Brooke Higgins Uncategorized

The Art of Test Prep War: Strategy

I am certainly no expert in ancient Chinese literature and much less an expert on military strategy. 

Nevertheless, I was fortunate to meet John Hunter last year. Upon meeting him, I learned about his World Peace Game and his corresponding book World Peace and Other 4th Grade Achievements. 

Mr. Hunter  uses excerpts of the ancient Chinese military strategy book, The Art of War by Sun Tzu, to teach his students about competition, conflict and world peace. 

Inspired, I decided to read The Art of War. 

Reading the book through my lens as a test prep tutor, I found a number of military strategies suggested by Sun Tzu that could very well apply to SAT and ACT preparation. 

Okay, I admit that equating test prep with military operations is a bit of a stretch. 

Even so, I couldn’t stop myself from thinking that much of what Sun Tzu offers in terms of military preparation can be analogous to test preparation. 

Take his famous line about strategy as an example:

“The individualist without strategy who takes opponents lightly will inevitably become the captive of others.”

If we liken “opponents” to “tests” then Sun Tzu was not only a master military strategist, he may also inadvertently be the first test prep tutor to underscore the importance of strategy. 

My students all understand the importance of a game plan and a strategy for each question type. Past blog posts, like this one, suggest that a game plan is key to test success. 

Sun Tzu may have originally intended to prepare Chinese warriors in the art of war. However, he reminds us that any preparation requires a plan and that we should not underestimate the task at hand. 

If you don’t want to be held captive by the SAT or ACT, prepare your strategy today. Contact CROSSWALK as we can help you through the preparation process, strategy and all.   

CROSSWALK is the Monterey Peninsula’s local resource for SAT and ACT prep as well as tutoring for all academic subjects. Visit www.crosswalkeducation.com to learn more. 

Brooke Higgins Uncategorized

Spring & Summer Boot Camps

CROSSWALK has recently added some new SAT and ACT Boot Camp dates for the spring and summer:

  • April 21: SAT Boot Camp (9:00am-3:00pm)
  • May 19: SAT Boot Camp (9:00am-3:00pm)
  • June 2: ACT Boot Camp (9:00am-3:00pm)
  • June 5 and 7: afternoon SAT Boot Camp (3-6:00pm both days)
  • June 12 and 14: afternoon ACT Boot Camp (3-6:00pm both days)
  • July 10 and 12: afternoon SAT Boot Camp (3-6:00pm both days
  • July 17 and 19: afternoon ACT Boot Camp (3-6:00pm both days)
If you are interested in signing up for an upcoming Boot Camp, contact CROSSWALK at 831-70-TUTOR (88867) or email us at mail@crosswalkeducation.com.
For future dates and information, be sure to check the calendar.
If you are interested in forming a group for your own Boot Camp, CROSSWALK offers some great money-saving ways to get you and your friends ready for test day. Contact CROSSWALK to learn more.
Also, for the latest events at CROSSWALK as well as educational insights delivered directly to your inbox, please subscribe to the CROSSWALK blog by inputting your email into the box on the right. Check out past blog posts right here.
For questions and more information, or to set up your FREE meet and greet with one of our tutors, contact CROSSWALK directly.
CROSSWALK is Monterey Peninsula’s local resource for SAT & ACT Boot Camps, Test Prep and Private Tutoring.
Brooke Higgins Uncategorized

The Secret to Reading Comprehension

It’s no wonder that so much emphasis is placed on reading comprehension in school. Comprehending a passage is crucial to academic, professional and personal success.

For this reason, standardized tests place great weight on reading comprehension. In the SAT alone, the Passage-Based Reading questions account for almost 30% of the entire test, including Math! There are 48 Passage-Based Reading questions out of 171 total SAT questions.

So, how do you improve your reading comprehension?

Two words: read actively.

Reading actively means asking yourself questions while you are reading. The most important question to ask is, what’s the point? In other words, what is the primary purpose of this article/passage/book?

The more you ask yourself this question as you read the more you will force yourself to comprehend what you are reading. In doing so you should be able to determine if you are reading something informational or something persuasive or perhaps even expository.

It’s not complicated. You just need to apply a little diligence to your reading by asking (and answering) some key questions.

In addition to the question about the purpose, consider answering these questions:

>> What is the tone/attitude of the author?
>> How does the author’s choice of style help the article/passage/book?
>> What action, if any, does the author want the reader to take?

