submit them through the learning system. Equations and diagrams are a prime instance. Once the exam is complete, participants have five minutes to upload solutions. The scoring of the exam ranges from 1-5. Students taking the Calculus BC or Music Theory exam will have no sub scores. Detection tools regarding plagiarism will be in effect. Selective questions will make it difficult to copy another student's work.

Will colleges accept these AP Test scores?

Despite this pandemic, colleges will ensure that students receive college credit for high AP scores this year. Some students have taken shortened AP Exams due to emergency situations. However, this won't hurt them. Their scores will be accepted. Colleges know that the pandemic has affected everyone. They don't want to give students another obstacle to overcome by not accepting their scores. Some colleges might have students take administrative exams to check their knowledge on certain AP subjects. However, most schools will accept this year's AP scores.

How do you prepare for the AP Test during COVID-19?

Even though the AP Exams will be shorter and taken from home doesn't mean it will be easy. Exam administrators are choosing the correct free-response questions carefully. These questions are the hardest part of the AP Test.  These questions are the hardest part of the AP Test.  Students have to be serious when taking these exams. To succeed, you must study. Here are some resources and tips to get you prepared for the AP Test:

Free Practice Tests

This time is challenging for everyone.  However, Link will continue to assist students with their educational objectives this year. Strive for Success!

How To Survive High School Online Classes during the Coronavirus

tablet.jpg virtual learning e learning online learning system high school link educational institute claremont

Online Learning

Adapting to a new educational environment during COVID-19.

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, students have to adapt to online learning. Some students have not taken an online class before. Parents and students will have questions in regards to this new learning environment. These questions will help ease the parent and student.

  • How do you navigate through an online learning system? A Learning Management System (LMS) is an online software where schools can learn in a remote environment. Documents, marks, and other critical information can be acquired online through a smartphone, and other electronic devices. Features like forums, chats, quizzes, and tests are available on the learning system. Your classes will be set up differently despite being hosted on the same learning system. For instance, your history class can use the quiz portal, whereas, your science class consists of uploading assignments through a document manager. No matter which class the teacher does they will have to decide how they want the assignments submitted.

  • Will seminars be mandatory and how will they work? Due to this pandemic, students won't be able to attend their classes physically at a time. Teachers have the responsibility to develop lectures that will get their students' attention. There are two ways that a teacher can teach their students. One is through online recording learning and, the other is video learning platforms such as Zoom. Online recording learning consists of teachers recording lectures. Students can not ask the teacher questions. However, they can listen to the recording a number of times. If a teacher teaches on Zoom, they will be able to teach the students online. Students can ask questions, but the downside is you might have some students that have trouble focusing. Students are required to complete the material within a specific time frame. 

  • How can I submit assignments? It depends. Courses such as math, history, and English will require you to take tests, quizzes, and assignments. You can easily submit this information to the LMS System. However, if your class is art, it will be tough to transition virtually. In these instances, students will have to take a picture of poster presentations, and submit it to their teacher. You will have to follow the submission requirements requested by your teacher.

  • How will exams be taken? Most schools will allow students to take quizzes and tests through the LMS. Teachers will set a time and date to complete the assignments. If schools don't have an LMS, the teachers will have students take the tests, take a photo of the completed test, and submit the assignment to the teacher. Students have to submit their assignments on time!

  • How will I get my grades? If your school is using an LMS, students and parents can access grades. You can track the student's performance based on assignments submitted throughout the class. During this pandemic, you should contact the school in regards to the grading policies. 

Now that we've answered your questions, we will give you tips to make online learning as easy as possible. 

  • Browse the internet, log in to your email, and also access learning applications such as Google Drive. Look at the school's website. Schools will post links that consist of online learning activities, assignments, and gateways to submit assignments. Contact tech support if you need assistance from home.

  • Students need to understand that the teachers and staff are going through the same struggles just as they are. If a teacher forgets to upload an assignment or submit a grade, students should ask questions but be understandable.

