恭喜J.W.錄取UCLA!!!

#UCLA

從去年的這個時候開始，我們一起並肩作戰到年底。

就像你跟Amanda說的：我們是最強組合！

謝謝你今天讓我感到很有成就感！

永遠的最強組合—Jordan & Brett👍👍👍

我會一直記得。謝謝！

也恭喜你！
我最強的學生之一！

"want"常見的第二個用法，大家學起來吧！

下面這句的"want"是你們都知道的用法：「要」
He wants nothing. 他什麼都不要。

但是今晚SAT課講到"want"的第二個用法，小老外們都想不到："want"也有"lack" 的意思「缺少、不足」。

當動詞(+for)、名詞(缺乏)、形容詞(不夠格)都有。
簡單說明一下。

動詞：
He wants for nothing. 他什麼都不缺。
He never wants for friends. 他從來不缺朋友。

名詞：
There's a serious want of teachers in rural school districts. 偏鄉地區的學校嚴重缺乏老師。
The man grew up in extreme want, so he understood poverty. 這男人在嚴重確乏的環境下長大，所以他知道什麼是貧困。

形容詞：
The actor's performance was found wanting. 這個演員的演技不足、不夠格。
We tried her cooking and found it to be very wanting. 我們試了她的廚藝，發現她的廚藝很不足、不夠格。

有興趣的同學也可以看看字典，很有意思的！
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/want

我最喜歡查字典、讀字典！😁

我們真的要練英文速讀嗎?

有時會看到提倡快速閱讀英文的資訊，不禁會想台灣學生真的要追求英文速讀嗎?

有關速讀，我自己玩了很多年。
從我十幾歲到現在久久還是會拿出來練一練。
我在速讀上面下了蠻多的功夫，包含英文跟中文兩個語言都有。

我記得在二十幾歲的時候，就決定我要看很多的英文小說。
所以我就用速讀的方式去看，看了很多，但我發現自己並沒有享受。

其實這也是幾乎每一個有練過速讀的人會有的心得 :
用速讀的方式看小說，會享受不到小說的精彩。
因為只是純粹在看，沒有真的全部吸收進去，也沒有投入在劇情裡。
所以不會覺得內容精彩。
然而看小說就是要好好的看，這樣才有意思啊!

後來因為我想要學好中文，我看到周遭的台灣人閱讀中文的速度超快，我好羨慕。
因為我超慢。我那樣子的速度看，要花好幾個禮拜，才能把一本小說看完。
像我有的學生可能一個晚上就可以看完一本小說。
甚至有一個修車廠的老闆他兩三個小時內就看得完整個天龍八部!
我羨慕極了! 他怎麼可以看得這麼快，我卻看得這麼慢。
天龍八部我至少花了一個月的時間才看完，而且是每天用五六個小時在看。

到了現在，我看中文的速度還是不快。
我雖然心裡或多或少還是會羨慕中文看很快的人，
但我實際上並沒有在追求中文的速讀。

為什麼? 

想想你為什麼要追求速讀? 
再想想你閱讀是為了什麼?

通常台灣人想要練英文的速讀是因為要參加考試。
多數的考生因為平常沒有閱讀英文的習慣，所以閱讀能力自然就比較弱。
但偏偏閱讀能力越弱的考生，他們越想追求速讀。
他們總是想靠速讀來應付考試，但真的會成功嗎? 
以我教考試二十年的經驗來說，答案是沒有。

速讀真的適合用在考試嗎? 

以SAT為例，英文雖然是我的母語，但是在考SAT我不會用速讀，我還是會慢慢看。
為什麼呢? 
因為我閱讀的重心不在於看很快，而在於看懂閱讀! 吸收內容! 精準答題!

速讀在考試的時候，容易讓你會錯意。
或是你根本沒看懂，但卻以為自己有懂。
這樣你答題，就很容易答錯。

對考生來說，考SAT的要訣在於精準度。
如果沒有精準的答對，就算你少花了幾分鐘在閱讀，你還是沒有得到分數啊!

如果沒有用速讀，你可能會花六分鐘左右的時間把一篇看完，確實這樣很不快。
因為SAT一篇閱讀加上作答時間平均差不多要花十三分鐘。
如果你把整整的六七分鐘花在閱讀上面，那只剩差不多六七分鐘才能把題目做完。
你可能會以為這樣的速度考SAT時，會有點吃不消...