Another way to read actively is to underline key parts of a passage. I generally stay away from highlighters because a pen or pencil gives you much more freedom to underline, circle, write notes in the margin and more. For example, I usually draw a box around any new vocabulary words so I can look them up and write their definitions in the margin. This can be hard to do with a highlighter alone. The process takes a little extra time, but the more you do it the more words you learn and the more your comprehension will improve.

Parents, you too can help your kids read actively. Ask them the same questions as above or check their reading for good notes in the margins.

Reading comprehension is key to success on many levels. So start reading actively today!

Brooke Higgins Uncategorized

Routinely Boring = Predictable Performance

Ah, routines. Aren’t they boring?

A routine might be boring but it is the path towards success.

We learn early in Kindergarten that routines are a key component to learning. A consistent time and place for each and every activity creates a predictable and stable learning environment. If Circle Time happens at 8:30 every morning on the Alphabet Rug, then students are prepared to share. If a visual schedule is hanging in the classroom, students can anticipate and prepare for the next steps. If transitions between activities are managed consistently then children will smoothly move from one endeavor to the next. It’s all about the routine!

Success after Kindergarten is no different: set a routine and you establish a predictable and stable learning environment. Create a time and place for your study activities and your performance will become predictable. Whether you are preparing for a test, a project or something else, set up a routine for success.

And don’t forget, just because you set a routine doesn’t mean you cannot adjust things over time. In fact, this is the beauty of a routine. Since you establish a predictable set of activities, you can adjust the activities to achieve a desired outcome. However, if you don’t have a set schedule, then there is nothing to adjust.

So don’t be afraid to alter your routine. Just make sure you establish a routine in the first place. This may be a bit of a challenge particularly during the summer, but if you want to improve your performance in school then you need to establish a routine. Boring, but predictable.

Brooke Higgins Uncategorized

The Most Productive 3 Seconds

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Here’s a good test-taking tip that you can use on just about any timed test: when you are reading the question, take an extra three seconds to really understand what is being asked.

I frequently see students rush right into an answer without fully understanding the question. Not knowing what is being asked can have devastating consequences.

For multiple choice questions, if you don’t spend a little extra time to confirm the question, you can easily fall into a trap.

On essays, if don’t make sure you know the prompt, you might write off topic and receive a zero. Ouch!

So take just three seconds each time you have a question. Restate the question in your own words and make sure you understand what is being asked.

This strategy alone will keep you on task and you will avoid the common traps and pitfalls on both standardized and teacher-created tests. Three seconds is not much but it may be the most productive three seconds you spend on a test.

Brooke Higgins Uncategorized

Why "C" is a Great Essay

Which of the following arguments is most convincing?

A: Deception is bad.
B: Deception is bad because it is dishonest.
C: Deception is bad because when the dishonesty is revealed, real people are deeply impacted like those that lost their life savings when Bernard Madoff’s ponzi scheme collapsed.

Of course “C” is clearly more convincing. Why? Because “C” uses a very concrete example. “A” is too vague. “B” is better but it is still a bit abstract.

If you want to make your essays more convincing, shoot for “C” as in concrete. The number one way to make your essays more convincing is to use concrete examples. This is true on standardized test essays like the S.A.T. as well as essays for school assignments.

So for your next essay, lose the abstract and get concrete!

Brooke Higgins Uncategorized

7 Ways to Help Your Child with the SAT

Love it or hate it, the SAT is part of education. While it is only one variable to measure student achievement, it carries significant weight.

With so much pressure placed on exam performance, SAT can be a tough time for students. So what can a parent do? How can mom or dad help their son or daughter tackle such a major undertaking?

If your child is faced with the prospect of taking the SAT, here are seven ways you can provide a path towards success:

1) Get Engaged: this goes without saying. Getting engaged is the first step towards successful parenting on any level. The fact that you’re reading this means you’re on the right track. Talk to your child about the test. Find out what resources are available at school and in the community. Check outwww.CollegeBoard.com and get educated. And keep up the dialogue. Your teenager may not like the intrusion, but your support is absolutely crucial.

2) Find the End: the “end” of the SAT is the goal score your son or daughter needs to get into the school of their choice. Most schools publish the average SAT scores of their incoming students on their website. Pick three or four schools that interest your son or daughter and find out their average SAT score. This score is now the goal and everything you and your child do needs to be focused on that score.

