Need to Know About SCAT Online Test

The SCAT (School and College Ability Test) is a gifted test by the John Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (JH-CTY) – to identify and encourage academically gifted students.

Participating in a gifted education program helps academically gifted students maximize their potential and realize their dreams. Qualifying the SCAT test is an excellent way your child can attend the coveted John Hopkins summer programs. Students from grades 2-9 can register for and answer the online gifted test held from July 1 every year to June 30 of the following year.

The SCAT has 3 levels:

Elementary SCAT – For students in grades 2-3 and designed for students in grades 4-5

Intermediate SCAT – For Students in grades 4-5 and designed for students in grades 6-8

Advanced SCAT – For students in grades 6 and above and designed for students in grades 9-12

The best way towards SCAT Test Preparation is to attempt an online SCAT Practice test. This is how a SCAT Practice test will help you max your SCAT prep:

1.    Familiarizing yourself with the test format – At all levels, the SCAT has 2 sections: Quantitative (Math) and Verbal Reasoning. Students are given 22 minutes to solve 55 questions on each section which include 5 unidentified questions that do not count towards the final score. A student can choose to have a 10-minute break between the sections.

2.      Simulation of the actual test – An online full-length SCAT Practice test will help students and parents know what the actual test will be like. Answering an online test is quite different from answering a paper-based test.  Getting online to practice is a great way to get comfortable and confident for the upcoming SCAT.

3.     Time management – Just 22 minutes for 55 questions is no easy feat. With a challenge such as this, it’s imperative for a student to know how to keep cool and cope with the ticking clock!

4.      Strategy planning – Often it’s the way you approach a test and tackle the questions therein that can make all the difference with your SCAT Test Preparation. Strategies like elimination and guesstimating can help students arrive at the correct answers even if the exact answer is not known.

5.     Type of questions on the SCAT – JH-CTY has not prescribed any syllabus for the SCAT. However, online tutoring companies like eTutorWorld have mentored thousands of children globally to qualify the SCAT test. This has helped their test prep tutors gain enough experience and understanding about the type and difficulty level of the questions on the SCAT which in turn is passed on to the advantage of the students. For example, eTutorWorld’s SCAT quantitative tutors have realized that the questions asked are more about essential concepts than lengthy calculations.

6.    Qualifying SCAT scores – Though the JH-CTY declares specific qualifying scores for every SCAT level and section, usually students in the 90+ percentile of a SCAT level, grade and gender qualify for the summer courses. SCAT percentiles are typically used to compare students to the older population. For example, Grade 2 students are compared to the general 4^th graders and so on.

Grade 2 is compared to Grade 4

Grade 3 to Grade 5

Grade 4 to Grade 6

Grade 5 to Grade 8

Grade 6 to Grade 9

Grade 7 to Grade 12

Grade 8 to Grade 12

For more information on talent search programs like the SCAT, you can link to the official JH-CTY page. 

Do I Need to hire an Online SCAT Tutor

The JH-CTY summer courses by the John Hopkins University are prestigious programs for academically gifted and talented children. There’s no doubt that it’s a dream come true for any parent to have their gifted child qualify for these courses. However, more than participating in a course, it is the preceding procedure that needs to be carefully planned for. Gifted students need to qualify the SCAT test, an ‘above grade level’ standardized test and acing it is no mean feat.

The SCAT assesses children on concepts above their school grade level and preparation for it needs to begin in good time. Other than being quite comprehensive, SCAT is a timed test for which prior practice will be quite helpful. Though SCAT prep can be done using available content; the one option that will help you get ahead of other gifted students is online SCAT prep help.

It is a great idea to seek online help for SCAT prep and before you start wondering why…here are the top reasons why SCAT prep is done best with online tutoring.

1.  Get help when ‘you’ need it – The biggest advantage of online tutoring is that as a student you can select your tutor, session dates and timings. Prep for SCAT tests has to be done beyond school hours and opting for SCAT Online Tutoring Services allows you the freedom to study from the comfort of your home, as per your convenience.

2.  Expert Help – The internet is teeming with information about the SCAT but it definitely needs an expert eye to wade through it all. So, why not get that help from online SCAT tutors and SCAT counsellors who not only teach you essential concepts but also enhance your child’s test-taking skills.

3.  Individualized Prep – Online tutoring offers personalized teaching and it’s no different with Online SCAT prep. Online SCAT tutors work with individual students to ensure the prep is done based on a student’s individual abilities and requirements.

4.  Well curated SCAT content– Elearning sites such as etutorworld.com offer comprehensive SCAT test content with customized SCAT study plans and SCAT practice tests. These not only help your gifted child prep for the SCAT but more importantly teach them time-management techniques.

5.  Pocket friendly option – What could be better than saving money while getting the best options available? Online SCAT tutoring offers affordable options that parents can select from a wide array of online SCAT prep packages.