但你再想想如果反過來，用速讀只花三四分鐘就把一篇看完，但你沒有吸收到內容。
雖然你有更多的時間可以答題，可是因為你沒看懂，你的答題精準度已經下降很多。
而得到的結果是大扣分，那這樣你反而是得不償失。 
所以我教考試，並不提倡速讀，而是追求答題精準度。

那對於不是考生的人呢?
你要追求速讀嗎?

如果你讀英文的目標是要喜歡閱讀、享受閱讀，那你當然不要速讀。 
如果你讀英文的目標是練字彙、句型、文法，那你是更不能速讀。

像我現在經常還是在看中文小說或漫畫，我不會用速讀。
小說的句子比較長、字彙也比較多樣，會幫我複習以前學過的國字跟加深句型的印象。
漫畫的句子比較短、比較口語，這可以讓我的中文口說比較不容易生疏。
所以我不管在看小說或漫畫時，我不只會慢慢看享受內容，我還會默念。
默念是為了練習字彙、文法、口說。

但是如果你是用速讀的方式去看英文，那你就會少了這些練習的機會。

所以很希望大家在追求英文的速讀時，先想想自己真的要練速讀嗎?

為什麼你需要參加SAT模考課?

我有點後悔沒有早點把這篇文章發出來...
這篇文章我早在年初就打完了...但一時忙，完全忘了有這篇還沒發...

這次5月SAT的Curve扣分遠比去年的誇張，因為這次考的較不難，應該說偏簡單。
當天考完後，我有其他家長問難度，我說很簡單，所以扣分會很重。
但昨天一出分，我沒想到會重成這麼離譜!!!
文法錯一題扣40分，數學錯一題扣30分。
我好幾個學生這次都剛好文法跟數學各錯一題...
很替他們心疼...畢竟他們這麼的努力...
明明錯的題數變少了，但分數卻沒有太漂亮。

但CB即便很後悔知道他們這次Curve的設定有問題，他們也是不會拉下臉改變的。
所以要改變的是學生練題的心態。
為什麼還是有人可以拿滿分?
因為他們在平時練習的過程更加謹慎小心。

閱讀原則上Curve都很合理，因為閱讀本來就比較難。
但是文法跟數學就可能扣分特重，因為比起閱讀，文法跟數學是更好掌握的。
而且都不會超過我們平常練習的範圍內。

當只要文法跟數學題目不難，他們自然就會扣得重。(雖然這次是重得過分了!)
所以在文法跟數學上，你不要不小心錯了一題。
不要錯，你就不會被Curve影響到，不管他們是怎麼設定。

以下是我幾個月前打好的原文...

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雖然SAT是一個標準考試，但是標準考試的定義是他們的每份考卷的難度是差不多一致的。
而實際上也沒有真的那麼的一致，有時他們的一整份考卷難度遠遠不如另外一份考卷。
像是去年6月美國國內考場的SAT考卷很簡單，所以就變成Curve的扣分很兇。
數學錯一題那你就降到770，但是通常錯一題是降到790或還是保持800。

基本上沒有一份考卷能夠呈現出College Board會出的SAT全部的題型。
每份考卷都只會出現部分的題型，以及每一份的出題法也會有些不同。
所以每次你在做一份模考考卷，你會因為遇到不同的題目或稍微不同的考法而有一些刺激。尤其是當遇到不知道怎麼解題的時候，雖然難免會有些挫折，
但是你是需要經過這樣的磨練跟刺激，才會比較有進步。

所以為什麼你需要參加SAT模考課?

1. 培養耐性跟謹慎度
說真的，有幾個學生真的有辦法自己在家裡計時一次考完一整份考卷?
少之又少! 因為在家真的很難可以空出這麼多時間並集中精神一次考3-4小時。

還有通常學生自己在家拆開來考的分數，會比一次考出來的分數來得高。
這樣的狀況會導致學生產生錯覺，覺得自己考得還不錯!
因為拆開來考~學生的注意力更容易集中，也沒那麼累~
自然可以比較有耐心去答題跟檢討。

但是正式考是一次考，不是讓你拆開來分天或分早上下午考。
如果你平常沒有訓練自己~要求自己~強迫自己一次考，
那你的注意力很容易在正式考時渙散...
那種答題的疲憊感會比其他有經過模考班訓練過的考生還來得重...

你會比較沒有辦法很有耐心的去解題...
因為你不習慣這樣拉長時間的考試和承受疲憊。
自然考出來的分數會比你自己拆開來模考來得低分。
但這樣其實也不意外!  不是嗎? 

