Why Does the Common Core Exist?

What is Common Core?

The Common Core is not a curriculum. It is a guideline of what children in each grade should know by the end of the school year. They are shared goals and expectations among educational institutions using the Common Core that set grounds for knowledge and skills that will help students succeed. Unlike its predecessor, the No Child Left Behind Act, it focuses on developing a child’s critical thinking, analytical skills, and problem-solving. These skills are meant to ensure that students can succeed later in life no matter what they plan on doing. 

The Common Core puts a greater emphasis on math. Rather than race over numerous topics, the Common Core aims to focus on fewer concepts in detail. Academic success does not come from learning hard topics at a young age, but rather from having a deep and authentic understanding of the material. When following the Common Core, students strengthen foundations, understandings of fundamental topics, and procedural skills so that they feel confident in using the concepts both inside and outside of the classroom. Each grade focuses on a few math concepts in detail for the entirety of the school year. For example, third graders focus on multiplication, division, and fractions. You can find the math standards for each grade here. Each year, the math is meant to build on itself. For example, after learning the basics of fractions in the third grade, students go on to learn how to add and subtract fractions in the fourth grade. This method reinforces major math topics and builds students understanding of topics gradually. 

Along with building reading and writing skills, the Common Core aims to build the complexity of the texts the students can read so that they can understand any text they encounter in the future. To achieve this skill, the Common Core focuses on building vocabulary as the years go on. Not only do the students learn new words, but they also learn the nuances of words and learn to use context clues. Teachers using the Common Core are also expected to expose their students to multiple different genres, with each grade focusing heavily on one. For example, sixth-grade students are expected to focus mostly on myths. This is done to build students’ familiarity with different types of texts. About fifty percent of students’ readings are informational and are surrounding subjects like history and science, allowing the children to develop strong general knowledge. Unlike before, students are now focused more on text-based writing rather than narrative writing. This change is meant to hone the analytical skills they will need in college, career, and life. 

Who Was Is It Implemented By?

The Common Core was created in 2009 to tackle the stagnation of the United States’ academic progress and regain its international status of academic rigor. This was caused by states having different levels and standards they teach. No states agreed on what a student should know by the end of a grade. In order to fix this, state leaders and educators came together to create the Common Core using the most effective standards from across the country and the world. So far, 41 states, multiple territories, and the Department of Defense Education Activity have adopted the Common Core. You can check if your state or territory uses the Common Core program here. Because it was not made by the federal government, states decide if they want to use the program or not. Each state is also allowed to change the program so it fits the needs of their students. Schools also have flexibility with how they choose to teach the lessons. 

What Is the Future of the Common Core?

The Common Core focuses on students’ understandings of the concept rather than how many concepts they know. This has shown positive results and has led to the Common Core being picked up by more and more states. It is flexible and constantly evolving to fit the needs of the students. As students grow older and end school, we will be able to fully see the effects of the Common Core. 

If your student is having trouble at school, Synergy Prep offers Common Core tutoring services for grades 2-8. Click here for the Common Core program brochure.

SAT vs GPA: Which Is More Important?

Which is weighted more?

Overall, the SAT is weighed more than your GPA. While the amount your SAT score is considered by admissions officers is different for each college, it is generally weighed as 30-40% of your application. This is because the SAT compares you to students all over the nation, while your GPA only compares you to students in your school. Although GPAs give an understanding of all four years, it can be untrustworthy as workers at schools are the ones computing them. This makes the GPAs biased as the school may inflate them to improve their look to parents of eighth-graders and college admissions officers.

Different schools also teach the same classes at varying levels of difficulty. A biology course in one high school may not be as hard as a biology course at another. An unweighted GPA does not account for the rigorousness of college-level classes. This means that even if Sunny took more rigorous and honors classes, he may have a lower GPA than Washif, who did not take any. On the other hand, the SAT is unbiased because it is administered and graded by a third party, the College Board, and is the same test and level of difficulty for every student across the nation. Also, colleges tend to favor students with high SAT scores because it boosts their statistics, increasing their rankings in and making them look more selective. 

