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!

Kyle Friedman and his mother Laura at the Chamber Banquet

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.

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.

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!

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

The reason that many students score lower on their SATs than the PSATs is due to the major differences that exist between the two exams.  The PSAT does not include an essay question or algebra II topics.  In addition, the PSAT is significantly shorter at 2 hours and 10 minutes, as opposed to 3 hours and 45 minutes for the SAT.  Moreover, the time frame between when a student takes the PSAT versus the SAT will often result in the student having forgotten earlier subject areas covered, particularly relating to math, if the student has not refreshed old materials.

Consequently, it has been our experience that only a full mock SAT exam (either an old SAT or a full length exam crafted to mirror it) will best gauge how a student will perform on their SAT.  Of course, it is advisable not to wait until after taking an SAT before determining whether or not to commence studying for a subsequent exam.  In this keenly competitive environment, we encourage our students to be proactive, as opposed to reactive.  Sit down for a mock exam, under real testing conditions (i.e., time it, put down the pencil, follow appropriate test-taking strategies, etc.), and get the most value for your time and effort.  If, under these conditions, you are satisfied with your scores, you are ready to take the actual SAT.  However, if your scores are lower than expected gauging from your PSAT results, take the time to study and prepare before sitting for an actual SAT.

As always, we welcome your feedback and ideas.  Please submit a comment below, send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.

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.

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.

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!

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.

In this age of the internet, admissions officers may very well reject students because of the content on their social networking pages, even though the majority of colleges surveyed have no policy about when school officials should investigate prospective students’ social-networking sites.

While there is a debate currently taking place amongst admissions officers, students must be wary and remember that there should be no expectation of privacy regarding their online data. After all, once posted, it becomes public information that schools may consider in order to maintain the integrity of their respective institutions.

This recent interest in social-networking sites, on the part of colleges, should prompt many aspiring candidates to carefully review their online habits – including removing or changing some of their material. While privacy settings can certainly be put in place, it’s not unusual for admissions officers to receive anonymous tips about embarrassing Facebook or MySpace material (e.g., such as a picture of a student drunk at an underage party, statements advocating violence or drug use, links to sites expressing racist views, etc.)

Counselors should advise applicants to refrain from including anything that could damage their college admissions opportunities. Special caution should be expressed concerning foul or offensive language, nudity, or photos of drinking and drug use.

Students should behave intelligently, with regard to the content of their social networking sites. Essentially, they should consider whether they would be embarrassed if family and neighbors were to view it – not necessarily their peer group.

The lesson? Go ahead and use the social networking sites to keep in touch with your friends, but remember that your audience may secretly include your #1 college admissions counselor!