Brooke Higgins Uncategorized

Who is Navigating Your College Admission Journey?


Every journey needs a navigator. If your college admission process does not have a navigator yet, consider Marisela Gomez of Collegewise.

Marisela and I partnered on a presentation earlier in the year at the Harrison Memorial Library in Carmel with great success. I was able to bring some test prep tips to the audience while she laid out some excellent college application and admission advice.

Marisela represents Collegewise, “America’s largest and most well-regarded private college counseling service” according to their marketing materials. While Collegewise offers outstanding services for those seeking college admission, the real gem is Marisela.

Marisela Gomez is the Director of the South Bay Collegewise office. Prior to joining Collegewise, Marisela spent 12 years as an admissions officer and enrollment manager at her alma mater, Santa Clara University. Marisela has read over 20,000 applications, is fluent in English and Spanish and holds a master’s degree in educational administration from Santa Clara University.

Most importantly, she is passionate about helping kids get into the college(s) of their choice. She has a unique ability to work with both parents and students through the college application process. A diligent counselor, Marisela serves as a knowledgeable navigator through the journey to college admission.

If your journey needs a navigator, contact Marisela by email at mariselag@collegewise.com or call her at 831.578.1409.

And along the way, if you need test prep advice, contact CROSSWALK. The Monterey Peninsula’s local resource for academic tutoring and test prep for the past 14 years, CROSSWALK offers face-to-face tutoring, Skype tutoring and group classes for SAT, ACT, PSAT, SSAT and all academic classes. Learn more at www.crosswalkeducation.com.

Brooke Higgins Uncategorized

All Aboard Summer Test Prep Train

The summer ACT and SAT (and PSAT) test prep train is about to depart on Tuesday, June 21. Spots are filling up, so act now if you want to sign up. 

Per last blog post, the summer schedule is posted here. 

If you are not sure why to attend this summer summer ACT and SAT prep program with CROSSWALK, here are just some of the reasons to sign up: 

  • No wasted classes: choose the most interesting ones for you and pay by the class.
  • Save money when you pay for the entire program. 
  • Evening classes should allow students to work or study during the day.
  • Both ACT and SAT (and PSAT too!) are covered. It’s like two prep courses in one! 
  • With over 10+ years teaching test prep, I will make sure students walk out more confident, comfortable and prepared to take on test day. 
There are a few spots available so act now as the train is filling up. All classes take place at the Stevenson School in Pebble Beach. 

Contact CROSSWALK right here to learn more. CROSSWALK is the Monterey Peninsula’s local resource for SAT prep, ACT prep, academic tutoring and learning support.
Brooke Higgins Uncategorized

Summer ACT & SAT Prep Tailored to Your Needs

The countdown is on: only a few more weeks of the school year then, SUMMER BREAK!

With summer break comes sun, fun and…test prep? 


That is right. If you are a rising junior or senior, it is time to get started or ramp up your SAT and ACT prep. 

Fret not because CROSSWALK has a great summer test prep plan available to both Monterey Peninsula locals and anyone with the ability to Skype. All sessions are conducted by Brooke Higgins, Founder and Lead Test Prep Instructor for CROSSWALK. 

The best part of this summer plan is that you pick and choose the classes that work for you. Or save some money and sign up for the whole program. Whatever works for you this summer.

Here is an overview of the summer sessions: 

DATE
TIME
TOPIC
6/21/16
6-8pm
SAT vs ACT: Compare, Contrast and Diagnose
6/28/16
6-8pm
SAT and ACT: Play the Numbers Game
7/5/16
6-8pm
SAT and ACT: Tackle Math Problems
7/12/16
6-8pm
SAT and ACT: Read for Details
7/19/16
6-8pm
SAT and ACT: Spot English Errors
7/25/16
6-8pm
SAT and ACT: Interpret Science Data and Passages
8/2/16
6-8pm
SAT and ACT: Maximize Your Essay Score
8/9/16
6-8pm
SAT and ACT: Create a Study Plan for More Success


Not too stressful, right? 

Interested? Contact CROSSWALK to learn more. Remember: you can pay by the class or do all of them, whatever works for your budget and schedule. Sessions take place at the Stevenson School in Pebble Beach or via Skype. 

Alternatively, if you need private tutoring, CROSSWALK can also offer face-to-face tutors or tutoring via Skype. Contact us today to reserve your spot. 

Summer is upon us so get planning for your test prep today! 

CROSSWALK has been the Monterey Peninsula’s local resource for test prep and tutoring for over ten years. Contact CROSSWALK today to learn more. 

Brooke Higgins Uncategorized

ACT vs SAT: Testing Wars Heat Up, Part II

Just when you thought the dust settled between the College Board, makers of the SAT, and ACT, Inc., makers of the ACT, the rivalry started a new chapter.

This time, the battle lines are drawn around access to free test preparation materials. But the good news is that the winners of this battle are the students. Truly. 

For a long time, free ACT resources were available at www.actstudent.org while SAT resources were rarely free. That changed when the SAT partnered with the Khan Academy. With the unveiling of the new SAT format in March 2016, the College Board also launched a partnership with Khan Academy to make SAT prep resources available to all, free of charge. 

