Brooke Higgins Uncategorized

Spring SAT & ACT Prep at The Stevenson School

Spring is here and so is the next six-week SAT & ACT test prep program by Brooke Higgins of CROSSWALK. Register today right here. 

Attend in person at the Stevenson School in Pebble Beach or via Skype.

All sessions meet on Thursday evenings from 6-8pm. Here is the schedule:

  • 3/21: SAT & ACT Test Overview and Top Concepts
  • 3/28: Reading Strategies for Success
  • 4/4: Math Strategies for Success
  • 4/11: Writing Strategies for Success
  • 4/25*: Science Strategies for Success
  • 5/2: Essay Strategies for Success
*Note: no class 4/18 due to the holiday weekend. 

Drop in for the session you need and pay by the class or sign up for the whole program and save.

Sign up via the following form. 

BONUS: Students who sign up for the entire six-week program receive a FREE one-on-one coaching session. 

Questions? Or need further information? Contact CROSSWALK here.

CROSSWALK is the Monterey Peninsula’s local resource for SAT, ACT, PSAT, SSAT prep and academic tutoring. 
Brooke Higgins Uncategorized

It’s February. Do You Know Where Your Test Prep Is?

February is a great month to address your ACT and SAT test prep calendar: it’s the academic midpoint, there is (hopefully) a lull between final exams and the timing is right to plan the rest of the year. 


Consider how all students can use the month of February to take account of what they can do for test prep:

  • Freshmen: It’s really too early to even consider test prep during freshman year. Nevertheless, savvy student who understand the correlation between reading and higher test scores will use this month to make sure they are reading outside of school. Reading allows students to exercise their comprehension and grammar muscles, both directly and indirectly. All students should be reading 30 minutes a day outside of school. And it doesn’t really matter what you read, as long as you read! Sure, The Wall Street Journal is better than US Weekly, but whatever you read, read lots! 
  • Sophomores: If you took the PSAT in the fall, February is a good month to dig into your score to analyze strengths and weaknesses. Awareness of what went well and what needs work is a very concrete and useful goal. If your school did not offer a PSAT, you can use the month of February to familiarize yourself with both the SAT and ACT test options. Spend a little time researching the test sections, scoring, content and strategies. Nothing too much, just a little research. And be sure to read, then read some more! 
  • Juniors: February is THE month for juniors. Find old PSAT scores to analyze. Research test dates. Map out a test prep approach. Once you pick the test date, back plan and put practice tests, study sessions or extra help on your calendar. Getting these things on the calendar is crucial! Don’t procrastinate and don’t stress. Preparation and practice go a long way. Remember: test taking is just like any skill. The more you practice, the better you will become. And also, don’t forget to read outside of school! 
  • Seniors: For you seniors out there, February is your month to encourage your friends to get started. You may want to make fun of them since you should be mostly done with your college application process, but avoid the sarcasm and help out a friend. Remind them that practice yields improved scores. 
As for the parents out there, February is a good time to check in with your student. See what questions they have and see what kind of plan works for them. And be sure to encourage the reading. (Here are three ways to encourage students to read.) 

If you need help with this, contact CROSSWALK. We offer private ACT and SAT tutoring along with group test prep classes in Pebble Beach, CA. Contact us today to learn more. 
Brooke Higgins Uncategorized

The SAT and ACT Sandbox

In technology terms, the sandbox is a place to test out new stuff before it goes to market. It is a space, both physical and metaphorical, dedicated to experimentation. Build stuff in the sandbox, see if it works, and learn from trial and error. The sandbox might be messy but the learnings can be bankable.

In SAT and ACT terms, the sandbox is your test booklet. 

The test booklet is the place for annotations, calculations, connections, and experimentation. Get messy and learn before you have to submit an answer choice.

For example, reading passages should be annotated so students can connect deeper with the passage. On math problems, getting pencil to paper as soon as possible enables a quicker path to crafting equations and performing calculations. For both reading and math questions, students should underline or circle the main part of the question so they understand what is being asked.

English passages are also places to experiment with different structures. Try out the different answer choices to see which one works best.

Once the test booklet is marked up, students can fill in answer bubbles neatly and precisely.

Much like a sandbox, the test booklet may get messy but the process of trial and error yields more correct answers.

On the SAT and ACT, use the test booklet as your sandbox. Annotate, check, calculate, summarize, experiment and try out the possibilities. Using your test booklet as a sandbox will help you get to correct answers more effectively and efficiently.

To prepare for your next SAT or ACT, contact CROSSWALK to see how we can help.

