Elements in Chemistry

Elements in ChemistryIn chemistry, N is the element that's right above Carbon, also known as Nitrogen. N is mostly used as a soft element and is also the one that forms water with oxygen, as well as being the element that gives up nitrogen gas, allowing carbon to become the element that's more commonly found in fuels. To understand the history of the world, it is necessary to know all the elements that have been discovered.At the start of the Neolithic era, the first people discovered that carbon could be turned into oxygen. Later on, the discovery of iron was found, as well as copper. The discovery of iron is very important for later chemistry, as it is the main element that would later become the element that helps us make weapons and other equipment. Copper, and its byproduct, gold, are two other elements that would later be discovered.The P element, however, has just recently been discovered and was used in the early days of the discovery of metalworking, helping people to form t hings like steel and silver. Although it didn't actually become the metal, it was used as a filler substance for metals.As we know, there are different elements in chemistry. There are also different types of elements that are used in different fields. At the same time, there are also different numbers of elements that are used.The number of elements can be up to 10, depending on where it was discovered, although the scientists working on this have gone back and rewritten history so that the first element can be considered to be the earth's. In fact, scientists now believe that everything else we know about came from this earth's element. Scientists have now even claimed that there are things that only this earth has.The history of the field of chemistry has since then only been one history. These discoveries were made over the course of millions of years, and these discoveries lead to the development of everything that we have today. But at the same time, some of these discoveries were also made by outside scientists. For example, the discovery of this earth's element of nitrogen has happened by accident and was unintentional, although others like the discovery of gold and copper.So, since the history of the world is written in chemistry, each element that was discovered has been assigned a different number. The big ones include the earth's element and the six main elements.

Economics Tutor - What Else Should You Know?

Economics Tutor - What Else Should You Know?If you have a budding career as an economics tutor and you want to enjoy it to the fullest, then you need to become a part of Los Angeles' thriving economics community. The reason for this is because the economy of the city is very heavily dependent on how well an economy runs. A top economy means a top job and a lot of financial resources are at stake when you have a nation that is experiencing massive economic stagnation.The next best thing to getting hired would be to find out if the market you are planning to open your own school in is in a hot spot in the region. If it is, then you can expect to see a rush of applicants. However, if you are new to the business, then it is important that you take your time. If you are prepared to find out where you will fit in, then it will not be that hard to get the head start that you need.Getting an education at a quality institution that also offers the most competitive tuition rates in Los Angeles is one of the keys to success. There are plenty of schools that you can choose from but the one that will suit your needs the best is the one that is within walking distance of your home. This way, you are able to go there anytime you want.Anaconda Venture School in California, for example, is just a few minutes away from where you live and work. Its tuition rates are quite competitive and the classes themselves are practical so you can work on your skills while you are taking your lessons. You will also be able to attend any of the other classes that you desire, and this will not only improve your mind, but also your career.If you are still worried about the economy, then you might want to consider learning how to do some tutoring. You can find jobs like this all over the city and the lucrative salaries are even higher. Tutors teach economics at colleges, for example, and you will be required to teach courses like math, physics, economics, and more. However, before you can apply f or a job, you will have to pass an exam for admission.In fact, the only reason why you should consider getting into economics tutoring position is to increase your financial resources. If you cannot afford to pay the standard fees for a college, then you can always take out a second mortgage to fund your educational endeavors.Atlanta is another booming economy, and with a good education in economics, you will not be left behind. You will not only enjoy your job, but you will enjoy your life as well.