In an apparent reaction to the SAT/Khan alliance, ACT, Inc. has countered with its own alliance with Kaplan Test Prep. This partnership will provide live on-line instruction, real-time interaction with teachers and access to recorded sessions. 

Low-income students that register with ACT, Inc. with a fee waiver will not be charged to use the new Kaplan resources. Other students will find the cost of this platform very reasonable. 

Kudos for the makers of the ACT for providing more availability to instructional materials. Further reason why you don’t necessarily need to hire a tutor to help you navigate the process.

Nevertheless, if you could benefit from some experienced guidance through SAT and ACT preparation with a CROSSWALK tutor, don’t hesitate to contact us here. CROSSWALK is the Monterey Peninsula’s local resource for test prep, boot camps and academic instruction. 

Brooke Higgins Uncategorized

SAT vs ACT: An Excellent Pictograph Comparison

Thanks to the folks at Applerouth for an awesome SAT vs ACT Pictograph (you will need to fill out a form to gain access to the resource). 

No joke, Applerouth’s comparison might be the best way to look at the two different tests. 

While there is no mention of the difference between the two essay formats, Applerouth’s pictograph is a great way to compare the two different assessments. 

Some key points:

  • There is much more Geometry on the ACT compared to the SAT
  • The SAT tests vocabulary-in-context questions more than the ACT
  • Both tests tackle the grammar and the structure questions in the Writing/English multiple choice sections
When comparing the two tests, students are recommended to do the following:
  • Take practice tests for both the SAT and ACT: Ideally a student can take both tests in an official setting, but students can conduct their own practice test by using a test from a study guide. Be sure to use an official study guide from the makers of the tests so that the test is as realistic as possible. For the SAT, be sure to use one from the most recent study guide book since the format has changed.
  • Compare scores and experiences from both tests: After the practice tests, score the tests and compare the practice test score to the goal score. The goal score is the score a student needs to get into the school of his or her choice. In addition to comparing the scores, also compare the experience of the practice test. Was one test easier? Did one take more time? 
  • Decide: Based on the scores and experiences, focus test prep on one of the tests. You may want to be sure that the colleges will accept either the SAT or the ACT, but most do. Assuming a student can do either the SAT or the ACT, test prep should focus on one test only.
  • Take it Again: After some dedicated prep, take the test again officially. On average, a student will increase their score from the first official sitting to the second. Some students event see a bump on the third sitting. Regardless, be sure to plan to take it again to see those scores increase.
If you need any advice or guidance on SAT vs ACT, be sure to contact CROSSWALK. CROSSWALK is the Monterey Peninsula’s local resource for test prep, tutoring and academic support. 
Brooke Higgins Uncategorized

How to Tackle Math Anxiety

True story: I used to be bad at math. 

I always remember being bad at math. During my elementary years, my mother used to torture me over the summers with math workbooks and extra work. It was never fun and I dreaded it. 

Math became a chore and I avoided it at all costs. 


In fact, even into college, I feared math. Through a little-known loophole that likely doesn’t exist anymore, I was able to graduate with extra Fine Arts classes instead of Math classes. 

Nothing changed for me until I shifted my mindset about math and my own learning. 

Lucky for me, I had no choice but to shift my mindset when I headed to graduate school. In pursuing my MBA, I took several Math classes that forced me to embrace math. Simultaneously, I launched CROSSWALK as a means to support myself through graduate school and found myself teaching test prep and math skills. 

In both cases, I was lucky enough to be in situations in which I was able to see math strategies, short cuts and connections that I never saw before. All of a sudden, I started to feel good about math. 

Maybe my brain was just ready for math. Or maybe I finally understood that math was not my problem, rather my anxiety about math was. 

Once I put the anxiety behind me, I found math to be a joy. Confidence erased anxiety. 

Now, when my students tell me, “I’m bad at math,” I get to tell them my story. 

I tell them that the reason they are bad at math is that they have anxiety over it. For most students, anxiety is the heart of the issue, not ability. The key becomes how to tackle the anxiety. 

So how do you tackle the anxiety? Two ways: early and often. 

First, start early with fun ways to do math. Lucky for kiddos nowadays, there are many fun games and apps that can help. No more boring workbooks that my mom used to force on me. Bedtime Math is one such resource. Typically geared towards early learners, Bedtime Math can be fun for all ages. I even like to do some of the problems! Apps like Bedtime Math have proven to reduce anxiety around math. Start kiddos on these types of activities early and confidence can build. 

Second, make math a routine part of everyday activities. Repetition goes a long way in learning. Look for opportunities to frequently insert math-related topics into your everyday routine. Even just counting or pattern-recognition activities on the way to school can be fun. Or incorporate some math questions into your cooking, gardening, chores, etc. Count calories, chart times of television shows or otherwise take the normal, everyday activities and turn them into math questions. 

As you build confidence through fun math activities early and often, anxiety will melt away. It took me several decades to defrost my own math anxiety. If you can tackle your own anxiety soon, it won’t take you that long.