Brooke Higgins Uncategorized

Winter Test Prep Starting Soon: Register NOW!

Only days remain until CROSSWALK’s Winter Test Prep Series. Hosted by Brooke Higgins, this six-week course is a great way to kick off 2019 with focused and individualized SAT and ACT test prep. 

Sign up today! You can attend in person at the Stevenson School in Pebble Beach or via Skype.

All sessions meet on Tuesday evenings from 6-8pm. Here is the schedule:

  • 1/8: SAT and ACT Test Overview and General Strategies
  • 1/15: Reading Strategies for Success
  • 1/23: Math Strategies for Success
  • 1/29: Writing Strategies for Success
  • 2/5: Science Strategies for Success
  • 2/12: Essay Strategies for Success

Sign up or get more information via the following form. 

And don’t forget, new this year: Students who sign up for the entire six-week program receive a FREE one-on-one coaching session. 

Questions? Or need further information? Contact CROSSWALK here.

CROSSWALK is the Monterey Peninsula’s local resource for SAT, ACT, PSAT, SSAT prep and academic tutoring. 
Brooke Higgins Uncategorized

The Source of SAT/ACT Stress and How to Overcome It

Stress is the enemy of test performance. Stressed students perform worse than unstressed students. Stressed brains do not learn as effectively as an unstressed brain. 


As an SAT and ACT prep tutor, my primary goal is to reduce as much stress as possible for my students. Stress reduction starts with stress recognition so my students and I often start our tutoring sessions with a discussion of stress and where it comes from. 

In unpacking the source of ACT and SAT stress, we identify typical culprits like peers, parents, expectations, and performance. While these stressors are indeed present, there is one aspect of the SAT and ACT that seems to cause the most stress: uncertainty. 

Uncertainty is a major stressor. When you don’t know what is coming, anxiety sets in and panic can ensue. On a test, if anxiety is the predominant emotion, then logical problem solving and critical thinking skills are not able to function. 

Imagine trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube while being attacked by a bear. The anxiety and panic in your flight or fight response would dominate your brain and you would have no brain power to logic your way through the Rubik’s Cube. 

The good news is that overcoming the stress and anxiety of SAT and ACT uncertainty is actually quite simple. Since the test directions, format and content have not changed in several years–the last major change was on the SAT in 2016–a student can prepare for the unknown. 

Practice tests, test prep books and classes like CROSSWALK’s upcoming Winter ACT and SAT Prep Series are all ways to reduce the uncertainty. 

When dealing with the uncertain, it helps to have a script or a plan to follow. By learning key test prep strategies, like when to spend time and when to save time, a student can enter the unknown of the SAT or ACT with a pretty good sense of what is coming. 

Stress is reduced when students know what is on the test and how to tackle each section. A Game Plan is the key to reducing any stress of the uncertain. 

Learn how to prepare your own Game Plan with CROSSWALK through private sessions or a group class. Contact CROSSWALK today to learn more. 


Brooke Higgins Uncategorized

From the Vault: Greatest Hits of SAT/ACT Test Prep

After four years of (mostly) biweekly blog posts on SAT and ACT test prep advice, it’s high time to offer a post of greatest hits.

Without further ado, I humbly present several of my more popular test prep blog posts:

One of the hardest parts of SAT and ACT passage-based reading (aka evidence-based reading) is when students get stuck between two possible answer choices. This posts helps students Get Unstuck Between Two Answer Choices.

Here’s a post to help students reduce their stress around the test by reminding them that there are over 1,000 Reasons to Not Stress on the ACT and SAT.

Success stories seem popular. Here is an ACT Success Story.

My six-part series about how to Conquer the SAT and ACT Math with the Math Toolbox generated lots of interest.

For test takers planning to take the test soon, here are the Do’s and Don’ts 24 Hours Before Test Day.

And finally, one of my favorite posts of all time, is Stop Calling Students “Bad Test Takers.”

More hits to come. Subscribe to this blog to get free test prep advice directly to your inbox. Or contact CROSSWALK today to learn more about our SAT/ACT prep and academic tutoring.

Brooke Higgins Uncategorized

The Best (and Easiest) App for SAT & ACT Prep

There are many apps available to help students navigate the SAT and ACT prep waters. 


IXL offers math practice. ACCUPLACER helps with reading. Magoosh is great for vocabulary. 

While these apps are all great options, the best (and easiest) app to use for test prep is your calendar app. 

Wherever you are in your test preparation, pull out your calendar app and note the days and times you will study. Like many tasks in life, if you put them on a calendar, you increase the likelihood of getting them done. 