Composing Life Lessons from Music

Composing Life Lessons from Music Suzy S. The benefits of music are well-documented when it comes to instilling skills and confidence in young children here, TakeLessons instructor Bryan B. explains how music can translate into career success for adults as well! ____________________________________________ Recently, I went on a two week trip to sunny Northridge, California, where I got to work with amazing artists and teachers to help develop my craft. What is my craft you say? Singing more specifically, opera singing. The program I took part in, OperaWorks, provided me with much more insight than I initially expected. Living in an age of doubt, I immediately felt like it might not have been worth my money. But after two weeks I was pleased to see that there were noticeable changes not only in my music, but also in my life. Lets take a closer look at how my training in music affected my life and my world: Opera-ism #1: I am AWESOME. This was a technique I learned to help prepare myself for an audition. By giving myself a pep talk before walking through the door, I am able to walk in with confidence. So how does this apply to my life? Well, aside from teaching, I have a normal day-to-day job in sales. And as part of that job, I have to provide people with a service or product. This can be really nerve-wracking because I hate sales people myself. I recently went to buy a car and the worst part about the whole experience was the salesman. I already knew I was going to buy a car, I had already researched the car that I wanted and he just seemed to get in the way. Because of experiences like these, I try to steer myself away from being a “pushy” sales guy. When I applied my “I am AWESOME!” pep talk to my day-to-day job, I found that it was a lot easier for me to sell to people without being pushy or being pushed over. I was able to confidently talk about products, build relationships with my clients and actively listen and respond to their concerns. Essentially, being AWESOME allowed me to be myself when I was on the phone, and let my personality shine. What I learned from this is products dont sell people do. Opera-ism #2: Music is not whats written on the page, it is what the performers make of it. The intention of the composer was not that the performer sing the song exactly how it was written, in a robotic fashion, but to add expression and interpretation to it. This came to light for me when I sang an operatic aria (Love Sounds the Alarm from Acis and Galatea), which is a love song.   Rather than expressing lovey-dovey emotions, this aria became a war speech in OperaWorks. I was inspiring a nation to defend itself against its enemies. The whole meaning of the song changed, but it was really effective. The real life experience happened in learning my “pitch.”   You can always hear the sales pitch coming when youre on the phone with a salesman.   Well, I realized its not about the words, its about the meaning. Upon returning, having already memorized the pitch, I started to implement the meaning of the words, and tie them back to the desires of my customers. What Ive learned as a performer has more than affected my life it has changed me. I went into OperaWorks as an insecure performer and came out a confident man. The results speak for themselves. My performance at work has improved, and my personal life is much happier and free. This just goes to show that things shouldnt be taken at face value. What you learn in school might actually apply to real life. Who knew? Bryan B. TakeLessons Instructor

