2. • Founded in 2003 with focus on diversity and
equalizing access
• Based in NYC with programs in Atl, DC, LA,
Online
• Specializes in admission tests (ACT, GMAT,
GRE, SAT, SSAT, ISEE, SHSAT, etc)
Tweet with us: @bellcurves
Bell Curves
Courses and Tutoring
LA – ATL – DC – NYC
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3. • Over 90% of our students are URM
• Our institutional clients are school districts,
universities, non-profit organizations, public
schools, charter schools, and individual
families.
• Selected partners: NY Needs You, Mellon Mays
Foundation, Armory Track Foundation, Oliver
Scholars Program, A Better Chance, Bronx Prep
Charter School, Syracuse U, Yale U
Tweet with us: @bellcurves
Bell Curves
Courses and Tutoring
LA – ATL – DC – NYC
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4. akil@bellcurves.com
Akil Bello
Bell Curves | Founder
• 20+ years Test Preparation
Experience
• 10 years Focused on Under-
represented Minorities
• Teacher, Trainer, Presenter, Father
34. Bell Curves
Classes and Preparation Resources
Akil Bello
akil@bellcurves.com
Go ahead, test me.
Hinweis der Redaktion
Based on my 23+ years experience with SAT/ACT prep as research and reading.
Is something better than nothing? Depends on the something.What does good prep look like? How do you evaluate success?How do you maximize your investment?What prep can you do with them?
Categories of prep with a few guidelines. Instruction vs testing (don’t count testing time as part of prep time)
A quick comparison of test prep companies. Key drivers of programs and pricing. Proprietary materials often indicate “professionalism” of a company in this unregulated industry in which anyone can claim to be a test prep expert. Total hours of instruction is key factor. Tests are necessary but not sufficient and also an easy option for an organization to administer on their own.
Evaluating your success with a program and allowing for adjustment and revising with your partner test prep company is key. Too many orgs make quick changes and go from provider to provider. Using the same materials, tests, training, philosophy etc our results and programming vary considerably as do our clients.
This question was on a website created by the military using questions by a national prep book publisher. The question is not a valid SAT question, it would provide poor training for the test.
Official practice questions are great practice but not great strategy development tools What can you bring to the test, how do you register, selfies are not appropriate pictures for the SAT/ACTJoin them in prep, study vocab with them, review diagnostics, take the tests with them (Jay: there are test imposers and test takers.. Be a test taker) http://blog.bellcurves.com/blog/2011/01/06/dont-believe-the-hype-tests-arent-designed-to-trick-you/DuhIf a kid is scoring 400.. Lets shoot for 700 by trying to get a 500 first..Parent and school advice often contradicts the test prep teacher and organizations advice. Support orgs can help align messenging
Orgs should take the role of the captain of the ship. They don’t have to do the test prep teaching but they are key in making sure we are all working collective, effectively, proactively and happily to same end.
Things anyone in a position to talk to the students about the test should know: Pacing and scoring strategiesConversion chartsGuessing penalties Things administrators can do to prepare students:Build confidence in their ability to performHelp them understand how to maximize the time allotted. Understand of format and directions (is there a need to read directions?).Face the challenge head on and make strategic decision from a place of confidence not fear, make sure students not avoiding the test by not doing homework and not showing up. Upcoming tests are plentiful and varied. Prepare students to face them with less fear. Upcoming tests: SAT, regents, AP, SAT Subject tests. Student comments: “The SAT is hard so I checked out [of SAT class].
All people working with college bound students should know the format of both tests, the similarities (which are greater than the differences), the differences, how much those differences matter to this child.
Pacing and scoring strategiesConversion chartsGuessing penalties Preparing students for the context and format of a test creates more savvy test takers. Have confidence in their ability to performMaximize the time allotted. Understand of format and directions (is there a need to read directions?).Face the challenge head on and make strategic decision from a place of confidence not fearUpcoming tests are plentiful and varied. Prepare students to face them with less fear. Upcoming tests: SAT, regents, AP, SAT Subject tests. Student comments: “The SAT is hard so I checked out [of SAT class].
Tell them about them. Get them for them. They are really helpful though generally not sufficient on their own. They provide great practice questions, the best possible questions since they are real, but the strategy and advice is weak or non-existant.
Make sure you know what tools your students will need. Make sure they practice with the same tools (calculators, pencils, watch?) they will use on test day.
Vocab is an easy skill to help kids develop that also has last value beyond the SAT/ACT. The pictures are all part of our facebookalbumn https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bell-Curves/14393013623?sk=photos_albums
Use digital tools but only the right ones..
Some websites I like. There are fewer good ACT online resources