Many students have test prep books, practice sets, online resources or other helpful study tools. All of these are all worthless unless you take the time to use them. 

And there is no better way to take the time than making the time. Set up specific hours in the day over a period of several months when you will read through the books, try practice sets, review test content and take full-length practice sets. 

Putting these tasks on a calendar is a simple and extremely effective way to ensure that you get your prep done. Avoid procrastination by scheduling what you will do and when. 

Calendars and routines may be boring but they enable amazing productivity. Set your routine on your calendar app, heed the event reminders and build towards your test prep success. 

If you need help along the way, CROSSWALK is here. Contact us today. 

Brooke Higgins Uncategorized

How to Guarantee UC Admission, Take II

A college counselor friend of mine likes to tell the story of Matthew, a student with a dream to go to UC Berkeley.


Upon meeting with Mathew, my friend reviewed his clients test scores and grades. Since his scores and grades were good but not great, my friend recommended that Matthew consider other UC schools. UC Berkeley, my friend told Matthew, was a long shot. 

Somewhat disheartened, the student agreed to apply to UC Merced as well UC Berkeley. While not his top choice, UC Merced appeared to be a viable back up. Both the counselor and the student agreed that his good grades and test scores would be more than enough to get admitted to UC Merced. 

Months later, Matthew received follow up communication from both UC Berkeley and UC Merced. Unexpectedly, Matthew was rejected by UC Merced yet offered admission to UC Berkeley. 

This seemingly improbable outcome proves that as much as college admission appears to be a science–good grades plus good test scores equals the college of your choice–nothing is ever guaranteed. 

Or is it? I wrote previously about the new UC Transfer Admission Guarantee. If your goal is a degree from a UC, that is a great way to do it. 

The other path towards potentially guaranteed UC admission is to ensure you are in the top 9% of California high school graduates. This “statewide path” is by no means easy since you must ensure you achieve a certain GPA and SAT or ACT score. Find out if you are in the top 9% by visiting this website and using the interactive tools to input your GPA and test scores. 

If you are in the top 9%, and you are not admitted to a UC, you should be “offered a spot at another campus if space is available.” 

Perhaps this is not a guarantee but it is certainly something pretty close. 

And who knows? Maybe you could be the next Matthew and find yourself admitted to your dream school too. 

For test prep advice, contact CROSSWALK today. CROSSWALK is the go to resource for ACT, SAT, PSAT, SSAT and academic tutoring on the Monterey Peninsula. 

Brooke Higgins Uncategorized

Register Today for Summer SAT/ACT Prep

Register today for a focused and individualized SAT and ACT test prep program by Brooke Higgins of CROSSWALK.

Starting Tuesday, June 26, CROSSWALK is hosting a six-week Summer ACT and SAT Test Prep Series.

Attend in person at the Stevenson School in Pebble Beach or via Skype.

All sessions meet on Tuesday evenings from 6-7:30pm. Here is the schedule:

  • 6/26: SAT and ACT Test Overview and General Strategies
  • 7/3: Reading Strategies for Success
  • 7/10: Math Strategies for Success
  • 7/17: Writing Strategies for Success

  • 7/24: Science Strategies for Success
  • 7/31: Essay Strategies for Success
Drop in for the session you need and pay by the class or sign up for the whole program and save.

Sign up via the following form. 

Questions? Or need further information? Contact CROSSWALK.

CROSSWALK is the Monterey Peninsula’s local resource for SAT, ACT, PSAT, SSAT prep and academic tutoring. 
Brooke Higgins Uncategorized

Summer SAT and ACT Workshop Series Starts 6/26

Register today for a focused and individualized SAT and ACT test prep program by Brooke Higgins of CROSSWALK.


Starting Tuesday, June 26, CROSSWALK is hosting a six-week Summer ACT and SAT Test Prep Series.

Attend in person at the Stevenson School in Pebble Beach or via Skype.

All sessions meet on Tuesday evenings from 6-7:30pm. Here is the schedule:

  • 6/26: SAT and ACT Test Overview and General Strategies
  • 7/3: Reading Strategies for Success
  • 7/10: Math Strategies for Success
  • 7/17: Writing Strategies for Success
  • 7/24: Science Strategies for Success
  • 7/31: Essay Strategies for Success
Drop in for the session you need and pay by the class or sign up for the whole program and save.

Sign up via the following form. 

Questions? Or need further information? Contact CROSSWALK.

CROSSWALK is the Monterey Peninsula’s local resource for SAT, ACT, PSAT, SSAT prep and academic tutoring.