With SAT season upon us, many of my students have been asking me whether they should use the new SAT Score Choice. The answer to that question, like those to many questions in life, is...IT DEPENDS. It depends on your profile, your year in high school, your goals, your situation, your colleges and universities. Lots of factors!

To keep it simple, different situations can be grouped into several scenarios. See if you fit one of them:

1. I'm in my last year in high school and this is my first time taking the SAT. I do not intend to take it again. It does not matter if you choose Score Choice because you will only have one set of scores to send to universities.

2. I'm in my last year in high school and this is my first time taking the SAT. I do intend to take it again. I would not recommend sending your scores to schools. If you score well on the SAT this time, you can always have those scores sent to the universities later. If you don't do well, universities will have a copy of your scores, which means if you do better the second time, they will see both scores anyway. You should select Score Choice the second time so that universities will see your best score.

3. I'm in my junior year of high school and I want to see how I would do on the SAT without much preparation. If you're taking the SAT as practice, I do not recommend sending your scores to universities. Once again, if they see these scores and your future scores, they will already know your complete scoring profile.

4. I'm in my junior year of high school and I have been preparing to take the SAT all summer. I have not taken the SAT before. In this scenario, selecting Score Choice does not matter because you only have one set of scores.

5. I'm in my junior year of high school and I have been preparing to take the SAT all summer. I have taken the SAT before and I'm sure I will score higher this time. Bingo! This student should use Score Choice. This new set of scores will be higher than the previous ones and it benefits the student to show only the highest scores.

My overall recommendations:

- Don't send scores to any universities until you completely finish the SAT testng process. You're offered four free scores but if you send scores every time, Score Choice won't matter because universities will have all your scores. Wait until you're completely finished taking the SAT, then send scores.

- Send the best scores from each category (Math, Reading, Writing), NOT NECESSARILY the best overall score. Many universities select the best test scores from each category and put them together for your new admissions composite score. If you select to send only one set of test scores, you may be hurting your chances of getting in.

Still haven't taken the SAT with January deadlines looming? Email The Dubai Tutor to find out how you can prepare for the December SAT in a small group.

So you wanna get an MBA and confused about the best time to apply? Round 1, definitely!

Many business schools accept applications and admit students according rounds. Typically, the rounds coordinate to the following schedule:

Round 1: October - December
Round 2: January - February
Round 3: March - April
(For the exact rounds and deadlines, visit to the MBA program website for your school of choice.)

In the past, schools claimed that outstanding candidates could be admitted during any round. Now, business schools are finally admitting that students are more likely to be accepted during Round 1. Here are a few of the recommendations provided on top school websites:

Kellogg, Northwestern University
"We strongly recommend One-Year and international applicants apply by the Round 2 application deadline.
Applicants applying in Round 3 will be at a disadvantage since the Kellogg School typically admits One-Year
and international applicants during Rounds 1 and 2 to allow adequate time for relocation and visa processing."
http://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/Programs/FullTimeMBA/Applying/Deadlines.aspx

Stanford University
"Within each round, we encourage you to submit your application as early as possible.

If you are considering applying in either Round 1 or Round 2, we strongly encourage you to consider Round 1. Over the past few years, we've noticed more applicants applying in Round 2 and, as a result, this round has become bigger and a bit more competitive. You should never rush your application. But, on the margin, earlier is better.

While we admit outstanding individuals in all three rounds, there are some advantages to applying in either the first or second round.

- The ability to receive an aid award from the Financial Aid Office prior to the date by which you must respond to your offer of admission.
- Ample time to complete preliminary quantitative and/or language coursework prior to arrival on campus.
- Access to the on-campus housing lottery and/or Schwab Residential Center housing.
- Sufficient time to complete the visa application process (international students)."
http://www.gsb.stanford.edu/mba/admission/application_deadlines.html

Now that you know, what should you do?

1. Prepare for and take the GMAT. Your GMAT score isn't a formality; it's the key to the beginning of the selection process. Many schools will accept your unofficial GMAT score, the one you get the day you take the test, so you can prepare properly and take the test just before the Round 1 deadline.

2. Take any required language exams. Many schools require the IELTS or TOEFL for students who did not attend undergraduate school in a country in which the official language was English or in a school in which the language of instruction was English. Prepare for and take these exams now to get them out of the way.

