Monday, March 23, 2020

Are you Living up to Your Label - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Are you Living up to Your Label - Introvert Whisperer Are you Living up to Your Label? I was having an interesting conversation with a friend yesterday and I was telling her about my dislike in being labeled.   I’ve long had an aversion at being called “Mrs.” or even “Ms.” but the aversion extends far beyond just those titles.   I simply don’t like to be categorized.   People do like to categorize each other as it simplifies communication but it also over-generalizes and anytime that happens, we are wrong in some way about that person. I think that’s why when I write about introverts, I will sometimes say it doesn’t matter if you are or aren’t a “card-carrying introvert”.   The important thing is to look beyond the label and understand if the challenges are ones you relate to then I can help address those issues. My friend said that a lot of people like to live behind a label or a belief system.   It definitely made me think about labels.   Then, almost on queue, I heard a motivational speaker on talk radio.   He is a former soldier who lost his arms and legs while serving in the military.   He said he didn’t consider himself “wounded”.   He said he was wounded but now he’s healed.   He’s living his life to help others see that life can be as good as you choose. Are you labeling you?   Do you have a label that defines your life?   Do you hold certain beliefs about yourself that somehow limit you? If you do, what would your life be like if you didn’t have the label? Or if you changed the label? You may not even be aware that you may have a label but I know people who label themselves all the time.   I have a friend who has called herself “stupid” for the entire time I’ve known her.   She isn’t stupid but at some level, she’s living up to her label.   I told her one time that I never considered her stupid and didn’t know anyone who did â€" so why on earth would she?   Would she call someone else stupid?   No, she would never consider being so cruel â€" but why be cruel to you? See what I mean? Think about labels and if you have any, get rid of them and live label-free. Go to top Personal Branding starts with how well you speak about YOU.  I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook â€" The Definitive Guide to Creating and Using an Elevator Speech.  In this guide, I give you simple to follow instructions for creating a “wardrobe” of ways to talk about you â€" to leave a lasting impression. Get your copy now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Friday, March 6, 2020

What are Integers

What are Integers Integers are also known as counting numbers and they include not only positive counting numbers, but also negative counting numbers along with 0. Integers are family of numbers where fractional parts or decimal parts of numbers are not included. This implies that integers are numbers which are complete within themselves only and they can have positive sign or a negative sign in front of them. Examples of integers are 0, -10, 15, 4, 20, -6, -100, 24, -19, 2, -3 etc. Example 1: Are the numbers in the given numerical expression, 2 3 + 5 + 7 10 integers? Calculate the value of the numerical expression. Given numerical expression: 2 3 + 5 + 7 10 The numbers in the above given expression consist of positive and negative signs and the expression does not contain any fractions or decimals. Hence yes, the given numbers are all integers! In order to calculate the value of the given expression, we calculate from left to right. This gives, 2 3 + 5 + 7 10 = 1 Example 2: Are the numbers in the given numerical expression, (3* 4) + (2* 1) (6* 3) integers? Calculate the value of the numerical expression. Given numerical expression: (3* 4) + (2* 1) (6* 3) Yes, the given numbers are all integers since they are no fractions or decimals included. According to the order of operations, first calculate the numbers inside the parenthesis, then multiply and then later add/subtract. This gives, (3* 4) + (2* 1) (6* 3) = 12 + 2 18= 14- 18= -4 is the answer!