4 Steps to Help Beginner Piano Students

4 Steps to Help Beginner Piano Students To learn the piano follow these 4 steps! ChaptersBegin with proper postureEase your way into playingGradually improve your techniqueHow to play the piano with small handsRegardless of your level and objectives, today we’re asking the question: how does one play the piano?Ok, it’s a bit vast we know. So we’ll break it down into four pieces of advice. In order to play the piano well, you’ll need to have the proper posture, and know how to play slowly, but at the right tempo. Lastly, how can you play like Mozart if you have small hands? Read on to discover the answers to these questions and more! LouisPiano Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlisonPiano Teacher £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErenPiano Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors BarbaraPiano Teacher £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Chi yuenPiano Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TomPiano Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValtiePiano Teach er £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DanielPiano Teacher 5.00 (5) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsBegin with proper postureWhen you play the piano you’ll need to use your entire body. So it’s important to adopt (and memorize) the correct positions and posture when you start to learn how to play piano, so that it becomes like second nature.First, position yourself in the middle of the piano, comfortably seated on your chair or stool. Use the key of G in the middle of the keyboard as a benchmark. Remember that will alter slightly depending on what piece you're playing. To play piano songs that call for high notes, you’ll position yourself slightly towards the left side of the keyboard, and in the opposite side for music with a lot of low notes. Where is that middle C again?Learning proper posture is key to becoming a true pianist.Next, you’ll position your lower arms by adjusting the height of your seat. To be well placed,  your elbows should be at th e same height of the keyboard. Or slightly under the keyboard if you have short arms. The lower arms should not be perfectly perpendicular to the keyboard.This arm position will allow you to move your fingers on the keyboard faster and easier, for a maximum of flexibility in fingering. Generally speaking, pianists aim to have good body position in order to make piano playing more supple and fluid. These are all things that your piano teacher will instruct you on. Check out an online piano video to see how the professionals look.What type of seat is best for playing piano? A stool, bench, or chair?This really comes down to your personal choice. The renowned pianist  Glenn Gould played on chairs, which obviously served him well! The downside is that you can’t adjust their height. If you choose to sit on a chair, select one that corresponds to your body and the height of your piano keyboard.The benefit of the piano bench, in addition to the possibility of modifying its height, is tha t its width facilitates side movements of the piano player. This is why the bench is generally the most popular type of seating used by pianists.Standing up while playing is just something for the great Elton John, not for beginners!After your arms, the next thing to check as you learn to play piano is your back! The back’s position must be perfect so that you don’t cause any lumbar pains from playing. Above all else, piano playing should be a pleasure! If the piano is causing back pains, you’ve overlooked this goal.When you play the piano, the back should be straight but not too rigid. And this rule is not only applicable to the piano. In a seated position, the back should always be straight, and never hunched over the keyboard: this is the worst position for playing the piano.After you’ve mastered the position of the lower arms and back, you’ll need to think about your hands! Even if the entire body is in use when you play the piano, the hand plays the most important rol e.To play the notes perfectly and reach the keys, your fingers must be curved and arched. Your palm should be slightly higher than the fingers, so that they “dive” into the notes (except the thumb which should be almost completely flat). This position will allow you to reduce tenseness and gain in speed while playing piano. The power you’ll need to touch the keys should be stemming from the fingers and not the wrist or arms â€" easier said than done!This is also what allows for the curved position of the hand. And remember to keep your feet flat on the floor, to increase your stability and confidence. Playing on the tip of your feet is not a good idea, even when you are beginning your instruction and don’t yet know how to play piano.While we wholeheartedly stand by all of this advice, it’s important to note that every person has a unique physical makeup. With time, your positions might differ slightly from the accepted rules, as outlined above, and more in keeping with you r individual playing style and physique.Discover the best ways of playing your piano scales too…Ease your way into playingWhen you start to learn piano, it’s important begin by playing slowly. This will allow you to warm up your fingers before playing (in the context of a piano course for example). It will also be very helpful when you learn to play a scale, chord progression, or piano song.Certain pianists want to play faster than the music, or play the piece at the speed required by the sheet music notations without being at the level to do so correctly. These are not the right approaches!Increase your execution speed gradually but begin by playing slowly. You must succeed at playing the piece perfectly before being able to play fast. You can’t jump from Mary had a Little Lamb to the most complex arpeggio. Get a metronome to pace your playing!Begin by playing slowly!In general, playing the piano slowly will allow you to:Memorize what you're playing easier. Your brain must co ncentrate on every detail in the sheet music, to absorb and remember them all. Soon you’ll be able to identify and pass quickly from minor scales to major scales.To make technical progress quicker, because playing slowly allows you not only to memorize music easier but also to memorize finger movements that you’ll find in other songs.Be attentive to what you’re playing, to piano chords, tempo, rhythm, etc. As such  you’ll be assured that what you are playing is correct, and that you’re not making mistakes in rhythm or in reading music.Better understand the nuances of the piece and “feel” what you are playing.To anticipate the upcoming measures instead of running after the music that you’re playing. By playing slowly, your brain will work faster than your fingers.If you're looking for a piano tutor, you can stop searching the Internet for piano lessons London and head directly to Superprof!Gradually improve your techniqueIf you are playing the piano, chances are you w ant to get better. That’s the goal of most pianists, whether they are absolute beginners or more experienced musicians. But making progress in piano playing could mean different things.First, it’s the ability to read sheet music easily. By decoding the notes, you’ll acquire a knowledge of solfege and music theory. You’ll see, soon you’ll be reading more complex music and sight reading faster.Making piano playing progress also means becoming more flexible and faster.Your hand movements and fingering will become more and more supple. You’ll play chord progressions (with the left hand) and note progressions (right hand) faster, without creating tenseness and clenched fingers. And your playing will become better articulated and more expressive.In order to use your fullest artistic potential, you must reach a good technical level. Technique serves the artistic, creative and performance sides.Getting a piano instructor and taking piano lessons will help you advance must quicke r than if you are self-taught. Piano classes are especially useful if you are stumbling over a piece of music or blocked from learning in any way. There are so many benefits to a piano lesson! Studying piano tutorials and videos on the Internet will also be fun and helpful, but beware of free piano classes and certain online lessons advertised online.You’ll make great progress if you are disciplined and practice the piano regularly. Don’t force progress, because you risk skipping steps and making mistakes. There are phases in piano instruction that just can’t be rushed through.How to play the piano with small handsEven small fingers can reach the black keysSome people believe that the piano isn’t for them because of their small hands. Is it possible to play the piano with short fingers? Our answer is yes.In truth, there are many pianists who don’t have particularly big hands â€" “piano hands” as we say â€" who play those sharps and quarter notes with a lot of fluidity and ease.Sure, certain music composers are known for their large hands. But the hand length has no bearing on quality of playing and piano technique.This is notably the case with Liszt, who, according to legend, could play the eleventh interval with just one hand! Some small-handed people might have difficulty playing some music by Liszt, as it was conceived for those with Liszt-sized hands!Generally speaking, classical music from the Romantic Period (nineteenth century) used a lot of intervals and chords with sevenths and ninths. Therefore, much of the “Romantic” repertoire requires large hands. We can’t deny it, but perhaps with a bit of creative improvisation on your piano notes you can overcome it!But remember that 95% of piano music can be played with modestly sized and even small hands. What’s more, it’s even preferable to have small hands when playing songs that use chromatic movements. Just ask your music teacher!Each hand configuration has its benefits and disadva ntages, and hand size has a limited effect on piano instruction. If you have small hands and you want to learn to play the piano, go for it!Whether you play classical piano or jazz piano (or anything!), you now have everything you need to attack those black keys and play those tunes. Your beginner piano skills will fade away, and you’ll learn to play by ear and read music like Mozart!Are you the next Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart?

