Individual Dimensions in Learning

What to Bring into the Test

2012-01-27T09:52:00.000-08:00

Here is what you take into the SAT/ACT:

After all your work, BE PREPARED!
YOUR TICKET
Identification
#2 Pencils
Eraser
Snack for the break
Water or another liquid
Calculator with fresh batteries

According to the people at the ACT, the most common reason you can be expelled from the test is bringing in an unapproved calculator. Basically they want any 4-function calculator but NOT scientific calculators.

Here is an excerpt from the webpage which spells out what the ACT will accept (or not):

The following types of calculators are prohibited:
calculators with built-in computer algebra systems
Prohibited calculators in this category include:
Texas Instruments: All model numbers that begin with TI-89 or TI-92and the TI-Nspire CAS-Note: The TI-Nspire (non-CAS) is permitted.
Hewlett-Packard: HP 48GII and all model numbers that begin with HP 40G, HP 49G, or HP 50G
Casio: Algebra fx 2.0, ClassPad 300 and ClassPad 330, and all model numbers that begin with CFX-9970G

handheld, tablet, or laptop computers, including PDAs
electronic writing pads or pen-input devices-Note: The Sharp EL 9600 is permitted.
calculators built into cell phones or any other electronic communication devices
calculators with a typewriter keypad (letter keys in QWERTY format)-Note: Letter keys not in QWERTY format are permitted.

ACT Preparation for the April 14th Test

2012-01-27T09:51:00.000-08:00

ACT Enrollment is now open for preparation in small groups - for the April 14th test.
Saturdays (10:00 AM-1:00 PM)
beginning February 18th
with diagnostic ACT testing

OR

Wednesdays (5:00 PM-8:00 PM)
beginning February 22nd
with diagnostic ACT testing

Lessons will include preparation for all 5 sections of the ACT:

1.English
2.Mathematics
3. Reading
4. Science Reasoning
5. Essay Writing

Students will be given strategies for each type of question that appears on the ACT. They will also learn test-taking strategies such as timing and application as they practice on real ACT test sections. Two additional ACT tests will be given toward the end of the group sessions.

Mrs. Lee Bell and Mr. Dick Cahoon will provide individualized test section analysis in class.

The tuition of $895.00 will include all materials, testing and the assurance that all groups will be limited to six students each.

Please call 954-565-8982 or email Mrs. Bell at Individual Dimensions in Learning as soon as you have made your decision.

Space will be limited.

PSAT Score Reports, Upcoming SAT Classes!

2011-12-07T10:00:00.000-08:00

PSAT score reports will be arriving soon, and the information included in these reports will assist you with your SAT planning.
The item-by-item listing of PSAT answers with the level of difficulty noted will help to identify weaker areas that need your attention. In addition, the percentile rankings included in your report will show how your scores compare with other college-bound students.

Adding a "0" to each of the two digit scores (Critical Reading, Mathematics and Writing) will give you an estimated SAT score. Please remember that the SAT also includes an essay.
www.individualdimensions.com

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The March 10 SAT will be a very popular test, and there is plenty of time to prepare. Preparation classes for the March SAT will begin in January, and private tutoring in weaker areas should begin now.

March 10 SAT Preparation Classes are limited to 6 students each:

Tuesdays, beginning January 3rd (6:00 PM to 9:00 PM)

Saturdays, beginning January 7th (10:00 AM-1:00 PM)
Sign up!

PSAT Score Improvement Chart

2011-12-07T09:58:00.001-08:00

In-class PSAT scores increased dramatically for those students taking our PSAT classes this fall.

We are looking forward to similar scores when the actual PSAT reports arrive.

The following graph reflects the increases for 3 groups of 5 students each.
Click on the image to see full-size pdf of results!

Private Tutoring Update: Focus On Writing

2011-12-07T09:57:00.001-08:00

Please remember that you can request private tutoring in all academic areas in addition to those specifically found on the SAT and the ACT.

You can also improve your writing skills with customized writing instruction...

Our expert staff of English instructors will help you improve:
Writing Skills and Grammar
SAT and ACT Essay Writing
Essays for School Exams
Five Paragraph Persuasive Essays
Term Papers
Writing for Future College Classes
Individual Dimensions in Learning has a staff of English instructors to help you improve every aspect of academic writing.

Private lessons begin with a diagnosis of writing and grammar skills, and lessons are customized to build on strengths and to improve overall writing skills. The number of lessons in the Writing Improvement series will be determined by the assessment of your writing skills and the goals you have in mind.

