Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Tutoring Reinforces Classroom Education

Even the best schools and teachers can't provide individualized attention to all students. Learning styles also differ and may not be accommodated by teachers. 

Tutoring reinforces classroom education.In-home #tutoring provides time for one-to-one interaction that reinforces skills and allows for better comprehension of subjects. Our tutors review lessons taught in school, motivate students and assist with homework. Students can also pre-learn a concept. Learning a complex subject becomes easier when 
they walk into a classroom already aware of a topic, providing a competitive edge.


Our tutors know how to recognize a student's strengths and weaknesses and can provide materials that supplement the textbook. They offer detailed, constructive feedback, and also teach study skills such as scheduling, note taking, strategies for reading complex materials, and more. 

Key Academics was recently voted "Best of Montco Tutoring Service" in a poll of readers of several local newspapers. Our tutoring programs help students maximize academic performance in the classroom, and make learning interesting and fun.

For more information, please call 610-940-1625 or email info@keyacademics.com.

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

FAFSA Changes Submission Dates For 2017-18

In September, President Obama announced significant changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process that will impact millions of students. Starting next year, students will be able to do the following:

  • Submit a #FAFSA Earlier:  Students will be able to file a 2017-18 FAFSA as early as Oct. 1, 2016, rather than beginning on Jan. 1, 2017. The earlier submission date will be a permanent change, enabling students to complete and submit a FAFSA as early as Oct. 1 every year. (There is NO CHANGE to the 2016-17 schedule, when the FAFSA will become available Jan. 1 as in previous years.)
  • Use Earlier Income Information: Beginning with the 2017-18 FAFSA, students will report income information from an earlier tax year. For example, on the 2017-18 FAFSA, students (and parents, as appropriate) will report their 2015 income information, rather than their 2016 income information. 

If you’d like more details about the upcoming changes, you may read the following informational pieces from the U.S. Department of Education and the White House:
FAFSA Changes fact sheet (for students)
White House fact sheet (for the general public)

Monday, December 14, 2015

Key Academics Referral Program


Anyone can earn a $50 Amazon gift card f
or each person they refer to Key Academics who becomes a college entrance exam client. Also, academic or study skills referrals earn $25 gift cards.

Step 1: Tell your family and friends about Key Academics. 
Step 2: Have them call 610-940-1625 and provide your name at initial inquiry.
Step 3: Receive a $50 or $25 Amazon gift card upon enrollment. There is no limit to how much you can earn!

Monday, November 23, 2015

'Should I take the new SAT, the old SAT, or the ACT?'

“Should I take the #SAT or the #ACT?”
That decision is becoming tougher than ever.
A new SAT debuts in March 2016, and it will look a lot different from the current version. A revamped PSAT debuted in September, and for students who liked that test it makes good sense to take the new SAT.
Many others don’t want to be the first to take the new test, though. So they are registering by Dec. 28 for the final sitting of the old test on Jan. 23.
The new SAT will stress questions and content designed, the College Board says, to reflect the work that students undertake in the best high school courses. The test draws heavily from the Common Core benchmarks adopted by many states.
Instead of three sections, there will be two: Math and Evidence Based Reading and Writing. The Math test emphasizes algebra, de-emphasizes geometry, and puts more questions in a real world context. The Reading and Writing test requires students to cite evidence for their answers. The essay will be more complex, and optional, although most colleges will expect applicants to write one.
Each section will be scored on a 200 to 800 scale for a total of 1600 points instead of 2400. There will no longer be a penalty for guessing, and the number of possible answers will decrease from five to four.
While the College Board has been making big changes to the SAT, the ACT implemented minor changes this fall, including new subscores and minor changes to the math section. The biggest change is to the essay prompt, which now asks students to evaluate multiple viewpoints on a complex issue and develop their own positions. 
The ACT is a stable, proven, straightforward test that is now accepted at every college and university. Since 2010, in fact, it has achieved a bigger market share than the SAT. All in all, there’s a lot to like about the ACT, and for many students it makes sense to consider an ACT-first mindset for now.

For assistance in selecting which test will maximize results, as well as information regarding comprehensive tutoring programs that teach test-taking strategies and content, please contact Key Academics at 610-940-1625 or visit www.keyacademics.com.

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Everything You Need to Know About the New SAT

The new SAT, which debuts in March, will look a lot different from the current version. Instead of three sections, there will be two: Math and Evidence Based Reading and Writing. Each will be scored on a 200 to 800 scale for a total of 1600 points. There will no longer be a penalty for guessing, and the number of possible answers will decrease from five to four. The now-required essay will be optional. 