Heres the Secret to Finding Hidden Time for Your Hobbies

Here’s the Secret to Finding “Hidden” Time for Your Hobbies Suzy S. If you had an extra hour in your day, how  would you spend your time? Your answer to that question can tell you a lot about yourself, and its fun to think about. But the reality is: 24 hours is all you get. (Sorry!) You cant quit your job. You cant ignore family commitments and responsibilities. If you want to learn a new skill, improve your current talents, or work toward a big learning goal, its up to you to make that happen.  So how do you  balance that with a busy schedule? Its simple: learn to budget your time the same way you budget your money. Here are the steps you can take if you feel like youre too busy to learn or take up a new hobby, proven to work by some of our top students. 1. Decide you WANT  to learn. The first step to financial success is deciding to have a budget. And that budget is often dictated by  your short- and long-term goals. Maybe you want to pay off your student loans or  mortgage  within five years. Or maybe you just want that new jacket you saw at Nordstrom. Now lets translate that into learning: what are your goals there?  Do you want to be able to sing confidently in front of a group? Play guitar at a friends wedding? Speak Spanish fluently on an upcoming vacation? Write these down, and put them somewhere  you can see them every day. Excuses will always come up. And heck, life will sometimes get in the way. But if youre excited about improving your skills, thats the first step. 2. Be realistic. You wouldnt set a $300 budget for going out to eat  if you only had $50 discretionary cash per week. Similarly, be realistic  about the time you can commit to practicing and taking lessons. If youre juggling a busy schedule, a 30-minute lesson once per week may be all you can find time for. Or maybe you cant even commit to that fortunately, you can find teachers who are  more flexible week-to-week, and rescheduling is always an option if  something comes up. Once you have your lesson time penciled in, then its time to schedule your  practice time. But be realistic about that, too! You may not be able to practice for hours every day, and thats OK.  Even a short practice session will help you stay on track, if you make it efficient. 3. Find the right hacks. If youre a super-budgeter, you probably know all the tricks. You hold out for great deals, look for coupons and discount codes, and so on. Same goes for budgeting your time. If you break down your schedule, you may find you have extra time in your day for your hobbies. And yes, that may mean skipping  the Netflix marathons, or cutting back on the time you spend browsing social media. You were probably expecting that advice, right? But look: there are even more hacks you can try. Here are some ways TakeLessons students have  made time for their hobbies: Take online lessons. Ordering takeout for dinner is a great time saver. What if you could get music or language lessons delivered to the comfort of your home, too? Turn on your computer, pull up the TakeLessons Classroom, and you can meet with your teacher instantly   no travel time  required. Take advantage of  your workspace. If your company  allows it, consider taking your online lessons during  your lunch break. If you prefer in-person lessons, find a teacher close by your work, so its not a hassle to get to.  You can also use your time going to and from work. As a language learner, for example, you can practice listening to your  target language during your commute! Find  a flexible teacher. If you need to reschedule a lesson every now and then, dont stress. While  a designated  lesson time each week will help you stay accountable, we understand that things come up! If you have unique scheduling needs, feel free to use our  Ask a Question feature before booking your lessons, to find a teacher who can accommodate. Use your guilty pleasures to your advantage. Learning a new skill doesnt have to be all work, no play! Musicians: jamming with community groups or going to karaoke is a fun way to add music to your day. Language students, consider changing the language settings when youre watching TV, or pick a foreign movie with subtitles. 4. Adjust as needed. Budgets ebb and flow unplanned bills show up, salaries go up and down, and  cant-miss opportunities arise. The best financial advice is to stay flexible and adjust your budget often. Similarly, sometimes the time youve budgeted doesnt go as planned. We get it: life gets busy. So dont beat yourself up if you need  to reschedule a lesson or if you miss a practice session. Stay positive, and fit in what you can! Planning ahead can help, as well. Work with your teacher to create a 15-minute practice routine, if youre short on time one week. Or, make a list of ways to fit practice into your everyday life. Even the most successful people have off days. Get back on track when you can, review your  goals again, and envision where youd like your skills to be in one year. 5. Pay yourself first. One of the best money tips out there is to pay yourself first. What does that mean, exactly? In terms of finances, it means setting aside funds for your future self before  anything else. (Think: emergency funds, retirement accounts, and so on.) So, apply the same  strategy to how youre spending your free time. Want to stay sharp? Learning a musical instrument is linked to improved memory, concentration, and IQ. Want to get ahead in your career? In todays job market, learning a second language will make you a more valuable employee, and may even lead to a higher salary. Or maybe its a more personal goal. Many of the adult students we talk to mention they took music lessons as a kid, and wanted to bring that joy back into their lives. So the question is do  you want to invest in yourself? When you think of it that way, making time for your hobbies seems like a no-brainer. Readers, how do you make time for yourself? Have you ever felt like you were too busy to learn something new? Leave a comment below and share your experience!   Photo  by  Will Foster 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