Thursday, March 5, 2020

In-Home Guitar Lessons The Easiest Way to Learn Guitar

In-Home Guitar Lessons The Easiest Way to Learn Guitar Megan L. Excited to begin your guitar lessons? Guitar teacher  Sean L.  shares some helpful hints on preparing for your guitar teacher to come to your home to teach Preparing for your guitar lessons is just as important as the lesson itself, and having an  adequate in-home lesson space is an integral part of preparing for your private instruction.  Without a proper space your lessons will suffer, and you will not get the most out of your money. Here are three things to think about to better prepare the  perfect base of operations for you and your teacher to share. 1. Find Your Space Finding that perfect place to hold your lessons can sometimes be overwhelming task; there are  many factors that come into play when looking for somewhere that best fits your needs. The  three most important are: 1. Noise Will this area be too loud, or will you be too loud for this area? Noises can be  distracting so avoid areas where volume would be a problem. Also, you dont want to disturb  neighbors or other people who share your living space. If noise is a problem everywhere in the  house, try to let everyone know your lesson time so they can work around it. The acoustics of  your spot should also be taken into account. This means stay away from places with an echo,  such as stairwells and wine cellars. 2. Foot Traffic You dont want your lesson to get consistently interrupted by roommates/family, so find  a place that can remain undisturbed for the entity of your lesson. I tend to use my living room,  and I let my roommates know my teaching schedule, this leaves my lessons uninterrupted. 3. Comfort There should be enough room for you and your instructor to sit comfortably, along with  fitting all of your equipment. This means closets should probably be avoided. Along with looking  for somewhere that has an adequate amount of space, try to find somewhere that is not too  humid, as places like basements tend to be harsh on strings and equipment. Once youve chosen your space, keep it neat! Nobody wants to see last weeks gym socks when they are trying to learn or teach guitar.  Aside from gym socks, you should also clean out some clutter from your chosen spot. This will  help create a more welcoming area for you and your instructor. 2. Prepare Your Equipment Think of the following questions as an equipment checklist: Do you have a music stand?  You may need one for your lessons as well as practicing. A music stand is necessary for  reading tab, chord charts, and sheet music. Most teachers will give you handouts every lesson. Is your instructor willing to bring an amp, or do you need to have a second for your  teacher?  A working amp is vital for electric guitar lessons; for yourself, and your instructor. Also make  sure your amp has distortion if that applies to your lessons. Are all your cables working?  Always makes sure all your equipment works. Cables break often so always double check How will you access backing tracks and music?  A phone, tablet, or computer with Internet access works best. You may also need a pair of  speakers, because the speakers on your device may not be sufficient. Is your guitar in good shape?  You need to check if your guitars intonation and action is correct. The intonation will affect  how in-tune your guitar sounds, and if the action is bad your guitar could be too difficult to play or there could be fret buzz. For more information on this topic ask your instructor, or  visit this article. You will also need to tune your guitar before your lesson, as tuning shouldnt take  away from valuable lesson time. Megan L. explains all the ways to tune your guitar in this blog post.  Lastly you may need to change your strings if they are old. Old strings can affect how well  your guitar stays in in tune. Noaa R. explains how to change strings here. Also, ask your instructor what sort of equipment he or she requires for your lesson. Lastly,  always check to see if your equipment works before your lesson. 3. Prepare Yourself Another important part of getting ready for your lesson is preparing your mind and body.  This means taking time throughout the week to practice and learn the materials your instructor has given you. You will also need to be prepared to receive constructive criticism  during your lessons. Criticism is an important part of learning guitar. If you follow these simple steps, you and your instructor will have a much more  enjoyable time. A well prepared student leads to more productive lessons. Also dont forget to  practice, and inform your household when your lesson is scheduled so they can work around it. In-home guitar lessons are the easiest way to learn guitar!  Still looking for a guitar teacher? TakeLessons teachers are available to teach in-home, in-studio, and online lessons. Find a guitar teacher to fit in your schedule today! Sean L. teaches acoustic guitar, guitar  and music theory  in Methuen, MA.  He has received many awards and certifications in the music world is currently working towards his Associates In Music from  NECC.  Sean has been teaching students since April 2014.  Learn more about Sean L. here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by Allan