3. Request transcripts and references as soon as possible. These parts of your application typically take the longest time to acquire.

4. Start thinking about your short, medium, and long term goals. Every school will ask you what your aspirations are at different points in the future. You can prepare for the essays and interviews by thinking about what you want to do in 5, 10, and 20 years.

5. Get help if you need it. In addition to GMAT coaching, The Dubai Tutor offers admissions consulting services. Whether you need help with the entire process or just editing your essays, The Dubai Tutor can help with each step of the confusing process. Previous students I have worked with have been admitted to Pace University, Columbia University, INSEAD, Dartmouth, and many more.

Ever seen a pinball machine? It's a game you play in which a little silver ball bounces around inside and you hit it off things to get points. About one-quarter of my students are taking the GMAT, GRE, GED, TOEFL, or IELTS as a result of what I call "pinball goals." Like a pinball in a machine, they have been bounced around by life and are now pursuing additional education because they were disappointed by something else. A common example is someone didn't get a promotion at work and has decided to quit his job and get an MBA. Sometimes students feel that their entire lives will change just by becoming a Canadian or Australian passport holder.

Getting an MBA because you were not promoted or seeking citizenship when you don't want to live in a country are examples of pinball goals for several reasons. These goals are a result of something that happened to you and not necessarily a genuine desire for the goal. This course of action seems like a better option than the one you have now, even though you would have not chosen it if you had gotten what you wanted. Just like a pinball, you are letting life bounce you around rather than choosing for yourself and going after your real goals.

Pinball goals are not necessarily what you want to pursue in life. Getting an MBA, for example, takes a lot of hard work. During the application process, you have to study for and take the GMAT, ask your bosses for references, and search inside yourself to prepare complicated application essays. Once admitted, you have to find money to attend (sometimes tens of thousands of dollars) and then do the work to finish the program. All of this takes lots of time and money. If you aren't serious about the goal in the first place, you may not work as hard as you need to or may stop half way. I have worked with students that prepare for and take the GMAT (which can be like having a part-time job for a couple of months) only to decide they don't really want to get an MBA.

Don't waste your time, energy, and money pursuing pinball goals. Decide what you really want in life and then go after it. If you're truly committed, taking the GMAT, GRE, GED, TOEFL, or IELTS will just seem like one step in a process rather than a scary task.

Need help preparing? Email or call the Dubai Tutor today!

My students are always asking me how many hours they should study, how many questions they should do, and what it really takes to do well on the GMAT. The weekly study plan I recommend for my students is provided below. Think of studying for the GMAT as your part-time job.

Sunday: Review quantitative strategies by concept (arithmetic, algebra, geometry, etc.). Complete timed practice problems according to pacing 10 questions in 20 minutes. Rework incorrect answers. Recommended time: 2 hours. No time? Complete and review only 1 drill (about 40 minutes total).

Monday: Review verbal strategies by concept (critical reasoning, sentence correction, reading comprehension). Complete timed practice problems according to pacing 10 questions in 15 minutes. Rework incorrect answers. Note: For students taking a Dubai Tutor GMAT course, this day's class counts towards your studying. Recommended time: 2 hours.
 
Tuesday: Same schedule as Sunday. If short on time, group Sunday and Tuesday time. Recommended time: 2 hours.

Wednesday: Same schedule as Monday. If short on time, group Monday and Wednesday time. Note: For students taking a Dubai Tutor GMAT course, this day's class counts towards your studying. Recommended time: 2 hours.

Thursday: OFF! NO STUDYING!

Friday: Take a full-length practice test in one sitting. Time required: 4 hours.

Saturday: Review incorrect answers on practice test based on these instructions. Time required: 2 hours.

Total Weekly Study Time: 14 hours.
Note: Don't try to condense all of this time into 2 or 3 days. It's not the same!

Ideally, you would keep this schedule for 6 weeks to 2 months. If you have less than 4 weeks to take the GMAT, you'll want to be more aggressive.

I don't usually recommend that students study for the GMAT for more than 3 months for several reasons:

* Students cannot maintain focus--mentally and practically--for more than 8 to 10 weeks.
* Scores tend to level off after 2 months. Additional practice using the same methods will not increase your score.
* GMAT phobia is real. Many students continue preparing for the GMAT because they are afraid of actually taking the GMAT. Don't be afraid! Practice then perform.

