It’s important to know the difference between affect vs. effect. One time or another, you may have mistakenly interchanged affect and effect in conversations or in writing. Don’t worry, you’re not alone! The confusion usually comes from the same sound of the words, which are called homophones: words that sound alike but have different meanings (e.g. right and rite; sick …
Apostrophe Use: Avoid Apostrophe Catastrophe
What is an Apostrophe? The apostrophe (‘) is a tiny punctuation that plays a big role in language and writing. Adding an apostrophe in the wrong place can alter or lose the meaning of a word or sentence. “My mom’s style” isn’t the same with “my mom styles” and she asked you to buy tomatoes, not “tomatoe’s”. Here’s a simple …
PSAT Scoring, Scaling and Strategy Explained
Since 1971, the PSAT which is known as the Preliminary SAT or the National Scholarship Qualifying test is offered once every year in October. While the PSAT in reality is just a practice test, there are several reasons as to why it is important and you should give it your best effort if you decide to take it. The first …
What’s the Difference Between the CHSEE and the TACHS?
By Nicholas LaPoma, Esq. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Archdiocese of New York has decided to replace the Catholic High School Entrance Exam (CHSEE) with an online Test for Admission into Catholic High Schools (TACHS). Many students have been asking about how the shift from the CHSEE to the TACHS will impact their chances of admission at potential high schools, …
SAT Exam Dates 2020-2021
About the SAT The new SAT exam is more focused on what you learn in high school and what you need to succeed in college. The same habits and choices that lead to success in school will help you get ready for the SAT. This means there is no more memorizing words or facts that you will never use again. …
ACT Exam Dates 2020-2021
About The ACT Exam Test & 2020-21 Test Dates The ACT is the leading US college admissions test that measures what you learn in high school to determine your academic readiness for college. The ACT contains multiple-choice tests in four areas: English, math, reading and science. ACT’s writing test is optional and will not affect your composite score. Test Date …
Is The SAT Black Book Good?
Is the SAT Black Book Good? Nicholas LaPoma, Esq. AKA NickTheTutor Disclaimer: Neither I nor Curvebreakers Test Prep have any affiliation with the SAT Prep Black Book: The Most Effective SAT Strategies Ever Published or Mike and Patrick Barrett. I do, however, own a test prep company, and I wanted to share my informed opinion. Right now, the most popular …
How to Study for the TACHS
By Nicholas LaPoma, Esq. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Archdiocese of New York has decided to replace the Catholic High School Entrance Exam (CHSEE) with an online Test for Admission into Catholic High Schools (TACHS). Unfortunately, like your grandmother’s meatball recipes, the TACHS exam is very secretive. Outside of the few sample questions in TACHS’s self-published, annual handbook, …
Top 5 Essay Topics to Avoid
The college essay is a major component of the college application process. This is your last opportunity to show a college what you’re all about. This essay ought to be about you and reflect who you are as a person. What are your values? What are you all about? Pro tip: Do NOT write your essay about someone else. Essay …
Test Optional, Test Flexible, and Test Blind Explained!
It seems like nowadays every other word we hear regarding college is, test optional, test flexible, and test blind. There are thousands of schools this year going test optional due to COVID-19, which is great for the many students that have been unable to take the test. But what exactly do these terms mean? Test optional:A college or university is …