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TJ Prep

What to Eat the Day of the SAT (or Other Long Test)

by Bess Dalby*

Whether you are too tired or too nervous, you may not feel like eating at all the morning of the SAT or ACT. However, I cannot stress enough how disastrous it can be if hunger strikes during a slew of difficult math problems.

The human brain uses a variety of nutritional components to function during strenuous activities, and requires even more nutrition if it is deprived of sleep. Here I will outline five major rules that will guide your test day food strategy so that you can avoid feeling hungry or sleepy during the test.

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2018-02-06T20:46:08-05:00

Updates on TJ Admission – 2018

I thought I would share the following information concerning the upcoming TJ SIS (Student Information Sheet).

A client asked me if I thought TJ would be having an essay or math problem this year (2018).  I suggested she call TJ and ask admissions directly.   She shared the following with me:

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2018-02-06T20:45:00-05:00

Improve Your TJ Student Information Sheet (SIS)

The first year Thomas Jefferson High School of Science and Technology (TJ) switched to monitored SIS administrations, we taught 35 students in five separate workshops what TJ says it is looking for on the student information sheet and essay***.  During those workshops we brainstormed topics to mention on the application and the candidates practiced writing answers to four prompts (three SIS prompts and one essay) under timed conditions.  We reminded the students that TJ admissions says pretty clearly that they are wanting to learn about “a semifinalist’s prior experiences, goals, and interests”.

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2020-08-14T09:27:09-04:00

At Home SIS Essay Practice

To all our TJ prep students:

Here is a sample of the types of prompts that TJHSST admissions has used in the past.  They are great practice and can be used on your own or in conjunction with our private essay instruction. Call 703-203-5796 or email kvs@katedalby.com to schedule instruction. (more…)

2020-05-13T12:45:26-04:00

The New TJ Test – 2017

It seems as if a year doesn’t go by that TJ isn’t tinkering with the admissions process: removal of quantitative comparisons, paragraph reordering, on-site SIS (student information sheet) administration, holistic evaluation for 2nd cut, SIS math challenge.  The changes appear to be good overall, but it does keep those of us in the test preparation business on our toes.

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2017-06-20T01:00:05-04:00