How to Increase SAT Scores Online SAT Prep Online Tutoring Tutorpace

How to Increase SAT Scores Online SAT Prep Online Tutoring Tutorpace SAT test is a popular test taken by students throughout the world to get into good colleges and universities in the United States. SAT is taken by high school sophomores, juniors and seniors. When applying to a college, students generally send in the admission application along with the high school transcripts and other necessary documents. It has been observed that most colleges and universities also prefer the SAT scores of the students as it directly helps them analyze the students academic knowledge. SAT scores also help students to showcase their achievement as it reflects their capability to handle college level courses once admitted into the college. SAT exam is designed such that it prepares students very strongly in all the basic and important concepts learnt until high school. SAT test contains of 3 main sections: Critical Reading, Mathematics and Writing. In order to get good scores in these sections, students must improve their vocabulary, logical and writing skills. In Critical reading section, students should first be able to understand the given comprehension passage and then must observe the sentence structure, clauses, appropriate punctuations used in the passage etc. These little details are the parts on which questions are majorly asked and students must practice it accordingly. For math section, it can be helpful if students prepare a formula sheet from all the important topics so that it becomes easier for them to recognize the given question. Students should focus on writing good meaningful essays and hence must practice them accordingly.

What is it Like to Attend Pepperdine University

What is it Like to Attend Pepperdine University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Alissa is a Denver tutor specializing in several subjects including SAT prep tutoring, ACT prep tutoring, GRE prep tutoring, Grammar Mechanics tutoring, and more. She graduated from Pepperdine University in 2008 with a Bachelors degree in Creative Writing. See what she had to say about her alma mater: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Alissa: Pepperdine is the epitome of beauty. The campus sits right on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, and though Ive traveled quite a bit, Ive still never found a beauty quite like the view from the library windows. Pepperdine is small and compact, and the fact that it sits on the side of a mountain means that the entire campus is filled with stairs and hills. There is a campus shuttle that loops around the ring road and provides access to the majority of campus buildings, including on-campus dorms and apartments, but Malibu is relatively isolated from surrounding cities, including LA. If you hope to spend time in other parts of Los Angeles, you would want to have your own vehicle, or make friends with someone who owns one! One of the advantages of the isolation of Malibu there is almost zero crime recorded in the area. The Pepperdine campus is closed and gated, and I often ran on the track at midnight without a concern for my safety. The greatest threat on the Pepperdine campu s? Wildfires coming through the canyon. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Alissa: Pepperdines size and hiring practices translate into a teaching faculty with a large amount of practical application of their craft, and a willingness to help, guide, and engage unparalleled in higher education institutions. The schools emphasis on service learning often places students and professors in environments outside of the classroom together and allows them the chance to get to know each other in a deeper, more meaningful way. There wasnt a single professor in my time at Pepperdine that didnt have clear office hours and made themselves available to students for additional help or to talk through class concepts or expectations. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Alissa: Pepperdine dorms, aside from the fantastic view, are extremely comfortable for student housing. Rather than giant shared bathrooms and mindless roommate matching, freshman dorms are structured in suites, with four rooms sharing a common area and a bathroom, with two individuals per room. Roommates are matched using the same system as eHarmony, which was developed by a Pepperdine alum, and has a 99% satisfaction rating with the matches it produces. Each dorm has a Resident Advisor and a Spiritual Life Advisor that live in the dorm as well, and RAs often plan social activities, parties, and volunteer projects with other dorms to facilitate socializing. The dorms are all lined up in a row and close, and Pepperdines size means that you know (at least by face or name) the majority of people in your class, so its easy to meet up with friends. All students in the dorms have a meal plan, with one main cafeteria and a fewsmaller options. The food is delicious and provides options at s everal stations. All freshmen are required to live in the dorms all other years have the option of living in on-campus apartments or finding their own housing. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Alissa: The most common majors at Pepperdine are Business and Communications. I studied Creative Writing and Philosophy, as I thought I wanted to go in to a career in publishing. I loved my Creative Writing courses, though with it being a smaller major, there werent a lot of internships or field-related opportunities like I might have had had I attended a university in New York or Chicago. That said, being a Creative Writing major in Malibu has certain unique advantages, including an emphasis in writing for film or television and direct access to the major studios and talent in LA. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Alissa: Pepperdines size and the nature of the school means you dont have a choice but to make friends your freshman year! Its extremely easy, beginning with New Student Orientation week, and moving into your first year and beyond. Pepperdine makes every effort to create a sense of community in its student body, with numerous student groups and organizations and a Volunteer Center devoted to year-long and short-term community service initiatives. Over 60% of the student body is Greek. There are no houses (as they are not allowed in Malibu), but sororities and fraternities play a major role in the environment of the campus, leading spirit, sport and student engagement activities, and making up the majority of the student leadership of the school. I myself was a part of a sorority, and now consider a number of my sisters my closest friends. My best memories of Pepperdine, of which there are many, are of my time with my sorority. VT: How helpful is the Career Center and other student support services? Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Alissa: The Career Center provides as many opportunities as one is willing to ask for and take advantage of. Theyre extremely helpful in assisting you in deciding on a career path and the steps youll take to get where youd like to go. There is a distinct effort to engage alumni, who are a powerful base of support and guidance, with the current student population. The Pepperdine graduate Business program and law school are well-known, and often provide opportunities to undergraduate majors that other schools wouldnt be able to offer. VT: How are the various study areas such as libraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Alissa: The library is extremely comfortable, and has views that make it difficult to study! Its relatively accessible, but can get crowded around finals time. There are plenty of other areas to study on campus, including the dorm common areas, which often host study groups for certain general education classes in which a large number of freshmen are enrolled. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in?between? To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Alissa: Most Pepperdine students stay relatively close to campus, as Santa Monica and LA arent easily accessible. They do, however, head out on the weekends or for big events, and its a relatively easy drive (30 minutes or so) on one of the most beautiful highways in the world to one of the greatest cities in America. There are plenty of opportunities in the arts, sports, and beyond in LA. Closer in in Malibu or through the canyon in Thousand Oaks, there are numerous award-winning restaurants, a movie theater, parks, and beaches. The majority of students spend their time surfing, paddle-boarding, sailing, playing Frisbee or tanning on the beach, hiking, or bonfiring. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Alissa: The student body is small, between 3,000 and 4,000 undergraduates. This means that class sizes are kept small (the majority of classes are kept under 20 students) and you have focused attention from professors. Its the perfect environment for someone who enjoys engaging in discussions and taking full advantage of what they pay in tuition. Its probably not the right school for someone who wants to sit in the back of a large lecture hall and doze. Pepperdine only has one large lecture hall, and even then, professors are known to play games with the crowd! VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one you regret the most. Alissa: I particularly loved my Logic class. That may seem like a ridiculous class to enjoy, but the professor made it for me. He taught philosophy with passion and with relevance, and I loved the reason, the order, and the thought in it all. That professor fought hard for me to be granted a Philosophy major status and I came extremely close. He taught me my love for philosophy, which led me to eventually earn a Masters degree in it from The University of Chicago. He retired the same year that I graduated Pepperdine, but he remains my mentor and friend even today. Check out Alissas tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