  • Students have to take on multiple responsibilities such as taking care of siblings, or being in charge of the house when their parents are at work. Contact your teacher through e-mail or a virtual chat if you have questions so that you don't fall behind.

  • Try a variety of study habits. Taking online classes from home doesn't mean that you should study offline. You want to give your eyes a rest after staring at a screen for a good number of hours. Alternative study options can consist of creating and reviewing paper flashcards or quiz your classmates virtually through Zoom. Whatever method you use will help you avoid burnout.

  • Seek online distance learning resources. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, teachers and organizations from all over the country are assisting students, families, and teachers with resources that will get them through this school year. Here is a list of resources from the California Department of Education that will assist students and parents during this tough time. Ask the teachers if you have questions regarding a specific resource.

  • Connect with classmates through various online tools. Self-quarantining yourself can cause a person to become bored. As you start studying from home, feel free to contact your friends virtually. Set up a conference with one of your classmates from Zoom, Skype, or WeChat. Review assignments, or talk on a group chat. Keeping in touch with your classmates' will lift their spirits during this tough time.

Teachers, parents, and students should continue to support each other during this unforeseen time. Adapting to a new learning environment is challenging, but the finish line will be at the end of the tunnel!



AP Exams to be Online in 2020

Some guidance for your AP Exams.

Free AP Exam Resources

Because of the widespread impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, students will now be required to take their AP Tests online this year. We’ve gathered some free resources that might help you get up to speed on what you’ll need.

Follow AP Central on YouTube and you’ll find great videos to guide you on the specific information about your subject test: https://www.youtube.com/user/advancedplacement

You can find some great quizzes for AP subject tests here: https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/advanced-placement-resources

Just because these test will be online, does not mean students will be able to cheat their way through the exam. Here are some videos that address the issue of security on the AP exam.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jm9aFyc0U_o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2R44dZZYHI

Hope these can help.

Best of luck!

SAT/ACT Requirements Suspended for 2021

ucla.jpg sat act testing college admissions sat prep sat tutoring tutoring services tutoring centers near me how to apply for college

UC temporarily adjusts admissions requirements to help students, families in wake of COVID-19

Think twice before avoiding the SAT/ACT!

According to the University of California system, (https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/press-room/uc-eases-admissions-requirements-help-students-families-wake-covid-19) due to the Coronavirus pandemic, they have decided to adjust admissions requirements on their applications. This decision has suspend the SAT/ACT requirements for the 2021 admission cycle.

“We want to help alleviate the tremendous disruption and anxiety that is already overwhelming prospective students due to COVID-19,” said John A. Pérez, chair of the Board of Regents, the governing board for UC. “By removing artificial barriers and decreasing stressors – including suspending the use of the SAT – for this unprecedented moment in time, we hope there will be less worry for our future students.”

This decision is temporary until further notice. The suspension of this testing mandate doesn’t mean that it is permanent. However, should this mandate remain with the CollegeBoard finding a method for students to take the exam, students should you still attempt the exam?

The answer is YES!

The main reason is human bias within admissions officers and departments. Having a high score automatically triggers good thoughts in an admissions officer. Additionally, students who have a score will show that they found a way to take an exam despite the pandemic. This can bias the admissions officer to think that this student is more responsible or forward thinking.

The best advise would be to act as though these exams are still a necessity for admissions.

Link’s Options for Distance Learning

Online Services Available During Quarantine

We can still help you no matter how far you are!

The Coronavirus pandemic have obviously hurt businesses of all types, however Link has always been focused on one-on-one education. Once things go back to normal we feel uniquely qualified to house your student in a private and clean room collaborating with their tutor.

In the meantime, Link will continue to prep students with tutoring, testing, and college admissions programs through various online platforms to service our new and existing clientele. Skype, Zoom, and WeChat will be used to communicate with students face-to-face.

For more information or to sign up, feel free to contact us.