Please sign up! and take your first step toward being the writer you want to be!

College Prep Corner

2011-10-31T10:52:00.000-07:00

Taking the SSAT: About the Test

Get Ready for the SSAT

What is the SSAT?The Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) is a multiple-choice aptitude test for students in grades 5-11.

The test consists of verbal, quantitative (math) and reading comprehension sections.

The verbal questions test your vocabulary, verbal reasoning, and ability to relate ideas logically. The quantitative (math) questions test your ability to solve problems involving arithmetic, elementary algebra and geometry and concepts. The reading comprehension section tests your ability to understand what you read. All tests are printed in English.

In addition, the test includes a writing sample portion, which asks you to respond to a topic statement. Your essay is not graded, but a copy accompanies each SSAT score report you have sent to a school or consultant.

The SSAT is designed for students in grades 5 through 11 and is administered on two levels:
· Lower (for students currently in grades 5-7)· Upper (for students currently in grades 8-11)
Learn more at: www.ssat.org

Currently Enrolling!

2011-10-31T10:48:00.001-07:00

The SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test) will be offered several times during the school year. Private tutoring is available.

Sign up!
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Enroll in the HSPT Study Groups or private sessions for the January 21
High School Placement Test!:

Saturday sessions are open and begin November 5
(12 Noon to 2:00 p.m.). Sign up!

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Planning to take the Jan. 28 SAT?:
Prep classes still open:

Saturday sessions are open and begin November 5 (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.), or Thursdays, starting November 10 (6 p.m. to 9 p.m.). Sign up!

Check out our Programs page...we are here to support you.

Sign up for HSPT Study Groups

2011-09-29T10:01:00.000-07:00

Sign up for the HSPT Study Groups for the January 21st High School Placement Test!:

January 21 HSPT Prep:

Saturday sessions are open.

A diagnostic test needs to be completed BEFORE the first small group session.

The first session will be on Saturday, November 5th, from 12:00 noon - 2:00 PM.

Classes will be limited to six students each, and the tuition, which will include all materials and testing, is $695.00.

Sign up!

Planning to take the Jan. 28th SAT ?
Prep classes still open:

Jan. 28 SAT:
Saturday sessions are open and begin November 5 (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.), or Thursdays, starting November 10 (6 p.m. to 9 p.m.).

All groups are limited to six students each and include 33 hours of tutoring and testing. The tuition of $895.00 includes all materials.

Planning to take the ACT ?

Private tutoring is available for the October 22nd test and all test dates during the school year.

Tuition for one-to-one ACT tutoring is $70.00 per hour.

Sign up!

Check out our Programs page...we are here to support you.

The SAT Class of 2011

2011-09-29T10:00:00.000-07:00

More college-bound students in the graduating class of 2011 took the SAT than in any other graduating high school class in history. Nearly 1.65 million students participated in the college-going process by taking the SAT, marking a 3 percent increase over 2010. Participation in the SAT has continued to grow despite that fact that the population of high school graduates in the United States has been steadily shrinking since 2008.

This year's college-bound seniors' average SAT scores were 497 in critical reading, 514 in mathematics and 489 in writing. Since 2007 - the first year for which June cohort data is available - students' critical reading and writing scores have each experienced a 4-point decline, while mathematics scores have remained stable.

read entire article

College Board "Connection" - Sept. 2011

Private Tutoring for the October SAT/PSAT/ACT

2011-08-31T11:23:00.000-07:00

Private Tutoring Sessions for the October SAT/PSAT or ACT

Six SAT/PSAT or ACT private strategy sessions follow a diagnostic test. Students should choose a set of sessions based on their area of need.

The choices include:

SAT/PSAT Critical Reading

SAT/PSAT Mathematics

SAT/PSAT Writing

ACT English

ACT Mathematics

ACT Reading ACT Science Reasoning

Tuition for this set of lessons is $490.

Private sessions are also available for the complete SAT/PSAT preparation course. Tuition for this course is $ 1,300.

Private ACT lessons may also be combined based on the results of the ACT Diagnostic Test.

Please call Mrs. Bell at 954-565-8982 ASAP to create a private schedule with your tutors.

College Preparation Corner

2011-08-31T11:22:00.000-07:00

Plan your test-taking for 2011!

Here are the dates:

Test Date
Test Offered
Regular Registration Closes

10/1 SAT I & II 9/9

10/12 or 15 PSAT Administered by High Schools

10/22 ACT 9/16

11/5 SAT I & II 10/7

12/3 SAT I & II 11/8

12/10 ACT 11/4

Please check our website as well, under: "New In Testing" on our main page.
Be sure to register at www.collegeboard.org to sign up for the SAT or SAT II and to send your scores to colleges.