When it comes to your GMAT prep, remember:

* Quality work and review of questions is better than doing more problems.
* Don't buy a bunch of GMAT books you're not going to use.
* Take practice tests periodically.
* Time yourself when you practice.
* Get help if you need it.

Need help preparing for the GMAT? Dubai Tutor GMAT courses start every month! Visit http://www.dubaitutoronline.com/ for course options or email The Dubai Tutor.

Dates

Tuesday, 16th March, 7pm - 9pm

Fees
Free of charge



Details
Interested in taking the GMAT? Want to get your MBA but not sure where to begin? The Shelter has partnered with The Dubai Tutor, a local educational support services provider, to offer a GMAT course to the Shelter community.

Join us at the GMAT information session to:
- Learn structure and format of the GMAT
- Assess your quantitative and verbal abilities with a few practice problems
- Experience some GMAT strategies that can improve your score
- Understand how to study for the GMAT
- Get answers to your GMAT and MBA application questions
- Learn the basic requirements for application to local and international programs
- Discuss the latest admissions trends, including if the GRE is an option for you
- Speak with an experienced Educational Consultant privately about your unique situation

Individual conferences will be held from 8.30pm to 9pm to discuss each participant's distinct issues.

Registration
For more information or to RSVP, please email events@shelter.ae or call 04-434 5655.

The Shelter
The Shelter is a first of its kind community workspace that allows individuals from various creative disciplines to engage in an environment that nurtures entrepreneurial small businesses. The Shelter is a medium for forward thinkers, creatives and intellectuals to connect and exchange ideas; converting those interactions into commercial services and products through subsidized work spaces. Visit http://www.shelter.ae/ for more information.

What is the GED?
The GED is an exam for adults who want to earn a high school equivalency diploma. Only adults that did not obtain a high school diploma are eligible to earn an equivalency diploma.

Although it is an American credential, the high school equivalency diploma obtained by passing the GED exam is a recognized credential throughout the world and allows students to apply for many universities in Dubai.

Who makes the GED?
The American Council on Education makes the GED. The diploma for students taking the GED exam in Dubai is awarded through the Maine Department of Education in the United States.

What's on the GED?
Most of the GED exam is multiple choice. It consists of the following five tests:

* Language Arts, Writing: This test is divided into two sections: Part I and Part II. Part I is multiple choice and tests organization, sentence structure, usage, and mechanics according to American English conventions. Part II is a written essay.
* Social Studies: This multiple choice test includes passages and questions about history, geography, civics and government, and economics.
* Science: This multiple choice exam tests your ability to understand and analyze passages and questions related to physical science, life science, and earth and space science.
* Language Arts, Reading: This multiple choice tests requires you to understand and analyze literary texts (poems, short stories, and plays) and nonfiction texts (essays, critical reviews, and professional documents).
* Mathematics: The math test is divided into two parts: you may use a calculator on Part I but you may not use a calculator on Part II. This multiple choice test includes arithmetic, geometry, data analysis (statistics, graphs, and probability), and algebra.How is it scored?
Each test on the GED is scored from a 200 to 800.

What is a good score?
Since the GED is pass/fail, a good score on the GED is the one that allows you to pass. To pass the GED, you need to score at 410 on each of the five tests and have an average score higher than 450. You must receive a score of 2 or higher (out of 4) on the essay to pass the Language Arts, Writing test.

What else do I need to know?
For more information about the GED, go to http://www.gedtest.org/. In Dubai, you can register and take the GED at Amideast in Knowledge Village . As of February 2010, the cost to take the GED is AED 2,000, to be paid in cash.

NOTE: The GED is NOT offered online. Any website that says you can take the GED online is not authentic.

How do I prepare for the GED?

The Dubai Tutor works with a lot of students who want to pass the GED exam but don't want to take a long time to do it. Rather than learn everything about each subject, if you work with The Dubai Tutor, you will learn and practice the general concepts tested on each exam and the skill necessary to pass the GED. In addition, The Dubai Tutor will teach you the hidden facts the exam expects you to know such as the U.S. government structure and rights guranteed in the U.S. Constitution.