The Perfect Apps for Introverts Everywhere - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / The Perfect Apps for Introverts Everywhere - Introvert Whisperer The Perfect Apps for Introverts Everywhere Have you ever wanted to spend time with people physically, but do not know where to begin. Do you feel overwhelmed in crowds or front of a large audience? Would you rather spend time alone than go out with your friends during the weekends? If the answer is yes, then perhaps you have an introverted personality. Living as an Introvert As an introvert, it can be quite difficult for you to interact with someone in a normal setting. Most introverted individuals resort to using various apps to compensate for the lack of social skills and interaction that they deal with daily. Whether it be for dating or shopping, online applications can serve as a way for introverts to connect to the outside world without going through the hassle of meeting people face-to-face. Here are some examples of applications that introverts can use to simulate social interaction online. Dating Apps Dating applications such as Ok Cupid or Grinder can help you find someone to connect with without having to go through the awkward stage of physically traveling out and going to a restaurant for a date. You can easily swipe right or left if you like or dislike someone’s profile. These apps also will allow you to send instant messages that could help you start a conversation; something that you might not be able to do in the flesh. Social Media Platforms and Applications Social Media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram can afford introverts like you the opportunity to create a community online that allows you to share your thoughts and feelings without the added pressure and awkwardness of meeting in person. These applications will be able to connect to 24 hours a day without having to deal with the limitations of real life. Just send a message, and you will be able to start a conversation easily much like you would in a dating site. However, social media platforms are used primarily to connect with people that you already know personally. It would be best to keep this in mind when trying to get in touch with others on social media. VoIP Applications VoIP stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol. If you are fond of using programs like Skype or Viber and Facebook Messenger, then you are using Voice Over Internet Protocol technology. This particular type of application allows a person to communicate with another despite large distances. For introverts, this would be a great way to communicate because you will not have to be there to talk to another person. You can use it as a phone, or you could turn on the camera and see the person you’re talking to through the screen. Either way, it’s a great way to communicate for those people who want interaction in a much more limited and controlled environment. Through these applications, you will be able to send files and documents which can help facilitate conversation even further. You will not have to think about what you want to say, which can create a gap between you and your chat partner. Online Shopping Sites and Applications This portal is another way for you to communicate with other people who tend to have similar tastes in a musical instrument as well as other related products. My shopping online regularly, you will be able to connect with like-minded individuals who may have the same interests as you do. These sites will also remove the awkwardness of having to pay for exorbitant amounts of merchandise in person. If you love to shop and have no limits when it comes to spending, online shopping applications would be the best alternative for you. Why Use Online Applications? The main reasons why we recommended these particular applications for introverts is because it will help minimize the awkwardness that introverts might feel when meeting people. The main issue with introverts is that most of them are not equipped to handle large crowds. These specific personalities also tend to be socially inept. This ineptitude is why they resort to using online applications to make up for the lack of social interaction in their lives. Applications above will help them trained their mind into communicating much more eloquently through written words. We hope that they can further develop communication skills and use them in live interaction sooner rather than later. These online applications will expose them to humans in small doses at first, and then once they feel comfortable interacting with the person online, chances are they would be more open to meeting them in person eventually. It also helps introverts deal with rejection and a much more controlled environment. As we all know, online applications are open to everyone. Because of this, criticisms from other users, whether it be positive or negative, can reach the user quite freely without filter. The open communication line then allows the introverts to be exposed to both positive and negative criticism, which can train them to become more accepting of society as a whole. It can help the people around them teach the introverts that not everyone would be open to their way of seeing things. In turn, this will help them accept other people as they are and allow them to hopefully not judge others too harshly down the line. The Pitfalls of Using Online Applications Much like any other product out there, there also some disadvantages to using online applications too much. Because of the limited and controlled environment that an online application of Ford’s user, chances are he will not learn to develop social skills in a much more normal way. They ensure word might learn to rely on social media as a form of curing a quiche and wait for too much and forgets how it is to live with others as a normal human being. They should be a balance between online interactions through applications and real-life connections. Conclusion If you feel that your relationships with your family and friends are already suffering because of social media connections, then it would be best for you to take a break. Try to interact with one person at a time, and you will eventually be able to handle yourself in a much larger sighting for sure. Author Bio: Lydia Lee  is a fashion blogger. She works at a Tech company and writes as a freelancer for several fashion magazines both local and international. She has a pet terrier named Fugui.

