2010-2011 SAT and ACT test dates and deadlines
July 29, 2010
The
new school year is almost here, believe it or not! And with the new school calendar comes the new schedule for the SATs and ACTs.
Check out our updated page for all of the important dates for these standardized tests: when the test dates are, regular registration deadlines and late registration deadlines. Make sure to secure your seat for your preferred date and time by signing up early! Plus, why pay late fees? Click here for our page of the 2010-2011 SAT and ACT test dates and deadlines. Then, contact us to help you prepare!
Remember to become a fan on facebook or to follow us on twitter to see our reminder tweets about all of the deadlines!
North Essex Chamber of Commerce Banquet Awards
July 19, 2010
On May 27, 2010, Top-Tier Tutoring was well represented at the North Essex Chamber of Commerce Leadership Recognition Banquet. Held at the stately Montclair Golf Club, two of our own were honored.
College-bound Kyle Friedman of West Orange received one of only two scholarships awarded that night. Kyle was a college counseling student here at Top-Tier, and has decided to attend the University of Delaware in the fall, among his many acceptances. In his acceptance speech, Kyle poignantly thanked Mike Rivera (co-founder of Top-Tier and Kyle’s college counselor) for all his help. We wish you well, Kyle, in all that your future holds!
Also honored that night was co-founder Rhonda Rivera. An active member of the Chamber of Commerce as well as a member of the Board of Directors, she received the President’s Award. Last year, Rhonda chaired the first annual Casino Night for the Chamber and is co-chairing the event this year on October 27, 2010 at the Highlawn Pavilion in West Orange. Feel free to stop by Rhonda’s office to see her award and Proclamation from Joseph DiVincenzo, Jr., the Essex County Executive.
We welcome your feedback and ideas. Please submit a comment below, send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.
Our Logo is now Registered!
July 19, 2010
We are pleased to share a recent development at Top-Tier Tutoring. A while back, we had applied for a trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Just last week, we received our official notice in the mail that our logo is now considered a “registered mark”!
We’re very excited to now include a ® by our name in the logo. Check it out and let us know what you think!
We welcome your feedback and ideas. Please submit a comment below, send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.
Free Seminar Gives You The Complete College Planning Edge!
April 18, 2010
On May 4, 2010, Mike and Rhonda Rivera of Top-Tier Tutoring and A1 College Funding will present a free seminar, “Get the Complete College Planning Edge” at West Orange High School.
Parents and students in high school are welcome to come and learn insider tips and strategies to being accepted into the college of their dreams - and how to pay for it!
The workshop will take place at West Orange High School, 51 Conforti Avenue in West Orange, NJ, starting at 7 pm. While the workshop is free, registration is a must – call 973.243.1212 to reserve your seat today!
Feb. 6 ACT – SNOW!!
February 8, 2010
Many students across the nation were scheduled to take the ACT on Saturday, February 6th. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans! A major snowstorm, some dubbed it the “Snowpocalypse, ” hit the midsection of the US – cancelling the ACT. Or rather, merely postponing the ACT!
Click on this link to go the ACT official site and find out when your rescheduled test date will be. You may have to check back often, as the ACT organization is working hard to get new dates.
Here’s the link: http://bit.ly/a8rvAn
Is the PSAT really the best indicator of SAT scores?
January 30, 2010
The Preliminary SAT (“PSAT”), was created to serve as a practice test for the SAT Reasoning Test. Many argue that performance on the PSAT is, generally, a good indicator of how students will achieve on the SAT. As indicators go, it is certainly satisfactory. However, in our experience, college applicants, and their parents, are looking for something more than merely “satisfactory.” They seek a solid indication of what the student is likely to achieve on the actual SAT exam. Be forewarned: adding a “0” to the PSAT scores and assuming that your SAT scores automatically will be at those levels, without study or preparation, is a dangerous assumption.
Guest Blogger – Allison from Verona
January 7, 2010
In this post, we’ve asked Allison, a client here at Top-Tier Tutoring, to answer a few questions that many people ask us. A big thank you goes out to Allison for agreeing to be our “guest blogger.” We hope you find this information helpful!
How did Top-Tier Tutoring help you to prepare for the SAT and ACT? ALLISON: Top-Tier provided great practice to get me used to, and ready for, the SAT and ACT. I received practice specific to my needs to strengthen my test-taking abilities.
What surprised you the most about the tutoring you received at Top-Tier Tutoring? ALLISON: It was a relaxed atmosphere where I wasn’t pressured, and wasn’t afraid to make mistakes. I felt comfortable, so I was more receptive to new techniques.
What advice would you give to students getting ready to take the SAT and/or ACT? ALLISON: RELAX! It’s only one test, and it’s not the end of the world! It can be mastered, and is nothing to be afraid of.
Allison’s SAT math score improved 50 points with the help of Top-Tier Tutoring. She has been accepted into the University of Pittsburgh and Rutgers University, and is awaiting further acceptances before making her decision as to which college she will attend.
Guest Blogger Erica from West Orange
October 25, 2009
In this post, we’ve asked a client of Top-Tier Tutoring, Erica, to answer a few questions that many people ask us. A big thank you goes out to Erica for agreeing to be our “guest blogger.” We hope you find this information helpful!
T3: How would you describe the differences between the SAT and ACT?
ERICA: I felt the ACT test was a more straight-forward test, even though there are more questions and less time given for the actual test versus the SAT. The ACT test is based on what you have learned in the past 3 yrs. etc. of high school and the SAT is a more complex type of test which I felt very intimidated when taking the SAT.
T3: How did Top-Tier Tutoring help you to prepare for these standardized tests?
ERICA: Top-Tier Tutoring (Mike) helped me gain much more confidence and improve my skills for test taking. Also a lot of direction and practice was given to me in each area math, English etc., with concentration on each area separately. Mike tackled each area one at-a-time with me. Along with the review sessions all which helped me improve my scores.
T3: What recommendations would you give students who are going to take the SAT or ACT?
ERICA: I recommend that you keep reviewing and take the practice section tests along with timing yourself so it’s not a real surprise when you actually take the real test.
Erica’s ACT scores improved 4 points with the assistance of Top-Tier Tutoring. She currently is applying to colleges and looking forward to the next phase of her education.
We’re now on Twitter and Facebook!
August 21, 2009
Follow Top-Tier Tutoring on twitter at http://twitter.com/TopTierTutoring!
Become a fan of Top-Tier Tutoring on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/West-Orange-NJ/Top-Tier-Tutoring-LLC/52463834971?ref=ts!
College Applicants on Social Networking Sites Beware, They “Know What You Did Last Summer.”
May 21, 2009

Students should proceed with caution on social networking sites.
High-school students have enough on their minds with regard to course selection, GPA and exam scores, to name a few. Now another concern adds a challenging dimension to the college application process. Facebook, MySpace and other social networking sites can potentially derail a student’s aspirations about getting into the college of their choice.
A recent survey found that approximately 10% of admissions officers routinely review the social-networking pages of their student applicants. More than a third of those that used the online information indicated that what they saw “negatively affected” their views of the applicant – a significantly higher percentage than those that indicated their views were improved, according to the survey by education company Kaplan, a unit of Washington Post Co. With the explosion of social networking sites, it is reasonable to assume that more and more admissions officers will add their review to the entrance checklist. Read more