而這也是為什麼常常有的學生錯都是錯在自己粗心!
因為在有時間壓力下答題，難免會粗心。
外加又是拉這麼長的時間要持續解題，考的不只是能力，更是耐性了!
誰的耐性有被磨起來，穩定度相對高，分數自然更穩，更穩當然就是拿下相對的高分了!

2. 避免生疏
很多SAT學生在上完暑密班，他們對考試的敏銳度非常高，對剛學到的解題技巧也都很熟悉。
但是當他們過了兩三個禮拜或一個月後，如果這中間都沒有回頭複習暑假教的東西，他們就會開始生疏。如果他們中間都沒有參加任何的模考班或自己在家練寫題目，那等到他們去考十或十二月的正式考時，就很容易出錯而考不好。

而後來有來參加模考班的學生，他們雖然一開始會覺得生疏了，
但是他們在模考時會覺得考點很熟悉，但是記得不太清楚了，考試時很容易不小心就犯錯。但是至少他們是在模考班裡答錯，而不是在正式考時寫錯。
學生經過模考班的犯錯，他們會回想~對吼! 其實有學過，只是忘了。或一時沒注意到。
而每次檢討時，他們就會再多深一層的記憶點。

多次練下來，學生比較能更確實的將之前學到的觀念和答題能力有效的應用在模考班裡做答。再從錯誤中學習，看自己是哪邊忘了或是不小心忽略而出錯。
這樣就會比較有複習到，也比較能提高在正式考的答題正確率。
所以其實練考試跟學語言也很像，少練自然就會越來越生疏。
而長期有一直練，學生會越來越抓得到出題的邏輯，知道他們要考你什麼。
你要怎麼避免跳進陷阱裡，當你越能掌握住考點，那自然你答題的準確率就會越高。

所以要記得準備考試，尤其像是這種考試時間很長且難度又高的SAT，
學生進班參加模考，他們才會比較可以逼著自己集中精神一次考完。
有環境~有同儕~有老師~他們就會不得不去做! 就像去參加正式考試一樣!
雖然一整天下來很疲憊，但你會進步。

要練到你在疲憊的狀態，仍然可以保持清晰的思緒解題。
當你越累時，答題時的盲點就會被放得更大。
所以模考班的功能就是要讓你練到你在疲憊的狀態下，仍可以保持清晰的思緒解題。
大部分的考生都需要這樣的磨練。

你有經歷這樣的磨練，你在正式考就會比較有辦法專心完成答題，而拿到比較穩定的分數。
這就是SAT模考班的重要性。

Awesome SAT and ACT grammar resource!

With the SAT test coming up in a few days, you need to check your understanding of grammar!

Awesome SAT and ACT grammar resource!
https://thecriticalreader.com/complete-sat-grammar-rules/

This webpage has pretty much all of the most important grammar rules which are tested on the SAT and ACT. (Even though the TOEFL and IELTS don’t test grammar directly, grammar certainly is tested indirectly, so IELTS and TOEFL test takers would be wise to check out the webpage too!)

This is a great place to check when you’re unsure about why the correct answer to a particular question is not the answer you believe to be correct.

Remember that the SAT and ACT are testing grammar from the 1950s which is specifically designed to fool native speakers. The better your English is, the more easily they will fool you with their underhanded tactics. Don’t fall for them! Check out this website.

Standardized tests are like a game. You can’t play by your own rules (your own grammatical understanding) - you must play by their rules (1950s’ grammar).

Here are a few quotes which are extremely important to keep in mind:

Note that whose, unlike who, can be used for both people and things/places.
Correct: London is a city whose many museums, palaces, and monuments make it a popular tourist destination.

Important: make sure to read through every sentence all the way through to the period! Otherwise, you might not notice when there are two sentences.

Unlike a semicolon, a colon can be followed by either a full sentence or a fragment.

Always keep verb tense consistent with that of other verbs in the paragraph.

Important: If there is an OMIT/DELETE option, or an option without a transition, check it FIRST because it will usually be correct (at least on the ACT). 
When two transitions have the same meaning (e.g. but/yet) and are both grammatically acceptable in context, both can automatically be eliminated because no question can have more than one right answer. 

Good luck on test day!

SAT考試時間建議

大部分的考生第一次考SAT都會比較緊張，容易失常。

考出來的成績容易低於平常水準的30-50分。

所以我通常會建議學生第一次考試放在10月或12月。
而理想是至少離第二次考試有隔3-5個月，讓自己有時間可以進步。

這樣壓力也沒這麼大了。

像是：
10月-3月-10月(明年有8月,也可選8月)
12月-5月-10月

還有不要裸考，我知道有些學校會建議學生第一次可以裸考。

但千萬別這麼做...不要白白浪費了一次考試。

第一次考試，還是要好好準備，盡力穩住考好。

考得不錯或是有在預計範圍內，也可以增加學生接下來的自信心。

記得！學習解題技巧是為了讓考出來的成績反映該有的程度。

所以請務必好好準備！加油！

一週到底可以進步多少? 不可限量!