Be sure to register at www.actstudent.org for the ACT, and also to send your scores to colleges.

Once again, we are here to help.

Message from the President of the ACT

2011-08-31T11:21:00.000-07:00

Message from the President of the Education Division of the ACT

Every year, ACT provides an update on the college and career readiness of ACT-tested high school graduates...

* ACT-tested U.S. high school graduates appear to be making slow but steady progress at becoming ready for college and career. The 2011 ACT test results show a growing % of students meeting all 4 of the ACT College Readiness Benchmarks, increasing 1 % point over last year and 4 % points since 2006. This has occurred as the population of ACT-tested graduates has grown to new levels - up to over 49% of the the 2011 graduating class - and become more diverse.

* The ACT report also indicates there is substantial room for improvement in college and career readiness. Among 2011 ACT-tested graduates, a combined total of 43 % met either none (28%) or only one (15%) of the 4 ACT College Readiness Benchmarks. Those students are lacking many of the skills they will need to succeed in credit-bearing first-year college courses and workforce training programs this fall.

Excerpt from article by Jon Erickson, Interim President, Education Division of the ACT, Inc.

Discount Coupon

2011-07-21T08:30:00.001-07:00

$50 Credit for you AND your friend

If you refer a friend...
and that family signs up for a SAT/PSAT study group or a series of 7 private lessons (which could include the new writing course listed below),
you both get a

DISCOUNT COUPON for $50!

New College Preview Writing Course!

2011-07-21T08:29:00.000-07:00

Individual Dimensions in Learning is offering a series of private writing lessons designed for the student who is about to enter college.

Following a diagnostic essay, lessons will cover writing techniques to impress your first year writing professor with your very first paper. Tuition for all 7 sessions will be $490.

Call us! 954-565-8982.

Autumn I SAT/PSAT Prep Starts August 6!

2011-07-21T08:28:00.000-07:00

Sign up for an Autumn SAT/PSAT Prep!

Autumn I, II, and III are open! Sat Prep Autumn I begins on August 6, Autumn II on August 11, and Autumn III on August 20.

For rising Juniors: consider our PSAT Merit Program beginning on August 8 to increase your chances of becoming a National merit Finalist or Semi-Finalist.

Check out our Programs page...we are here to support you.

Virtual School

2011-07-21T08:26:00.000-07:00

Students involved with virtual school are growing in number.

We can assist with classes taken on-line whether they are in place of summer school classes or for educational enrichment.

Fewer Required Subject Tests!

2011-07-21T08:22:00.000-07:00

The New Subject-Test Math: 2=3

The nation's most selective universities have long required three SAT subject tests. But with the introduction of writing sections on the SAT and ACT in 2005, colleges have been gradually reducing the subject-test requirement.

This admissions cycle, Harvard has jumped on the two-test bandwagon, and Georgetown is "strongly" recommending three instead of requiring them.

....The writing test has been found to be a good indicator of future academic success, says Jeff A. Neal, a Harvard spokesman...

Janet Tapelye, dean of admission at Princeton, which dropped the three-test requirement last year, cites an additional reason: accessibility. Studies have shown that students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are less likely to take three subject tests.

And, of course, no one says you can't do three.

Reprinted from the New York Times:

link to entire article

Did You Know?

2011-06-29T15:24:00.001-07:00

Individual Dimensions also offers private tutoring in...Physics? Calculus? Virtual School? Speed Reading? Geometry Preview? All of these subjects and others are available during the summer months and during the regular school year.

Call (954-565-8982) or email Mrs. Bell at Individual Dimensions in Learning for more information or tutoring!

Increased Test Score Requirements for Florida Bright Futures Scholars

2011-06-29T15:23:00.000-07:00

Summer is the Time to Get Ahead!

Students in the graduating classes of 2012, 2013, and higher will want to be aware of increased test score requirements for the Florida Bright Futures Scholars. You can find this information at:

http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/SSFAD/bf/. Click on "Florida Legislative Session 2011 Updates".

Since the test score requirements for both the SAT and the ACT will be higher, it is even more important to begin your test preparation early.

With this in mind, Individual Dimensions is running at full speed this summer, offering you a myriad of ways to hit the ground running when school starts again.