The revamped test draws heavily from the Common Core math and reading benchmarks adopted by most states. Those standards emphasize evidence-based interpretations of texts, vocabulary used in college and careers, and depth over breadth math skills needed to understand and apply mathematics to novel situations. 

Students can still register for the current SAT’s last testing dates in December and January. Those who don’t want to rush might decide that the new test, though less familiar, fits their schedule better. But the first cohort to take the new SAT, in March, won’t get their scores until after the next test date, in May. That’s about double the current wait time. 

A bigger concern is that some students might stumble over the longer reading passages, the deeper dive into math, and questions that require multiple steps to reach an answer. These and other potential problems currently are driving many students to take the old test — or the ACT. 

The ACT is a relatively stable test that implemented minor changes this fall to the essay and math sections. All in all, there’s a lot to like about the ACT, especially for current juniors. So, Key Academics is advising an ACT-first mindset for the class of 2017, the first to potentially take the new SAT.

For assistance in selecting which test will maximize results, as well as information regarding comprehensive tutoring programs that teach test-taking strategies and content, please contact Key Academics at 610-940-1625 or visit www.keyacademics.com.

Monday, October 19, 2015

The Common Core Explained

The #CommonCore State Standards arose from a simple idea: that creating one set of challenging academic expectations for all students would improve achievement and college readiness.
But the idea proved to be the only thing that was simple about the standards.
Here are some common questions and answers about the complicated phenomenon known as the common core: http://www.edweek.org/ew/issues/common-core-state-standards/index.html?cmp=eml-enl-cm-news1

Monday, September 28, 2015

PSSA Scores Absent From Schools' Report Cards

PSSA aligns with Common CoreAligned with with the Common Core for the first time, this year's PSSAs were so tough that the results won't be used in assessing the performance of Pennsylvania's elementary and middle schools. 

Students in grades 3 to 8 scored an average of 35 percent lower in math and 9 percent lower in English this year. As a result, the U.S. Department of Education granted a one-year waiver in September.

High schools continue to receive their state report card scores. Instead of PSSAs, those students now take the Keystone Exams when they complete Algebra I, Literature and Biology. Beginning with the class of 2017, students will be required to pass those exams in order to graduate.

Thursday, September 17, 2015

College Application Essay Success

It's almost October. For seniors who haven't started working on their college application essays, it's time to get moving!
 
Students often need help in crafting a compelling essay that will catch the attention of an admissions committee. To write an essay that truly stands out requires a unique, interesting concept that says something special about the student's intellect and interests. 

If you or someone you know would like an experienced college essay writing coach's assistance in brainstorming, drafting and revising this important part of the application process, please call 610-940-1625 or contact us online at www.keyacademics.com.

Monday, August 31, 2015

Register Now For Small-Group SAT & ACT Classes

Some seats are still available for Key Academics' SAT and ACT classes for small groups of students. The "Best Of Montco" tutoring service's classes are being offered through Whitemarsh Township's Parks & Recreation.

The class for the current SAT, in effect until March 2016, features six three-hour classes on Sunday afternoons starting Sept. 20. 

The ACT course for the revised test that debuts in September includes sine two-hour, Monday evening classes from Oct. 12 to Dec. 7. 

Along with 18 hours of instruction, each student receives two professionally developed, 200-page workbooks and a take-home, graded practice test. Both classes will be held in the Parks And Recreation Building next to Miles Park on Joshua Road in Lafayette Hill. 

The cost is just $479 for Whitemarsh residents and $499 for non-residents. To register, call Whitemarsh Parks and Recreation at (610) 828-7276, go to whitemarshparks.org, or call Key Academics at (610) 940-1625.

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Newspaper App Teaches SAT Vocab In 5 Minutes A Day

Studying for the SAT/ACT or just looking to improve your vocabulary? From July 1 to Aug. 31, philly.com features fun articles about movies, sports, entertainment, and more, all using lots of great vocabulary words. If you don't know a word, just click on it to see its definition.

Powered by ProfessorWorda Philly-based startup, the technology is featured in a free philly.com Reading Challenge that sends one article a day to students.

Learning new words in context is the most effective way to improve vocabulary. This new technology can define any word and can even be set to automatically highlight all the pertinent SAT/ACT vocabulary words used on any website. 

 Learn more and sign up at philly.com/vocabulary.