3) Research the Options: you don’t need to be an expert and you don’t need to know all of the answers. In fact, it is better if you don’t have all of the answers so you can engage with your son or daughter to learn more (see #1). Part of the research is to understand what your son or daughter wants. The other part is how to get there.

4) Set Realistic Expectations: you can shoot for the moon and keep high expectations, but it’s also important to understand the reality of the SAT test. The SAT is only one, isolated measurement that does not define a person. This point is extremely important if your son or daughter is not a good test taker. Understand your options (see #3) and focus on keeping as many options open as possible.

5) Stay Positive: the SAT is such a mental test that a positive mindset, especially from mom or dad, can be the difference between success and failure. Remember, it’s never the end of the world if the performance fails to meet expectations. There are many, many alternatives and a variety of solutions to you and your child’s needs.

6) Follow the Study Plan: part of being engaged means knowing the plan. You may not remember your algebra skills and you might not have an expanded SAT vocabulary, but believe it or not, this matters little. Support is what matters. Support is one million times more important than the correct answers. Whatever study plan your child chooses, follow it. Check in with him or her. See how things are going and ask how you can support.

7) Set a Good Example: the impact of role modeling needs little explanation. Your child is your reflection, for better or worse. Set the tone for success with your actions and success will follow.

Ultimately, supporting your son or daughter on the SAT is no different that supporting him or her in whatever they do. If you are plugged into their needs, success is possible.

So get engaged. If you don’t know where to start, share this page with your son or daughter today. Better yet, do it right now. The earlier you start, the better.

Brooke Higgins Uncategorized

What Can Mom or Dad do to Help SAT Test Prep?

Standardized tests can be scary. Not all students thrive during timed-tests with pressure-inducing consequences.

So what’s a mom or dad to do? What can a parent, guardian or caregiver do to help out?

It’s a simple answer: get engaged.

Moms and dads, take note: you don’t need to be a successful test-taker for your teenager to succeed at the SAT. You don’t need to know all of the answers in the test booklet and you don’t need to know all of the strategies.

You simply need to be engaged with your student. Talk to him and her about what they know or don’t know.

The first place to start is the end goal. The end goal is the school your teenager wishes to attend. Get on that school’s website together and find out the test scores of the incoming students. That score becomes the goal to shoot for.

With that goal in mind, you can now engage your learner in meaningful discussions. This exercise alone will foster some discussions about the test and the strategy behind it.

But don’t end the conversation there. Continue to engage your student. Find reliable sources of information like www.collegeboard.com and talk more about the test.

Make the test a journey with you and your teenager. Success with standardized tests requires preparation, support, confidence and repetition. You don’t have to know all the answers but you can be a great companion on your loved one’s trip.

Brooke Higgins Uncategorized

The Most Important SAT Tip

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The number one most important SAT tip is Think With the End in Mind.

Simple enough, right?

Think With the End in Mind—I tell my students—means first figure out where you want to go to college. Even if you cannot decide on one school, narrow down your options to two or three.


Once you know the school or schools where you intend to apply, find out the average SAT score for the incoming students. Most schools post this information on their websites. For example, about 10% of incoming Stanford students had a combined 2400 on their SATs. About 40% had a combined score of 2100-2399.

The score you find for your ideal school is now your goal, or your End.

Note that this score is “scaled” and based on your raw score. The raw score is basically a calculation of total correct answers minus ¼ incorrect answers (for most questions, you lose ¼ of a point if they are incorrect).

If you use the Official Guide to the SAT by the College Board, you can learn how the raw score is then converted into a scaled score. It’s a process that the College Board uses to standardize scores across all test takers.

In knowing your raw score, you know how many correct answers you need per section to achieve your scaled score. And this knowledge is more than half the battle.

This knowledge drives the strategy behind your approach to each and every question.

So Think With the End in Mind. This will determine your strategy which is really what the SAT is all about.

Brooke Higgins Uncategorized

SAT Crash Course Update

A quick update on the SAT Crash Course on November 21 and 22:

The class is strictly designed for a small group to keep the instruction highly personalized and focused.

As of Tuesday, November 10 there are still several spots available. Interest is high so spots may fill up quickly.

Materials can be provided, but I usually recommend that students bring their own books since they will want to work from them. The book we use is the Official SAT Guide produced by the College Board. The latest edition is best, but we can use older editions.

Contact Brooke directly at 831-70-TUTOR or mail@crosswalkeducation.com for details on pricing, location and more.