Email The Dubai Tutor if you want to pass the GED in less than 2 months!

We've finally come to the end of the series of the top test prep time wasters. In other words, things you don't want to do when preparing for your test. Here are the top 2:

Top Test Prep Time Waster #2: Focusing Only on Weaknesses

"If you think a weakness can be turned into a strength, I hate to tell you this, but that's another weakness." Jack Handy, Saturday Night Live

Trying to improve your weaknesses is necessary to get a good score on any standardized tests. Unfortunately, focusing only on weaknesses is more likely to limit your score improvement and not get the score you need. When you work hard only on math, for example, you math score improves but your verbal score remains roughly the same. Over time, you will have a lot of improvement in math but your verbal score may begin to decrease because you are not practicing verbal or are slowly forgetting score improving concepts. I began alternating math and verbal classes in my courses because students often performed well on practice tests only in the subject I had just taught. To maximize your score, vary your preparation and don't forget what you've learned!

And here is...Top Test Prep Time Waster #1: Taking but NOT Reviewing Practice Tests

Taking practice tests helps build your test-taking stamina and ease test day anxiety. Stable emotions on test day translate to higher scores.

You can get much more benefit, though, from the practice tests you take. If you review your mistakes on practice tests, you can from them and boost your score. Here's how you should review:

1. Don't review immediately. Take a day to relax after you take the test. You mind needs time to rejuvenate so that when you review the previous day's test, you reap the maximum benefit.
2. Correct your test with the short answers only. For example, if you marked B, find out what the correct answer was (ex. A.).
3. Figure out why your answer was wrong and why the correct answer is right. Often, this involves reworking the entire question. Be sure to use process of elimination to identify why answers are incorrect and find support for the correct answer in the reading passage, listening exercise, or concept review.
4. If you are unable to figure out the correct answer on your own, read through the correct answer explanation. Rework the problem using the explanation as a guide. Rather than just hoping to understand the explanation, continue to work through the problem yourself until you understand the concept. True understanding means you can apply what you have learned to a similar problem.

Don't waste your time preparing for the exam the wrong way. Email the Dubai Tutor and get started studying today!

If you've read my post titled "WARNING: Studying Vocabulary is a Waste of Time," you know I'm against excessive study of vocabulary words and lists just before a standardized test like the SAT or GMAT for several reasons:

1. There are more than 750,000 words in the English language according to AskOxford.com.
2. Vocabulary is not directly tested on the SAT, GMAT, IELTS, and TOEFL.
3. You have more important things to do with your time, such as understanding the different components of the tests and practicing.

Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. If you fall into one of the following categories, you should take a look at some vocabulary lists:

* You're taking the GRE. The analogy and antonym questions on the GRE, about one-half of the verbal section, are direct tests of vocabulary. If you do not have a wide vocabulary, it is very difficult to do well on the verbal section of the GRE. In addition to studying word lists, learn about Greek and Latin word roots as well as prefixes and suffixes.

* You have more than 8 weeks to study the SAT, GMAT, etc. If you have a lot of time to study for your test, it won't hurt to memorize about 10 words a week. However, be sure to focus your preparation on the test and NOT on vocabulary.

If you should study vocabulary as part of your test preparation, here are some resources to get you started:

* How to Expand Your Vocabulary: Great tutorial that includes tips on memorizing words, word lists, and summary of roots and prefixes.
* GRE Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes List: This website will help you decode the antonym and analogy questions on the GRE.
* SAT Word List: Only about 90 words included but if you learn these, you should be able to figure out the definitions of words like them.
* SAT Word Parts List: Learn the word parts as well as word definitions to boost your vocabulary.
* Extensive Vocabulary List: Print and make into flashcards for the SAT, GMAT, or GRE.
* Online TOEFL Vocabulary Tests: Use these 120 online tests to help build your vocabulary. Click the links in the Select Word by Meaning and Select Meaning by Word to begin. Be sure to make flashcards from any questions you get wrong.

The strategies I stress to all of my students is that is more important to know how to get the general meaning of the word in the context of the sentence and how to answer the question even if you cannot figure out what 1 word means. These strategies will help you much more than memorizing the definitions of words.