advice
resources/5 things
test prep
tips to avoid remedial courses
test prep
ar up
THE
GOOD
parent to parent
& UGLY
GREAT SCORES
• SAVE MONEY •
Rebecca Bloodworth, Youth Program Manager at
AUM Continuing Education, offered these helpful tips:
SAVE TIME ON MATH
•
Work out the problem before looking at the
answer choices. When done, choose the answer
choice that matches your answer. If none
match, redo the problem.
•
•
Don’t overly rely on your calculator.
Some problems are best worked out manually.
Some don’t even require calculation.
The questions focus much more on
reasoning than on calculation. If you find
yourself doing complicated calculations,
you’re probably on the wrong track.
FIND THE RIGHT ANSWER ON ENGLISH
•
•
•
Consider the writing style used for each
section. The correct answer choice will be the
one that works best with the writing style used.
When asked a question about something
that is underlined, consider how the underlined
portion fits with the rest of the section.
Reread the underlined portion with your
answer choice to be sure it is correct.
1 IN 3 students attending
Alabama colleges and universities
in need of remedial courses
BAD
-BY JASMINE YORK-
OF REMEDIAL COURSES
Many colleges offer a placement test or require a minimum score in the English
and math sections of the ACT/SAT to determine if a student should be placed
in a remedial course. Remedial courses equip students with necessary skills that
weren’t successfully picked up in high school to help them succeed in other college
classes as well as future careers.
But students who take remedial courses actually end up paying for classes that
don’t count towards their degree plan. This can ultimately delay their graduation
and possibly cost them thousands of dollars. Have your teen follow these tips to
avoid remedial classes and make the most of them if they must take one.
The simplest way to avoid having to take remedial
courses is to learn the basics in high school.
Retaining the information that gets reviewed in freshmen Algebra and Geometry is essential in being able to correctly work out and
answer those questions on the ACT/SAT.
PLAN A
In case a student didn’t catch the information the
first time around, they can make up for it by
studying for the ACT/SAT and putting special emphasis on the areas where they are weakest. Placement test study guides are readily
available as are books and courses that outline proper studying and test-taking
techniques. Spending extra time getting ready for placement tests can keep a student from wasting time and money in remedial courses.
PLAN B
There are several colleges that offer programs like Statway and Quantway, which help students who do have to
take a remedial course improve their performance. The
programs bring the equations to life and aim to make the lessons more interesting.
PLAN C
College is already a costly experience, so help your teen utilize the many
resources out there that can help them start on the right foot.
A ROAD MAP
“By taking the time to work a timed practice test, students can train
themselves to be more efficient with timing and also develop and
streamline strategies for tackling the various types of passages. The more
accustomed to actual ACT test-taking conditions, the better.”
-Dr. Robert Estes, ACT Science Review Instructor at AUM
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