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Key Academics Is Voted Best Of Montco Tutoring

It’s official! Montgomery County residents have selected Key Academics as 2015’s Best Tutoring Service.
            The annual Readers Choice Awards are conducted by Montgomery Newspapers, publishers of the Norristown Times Herald, Lansdale Reporter, Amber Gazette, Colonial News, Glenside News and several other media.
            Key Academics provides one-to-one, in-home and online tutoring in academic subjects, study skills and reading for students from kindergarten through college. We also provide preparation for admissions tests such as SAT, ACT, SSAT, ISEE, GRE, GMAT and LSAT.                                   
To celebrate this prestigious award, Key Academics is pleased to extend a 15 percent discount to new test prep clients who mention the “Best Of Montco” award. (this discount applies to new students, and cannot be combined with other offers.)
Call 610-940-1625 today and learn what makes Key Academics the best  one-to-one academic tutoring and test prep service in the Delaware Valley.

Key Academics Wins Best of Plymouth Meeting Tutoring Award

Key Academics recently received the 2015 Best of Plymouth Meeting Award in the category of Tutoring Instructors.
            The annual award honors local businesses that use best practices to generate long-term value. The program works with local business owners, professional associations, and other business groups to gather the information and data used to choose the winners in each category.

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

College Board Loses Points With SAT Mistake

After a misprint in test booklets regarding the time allotted for taking part of the SAT on June 6, the College Board said that it would not score two sections of the exam, and would waive its fees for students who wanted to take the test again in October. 
The June 6 test booklets said students would have 25 minutes to complete the last of three reading sections. Proctors, however, were given instructions that students would have only 20 minutes for that section. While some proctors noticed the error and informed students in advance, others did not discover it until alerted by test takers. The confusion distracted some students during the exam.
Although the misprint appeared only in the final reading section, some students may have been taking their final math section in the same room as other students completing the reading section and been affected by any confusion, so the board said it would not score either section.
The board apologized for the error and it would still be able to provide reliable scores for all students because the SAT is designed to collect enough information to provide valid and reliable scores even with an unscored section.
If only that were true! Timing confusion during the test surely had a negative impact on some students' performance. And what if a student found an eliminated reading passage or math section easier than the ones preceding it? It’s a well-known fact in test theory and analysis that fewer items lead to less reliable scores. It’s easy to see how a 660 reading or math score, for example, could turn into a 630.
Also, scheduling a free test for October conflicts with Subject Tests at college application crunch time. The College Board should score the June 6 test both with the affected sections and without them, letting students and their parents decide which score to report. If neither one is satisfactory, students should have the option of taking a free retest in September. 

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Printing glitch zeroes out a section of SAT

There was a printing error in the  test books Educational Testing Service provided to U.S. students taking the SAT on Saturday, June 6. In an update on Monday, June 8, at 5:30 p.m. EDT, the College Board and ETS said the affected sections will not be scored. They said they will still be able to provide reliable scores, within the usual timeframe, for all students who took the test. This kind of error is really unacceptable. The confusion during the test no doubt had a negative impact on some students' performance. Eliminating a Math or Critical Reading section is also a big deal. What if a student found a reading passage, or math section, easier than the one being dropped? 
https://lp.collegeboard.org/information-regarding-the-saturday-june-6-sat-administration

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Need Assistance With A College Application Essay?

The summer months are a great opportunity for rising seniors to begin working on their college application essays. 
Colleges want to know how well students write and whether they can address a given topic. They also hope to find out who you are and what’s important to you. When the admissions staff has finished your essay, they should have a vivid sense of your personality.
That’s why you want to reflect on a significant personal experience. Include specific details that make you sound like a real person. Be reflective, insightful and proud of your achievements, but don't brag.
Student working on college application essay
Use language that is sophisticated and conversational. Read aloud a short, powerful passage from literature or serious reporting and figure out how it works sonically. Alliteration? Parallel construction? Varied sentence length? Then read your own work aloud for the same.
High school students may lack the writing experience needed to show how they can enrich a campus. To speak with a professional editor who can help with brainstorming, drafting, and revising this important part of the college application process, please call Key Academics at 610-940-1625 or contact us online.

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

2015 And 2016 SAT Test Dates

If you're looking for the SAT test dates after June 6, 2015, you won't find them on the College Board website. In fact, you won't find them on the web, period. But now you can find out the dates, thanks to Key Academics. And how did we find this valuable information, you may ask? Truth be told, simply by calling the College Board and speaking with a helpful representative, who explained that the dates have just been released and are unofficial but generally very reliable at this point. 