The 4 Scenarios 

Here we’ll talk about your chances and what your SAT and GPA show about you. We’re defining a high SAT score as a 1450 or above. 

High SAT and High GPA

This is the most favorable situation to be in. It shows colleges that you are ready for college-level courses and are hardworking. Make sure to work on the other aspects of your application, essays and extracurriculars, to ensure a higher chance of acceptance to your dream college. 

High SAT and Low GPA

If your SAT score is high, but your GPA is low, admission officers will most likely look over your GPA. They may take your GPA as a sign that you were not adequately engaged or challenged in high school, but your SAT scores prove that you are capable of college-level courses. You should still try to boost your GPA as much as you can to increase your chances of getting in. 

Low SAT and High GPA

Generally, this shows admissions officers that you are diligent and hard working. A low SAT score questions your aptitude and if you are ready for the level of difficulty of college classes. They may also be suspicious about how the school calculates the GPA and if it is inflated. If you have not sent your applications in already, take the SAT one more time. Be sure to study a better way than you had for your previous test. Here are some tips on how to improve your SAT score. If the SAT is not working out for you, try taking the ACT instead. Both are standardized tests that measure aptitude, but the material and structure of the two tests are radically different. If you decide to take the ACT, keep in mind that there are a few colleges that do not accept ACT scores. Check to see if the colleges you are applying to accept them. 

Low SAT and Low GPA

If you are in this position, you should consider taking the SAT one more time and improving your GPA as much as possible before you send your applications. Here are some tips on how to improve your SAT score. If the SAT is not your cup of tea, try taking the ACT. However, if you take the ACT, you should check to see that the colleges you are applying to accept ACT scores. You should make sure your Common Application essay and supplements are perfect. Many colleges take students with a low SAT score and GPA if their essay and supplements are extremely well-written and compelling. Here are some tips to help you with your college essay. You should ask your college counselor if your state has any programs that help students who are economically and academically disadvantaged but have potential. These programs provide students with tutoring and resources to improve their application. A number of esteemed colleges accept students from these programs. In New York, there are two of these programs, EOP and HEOP.  

Conclusion

Although the SAT is weighed more than your GPA, do not overlook that aspect of your application. A good GPA shows that you are dedicated, focused, and diligent. When combined with your transcript, your GPA shows your improvement over time. These are all qualities that admissions officers are looking for in future students. If you and another applicant have similar SAT scores, the one with the higher GPA and better application will be chosen. Remember that college applications are holistic, so put as much effort as possible into all parts of your application—SAT, GPA, essays, and extracurriculars—to ensure that you have a higher chance of getting into your top colleges. 

Strategies to Improve Your SAT Score

The SAT is one of the most important standardized tests in your life. Your score on the test will be a big factor in your college applications. The strategies listed below will help you ace the exam and strengthen your chances of getting into your dream college. 

General Strategies 

Practice Tests

The first step to achieving a high score is figuring out where you are now. Take a practice test under testing conditions. While you are taking the practice test, you should time yourself while being in a quiet area. The SAT is broken up into four sessions. The reading section is 65 minutes long, the writing section is 35 minutes long, the no-calculator math section is 25 minutes long, and the calculator with the math section is 55 minutes long. Make sure to give yourself a 10-minute break in after the reading section and a 10-minute break after the no-calculator math section. After finishing the practice exam, grade yourself honestly and review the questions you got wrong. This will help you learn your weaknesses and strengths and create a study schedule.

You can find multiple SAT practice tests online on the CollegeBoard website and Khan Academy. You can also find some in the back of SAT workbooks, like Kaplan, Barrons, and The Princeton Review. 