我最近有一個日本籍的學生，日文是她的母語，英文跟中文都是她後來學的外語。
這個學生非常優秀，也非常努力。
(也應該說因為她很努力，所以她這麼優秀。)

但因為她的狀況比較特殊，外加時間緊迫，只能上SAT的模考班。
所以她參加了我每週六的SAT全天模考課。

因為她是要回日本讀東大，所以她SAT需要加考Essay，並且Essay的表現很重要。

上個禮拜六她在模考班考出來的Essay，我發現她不知道怎麼寫Essay。
我就問她~她有沒有學過怎麼寫Essay?  她說沒有。
所以我就拿給她我的SAT Essay教材。
裡面除了有教怎麼寫Essay外，也有我寫的SAT Essay範文可以學。
我跟他說他可以先自己看，然後有問題可以再問我。

結果我很驚訝的是這個禮拜六(才隔一個禮拜!)模考她寫出來的Essay已經達到水準!
沒有到滿分，因為還是有一些語言上的小問題(文法和用詞等)。
但是她寫出來的架構非常的漂亮，寫得分析內容也是有模有樣。
說真的~已經夠好了!
這樣的Essay程度，絕對可以被任何一所國外大學認同。
而且是高度的認同! 這是一篇很好的SAT Essay!

我很少說短期內可以得到很大的進步這種話...
因為這容易導致其他學生懶得提早準備，導致錯失可以得到更好成果的機會。

這個學生在Essay上的表現，是因為她夠用功加上她原先的英文程度是還不錯的。
並緊抓住所有可以讀書的時間，盡一切努力去學習。
所以才可以在短短的一週內有這麼驚人顯著的改變跟進步!

所以只要你還有時間，你就要盡可能地去學! 盡全力地去練!
不要把時間浪費在後悔或埋怨自己晚了!
沒有晚了! 只有把握每分每秒!
因為終究還是會有成效的!

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題外話:

(我有問她~她每天花多少時間在讀書，她說除了睡覺4個小時以外，其他可以讀書的時間她都在讀書。)

(不過我也提醒她健康還是要顧到，建議她如果可以多睡，理想還是要睡滿6小時比較好。)

(還有提醒她一定要運動!)

SAT分數目前回報狀況

SAT/ACT Bridge Courses:天母校邏輯閱讀班和中級文法班 Logical Reading and Intermediate Grammar courses (TianMu School)

天母校的邏輯閱讀班和中級文法班(SAT/ACT Bridge Courses)，春班課表出來了。

https://lindsaysat.blogspot.com/2018/11/2019-satact-bridge.html

邏輯閱讀班是銜接SAT/ACT的閱讀，中級文法班則是銜接SAT/ACT的文法。適合不需要考TOEFL/IELTS的國際學生(G7-9)，G10可以開始準備SAT或選上文法班。(Suitable for native English speakers)

需要考TOEFL/IELTS的國際學生(G7-9)，先考進班測驗，確認程度適不適合。如果已經是G10的學生，會考另外一份考卷，看程度適合先準備SAT還是先準備托福。

預約進班考試(找Amanda) : 02-2831-3275


Course schedules for Logical Reading and Intermediate Grammar are now available for the 2019 Spring Semester.

https://lindsaysat.blogspot.com/2018/11/2019-satact-bridge.html

Both courses have been designed as bridge courses for the SAT and ACT. Logical Reading will give students the reading skills and thinking tools to prepare them for the more rigorous SAT and ACT Reading sections, and Intermediate Grammar will train students (not by simply teaching grammar theory, but by applying theories to a multitude of questions within passages: learning by doing) to notice and correct grammar and structural patterns, laying the foundation for both the SAT Writing (grammar) and the ACT English (grammar) sections. As a bonus, the grammar is learned in such a way as to heighten students’ awareness of their own grammatical shortcomings in their writing.

These classes are specifically designed with native or near-native speakers in mind: those who study at certain international schools and are not required to take the TOEFL or IELTS. The best time to take these courses is G7-9. Doing so will enable students to adapt more quickly to the more rigorous SAT classes in G10.