So without further ado, here are the SAT Test Dates: Oct. 3, 2015; Nov. 7, 2015; Dec. 5, 2015; Jan. 23, 2016: March 5, 2016 (no Subject tests); May 7, 2016; and June 4, 2016. The new SAT debuts with the March 5, 2016 test. 

Schools can administer the PSAT on Oct. 14 or Oct. 17. 

Here, as well, are the upcoming ACT test dates: June 13, 2015; Sept. 12, 2015; Oct. 24, 2015; Dec. 12, 2015; Feb. 6, 2016; April 9, 2016; and June 11, 2016.


Friday, April 17, 2015

New SAT A Topic Of Concern To Parents And Students

New SAT testThe new SAT will soon be a big concern for parents and students. They will need to decide whether to stay with a radically revised version of the popular test or join the growing numbers switching to the more straightforward and known quantity of the ACT. 

The SAT is set to undergo a significant revision in March 2016, as is the PSAT in the fall of 2015, with changes to scoring, format and questions. 

There are always problems with new test roll-outs, so Key Academics is advising an ACT-first mindset for the class of 2017, the first to potentially take the new SAT. The ACT is a relatively stable test with minor changes planned for fall 2015 to the essay and math sections. All in all, there’s a lot to like about the ACT, especially for rising juniors.

The SAT changes every 10 years or so. In 1995 it was re-centered so 500 could continue to approximate the mean score. In 2005, the test was changed to Critical Reading, Math and Writing, for 2400 points, while eliminating analogies and quantitative analysis. 

The updated SAT reflects an emphasis on problem-solving instead of rote memorization, as well as a closer alignment to the type of material and instruction seen in the highest level high school courses. The test will return to a 400 to 1600 scale, there will be no penalty for wrong answers, and the expanded essay will be optional.

​The new SAT will also include:
  • Reading and Writing tests that require students to cite evidence for their answers;
  • A Math test that emphasizes algebra, de-emphasizes geometry and puts more questions in a real-world context; and 
  • Questions and content that better reflect the work that students undertake in the best high school courses.

Market share is a huge driver of the latest SAT change. In 2010, 1.57 million students took the ACT and 1.5 million the SAT. And the ACT now has assessment contracts in 17 states versus three for the SAT.

Students taking the ACT in September 2015 will also see changes. They’ll need to prepare for a more complex essay and some alterations in the Reading and Mathematics tests. They will receive new scores for English language arts and the combined fields of science and mathematics.

For assistance in selecting which test will maximize results, as well as information regarding comprehensive tutoring programs that teach test-taking strategies and content, please contact Key Academics at 610-940-1625 or visit www.keyacademics.com.

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Whitemarsh Parks & Recreation Offers SAT And ACT Summer Programs

For rising juniors looking to take a fall college entrance exam, and rising seniors preparing to take one again, summer is the perfect time to prepare for the SAT or ACT. Of help to these students will be an eight-session summer course from the Whitemarsh Township Parks and Recreation Department and Key Academics.
 
The tutoring will take place at the Parks and Recreation building at Miles Park in Lafayette Hill, with SAT lessons from June 23 to Aug. 11, on Tuesday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m., and ACT lessons on Thursdays from June 25 to Aug. 13 at the same time.

“Enrollment is limited to 10 students for each course to maximize the benefit of small classes,” said Key Academics President Bill Silverman. “Each course will include 16 hours of in-class instruction, a 400-page workbook, and a practice test. For students who are unsure as to which test to take, Key Academics will provide optional diagnostic tests upon registration.”

The cost is $479 for Whitemarsh residents and $499 for non-residents. To register, please call Whitemarsh Parks and Recreation at (610) 828-7276 or visit whitemarshparks.org. Key Academics provides in-home tutoring for students at all grade levels throughout the Delaware Valley and can be contacted at (610) 940-1625, or by visiting www.keyacademics.com

Headquartered in Plymouth Meeting, Key Academics provides in-home academic and college entrance examination tutoring in Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware, Chester and Philadelphia Counties.