Study Schedule 

When creating a study schedule for the SAT, first make sure to set a target score and an estimate of when you want to take the test. This will help you determine how much and how frequently you will study. Khan Academy creates a personalized study schedule for you based on your diagnostic score and test date. You can use this as a template and change it for your personal needs. During your study sessions, you should be learning/reviewing content, doing practice questions, and brushing up on your weak areas. Make sure you set aside time to take a practice test every two weeks to check on your progress. As you get closer to your test date, increase the frequency and time you study. However, don’t study hard the day before the exam. On the day before your test, you should review your weakest topics and rest. 

Timing 

Finishing the sections on time can be difficult at first. You can’t go back to sections once the time is finished. If you’re having trouble completing the reading passage, consider only skimming the passages rather than closely reading it. Most of the questions focus on one word, line, or paragraph that is stated in the question. These answers can all be found from skimming the passage and going back to reread. The only specific questions asked are the ones asking for the meaning of a quote. You only need to read these sections closely. This goes for the SAT grammar section as well. If you’re having trouble completing the math sections, mark and skip any questions that are taking you more than a minute to do so you can come back to them later. 

Strategies  To Improve Your SAT Reading:

If you’re having trouble with the Reading section of the SAT, here are some strategies that can help you improve your score:

Read More 

Most of the SAT passages are about science, social studies, or historical documents. Try reading an article a day from places like The New York Times, The New Yorker, Scientific American, or The Washington Post. Reading these types of articles will improve your reading comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar significantly. These articles are similar to the passages you will see on your SAT in terms of difficulty and vocabulary. Getting familiar with this reading level will help improve your speed and comprehension during the test. After reading, make sure you understand the main idea and key details of the article. Make sure to also focus on historical passages. Students have difficulty understanding the language in these types of passages. To familiarize yourself with this type of passage, you should read autobiographies and historical documents.

Although reading these articles from the outlets listed above are recommended, you do not have to stick to only these. Reading, in general, will help improve your score. You should make reading, whether it be nonfiction or fiction, a daily habit. Start by reading a book at your level and then build your way up to more difficult texts. Choose books that interest you, as it will make you more inclined to keep up your daily reading. 

 However, if you have less than a month before your SAT, be wary of this strategy as this is a long-term strategy to improve your score and you may not see much improvement by your test day. 

Annotating Passages 

If you’re getting less than 35 questions right in the reading section, you should consider annotating your passages. Questions on the reading section of the SAT typically ask for key ideas, tone, and main ideas. Taking notes on the margins of the passages and underlining important details will improve your reading comprehension by helping you understand the passage. It can also allow you to answer the questions more easily and faster since you already have the answer written in your annotations. Practice doing annotations on your daily articles. 

Vocabulary 

The SAT uses relatively difficult vocabulary. Not knowing what one word means can throw you off your game or make your interpretation of a section/sentence completely incorrect. To prevent this, you should become comfortable using context clues. This way you can easily figure out what an unfamiliar word means. Both the reading and writing sections of the SAT ask vocabulary questions requiring you to choose the meaning of a word from the passage that has multiple meanings. You will have to use context clues to figure out which definition is correct. You can practice this by predicting what an unfamiliar word means before looking it up while reading your daily articles. 

Learning new vocabulary words can also help. Although the SAT no longer requires you to memorize challenging vocabulary, you should still learn vocabulary that is about a medium-level difficulty. You can do this by looking up any words you don’t know during your daily readings. There are also apps available on the app store that will teach you a new SAT vocabulary word every day, like SAT Flashcards: Prep & Vocab by Magoosh. You can find out more information about how to study SAT vocabulary here. 

Ways To Improve Your SAT Writing:

The SAT Writing section focuses on grammar, vocabulary, and editing/revising skills. If you’re having trouble with any of these, consider these strategies: 

Content 

The SAT Writing section focuses on around 50 grammar topics, like sentence structure, sentence modifiers, and style and tone. You can learn these topics from an SAT workbook or online. Remember that you don’t need to memorize the different topics and rules, but be able to use them in practice on the day of the test. After learning how to apply each rule, make sure you get as much practice as you can. Practice problems can be found in workbooks and online. Make sure to check your work and understand why you got a question wrong. An easy way to practice editing and revising is by editing your old essays and writing assignments. 