For rising Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors: take one of our PSAT/SAT prep classes to build a solid foundation for the upcoming test. The next class begins on July 5th and we do have openings for up to six students per class.

ACT private classes are also offered all summer long.

For students who scored well on their Sophomore PSAT, we have the PSAT Merit Program beginning on August 8th. This set of sessions increases your chances of becoming a National Merit Scholar.

More information about these and other summer offerings can be found on our website, http://www.individualdimensions.com/.
and the staff of Individual Dimensions in Learning

Congratulations To the Class of 2011 !!

2011-06-01T21:30:00.000-07:00

Dear Graduates,

We at Individual Dimensions in Learning would like to congratulate you on a job well done.

We have been thrilled to hear your good news: college acceptances, increased points on the final entrance tests and the other positive news about your final days of high school. Your scholarships, awards and general accolades have been very impressive and have made us so pleased for you.

If we haven't heard from you, please share with us in a return email.

We wish you the very best in the coming year.

Sincerely,
and the staff of Individual Dimensions in Learning

Upcoming Classes for Undergraduates:

2011-06-01T21:25:00.000-07:00

Currently being offered: private tutoring for the SAT, the ACT and the SAT II.

SAT Group classes will start in June and July. Class dates are on the website, www.individualdimensions.com.

PSAT Merit Classes are organizing for the summer and will begin in August.

All group classes are limited to 6 students, so don't delay!

The next SAT testing date is June 4th.

The next ACT testing date is June 11th.

Call (954-565-8982) or email Mrs. Bell at Individual Dimensions in Learning for more information or tutoring!

Apps for the IPhone for SAT, ACT and more..

2011-04-30T06:04:00.000-07:00

Both the ACT and the SAT have created free, 4-star apps for the iphone. The ACT app by ACT, Inc. offers quite a bit of functionality, including reading your scores, seeing updates about the tests, and of course, doing practice problems.

The SAT's app by the College Board, is more limited. It offers a "question of the day" for you to do and practice on a daily basis.
There are many other apps for the SAT, however, many of which you need to pay for, by 3rd party vendors. Many are specialized to one part of the SAT, such as grammar, or algebra.

Give them a try!

Individual Dimensions is on Facebook!

2011-04-30T06:02:00.001-07:00

We will be posting all kinds of information on our page, including last minute open spots, current information about classes and teachers...
and much more. We'd love to hear from you too! So please go to our page and "like" us!

Upcoming Classes!

2011-04-30T06:01:00.001-07:00

Upcoming Classes:

Currently on offer: private tutoring for the SAT, the ACT and the SAT II.

SAT Group classes will start in June. Class dates are on the website, www.individualdimensions.com.

PSAT Merit Classes are organizing for the summer.

All group classes are limited to 6 students, so don't delay!

The next SAT testing dates are May 7th and June 4th.

The next ACT testing date is June 11th.

Call (954-565-8982) or email Mrs. Bell at Individual Dimensions in Learning for more information or tutoring!

SAT, ACT, or Both?

2011-04-19T15:03:00.000-07:00

Most of the college-bound students at Individual Dimensions take both the SAT and the ACT. A student should focus on one test at a time since the structure of each test is different. Much of the content of the two tests is similar, but the way in which the questions are presented differs.

Both tests are timed and long (some students say that they both seem to go on FOREVER). The SAT requires more critical thinking, and the ACT requires more speed in answering the questions. There is a penalty for guessing on the SAT, but no such penalty exists on the ACT.

Similarities in content are as follows:

	SAT:		ACT:

	Mathematics		Mathematics (includes higher level content)

	Critical Reading (includes vocabulary and critical thinking)		Reading (includes more passages in a shorter time period)

	Writing (grammar & sentence structure)		English (grammar, sentence structure & mechanics)

	Essay		Essay

Major difference in content: The ACT has ONE additional content area... Science Reasoning.

One of our teachers, Mr. Dick Cahoon, has developed a method for breaking down the Science Reasoning section and making it more direct. His strategies have allowed his students to save time and to be more efficient. Students have greatly improved their scores on this section.

The next SAT testing dates are May 7th and June 4th.

The next ACT testing dates are April 9th and June 11th.

Call (954-565-8982) or email Mrs. Bell at Individual Dimensions in Learning for more information or tutoring!

Test Date	Test Offered	Regular Registration Closes
10/1	SAT I & II	9/9
10/12 or 15	PSAT	Administered by High Schools
10/22	ACT	9/16
11/5	SAT I & II	10/7
12/3	SAT I & II	11/8
12/10	ACT	11/4