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Practice Questions For New SAT

To help students prepare for the redesigned PSAT/NMSQT (first offered in October 2015) and the redesigned SAT (spring 2016), the College Board has released a significant number of test questions.
Students and teachers can get detailed information about the format and features of the redesigned exams’ Reading Tests, Writing and Language Tests, Math Tests, and the SAT Essay on these pages:
The College Board encourages both students and educators to learn more about the redesigned SAT by looking through the sample questions.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Apply Now For Summer Pre-College Programs

By Dr. Aviva Hershfeld Legatt
Owner and College and Career Consultant
VivED Consulting

Do you have a freshman, sophomore or junior at home? As former Director of the Leadership in the Business World pre-college program at The Wharton School, I can tell you that participating in a pre-college program not only contributes to a student's growth and development, but also to his/her future college applications. While there is not a one-to-one link between participating in a summer program on a college campus and university admission, there are many benefits for students who participate in one of these programs. 

Besides the friendships made, the paramount outcome of a summer pre-college program experience is that students receive insight about their academic/career interests and college choices. In the many admissions applications I have read, and in my current college counseling practice, it is clear that many students have very little idea about why they want to study their intended major or go into a particular career field. (Hint: Reasons of "prestige" and "excellence" are insufficient). Pre-college programs provide opportunity for students to recognize and articulate compelling personalized (and informed) reasons about why a major (and/or school) is a good fit.
 
If your student is interested in attending a pre-college program this summer, make sure he or she applies ASAP: Most pre-college programs have rolling admissions, filling seats on a first-come, first-served basis.

Need ideas for pre-college programs that would be a good fit for your student? Contact Dr. Aviva Hirschfeld Legatt at aviva@vivedconsulting.com.

Monday, February 23, 2015

Debunking Myths About Financial Aid

Every year, thousands of students and families let misconceptions about financial aid stop them from applying for -- and receiving -- the aid they deserve. Let's let the folks at collegedata.com set the record straight.
Myth #1: There isn't enough aid for everyone, and certainly not for my family.
Fact: The amount of aid for college students increases almost every year. According to the College Board: More than $185 billion in financial aid was distributed to undergraduates during the 2012-2013 academic year in the form of aid from all sources, including grants, work-study, loans, and tax credits and deductions. Between the academic years 2007-2008 and 2012-2013, grant aid for full-time undergraduates increased an average of 6.8 percent each year.
If you need financial help, get in line. You have only yourself to blame if you don't. Visit collegedata.com for lots more mythbusting information.

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

SAT Essay: How To Score High

The essay represents about 25% to 30% of the SAT Writing score. The other 70% to 75% is based on your performance on the multiple- choice grammar questions.
The prompts of the SAT allow for a great deal of leeway in your choice of examples. You can practice by reviewing a range of people and topics from literature and history before the test.
Most important, though, is the quality of your writing and your ability to support your thesis. This can also include an example taken from personal experience. Just be sure to make it specific.
When you sit down for the test and get your prompt, take a few minutes to outline your answer. While it is often true that the top scoring essays are the longest ones, it is not true that you can simply improve your essay by writing more or writing faster.
It’s not easy to write a complete SAT essay in 25 minutes, but you can do it. And, with practice, you will. The key is being prepared.

Thursday, January 29, 2015

New SAT Practice Questions: Here's A First Look

About a year before the first administration of the new SAT, the College Board recently released a significant number of practice problems for the new test to help students prepare for the redesigned SAT in Spring 2016. Practice tests for the redesigned SAT are expected in spring 2015. 

According to the College Board, we can expect at least seven weeks between the first administration of the new SAT and the release of scores, along with concordance tables that will equate scores on the current and the new SAT.

Colleges will accept old SAT, new SAT, and ACT scores from the class of 2017. The new SAT represents an opportunity to improve the way test scores fit into the admissions process. We at Key Academics look forward to introducing our new prep guides, practice tests and other materials this summer. 

Math Sample Questions


Wednesday, January 14, 2015

It's Time To Fill Out College Financial Aid Form For Fall 2015

Students who plan to attend or continue college next fall should have already started their application for financial aid. Those who file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid from January through March receive, on average, twice the amount of grant money as those who file later

That’s probably because many states and colleges have early deadlines, the New York Times reported. Connecticut, for example, has a Feb. 15 deadline for certain aid programs. Plus, some state grant programs distribute awards on a first-­come, first-­served basis. So waiting means that students may miss out on aid even if they qualify.

The FAFSA form is the starting point for students and families seeking federal aid, and is used by most states and colleges as part of the student aid process. It must be completed every school year for students seeking aid. The form collects financial and personal information about students, and their parents if they are dependents, to determine eligibility for scholarships, grants, work-­study awards and loans.

A common mistake applicants make on the Fafsa is to include the value of their or their parents’ retirement plans, or the value of their family’s primary home. Neither is used by the Fafsa to calculate financial need, so including them could hurt an applicant’s chances.