Good news!  The new SAT Study Guide is available for sale now.  Students who took the March exam had to rely on an Adobe Acrobat copy found on the College Board's website.  Hint:  You can save some money and still use this PDF copy.  For people like me, jump over to my SAT page in this website and purchase a copy from Amazon.  Local Barnes & Noble stores have the book in stock, too.

School's out until September.  Most students (and teachers) are ready to take some time off and relax. If you are moving into your junior or senior year - don't do it!

This is the perfect time to get ready for the SAT or ACT.  Your study will not compete with homework.  Your SAT/ACT study will not compete with team practices or after school jobs.  

Keeping the brain cells active this summer will reduce the shock and memory loss in September. Plus, you'll be ready to an early SAT/ACT exam in the fall before school really gets going.  The biggest benefit:  Studies have shown that students raise their scores every time they take the SAT/ACT.  Give yourself the room to take the exam multiple times and send your best score to your schools of choice.

Parents have asked me which is better, group prep sessions or private tutoring.   My answer: It's all about money. 

Group test prep is less expensive for parents than private tutoring.  Group test prep is more lucrative for test prep companies. 

Private tutoring is more expensive for parents and less lucrative than group test prep for tutoring companies. 

How do you decide which is better?   Figure out what's better for the student.  Many students need individual attention.  A group setting can not provide this.

So, It's all about money - but money should not be the decisive factor.

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) dumped the ACT last year and awarded a three- year contract to the College Board for providing SAT exams to all high school juniors.  Was this a good move?

Many educational professionals feel the ACT better tests what Michigan high school students have been taught.  For instance, the SAT doesn't even have a Science exam.  There are other educational professionals that feel the SAT is better because it requires students to synthesize knowledge - to really think.

One thing is certain. The State of Michigan is saving $15.4 million over the ACT's bid for the three-year contract.  Martin Ackley, spokesman for MDE, said that the move doesn't mean the department favors one test over the other.  "Each proposal was reviewed and graded on its own merits ... (The SAT) was seen as the better value for the State of Michigan."

See the Lori Higgins' story in the January 8, 2015 issue of the Detroit Free Press.

The first group of students has taken the new SAT!  The feedback received from my students has been generally positive.  Several students thought the Reading test was "readable" or "clear".  As I suspected, the math test appears to be "better".   That's my word.  However, a student who took the exam last year told me that the March 2016 math test was "easier".  Of course, it could be that after six months, he could be better prepared.