Can the ACT Aspire Predict Your ACT Score

Can the ACT Aspire Predict Your ACT Score In 2014, a brand new test preparation program called the ACT Aspire replaced the ACT Plan, a pre-test similar to the actual ACT, and ACT Explore. Unlike the ACT, which measures student understanding at a consistent level year after year, the ACT Aspire is designed to reflect the progressive difficulty of each year of school. That being said, can the ACT Aspire predict your ACT score? Read on to learn more about the differences between both tests. An overview of the ACT Aspire test The ACT Aspire, which can be administered beginning in third grade and through 10th grade, is designed to assess both understanding of new Common Core standards and college readiness. The program tests students in five main subjects: math, reading, English, writing, and science. The goal of the ACT Aspire program is to measure student educational growth as an indicator of how well each student may eventually score on the actual ACT. [RELATED: What is the ACT Aspire?] Differences between ACT Aspire test and the ACT There are a few differences between the ACT Aspire test and the actual ACT that are worth mentioning. One of the bigger differences between the ACT Aspire test and the actual ACT is how each is scored. The ACT is scored on a scale from 1 to 36 for each subject, with 36 being the best score. The ACT Aspire is scored on a scale from 400 to 470 for each subject, with 470 being a top score. As you can see, the scale is very different between the two exams, which may make it more difficult to interpret how your ACT Aspire score will translate to the ACT. When students receive ACT Aspire scores, they do also receive an estimated ACT scorehowever, keep in mind that this is an estimate based on their performance on the Aspire (which usually happens before you move on to advanced classes that are tested on the ACT). The best way to truly gauge how you might score on the actual ACT is through ACT practice tests. Additionally, the ACT Aspire and the ACT differ in test format. The actual ACT consists of all multiple-choice questions (with the exception of the optional writing portion), but the ACT Aspire consists of multiple-choice and constructed response (short-answer and long-answer) questions. The idea is that students will be tested using multiple question formats to ensure they fully understand the concepts, even though the actual ACT is not set up in this way. This may affect your preparation. To succeed on the ACT, you may only need to have content knowledge, as well as strategies in place for multiple-choice questions. An ACT tutor or other test prep instructor can also help you determine how you should study, depending on which test you take. [RELATED: What is an Average ACT Score?] Is the ACT Aspire test worth taking? It is evident that the ACT Aspire Test is quite different from the actual ACT. However, the ACT Aspire can still provide valuable information about potential gaps in a students knowledge, due to its cumulative scoring. Students who take the ACT Aspire over several years receive test scores (and subscores) each year, making it easy to monitor their progress and skill level during that time. [RELATED: What Test Do I Take? A Guide to the Testing Acronyms] If you are looking for a way to sharpen your skill set for the real ACT, in addition to studying an ACT test prep bookand other resources, the Aspire test can also be a helpful precursorbut dont put too much weight into your estimated ACT score. A students score and improvement on both tests depends on how seriously he or she takes preparing for each test. If the student uses study strategies tailored to each test format, the chances for success are greater. However, if you are looking for an exam to replicate the ACT exactly, then you may need to look into other test options. If youve received a high score on the ACT Aspire test, dont make the mistake of winging the ACT. The tests are not necessarily comparable. There are a variety of ACT practice tests out there that are professionally written to mimic the rigor of the actual exam. Students can time themselves while taking these practice tests to get a more accurate picture of how they might score on test day. ACT hopes that this new testing program will become the national standard for testing college readiness. It is important to consider all of the differences between the programs before making a decision on which preparation program is best.