10 Weird (but Common) Questions Voice Teachers Get - Answered!

10 Weird (but Common) Questions Voice Teachers Get - Answered! Suzy S. As youre learning to sing, youll likely have a lot of questions. And dont worry, thats what your voice teacher is there for! Once youve got the basics down, though, you might realize some of your beginner questions were  a littlewell silly! Here, teacher  Elaina R.  answers some of the common questions  and  lays some rumors to rest As a voice teacher, I get asked some pretty weird questions about singing. In fact, I get so many that I decided to write an article about it! Here are the weirdest questions students ask voice teachers â€" and the answers you may have been wondering about yourself that can help you become a better singer. Let’s start with this eye-opening question. First of all, I hate it when people talk about singing from the diaphragm. Steve Martin reportedly popularized the phrase “sing from the diaphragm” in his comedy sketches, and he isn’t exactly an authority on the voice. There are three major muscle groups involved in breathing, and this statement discounts two of them. Secondly, hunching over definitely does not help with proper breathing! Hunching over collapses the torso, reducing the volume of air that you can breathe in. Heres a helpful infographic on proper breathing and posture. No, it’s a sharp. Learning the basics of reading music (including key signatures, note values, and the two basic clefs) makes you much more flexible as a singer. Check out my introduction to reading music to get started! Nope. Women can’t be tenors, but I don’t blame you for getting confused. Voice types are hard to define, and the many subsections and qualifiers make it a convoluted topic. The two basic voice types for women are soprano and mezzo-soprano (known as alto in choral settings). Check out this introduction to voice types to learn more. No, it doesn’t. Tilting your head up actually strains your neck, making it more difficult to sing. Go ahead and stretch your head up, then try talking. Do you hear how strained your voice sounds? That’s exactly what happens when you try to sing in this position. No, no, no! Ive had students get faint during lessons because they didn’t have enough to eat beforehand. I’ve actually had to feed one student during a lesson! While its true that the stomach is right under the diaphragm (an important breathing muscle) and that going to a buffet immediately before a lesson isn’t a good idea, please don’t starve yourself. My small stature (I am five feet tall) has made me a target of the “you have such a loud voice for such a small person!” comment ever since I can remember. But in actuality, just like the general population, opera singers come in all shapes and sizes. Singers of my voice type (coloratura soprano) are often my size. Remember how the stomach is located directly under the diaphragm? Deep breathing compresses many of your organs, including the stomach. This causes some people to burp. To avoid excessive burping during your voice lessons, don’t drink anything carbonated on your way to class. These questions get their own category because I have gotten so many of them. Here are some of the strangest ones: Is singing in head voice bad for you? Is head voice “fake singing”? Does chest voice come from your chest? Head voice and chest voice are just the two main registers of the human voice. They both come from the vocal cords, not the actual head and chest (names can be deceptive). And no, neither of them is bad for you. Still wondering about the difference between the two? Check out this quick video lesson for further clarification. Bring On The Weird Questions Dont worry: weird questions about the voice are good! There isn’t a lot of reliable vocal information out there, and airing out your strangest queries can help you learn about your  voice. So don’t be afraid to ask your voice teacher about any of your vocal musings; the answers may help you become a better singer! Post Author:  Elaina R. Elaina R. teaches opera voice and singing in Ann Arbor, MI, as well as through online lessons. She received her Master of Music from  the University of Michigan, and she has a B.M. from the University of Southern California. Learn more about Elaina here! Photo by  U.S. Army Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

FAQs About the SAT Subject Tests

FAQs About the SAT Subject Tests The SAT is common terminology among college-bound teens and their parents, but not everyone is as familiar with the SAT Subject Tests. What do you need to know about these exams? Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive at Huntington to get you up to speed: How are the SAT Subject Tests different than the regular SAT? The SAT Subject Tests are high school-level tests that reflect high school curricula. They indicate a students readiness for college-level courses in specific subject areas. The SAT is focused on the skills and knowledge learned in high school and what students need to succeed in college. It has a Reading Test, Writing and Language Test, Math Test and optional Essay Test. What subjects are tested by the SAT Subject Tests? There are 20 SAT Subject Tests in five areas: Mathematics (2), Science (3), English (1), History (2) and Languages (12). How often are these exams given and can you take several at once? SAT Subject Tests are given six times a year on the same days and at the same test centers as the SAT, but not all 20 tests are offered on every SAT date. The Language and Listening tests are only offered in November. Although students can take up to three Subject Tests on a test date, they cannot take SAT and an SAT Subject Test on the same day. When should my child take the SAT Subject Test? After completing the area of study, sign up for the next available test date to take the Subject Test. Did the SAT Subject Tests change with the recent redesign of the SAT? No. For now, the College Board says that the SAT Subject Tests are staying the same. Do colleges require the SAT Subject Tests? Some do, but not all. SAT Subject Tests show colleges that students are ready for specific programs of study or certain courses or majors. The College Board lists institutions that have indicated that they require, recommend or consider the Subject Tests in admissions. Visit https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat-subject-tests/about/institutions-using. Of course, its a good idea to check with a college directly as well. Why should your teen consider taking any SAT Subject Tests? The most obvious reason is if the college to which your teen is applying recommends or requires Subject Tests. However, even colleges that dont require SAT Subject Tests might accept them and use them in admission to get a more complete picture of your teen as an applicant. These tests are a great way for students to showcase their strengths and strongly express an interest in specific programs or majors. Whats the best way to prepare for the SAT Subject Tests? These exams are based in high school course work, so the best way to prepare for them is to keep up in school. If your teen is struggling through a particular subject, a Huntington tutoring program will help him or her catch up and get ahead, which is a great foundation. We can also help your teen get familiar with the test and study strategies for success. Huntington offers one-to-one prep programs for students taking the SAT Subject Tests. If your teen needs help or you have questions about these exams or Huntingtons prep programs, call us at 1 800-CAN LEARN. To learn more about the SAT Subject Tests, visit www.collegeboard.org. About Huntington Huntington is the tutoring and test prep leader.Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntingtons mission is to give every student the best education possible. Learn how Huntington can help at www.huntingtonhelps.com. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. 2018 Huntington Mark, LLC. Huntington Learning Center, the three-leaf logo, and 1 800 CAN LEARN are registered trademarks of Huntington Mark, LLC. Each franchised Huntington Learning Center is operated under a franchise agreement with Huntington Learning Centers, Inc. SAT is a registered trademark of the College Board. ACT is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc. These entities were not involved in the production of and do not endorse either program.