Ways To Improve Your SAT Math:

If you’re having trouble with the SAT math sections, here are some strategies that can help you: 

Concepts

The SAT math section includes around 30 topics on algebra, basic statistics, nonlinear functions and graphs, and volume. Learn all the topics from workbooks or online. After doing practice problems, determine which concepts you are the weakest in and focus on those. Spread out the days you learn each topic to fit a schedule that works for you. However, make sure you give yourself ample time to review your weakest topics before your SAT test date. Generally, students have trouble with functions, statistics, and number theory. Give yourself double the amount of time to study these concepts than you would any other. If you’re having trouble grasping the concepts, try watching videos surrounding the topics and continue practicing. You do not have to memorize any formulas as most are provided to you on a reference sheet on the day of the test, but make sure you are comfortable using them. 

Shortcuts 

Most math questions on the SAT are straightforward. If you learn shortcuts for each concept, you will be able to work more efficiently. For percentage, algebraic expressions, and word problems, try plugging in an answer choice instead of using a variable. Being familiar with your calculator can also help you easily find correct answers on the calculator section. For example, instead of calculating intercepts by hand, you can graph the equation on your calculator to find the answer. 

Conclusion
At the end of the day, the best way to achieve your target score is to practice as much as possible. Even if you don’t get your target score, don’t get disheartened. Remember you can take the SAT as many times as you need. Learn from your mistakes and work harder next time. If you still can’t improve your SAT score, consider hiring a tutor who can help you with your weak areas. Synergy Prep offers SAT tutoring, where you can take practice tests, receive a breakdown of your scores, and be taught by an experienced instructor. You can find out more about our SAT program and how we can help you achieve the best score possible on the SAT by clicking here.

SAT vs ACT: Which one should you take?

The SAT and the ACT are two exams used for college admissions. To get into the vast majority of colleges in the US, you have to submit a score from one of the two exams. Although the SAT is more popular, the ACT is equally valid. While you can certainly take both, it’s worth exploring the two options to see which is the better fit for your abilities.

The SAT

• What’s on it? The SAT consists of a Math section, an Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section, and an optional Essay section.

• How long is the test? The test is three hours long. If you choose to complete the optional Essay section, the test is three hours and fifty minutes in total.

• How is it scored? The Math section and the Reading and Writing section are each scored on a scale from 200 to 800, giving you a total score out of 1600. If you write the Essay, you receive a separate score for that.

The ACT

• What’s on it? The ACT consists of four sections: English, Reading, Math, and Science. It also includes an optional Writing Test.

• How long is the test? The test is 2 hours and 55 minutes long. If you choose to take the Writing Test, the test is three hours and thirty-five minutes long in total.

• How is it scored? Each section is scored on a scale from 1 to 36, giving you a composite score that is also on a scale from 1 to 36. You receive a separate score for the optional Writing Test.

Which test should I take?

The first step in choosing the right test is to take a practice test for each one. Take both an SAT practice test and an ACT practice test, and compare your scores. That being said, there are several key factors that may encourage you to choose one test over another.

Why you might choose to take the SAT:

1. You get anxious about time constraints. The ACT gives you far less time per question than the SAT on every section, making it feel more like a race against time.

2. You can write an excellent analytical essay. The optional SAT Essay asks you to read and analyze an author’s argument. If evidence-based analytical writing is one of your strengths, this may be the test for you.

3. You prefer reading questions to appear in chronological order. On the SAT, reading questions are organized in the order they appear in the passage. ACT reading questions, on the other hand, are not organized in passage-based chronological order.

4. You are comfortable with grid-in math questions. The SAT contains several math questions where you have to produce your own answer instead of selecting one of the assigned choices. The SAT might be the right option if you’re okay with solving math problems that are not multiple-choice.

