aptests Index
February 27, 2009
Advanced Placements (AP) tests can garner you college credits before you've even enrolled (that's why they're called "advanced" placement). The tests measure what you learned in AP courses, although you don't have to take an AP course to take an AP exam. Exams are coming up in May! Here's what you need to know.
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January 28, 2009
Your AP Biology course may finally pay off. AP courses prove to admissions committees that you are prepared to do college-level coursework. Also, they place you a step ahead of the competition. And AP exams can reap huge benefits as you begin your first semester in college.
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October 24, 2008
After the last few posts on grades some questions were swirling about how we judge courses students take, so I'll steal liberally from my old posts and add some new stuff to create an overly verbose answer.In answering this question, admissions officers have been infatuated with the word, "rigorous." I believe this is because it lets us sound smarmy without actually providing useful information.
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October 02, 2008
Should the ACT and SAT standardized tests hold as much sway over admissions as they do? A report by the experts says...maybe not.
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June 20, 2008
The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) is intended to help students prepare for the SAT. The test measures your skills in critical reading, mathematics and writing. It is not a quiz based on specific facts. And don't worry about whether a low PSAT score might prevent you from getting into the college of your choice; the PSAT isn't used to determine college admission.While the PSAT is shorter than its SAT counterpart, it follows the same general format. Unlike the SAT, there is no essay requirement on the PSAT.You may sometimes see the test written as "PSAT/NMSQT." The second part stands for National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation uses PSAT scores to determine how to distribute their national merit-based scholarships. If you score high enough on the PSAT (and meet additional academic requirements), you may qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program, where you will have a chance to win money for college tuition.
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June 12, 2008
Are standardized tests like SAT, ACT, or AP exams useful? Does preparation for them really help students with college admissions or is it mere window-dressing by high schools eager to look like they are "doing something"?
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May 30, 2008
Does class time spent preparing for the ACT exam help or hinder performance on the test? A recent study of public high school students in Chicago suggests that more drilling from teachers during class does more harm than good.
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