Link Reads

Link Reads

Week of 6/3/2019

Here are 5 stories from the web that we’re reading this week:

“A Financial Checklist for Your Newly Minted High School Graduate” - New York Times

We’ve got budget, retirement account, credit, information security and insurance advice for your independent adult, college student, gap-year taker or future soldier.

Charmin Forever Roll

You’re Welcome.

Why is ADHD Missed In Girls?

Many more boys get diagnosed with ADHD than girls. But more girls may have the condition than we think – and their struggle to receive a diagnosis can affect their whole lives.

How Much Does Your Education Level Affect Your Health?

But health behaviors can explain only a portion of the relationship between education and mortality. Education may also provide skills to analyze information and tackle complex problems — precisely what’s needed to navigate the modern health system and attend to chronic diseases.

Link Reads

Link Reads

Week of 5/26/19

Here are 5 stories from the web we think you’d like to know about.

This week: the state of the college library, the truth of the digital divide, and an alternative to mindfulness.

The Books of College Libraries Are Turning Into Wallpaper, The Atlantic

University libraries around the world are seeing precipitous declines in the use of the books on their shelves.

“University libraries across the country, and around the world, are seeing steady, and in many cases precipitous, declines in the use of the books on their shelves. The University of Virginia, one of our great public universities and an institution that openly shares detailed library circulation stats from the prior 20 years, is a good case study. College students at UVA checked out 238,000 books during the school year a decade ago; last year, that number had shrunk to just 60,000.”

It's Not Only Rich Teens That Have Smartphones, The Atlantic

To focus only on the ‘digital divide’ between desktop and laptop users is to miss an encouraging trend.

“51 percent of teenagers in low-income families have their own smartphones, and 48 percent of tweens in those families have their own tablets. Note that these are their own devices, not devices they have to borrow from someone else. Among middle-income families (that is, between $35,000 and $100,000), 53 percent of tweens have their own tablets and 69 percent of teenagers have their own smartphones, certainly higher but by a lot less than one might imagine.”

If You’re Sick of ‘Mindfulness,’ Might I Recommend ‘Interoception’?, The Cut

“What if it’s not your friend/husband/child who’s making you unhappy, what if it’s just your body? (“Just.”) Psychology professor Lisa Feldman Barrett, author of How Emotions Are Made, encourages anyone feeling dread to first ask themselves, “Could this have a purely physical cause?”

Here are 24 cognitive biases that are warping your perception of reality, World Economic Forum

“In total, there are 180+ cognitive biases that mess with how we process data, think critically, and perceive reality.”

As native speakers, how many rules do we not know but still follow? The Language Nerds

“Even English grammar, the ins and outs of which have been studied by thousands of people for centuries on end, has not been completely described. You can’t go anywhere and pick up a book or look up a computer program that has all the rules of English. Thus, there is no documented list of the rules an English speaker is supposed to know and so most native speakers don’t really “know” most of the rules of English.”

Link List

Link List

Four interesting links from the web. This week: mapping history, outdoor movies, and proof that you’re never too young to teach activism.

1) From the News: Mapping the Tongva villages of L.A.’s past

One cool thing I have seen done in education is listening to presenters do a “land acknowledgement” to recognize the indigenous people who inhabited the land before colonization. In Claremont, the original inhabitants of the land were the Tongva people. The Tongva inhabited the Los Angeles Basin and the Southern Channel Islands. Here is a map that shows the villages of the Tongva, as shared in the LA Times: https://www.latimes.com/projects/la-me-tongva-map/

2) Currently Reading: A is for Activist

I love getting children’s books for friends that they and their children can both enjoy. A is for Activist definitely fits into that category:

https://amzn.to/2Hgbqwj

3) On the Calendar: Family Movie Night @ Claremont Club

I am a member of the Claremont Club. I also love outdoor movies, so this is really just the best of both worlds! Must be a member to attend:

https://www.facebook.com/events/2235867713172431

4) On the Shopping List:

“Introverted Mom” by Jamie C. Martin

My partner and I don’t have kids yet, but I have a sneaky feeling she would like this book a lot.

https://amzn.to/2Hg4NKv