GRE Practice (Tests) Make Perfect

GRE Practice (Tests) Make Perfect GRE/MAT Graduate School Blog As you're planning to take the GRE, you'll want to set up a structured study plan for yourself. There's no single, correct way to do this, and each student approaches this test slightly differently. Some students may opt for a rigorous prep course, while others might work with a tutor. Still other students strike off on their own, get a few books, sign up for a few online resources and study the material themselves. No matter which approach you decide to take, though, you'll want to find a way to structure your studying and measure your progressâ€"and one of simplest and most effective ways of doing that is to simply take tests as you go along. Practice testsâ€"and especially mock tests that simulate the test-day environment â€"are some of the best tools that you'll have at your disposal as you go get ready to take the GRE. First, they provide structure. If you're diligent about taking these tests at regular intervals, such as once a week, you'll get yourself into a good study rhythm, and lock in 2 or 3 hours of regimented practice in addition to your regular studying. Second, these tests give you a good assessment of how you're progressing. There's no guarantee how you'll do on any given testâ€"and this is true for the actual test as well as practice tests. But what you can do is use these practice tests to establish a score range, a general assessment of how well you're doing. If you take enough of these, and you're putting the work in, you should start to see an upward trajectory in your scores. Once you start to hit your target scores consistently, you'll know that you're fully capable of hitting those scores on test day. Practice tests should therefore be an integral part of any study program. But when should you take them, and how many tests are too many, or too few? That depends on you, of course, your schedule, and how long you've got until the test (you'll find some good approachesherefrom BrightLink Prep). As a rule of thumb, though, it's always good to begin any program of studyâ€"whether it's self-study or with a tutorâ€"with an initial practice test. Even if you've never seen the material before, this will give you a starting point. If you're studying on your own, you'll familiarize yourself with the test, and get a handle on what you need to focus on. If you're working with someone, use that first test to help the tutor work with you on a study plan. After that first test, aim for one full test a week, if you can, with one final test a few days before the real one. You don't want to cram too much in in that last week, and if you have an off-day on a practice test, you don't want that to carry over with you into the real one. Remember, as you're practicing, don't skip or pick and choose sectionsâ€"take the whole thing. By committing to a f ull test, even in practice, you'll condition yourself for the 3+ hour marathon you'll be facing on test day, and make it much less daunting. Similarly, you'll want to try to simulate the test environment during your practice testsâ€"that means no phones (even on your desk or table!), no distractionsâ€"and keep to the allotted time! Tests are easy to findâ€"here are two great resources for some good paper and computer-based ones: one from Prepscholar and this one from CrunchPrep. And keep in mind that each company, whether Kaplan, ETS, Manhattan, whicheverâ€"sometimes have slightly different styles to their practice tests that may influence your scores slightly. Also try to take at least two computer-based tests, as you'll most likely be taking one of these on test-day. None of this requires an overly large time commitmentâ€"just a few hours a week (in addition to your regular studying, of course!) to make sure you've got a structured framework, and progress that you can easily measure. And once you've gotten a feel for these practice tests, you'll be ready for anything they might throw at you on Test Day! About the Author Steve Markofsky is one of our most experienced and qualified test prep tutors. For more information on GRE tutoring and to see profiles of tutors like Steve, click here.