Students who require the TOEFL or IELTS and are in G7-9, will be required to pass a reading or grammar test to assess their suitability for these courses. Students who are already in G10 will be given a different test to assess suitability for SAT or TOEFL courses. Results on these entrance tests will determine the most appropriate course(s) for the students.

Please contact Amanda or me (Brett) for inquiries or to set up an appointment for an entrance test on 02-2831-3274.

Critical SAT and ACT Advice: Don't take your school brain to the test!

Critical SAT and ACT Advice:
Don't take your school brain to the test!

What in earth does that mean?

Basically, if you are in a typical western schooling environment (e.g. TAS, TES, KC, etc), you are taught to draw conclusions in a big way. Teachers like to push you to use your imagination and infer all kinds of things that are not in reading passages. In fact, for many school teachers, especially literature teachers, the more you infer the happier they are.

So, what's the problem?

SAT, ACT, TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, and GMAT are standardized tests, which means that there can be only one correct answer. The kind of inferring that is common in school leads to multiple possible answers, so it's unsuitable for standardized tests.

The basic rule is this: only make one tiny inference - the smaller the better. Let me illustrate what I mean.

If your friend looks like he's in pain, and he's massaging his leg, what can you reasonably infer?

Only one thing: his leg hurts.

What can't you reasonably infer?
He got injured playing basketball.
He had an accident.
He woke up with a sore leg.
His sister kicked him.
A dog bit him.
He's malnourished.
He's got a rash.
Etc.

Even though this is boring as an inference, it's the only thing you can REASONABLY infer. Anything else is evidence of an overactive imagination and will give you a LOWER SCORE!

Remember: in a standardized test like the SAT and ACT, make the smallest inference possible. In fact, if you see direct evidence of an answer choice, that's even better than a choice you have to draw an inference about.

Always use what I term "the point test" - if you can't point directly to the evidence for an answer choice, it's probably wrong.

Thinking about it mathematically:
No inference > small inference > large inference

Remember: there is no place for imagination in a standardized test - always find evidence in the passage.

SAT/ACT vocabulary in the news #1

SAT/ACT vocabulary in the news #1

Just ran across this article.

Can you figure out what the word "scores" means in this context? Leave your answer in the comments.

This type of usage is fairly typical on the SAT - they love to test second or third meanings of words. The SAT almost never tests the first definition.

Remember: to do well on SAT vocab questions, it's not enough to simply know the basic definition of a word. You MUST grasp the meaning from the context.

SAT/ACT grammar mistakes in our daily lives #1

SAT/ACT grammar mistakes in our daily lives #1

Can you spot both of the grammar mistakes?

These are common mistakes that native speakers are generally unaware of. Still, they're just the kind of errors that are frequently tested on the SAT, ACT, and GMAT.

Remember: it's never enough to just be an excellent speaker of English to get a top score on the SAT or ACT. Knowledge of rules of grammar is essential to give you the competitive edge over other equally competent users of English.

If you can see the mistakes, write a corrected version in the comments.

Answer: 

The first mistake is at the beginning of the sentence: “As an artist,” SHOULD be describing Tom, but, grammatically, it’s describing the noun after the comma (the greatest thing). It could be rewritten as, “The greatest thing Nike has given me as an artist is…”

The second mistake is separating two sentences with a comma: “these are not constraints, these are other ways of thinking.” This could be rewritten with a dash or a colon: “these are not constraints - they are other ways of thinking.”

Finally, nobody (apart from grammar fans like me and Neal) will care about this, but the first mistake is called a “dangling modifier” and the second a “comma splice” or a “run-on sentence.” Knowing the names is useful if you want to google these mistakes to learn more about them.

我的SAT模考班介紹 ((SAT考前衝刺班))

The Lindsay SAT Mock Test Class has been tailored to suit the needs of students with native or near-native proficiency in English. Classes will be taught in a completely English environment, and will take an interactive approach, not the traditional but outdated spoon-fed approach.

By an interactive approach, we mean that after the test, you are permitted to ask questions on all of the areas you miss or are unsure about. Through the explanations, you are able to have flaws in your critical thinking (the essence of the new SAT test) pointed out as well as have your gaps in crucial knowledge filled. For example, commonly tested grammar points require repetition for you to internalize them.

1. Our mock tests are by appointment only, so please notify us in advance which dates you would like to attend.
2. Tests begin at 9am sharp, so do ensure that you arrive on time.
3. The test will be run in the same way as the official tests, including the optional essay section.
4. After a break for lunch, discussions follow.
5. The nature of these discussions varies depending on the relative strengths and weaknesses of the students on any particular day. 
6. Commonly tested concepts are reiterated throughout the explanations. Questions are not only welcome but expected of you.

