This month

Testing and studying skills

• Feature — The basics of college entrance exams
• Web quest — Homework help online
• Stay on track — A checklist of "to-dos"
• Take notice — Important dates
• All about AIEmail — Subscribe, suggest, review

Feature

The basics of college entrance exams

The basic tests offered
When it comes time for you to take your college entrance exams, you will most likely need to look at two testing services:

• The SAT, offered by the College Board (www.collegeboard.com); and
• The ACT, offered by ACT, Inc. (www.act.org).

Most accredited colleges and universities in the United States, and many in other countries, accept scores for either test. To learn which test is required for each school you are considering, visit the "Admissions" section on the Web sites of the schools you want to attend, or call their admissions office.

A helpful strategy
You will probably have to take at least one test, but many students choose to take both. Start as early as your sophomore year if possible — which is also the year that you will be able to take the PSAT, or Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test. Taking the PSAT is important for three reasons: you can get an idea of the type of questions asked on the SAT, you are placed in the pool of students considered for the National Merit Scholarship program, and your name is provided to schools who consider you ideal for their offerings and programs.

If you are a sophomore, junior, or senior, start planning now for upcoming test dates. If you are a sophomore, don't forget to ask your counselor about the PSAT if you haven't heard anything yet. Stop by your guidance counselor's office or visit Adventures In Education (www.AIE.org) to learn more.

How to prepare now
There are several things you can do now to start getting prepared. Here are a few ideas:

• Pick up a test packet from your counselor and review the sample questions. Get help for those questions you don't understand.
• Visit the Web sites of the two largest services and explore some of the helpful tools available for students. This may include sample tests, tip sheets, and other resources.
• Ask the counselor or librarian at your school or public library about test preparation books and other materials they may have available.
• Set up a monthly study group and invite other students to get together to quiz yourselves and study for the exams. Ask your parents and teachers to help provide snacks, a place to meet, and encouragement!
• Visit education Web sites like AIE (www.AIE.org) to get more ideas about studying and preparing for college preparation exams.

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Web quest

Homework help online

There are many resources on the Web that can help you when you need some help with your homework. They can also serve as useful study aids. Here are a few sites:

• Google Directory Homework Help Search
  The Homework Help Search on Google Directory integrates Google's sophisticated search technology with Open Directory pages to create a useful tool for finding information on the Web.
  www.google.com/Top/Kids_and_Teens/School_Time/Homework_Help/
• Infoplease Homework Center
  Infoplease is a comprehensive reference source that combines the contents of an encyclopedia, a dictionary, an atlas, and several almanacs loaded with statistics, facts, and historical records. A single search engine allows users to search all these sources at once.
  www.infoplease.com/homework
• MSN Encarta Homework Help
  MSN Encarta's Homework Help page provides help with homework and tips and articles for research.
  www.encarta.msn.com

You can also find more scholarship-related Web sites in AIE's "Internet Resources" (www.AIE.org/Links/Paying/).

Watch for next week's issue of AIEmail for more scholarship resources.

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Stay on track

Checklist for this week

For freshmen and sophomores

• One important task for you this week — get involved! There are several organizations in your community that need your help, especially during the upcoming busy holiday season.

For juniors

• Your focus at this time is to try to figure out what you are looking for in an "ideal" college. For example, think about the size of the campus, the number of students, the location, the types of programs the school offers, and the cost of attendance.
• Check with your library or counselor, and see if they have a computer program or Web site available that lets you choose options to search for schools. Some of these programs can compare schools side by side and offer other features to help you in your selection.
  
  Visit AIE's "Find the Right School" page for more college search advice.
• Focus on what is most important to you — choosing the right college is one of the most important decisions you will make. Although you should consider the opinions of counselors, teachers, and family members, the decision ultimately is yours.

For seniors

It's normal to be fearful or worried about writing college admissions application essays. There are several things you can do to help you compose a good piece of writing.

• Make your essay personal; the best essays reflect you and your personality.
• Give your essay a purpose. As you write, make sure you are writing about one of the topics you were given.
• Proofread very carefully. Use all the tools available to you, including spell-check and grammar check. Get a teacher, counselor, or family member to review your writing as well.

For parents

• Now is a good time to have your child assist with community activities. Volunteering for a local religious organization, non-profit organization, or other program gives them an opportunity to learn about giving back to the community.
• Volunteering is an important part of college and scholarship applications. Most committees want to see some of these activities in a student's background; they are an essential part of becoming a well-rounded individual.
• Consider involving the entire family in an activity. Volunteer to go together one evening to serve food at a soup kitchen, prepare meals for the elderly, or assist with childcare activities. These activities bring families closer together and allow you to recognize the important role you play in each others' lives.

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Take notice

Important dates

Mark down these dates.

To get more information on the SAT or SAT Subject Tests, access useful tools, or register, visit the College Board's Web Site(www.collegeboard.com) or call (609) 771-7600.

To get more information on the ACT, access useful tools, or register, visit the ACT Web Site (www.act.org) or call (319) 337-1270.

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All about AIEmail

Subscribe, suggest, review

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