Finally!! A Summer ACT in July
For years, students and parents complained that there were no ACT or SAT test dates for the summer. For years, our summers were spent chillin' at the beach. Over the last few years, however, there has been a drastic change. More and more students have been getting a jump start on prep during the summer between sophomore and junior year. Last year, the College Board responded to the pent up [...]
Your TJ Admissions Roadmap
We at Inspiring Test Prep are proud to present the newly released Thomas Jefferson High School Application Schedule. For preparation and practice proven to increase your chance of gaining acceptance into TJHSS, please continue reading. Date Action September 3, 2018 Online Applications Become Available September 28, 2018 Application Deadline (4:00 p.m.) November 10, 2018 Test Day November 16, 2018 Accommodations Test Day January 18, 2019 Applicants Receive Semifinalist Pool [...]
Ready, Set, Go to the ACT
Day of the ACT Check Sheet Are you taking the ACT test this Saturday? First, let us wish you the best on this day. May the stars align and may you mark all your bubble sheets correctly, read all the questions accurately, remember all the formulas necessary, keep moving with proper pacing, and recall all your punctuation rules. In the spirit of positive thinking, the night before the [...]
TJ Results for Class of 2022
We have begun to get preliminary results for Fall 2017 TJ prep class. This was the first class we prepared for the new TJ admissions test. […]
Announcing Inspiring’s 2018 TJ Fall Course Schedule
ANNOUNCING INSPIRING's 2018 TJ FALL COURSE SCHEDULE You may now pre-register for our classes without obligation. Before you sign up, you should have your student take the at-home TJ math evaluation to determine the optimum placement for the class. Email Kate at kvs@katedalby.com to request a test. To pre-register for our fall course click the link. For more information about our program visit this page.
Free ACT Diagnostic Test
SAT or ACT? Try a Free Diagnostic Test. If you are like many students, you are unclear which test is the right test for you: the redesigned SAT or the ACT. To help you figure out which test to take, you can come take a free, no obligation, 3-hour ACT this Saturday, February 17 at 11:00 am with Inspiring Test Preparation. This get acquainted offer [...]
TJ, SSAT, and HSPT Math, Science, and Reading Drills
Don’t wait until the last minute to prepare; enroll in our test preparation program for 7th graders. We are offering a math drill class every Tuesday from 7:00 – 7:55 pm, a science drill from 6:00 – 6:55pm, and a reading drill from 5:00 – 5:55pm to help students get the best scores possible on the SSAT, HSPT, or TJ admissions test. This program is a supplement to, not a replacement of, [...]
Meet Ben Shenkman
Are you frustrated trying to find a reliable and competent tutor? Tired of meeting in the library or local coffee shop? Look no further. Inspiring Test Preparation is delighted to announce that Ben Shenkman has joined our team of outlandishly awesome tutors. Ben studied Physics and Applied Mathematics at the University of Chicago and is a graduate from The Potomac School in McLean, VA. After taking the most rigorous [...]
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 [...]
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: […]
Brand New Presentation Coming March 15!
Choose the right college, for the right reasons Why are you going to college? Why do you want to go to a particular college? Join Sybil Gohari, PhD, founder of Admissions Company, for a presentation that will help you create a better college plan. Dr. Gohari will demonstrate the tools and skills you need to draw your own roadmap to college. Whether you’re hoping to be a doctor, a lawyer, [...]
SAT vs. ACT – Which test is right for you?
Now that it’s prime time to start studying for the SAT and ACT, we’ve had a lot of students ask us which test they should take. Nowadays, most colleges accept the SAT and ACT and weigh scores from both tests equally, so that’s no longer a reason to take one test over the other. The College Board recently redesigned the SAT and it is now quite similar to the ACT. Both [...]
Tell Us What We Can Do Better – College Admissions Seminar Cancellation
We at Inspiring Test Preparation recently had to cancel our College Admissions Seminar with Cathy Ganley of ForWord Consulting. All of us here want to continue to make our business better and more accessible to students and parents, and you can help us. We would love to hear your opinion on why this class couldn't work for you, and what we can do going forward in order to continue serving [...]
Upcoming Presentations
College Admissions Seminar for 9th, 10th, and 11th grade Students Are you constantly asking yourself these questions? "Is it better to take an AP/IB class or get the A?" "What is Early Action and why does it matter?" "Which teachers should my son ask to writer letters of recommendation?" "Should I take the ACT or SAT? How many times?" This two-hour seminar will give you all the [...]
TJ SIS Workshop 2018
It’s time to get ready for the TJ Student Information Sheet (SIS) administration with Inspiring Test Preparation’s TJ SIS Workshop. […]
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 [...]
At Home SIS Essay Practice
To all our TJ prep students: You have done a great job preparing for the TJ test over the past few weeks. In preparation for the SIS (Student Information Sheet) essay section coming up in February, we are offering for you to re-do the essay portions of the program. To receive critiques please register and pay online for the “critique” package, and then email Dr. Weinstein (aimee@katedalby.com) the answers to [...]
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. […]
Refer a Friend, Get a $25 Gift Card
LAST CHANCE FOR SUMMER PREP - this offer has expired. However, if you referred a friend per the instructions below and have not received your gift card let me know by texting 703-203-5796 or emailing kvs@katedalby.com August ACT course 12 sessions + pre-test, starts Monday, August 7. Cost $1,195. August Accelerated SAT/ACT course 12 sessions + pre-test, starts Monday, August 7. Cost $1,250. Diagnostic testing on Saturday (or earlier Tuesday-Thursday) August 5 at 11 am. Have you [...]
HSPT Review
I was happy to receive the following today: Hi Kate – I realized I never followed up with you about my daughter Allie Vasquez and her results on the HSPT. She worked with you in the Fall of 2016 to brush up on a few areas in preparation for the HSPT in early December. I’m happy to report that she scored in the 99th percentile, received a scholarship to both O’Connell [...]
The Low-Stress College Essay
The Low-Stress College Essay College essay with low stress? How can that be? It’s all in the planning and thinking. Dr. Aimee Weinstein and Inspiring Test Prep can make it happen for you. We have two options for our rising seniors to help you have your college essay done even before the madness of senior year begins. […]
TJ Admissions Is Changing
TJHSST announced Friday, March 17th, 2017 that it is changing the test and the test date for the TJ admissions test. […]
2018 College Application Season: Not That Far Away!
by Dr Aimee Weinstein In late January, the Common Application announced its essay prompts for the 2017-2018 school year, and while some have remained the same, some have changed. This year we find a 7th prompt that simply asks students to write the essay of their choice. While some students do best responding to specific prompts, we at Inspiring Test Prep believe that the students who write the best essays write [...]
Do You Know Your Odds of Gaining Admission into College?
By: Sybil E. Gohari, PhD Founder, The Admissions Company Until recently, applying to college was an opaque process, ruled by those who claimed to understand the secrets of guidance counseling, and to be the guardians of the grail that is gaining acceptance into an elite college. […]
Success and Non-Academic Skills
By Sybil Gohari, PhD Founder, The Admissions Company Have you ever really considered key factors in determining success? Granted, skill in your specialized area of expertise is essential to success, as well as experience, education, and perspective. There are many, non-academic skills that also are key components to success. This NPRed article overviews such skills, which are growing in recognition to the point that field experts are now in [...]