These mock classes are essential for you to push yourself and keep your test-taking skills honed. While the SAT is a standardized test, each test is unique inasmuch as it tests concepts in slightly different ways thus throwing a spotlight on your blind spots. With Brett's personal guidance, you will understand how to overcome these deficiencies and improve not only your SAT score but also your ability to think critically, thus paving the way for university studies.

You are NOT your last SAT score! SAT Words of Advice.

You are NOT your last SAT score!
SAT Words of Advice.

I’ve noticed a destructive mindset that many students seem to share: they strongly feel that they are defined by their last test scores.

Often, a new student will tell me that they took a test like the SAT or ACT (sometimes without preparation) and that they received a certain score. Then they say, “I guess that’s just my level.” They allow a test score to limit their potential. This is a serious mistake. There is no such thing as a “1200-student,” a “1300-student,” or even a “1450-student.” With more practice, and especially more thought and analysis of past mistakes, students can always improve their scores.

What’s worse is the kind of student who has done well on a previous test but would like to do even better on a future test. Sometimes, these students care so deeply about the upcoming score that they often sabotage their own success. For instance, if they do poorly on a practice exam, they seem to believe that they’re getting worse. That negative feeling can cause them to perform even worse on their next mock exam, which creates a self-perpetuating cycle. As a teacher, it is easy for me to see their true potential, but potential is not enough. The “inner game” is even more important that true ability.

We use the term “inner game” in sport. I’m sure everybody who has played sports (or chess or any other game) has had the following experience: there is a rival team or player that always beats you. Then, one day, you forget yourself and before you realize it, you’re winning. Then you notice, and your conscious mind says, “Wait! I NEVER win against this opponent!” As soon as you have this inner dialog, you start to fumble and miss easy shots. The end result is that you lose.

Now, did you really lose because the other player or team was better than you? No. Your brain gave your subconscious mind a direct command: “I never beat them!” Naturally, your subconscious mind complies and causes you to lose.

The same is true for test takers. If you deeply believe that you are limited or that you’re getting worse, you won’t be able to tap your true potential. Remember: it’s physically impossible to get worse from doing practice tests. You can only get better. So, make sure you don’t brainwash yourself into believing that you’re getting worse.

Remain positive - it’s one of the keys to high performance. If you have been diligent in your practice, you CAN do better.

I hope everybody does well on the upcoming SAT test.

SAT Test next week! Last minute preparations.

SAT Test next week!

Last minute preparations.

If you (or your teenager) is taking the SAT test next Saturday, here are some extremely valuable things to keep in mind:

1) Most important - get plenty of sleep. If you are like some of my high performing, dedicated students, you are probably operating under a sleep deficit. Studies (and the experience of tons of students) have proved that nothing raises your score more than one week of adequate sleep. Now is the time to start going to bed early - if you wait until Friday night, it'll be too late.
I have seen students score 100-200 points lower than they should simply by not getting enough sleep before a test. Don't let that happen to you! Getting tons of sleep is not wimpy - it's smart!


2) Remember to charge your calculator or to have fresh batteries. I always take two calculators, just in case one of them dies mid-test. It's never happened, but at least I don't need to worry about it. Having a calculator that you really know how to use is especially important on the subject test.


3) Have one sharp pencil and one blunt one. The sharp pencil is for writing on the test paper, and the blunt one is for bubbling in the answer sheet. Not trying to bubble in with a sharp pencil will save you at least a minute on each section of the test. Remember that mechanical pencils are not allowed.


4) Bring a silent watch that has a stopwatch on it. The classroom I was in during my last SAT test had a clock at the back of the room, and I was sitting at the very front. Remember that smart watches are not allowed.


5) Print out your ticket. If you don't do this, you won't be allowed to sit the test. I know this rule is stupid - why can't we just use our cell phone, but I saw a girl who had flown in from China being refused admission because she had not printed out her ticket. Unfortunately for her, there were no convenience stores nearby, so she lost the chance to take the exam.


6) Take caffeinated beverages (or vitamin B pills) only if you are used to them. Never experiment on test day - it might cause you discomfort.


7) Avoid cramming the night before the test. It's much better to chill out than to stress about the upcoming test.


8) Make sure you are totally familiar with how to bubble in the student response questions (the ones that are not multiple choice) on the math section. They're easy to do, but you should still practice a few times before test day.