For more learning ideas and ways to prepare for the ACT, SAT, SSAT, PSAT or other standardized tests, contact CROSSWALK. 

Brooke Higgins Uncategorized

ACT vs SAT: Testing Wars Heat Up

The college admissions testing war is heating up. 

The College Board recently launched the new SAT which included pretty significant changes to the test format. Gone is the funky scoring system in which the raw score is calculated by the formula of one point for a correct answer, -0.25 points for an incorrect answer and no points added or subtracted for an omitted answer. Also gone are the Sentence Completion questions that were fill-in-the-blanks to test vocabulary. 


Truth be told, the new SAT seems to be a bit more like the current ACT. Perhaps over the years, the College Board saw many students migrate to the ACT so they felt a rebranded test would lure students back to the SAT. 

But the College Board is not the only one engaging in some friendly competition. 

In an effort to capture some of the practice test market, the makers of the ACT have recently launched the PreACT. The PreACT is designed for high school sophomores to gauge potential ACT scores and prepare students for the ACT in the future. 

The College Board, and its PSAT, have dominated the practice test market for years. Typically administered by schools for sophomores and juniors, the PSAT is a practice SAT. Most schools use the PSAT to get their students ready for the SAT. 

Now that the makers of the ACT have the PreACT, they too seem positioned to target schools and enter the practice test market. 

What does this mean for students? Not much, really. Perhaps some friendly competition between test makers will drive prices down. But in all reality, the strategy does not change: take both tests, find out which one you like better, focus on preparing for one of them and book the best score possible. 

For more test prep news, advice and tips, subscribe to this blog at www.crosswalkeduction.com. CROSSWALK is the Monterey Peninsula’s go-to resource for test prep and academic tutoring. Contact CROSSWALK here. 

Brooke Higgins Uncategorized

The Whats and Whens of College Planning

When working with a new SAT or ACT prep student, I frequently initiate a session with the following question: what score do you need to get into the school of your choice? 


The answer to this question generally results in two lessons, the first to determine the ideal schools for a student and the second to figure out what SAT or ACT score the ideal schools require for a student. 

Armed with a specific score, I then work with the student to show him or her how to achieve the desired score. This is the basic concept of planning by beginning with the end in mind. 

Nevertheless, in the pursuit of college admission, test scores are only part of the equation. There is much more to college planning than booking a good test score. 

With this in mind, a valuable college planning resource was recently recommended to me: The Complete College Planning Calendar. This infographic is an excellent timeline for students and their families to chart out what is needed and when for college planning. 

Whether or not you will have or use a college planner in your process, this timeline is an excellent way to stay on task and on target. It is a useful resource to plan with the end in mind for the college application process. 

If you find you need test prep advice along the way, contact CROSSWALK. We specialize in ACT/SAT test prep for high schoolers but also offer academic tutoring and learning support for students of all ages. We offer face-to-face tutoring on the Monterey Peninsula and Skype tutors anywhere. Determine your path to learning success here. 

Brooke Higgins Uncategorized

What is the Best Time of Day to Take the SAT or ACT?

Unfortunately, the time of day to take the SAT and ACT is not something a student can decide. Test days and times are predetermined by the test administrators.

If a perfect testing world existed, students could elect to take their standardized tests when they are most on their game. According to a study done in Denmark, this would means taking tests earlier in the day. The study shows that test performance decreases as the day wears on.

The study cites “cognitive fatigue” as a factor in lower test performance later in the day. While this may be just common sense, researchers have data to quantify the effect of “cognitive fatigue.” 

A deeper dive into the study reveals something even more interesting: students that take breaks during tests can see improvements in performance. In other words, if a student is offered a break during a test, they should always take it. No matter what. 

Students may have little control over the time of day the test is administered, but they can certainly advocate for more breaks. Even a quick stretch, some breathing exercises, a snack or a drink of water can help improve test performance. 

Additionally, most students should understand that their test prep will be most productive in the morning before “cognitive fatigue” sets in. So when planning on a time of day to do a practice set or review content, plan for morning sessions if possible. 

For more test taking tips and ways to improve SAT and ACT scores, contact CROSSWALK, the Monterey Peninsula’s local resource for tutoring and test prep. 

Brooke Higgins Uncategorized

How to Train the Brain for SAT and ACT Prep

As much as I love waxing poetic on the best way to study and learn, I am no expert in brain science. 


Thankfully, those that research how the brain works like to share their findings, like this article here: 

How Does the Brain Learn Best? Smart Studying Strategies 

Check it out. Really good stuff and thought-provoking. 

As this relates to test prep, a couple of the tactics in this article can immediately impact your test prep. Consider the following: 

  • Space out your test practice. Trying to cram a bunch of material at once doesn’t work.
  • Take breaks during your prep. Even a quick stretch or walk around the block will help the brain process and retain information.  
  • Mini-quizzes are a great way to keep you focused. As you may not have time to do full problem sets every day, find ways to stay fresh and focused with regular, shorter practice sets or even something like the SAT Question of the Day. 
If you need more advice on how to get ready for the ACT and SAT, contact CROSSWALK. We also do tutoring for academic subjects. Let us know how we can help train your brain for success.