Just Be Yourself
“Just be yourself” – arguably the most cliché, most useless, and most frustrating piece of “advice” handed out on a day-to-day basis. But if it’s so useless, why do we hear it constantly when setting out for first dates, readying for interviews, or sitting down to start that all-important college essay? A majority of college applicants know that the amount of time a reviewer spends poring over college applications is [...]
ACT/SAT Reveal Concordance Table
SAT vs. ACT - The classic battle between the two giants of standardized testing has long since been a concern for any student making their foray into preparation for college. After years of conflict, the SAT redesigned its test in 2015 to make it more similar to the ACT's model. Despite this, ACT did not allow convergence from the new SAT due to the lack of data. College Board [...]
Do You Qualify for Extended Time?
Do you qualify for extended time on standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT? The ACT has changed its rules for extended time administration. […]
Geometry Crash Course for Early August
Is your lack of geometry hurting you on high school admissions tests? Take our four-day crash course to preview/review essential elements for tests such as the SSAT, TJ admissions, HSPT, and ISEE. Homework sets included to reinforce class instruction. Class is 7-8:30pm Monday through Thursday, August 6-9, 2018. Cost: $290 Instructor: Caroline Hesse To see the course description or to register click here. For ongoing practice throughout the summer, come [...]
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 [...]
Kick Start your College Application Process
Dear Class of 2019: As Junior Year comes to a close, I’m sure you’re already dreaming about Senior year – all those amazing events and even graduation! It is going to be a wild ride, so hang on to your metaphorical hats. […]
How to Get into TJ – Update
We posted a blog entitled How to Prepare on Your Own for the TJ Test several years ago. The general recommendations are still good, but it is time for an update. Here are the components for admission to TJJSST (Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology): Grades and course work Math, science, and reading test in November Teacher recommendations SIS essay with math prompt Grades and course work: [...]
TJ, SSAT, and HSPT Math, Science, and Reading Drills
Great news! Math, Reading, and Science Drills are extended through the summer months AND starting August 6, we will have a week long geometry preview/review. 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 6:00 – 6:55 pm, a science drill from 5:00 – 5:55pm, and a reading drill from 4:00 – 4:55pm [...]
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 results for Fall 2017 TJ prep class — TJ Class of 2022. 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 [...]
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 [...]
TJ SIS Workshop 2019
The January SIS workshop schedule will be posted in the fall of 2018. […]
Check Out the Admissions Company’s New App
On Thursday, December 29, Dr. Sybil Gohari, founder of The Admissions Company, introduced The Admissions Company’s new Odds Calculator app to a group of parents and students at Inspiring Test Preparation’s office in McLean, VA. Dr. Gohari’s app helps high school students determine their chances of gaining acceptance to a particular college or university. To assess their odds, students enter their biographical, academic and extracurricular information into the calculator, which, using [...]
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 [...]