5. You have a strong grasp on vocabulary. Generally, the SAT Reading and Writing sections contain more challenging, higher-order vocabulary than the ACT English and Reading sections.

Why you might choose to take the ACT:

1. You are comfortable with science. Unlike the SAT, the ACT features a science section. Consider taking the ACT if you like and excel in analyzing graphs and experimental hypotheses and results.

2. You are comfortable with geometry and trigonometry. ACT math includes a much higher proportion of geometry questions than SAT math, and a slightly higher proportion of trigonometry questions as well.

3. You can write an excellent opinion-based essay. Unlike the SAT Essay in which you analyze an argument, the ACT Writing Test asks you to produce your own argument. That is, you must state your opinion on a topic, and provide examples to support it.

4. You don’t mind memorizing math formulas. Unlike the SAT, the ACT does not provide a diagram of formulas for the Math section, which means all essential formulas need to be memorized.

5. You are not comfortable doing math without a calculator. While the SAT contains a No Calculator math section, you can use a calculator for all ACT math questions. 

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SAT Subject Tests Breakdown: Which ones should I take?

The SAT Subject Tests are standardized tests given by the College Board on individual academic subjects.

Here are your options for the SAT Subject Tests:

• Math: Level 1, Level 2

• Science: Chemistry, Physics, Biology (Ecological/Molecular)

• English: Literature

• History: US History, World History

• Language: Spanish, French, German, Italian, Modern Hebrew, Latin, Spanish with Listening, French with Listening, German with Listening, Chinese with Listening, Korean with Listening, Japanese with Listening

Why take SAT Subject Tests?

There are a number of reasons to take SAT Subject Tests, one being that many selective colleges require them. In many cases you are expected to submit two Subject Test scores, in addition to your SAT or ACT score. Subject Tests are also a great way to highlight your academic strengths and showcase your competence in a subject. They can also be used to signal your interest and commitment to a specific college major/program. For instance, if you’re applying to programs in engineering, you should emphasize your strengths in math and science. In that case, a good idea would be to take the Math Level 2 test, as well as a science test such as Chemistry or Physics.

Which SAT Subject Tests should I take?

When deciding which SAT Subject Tests to take, consider which academic subjects you excel in and are most comfortable with. Take the tests in which you’re confident about getting a good score! In addition, you can choose your tests according to what you want to major in. Here are some Subject Test recommendations based on your intended major or career track:

• Engineering/computer science: Math Level 2, Physics

• Pre-med: Biology, Chemistry, Math Level 1 or 2

• Pre-law: English Literature, US History, World History

• Finance/business: Math Level 1 or 2

• Humanities: English Literature, US History, World History, any Language test

If you’re unsure about your prospective major, you can choose your tests based on the general area of study you may be interested in. It’s also wise to take a careful look at the admissions requirements of the colleges and specific programs you are interested in applying to – several colleges ask that you submit at least one score from a humanities test (e.g. Literature, World History) and one from a math/science test (e.g. Math Level 2, Chemistry). Specific programs within schools can also have their own special requirements.

Should I take science Subject Tests if I’ve taken the ACT?

While the ACT contains a science section, this is not meant to serve as a substitute for the science Subject Tests. The ACT science section assesses your general ability to think scientifically, rather than the specific content of your scientific knowledge. If you want to showcase your specialized knowledge in a science subject, you should take one or more of the Subject Tests in Chemistry, Physics, or Biology – even if you have taken the ACT and scored well on the science section.

SAT Subject Tests are an additional component of your college application that illustrate your skills and interests. Whether they are recommended or required by the colleges you’d like to apply to, it’s worthwhile to prepare for and take at least two Subject Tests to strengthen your college application.

What is considered a good score on the SAT Subject Tests?