9) Do at least 2 whole practice tests with the answer sheet. Print them out and do the test for real. Bubbling in and checking your answers adds about 5 minutes to each section.


I hope these tips were useful. They're just a few of the things that I tell my students.

Good luck on test day!

最高效的學習方法:"聚焦"與"持續"

聚焦跟持續是並行的。

我在學中文的時候，我很有把握自己可以從早到晚，用所有零碎的時間練好一件事情，
並心無旁鶩的練。所以在頭幾年，我沒有買電腦，當然也沒有智慧型手機。
我只有無敵電子辭典和書。

我差不多花了三年打底，每天練國字，每天學10個新的國字(繁體和簡體)所有的意思。
注意這邊"所有的意思"! 這個很重要! 

大部分的台灣學生從小背單字都是用中文的翻譯去記意思，導致對單字的認識不夠完全。
因為大部分的書上中文翻譯總只會給你那一兩個意思，學生沒有再另外查英英字典，
背單字只靠有中文解釋的書，這樣會讓學生誤以為自己背的單字只有那一兩個意思。
也就造成後來自己在閱讀長篇一點的文章或讀本小說時，常會覺得單字我都看過跟背過，
但是自己會的意思卻怎麼樣都套不進句子裡，而容易產生想放棄閱讀的念頭。

因為學生們需要應付學校的課業，需要背的單字也很多。
時間有限就會想求快~用中文背單字的意思。
但是如果他們願意多花一點零碎時間，在學每個單字時多查英英字典，
反覆多看幾次英文的意思和例句，並跟著例句來造出句子。
這樣長期下來對單字的掌握度，才有辦法越來越接近母語人士。

延伸閱讀: 找到適合你現在程度的線上英文字典
口說我也有練對話，一直背誦對話，背到滾瓜爛熟，並且我會用替換字來玩對話。
這個我之前也有一篇文章有分享過 : 怎麼強化英語對話能力 
你們再點進去看。

這三年我很認真，一直沒有改變我的練習方法。
三年過了，就開始看金庸。金庸我看了至少三年，才把所有的金庸書看完。金庸看完之後，開始看古文(文言文)。我看了大學和心經，之後我就開始看論語。這些古文我差不多花了一年半的時間讀。
就這差不多七年半的時間，我只持續聚焦在這樣的學習內容跟方式，沒有去管其他的方式。
我很執著，只按照我覺得最好的辦法去練。

可是我發現大部分的學生沒有這樣做，他們很容易分心~很容易換方法。

每一次見到新的方式，就容易覺得哇~這個應該比我現在用的還要好! 
他們就換~但他們只有三分鐘熱度。他們會試一下~過沒多久又聽到新的方式~又換。  

他們沒有持之以恆，沒有持續一個方式，沒有持續得夠久，根本沒有生效。
在開始生效前，他們就對原先練習的方式沒有熱度了，開始覺得乏味~

感到沒有新意~又想換其他的方法。
就這樣惡性循環，因為他們沒有做到聚焦跟持續。
總是想找到更好更快的方式學習。
但這並不是學習的好方法~好態度。

最高效的學習方法:
1. 決定好學習的方式和學習的教材
2. 心無旁鶩只聚焦在設定好的方式跟教材上
3. 按部就班一步一步慢慢來
4. 至少聚焦持續練一年以上

記得~任何的能力都是來自後天的學習，沒有人天生就會什麼。
我也不是天生就專精教SAT/ACT/TOEFL/IELTS~
也是靠著聚焦跟持續的精神與態度做到。
我不斷的練題與研究，同時也考量到不同程度的學生適合用什麼教材~用怎樣的學習方式進行。
讓自己以及代表著我的其他老師足以給學生最好的引導與資源。

最後送你們一句話~
希望你們在做任何的學習時，都可以牢記在心:

Slow is fast and fast is slow.

加油!

To SAT Essay or not to SAT Essay?

To SAT Essay or not to SAT Essay?
That is the question.
(I couldn't resist copying Shakespeare 😂😂)

As an SAT and ACT teacher, I am always asked by students if they should take the essay part of the SAT or ACT. It used to be quite a difficult question to answer, but this year it has become increasingly easy.

In a nutshell, unless one of your schools demands it, you don't need to take it. In fact, there are presently only 15 schools that absolutely want to see it. (This number could change any time, btw)
That's the good news. Now for the bad news.

Most Taiwanese students dream of attending one of the UC universities, and for some strange reason, all of those universities insist that you submit your SAT/ACT essay.