The importance of practice tests

The importance of practice tests Hello AJ Tutoring clients and friends! We hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and youre ready for the busy December season of finals, concerts, and family gatherings.One thing on the minds of many juniors these days is getting ready for the March SAT. At this point, Ive already completed a couple tutoring sessions with many of my juniors and theyre getting ready to take their first full practice tests.Completing full practice tests is a great way for students to get the feel of the test and track their progress. Sometimes, though, a student will come to our next tutoring session with the test partially completed, or not done under ideal circumstances. This ends up partly wasting the students time, since we cant get an accurate idea of where hes at with the test. Which begs the question: what should it look like when students do practice tests for homework?If possible, we always encourage students to take proctored tests offered some Saturday mornings at AJ Tutorings Palo Alto offic e. Well tell students what to do and when, just like the day of the test. This takes guesswork out of the equation and gives accurate results. Plus, students get their tutoring homework done in one morning. Win-win!But if its not possible to come in for a proctored test, students should do the test at home, in an environment that resembles the testing environment as closely as possible (minus all the other stressed-out students). What should this look like?1. NO DISTRACTIONS! This is so important. Most high schoolers treat their phones like extra appendages. You cant have phones during the SAT, so dont have them out while youre taking a practice test. You can use the phone as a timer, but put it across the room. No talking, no texting, no Facebook. 2. Do the whole test in one sitting. Yes, this is hard, and yes, it will take about four hours. Yes, we know you have sports and theater and hours of homework to do. But test day is a marathon, not a sprint. Lots of students could get gre at scores, if only they could split up the test over three days. Dont be one of those people! The SAT is partly testing your ability to focus and think for several hours straight, so you need to practice that. No shortcuts here! 3. Time it like the actual test. Follow the timing directions at the top of each section, and set a timer to go off when times up. Stop writing when you hear the timer, and dont fill in more answers. 4. Go in order. Dont do all the math sections at once, or all the reading and writing sections together. Complete sections in the order theyre presented in the test. 5. Take the test when youre feeling rested. Weekend mornings are a great time to take practice tests because the test itself is given on a Saturday morning. Regardless of what day you choose to complete the practice test, dont start it at 9 pm on a Thursday night after you finished all your other homework. Practice tests completed at 1 am never end well, trust me. 6. Parents, help create a good envi ronment. Make sure your son or daughter has a cleaned-off place to sit and complete the test without distractions. Dont interrupt them to talk or ask questions. Encourage them to do the test in one sitting, and provide positive reinforcement when they get it done. Put the test up on the fridge after they get the score back (okay, you dont have to do the last part).Completing several practice tests under testing conditions is one of the best predictors we at AJ Tutoring have found for a students eventual score improvement. Implementing the advice above is sure to help you have a great test day when March finally rolls around.