In general, a good score on the SAT subject test would be anything above a 700. However, each subject test has a different average score.  For example, the average score for the Math Level II SAT subject test is 694. It’s not enough to just be above average though. We encourage that you try your best and shoot for a perfect score. That’s why, as we stated earlier, it is important that you choose subject tests that complement your strengths. The higher the score, the better.

You should also set a target score for yourself. Your target score will depend on which colleges you are interested in applying to. Research what the average SAT subject test scores are for those colleges and aim to get a much higher score than the average.

If you want statistics on the SAT subject tests, check out this article from PrepScholar. 

How should you study for the SAT Subject Tests?

 As with any standardized exam, it is recommended that you start preparing several months beforehand, if not longer. The SAT and ACT are two major exams that you should start studying for during the summer of your sophomore year going into junior year. Continue studying throughout your junior year and eventually take your first exam in the winter or spring. This way if you aren’t happy with your score the first time around, you can take it again in the fall of your senior year. Generally, we don’t recommend taking the SAT or ACT more than three times.

Give yourself ample amount of time to study and get the material down. The same applies to your subject tests. However, you don’t need to study for the tests over the span of a year. You can start studying for the test 2-3 months in advance. First take a diagnostic exam to see where you stand. Your study schedule will depend on what your score is.

Choosing a subject test that complements your strengths, a good workbook, and self-studying should be enough for you to do well on the exam. However, if you feel that you can’t grasp the concepts, finding a tutor is always an option. Synergy Prep also has a great course on SAT and SAT subject tests that you can check out here. 

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Should I take the 9th grade SHSAT exam?

While most students take the SHSAT in 8th grade, it’s also possible to take it during your freshman year of high school. Maybe you took the exam in 8th grade and weren’t accepted to one of the schools you wanted to attend. Or perhaps you have never taken the SHSAT but are now interested in attending a Specialized High School . In either case, there are several factors you should consider before taking or retaking the SHSAT as a 9th grader.

How is the 9th grade SHSAT different?

The first thing to note is that the 8th grade and 9th grade tests are not identical. While the Verbal section of both tests are more or less the same, the Math section of the 9th grade test is more advanced than that of the 8th grade test. One of the most notable differences is that the 9th grade test may include questions on basic trigonometry, which is not covered on the 8th grade test. If you are planning on retaking the SHSAT as a 9th grader, beware of the following topics for math:

• advanced algebra problems

• greater emphasis on coordinate geometry

• greater emphasis on 3D geometry

• basic trigonometry

• graphing

• slopes

• transformations

Click here for a sample of some math questions that you’ll find on the 9th grade SHSAT

What are my chances of getting accepted?

Keep in mind that the acceptance rates for 9th graders are significantly lower than the acceptance rates for 8th graders! Simply put, there are fewer available spots for incoming sophomores at the Specialized High Schools. This means the cutoff scores are generally higher for 9th graders taking the SHSAT. Overall, 9th graders need to achieve higher scores on the test in order to gain acceptance to a Specialized High School.

Should I retake the SHSAT?

If you took the SHSAT in 8th grade and weren’t satisfied with your results, retaking the test the following year is always an option. However, it’s a good idea to take your original score into consideration when deciding whether to retake the test. If your score was 449 or lower, the odds of improving your score enough within one year to gain acceptance as an incoming sophomore, when seats are significantly more limited, may be rather slim. If your score was 450 or higher, it may be worth your while to give it another shot. As always, studying consistently and effectively will go a long way in helping you get into the school of your dreams!

Tutoring/Test Prep

If you are considering taking the 9th grade exam, your best bet to increase your score or getting a high score is to sign up for a test prep course. Although there is a lot of material on the internet and books on the SHSAT, no instruction is more personalized than tutoring. A good tutor will help you through the questions you have difficulty with and give you regular practice tests to monitor your performance. If you are seeking a home tutor then Wyzant.com would be your safest bet. However, home tutoring could be a bit pricey and may not fit your budget. Check out Synergy Prep’s SHSAT program for more information on SHSAT tutoring.

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