If you fall into this category, then you MUST practice the essay and aim for at least a 16/24. You won't need a very high score on it, because the SAT/ACT essay holds very little weight in the applications process.

Now, if you don't care about the UCs, like some of my students, then simply Google "SAT essay requirement" followed by the name of the university. You will quickly see if the university requires one.

If an SAT/ACT essay is "preferred" or "recommended," apparently (read the article for more details) they don't care about it at all.

This article has more to say on the subject: 
https://princetonreview.blog/2018/03/18/it-is-time-to-eliminate-the-sat-and-act-optional-essays/

SAT/ACT Students Must Read!

https://www.usnews.com/info/blogs/press-room/articles/2018-09-10/us-news-announces-2019-best-colleges-rankings

SAT/ACT Students Must Read!

The latest US News University rankings.

Interesting to note that UCLA has topped UC Berkley as the #1 public university. I'm sure tons of my students will set their sights on UCLA this coming year.

Princeton has done it again - number 1 for the eighth year running. Still, I don't think many people in the real world view them as being ahead of Harvard.

Williams and Amherst are still leading the pack with the Liberal Arts Colleges. Even though Taiwanese tend not to think very highly of a liberal arts education, it's actually the most suitable form of education for many, many students. In fact, if learning is your primary goal, then I would go so far as to say that nothing beats a liberal arts education.

Of course, if you are returning to Taiwan to seek work, then the major universities offer better brand name recognition. Taiwanese tend to have heard of the Ivies and UCs more than they've heard of Amherst and the other Liberal Arts Colleges, so if you can get into one of the top Universities, then it'll certainly be much more prestigious for you and your family. If you're staying in the US, then most people understand how good a liberal arts education is.

#SAT #ACT #TAS #TES #College Applications

最新出來的SAT與ACT的分數對照表(後面有開學校的理念)

前幾天College Board 和 ACT Ink 放出他們新的concordance tables~
也就是SAT和ACT的分數對照表。

這個很重要! 

因為兩年前新制SAT剛出來的時候，他們有放出預測的concordance tables。(下圖)
當時2016年的預測是SAT需要考1600(滿分)才算ACT 36(滿分)。

但是這兩年事實證明ACT滿分比SAT容易，所以考試機構發現這樣的對照表是不準確的。
也在前幾天終於放出比較合理的SAT和ACT分數的對照表。(下圖)

新的對照表表示SAT只要拿1570，即相當於ACT滿分。

這有什麼重要呢?

因為大家都誤以為新制SAT是比舊制SAT簡單的，
但那是因為大家有一個錯誤的觀念 : 單字越難，考試就越難。
錯錯錯錯!

For a more comprehensive view of the differences between the new & old SAT reading sections, see the link below. 
新舊制SAT閱讀比較
https://www.facebook.com/brett311/videos/982019961957247/

但是母語人士畢竟懶得背冷僻單字，所以容易產生這種錯覺  
因為這樣子所以大家認為舊制SAT很難。
像ACT不用背那麼多奇怪的單字，所以大家對舊制SAT的感覺就是比ACT難。

新制SAT出來後，就沒有考這種冷門單字 ，而是考上下文和理解度。
這也讓大家以為新制SAT很簡單。
 
真的比較簡單嗎?   非也非也! 

時間久了，大家也漸漸體會到~其實College Board考的是學生真正的實力。
而不是那種只要靠背單字就可以拿高分或其他較低層次的考法。
因為你進入大學要完成學業是需要靠真正的本事。  
你不會因為單靠你背過很多高難度單字，而因此可以在大學裡有好的表現。
因此新制SAT是在考你的邏輯與批判性思維有沒有展現出足以挺進頂尖大學的能力。

而這也是為什麼我願意放下在南陽街的一切，也要在天母教SAT的原因了!
新制SAT的改革成功，讓我想全心投入在真正為培養實力而長期紮根的考試教育。
用不同程度的考試來檢測孩子的語文/數理邏輯/寫作能力，
並跟全美相同年級的成績數據比較，是否達到應有的水準。
這是我開設天母考試預備學校的初衷。

SAT暑假全科密集班 - 7月班課表

課程諮詢連結 lindsayprep@gmail.com

來信請附上以下資訊

【學生姓名】:

【電話】:

【就讀學校&年級】:

【SAT目標分數】:

【考試日期】:

【緊急連絡人&電話】:

詳細課程介紹

https://brettlindsay.blogspot.com/2018/04/sat-sat-summer-bootcamp.html

新舊制SAT閱讀差異解析

https://www.facebook.com/brett311/videos/982019961957247/