Being the parents of a gifted child is definitely a matter of pride and with just a little bit of intelligent planning and prepping, you could help your child realize all the amazing potential they truly possess.

So, go ahead and choose wisely!!

5 Ways to Further your Gifted Child’s Talent

You know your child is ‘gifted’ when you observe that she possesses a natural gift of a higher degree than the average mental ability or an inherent talent in a specific area of knowledge or skill. Such children are able to learn and grasp concepts far ahead of their peers. While it is certainly a fact that can fill any parents’ hearts with pride; what it truly entails is far more than mere pride. The role of parent(s) is key as far as nurturing and enhancing a gifted child’s true potential goes. 

A gifted child, without a doubt, has the intelligence and talent which sets him or her apart from their peer group however this potential can truly be harnessed to the fullest degree when they are equipped with the right support in the form of resources and tools.

Let us look at some ways in which parents can uplift their gifted child’s potential further.

1.    Encourage ‘failure’ – This does seem ridiculous but what it implies is that a gifted child need not always succeed. Parents must let their kids know that risk-taking and failing are possibilities when attempting something new. Children need not be ‘perfect’ at all times – mistakes allow them to learn and ‘relearn’ things which will equip them with the right emotional strength to deal with any kind of situation in their future.

2.    Don’t hesitate to get help – As parents you may not always have the answers to all the questions – it is never a bad idea to get additional help. There are great options available, online and otherwise, with well-designed courses and tutorials which keep in mind the specific help that would benefit gifted children. ELearning sites such as etutorworld.com offer suitable preparatory courses for gifted children who can help them not only at school but also in getting through programmes such as the CTY at the John Hopkins Centre for Talented Youth- one of the premier programmes for gifted children.

3.  Challenge them –It is essential that gifted children are not allowed to rest on their laurels. Encourage them to pick up new skills, languages or crafts – these would allow them to not only learn something different but also expose them to new experiences which will surely provide stimuli for curiosity and inventiveness. Parents can use community resources such as museums, national parks, libraries to enhance the child’s repertoire of new and interesting learning experiences.

4.   Build emotional stability – While taking pride in your child’s intellectual superiority; the emotional quotient has to be of prime importance. Gifted children are generally known to be more sensitive than others so it is always a great idea to encourage them to be more open about their feelings. Talk to them as a friend; allow them to be more expressive and provide them with avenues to vent their emotions in positive ways. A happy child will always be a successful child.

5.   Stay updated – While you may be aware of your child’s special abilities you need to be in constant touch with the teachers in order to understand how your child is performing at school. A gifted child is usually far ahead of the peers and so it helps if you check with the school and get additional assignments or activities planned for your gifted child.  This will, without a doubt, help your child to stave off boredom and take a renewed interest in the class.

A gifted child may be ahead as far as academic progress goes however with some extra steps, parents can steer them to greater successes in life and that too with a smile.

5 Top Tips for SCAT Test Prep

The SCAT test is the stepping stone for academically gifted children. Qualifying the test makes them a part of one of the much-coveted summer programs by Johns Hopkins Centre for Talented Youth, the JH-CTY. In comparison to grade specific Standardized Tests; the SCAT is an “above grade level” test that assesses both math and verbal reasoning abilities.

As parents of gifted children, it will be a dream-come-true to see your child participate in these prestigious courses. Here are some pointers to help guide your gifted child towards a great SCAT score.

1.      Explore online content – Never underestimate the power of free online SCAT content. Ensure that you and your child go through online content as they include not only information about the SCAT format and strategies but are a comprehensive trove of what the SCAT test truly entails.

2.      Becomes tech savvy – SCAT is an online test. Hence, it is imperative that your child is comfortable using a computer. Attempting an online SCAT practice test before the test helps in more ways than one. A wonderful technique would be to opt for eLearning sites like SCAT Online Tutoring Services that will help in familiarizing your gifted child with the SCAT test design thereby ensuring a good SCAT score. 

3.      Never Say No to Practice – Without using clichés, the best tip to ace any test is to keep doing it over and over again till you don’t get it right. Ensure that your child has the opportunity to attempt advanced SCAT Online Practice Tests before the D-day. Sites such as etutorworld.com offer online practice SCAT tests help the child know the SCAT format, type of questions and areas for improvement. 

4.      Tame the Clock – With just 22 minutes to complete 55 questions in each section, your child has to learn to manage the clock effectively. Attempting online practice SCAT tests and more importantly, as per the given time pattern, the child can learn to manage not only the time but also manage pressures of the impending test.

5.      Don’t shy away from help - It’s always a great idea to seek direction from expert online SCAT teachers help when it comes to something as prestigious as this. Sites such as etutorworld.com have dedicated SCAT tutors who ensure that your gifted child gets personalized training for the SCAT tests. Online tutors for SCAT prepare an effective option as they work one-on-one with every child to identify their strengths and areas of improvement towards an effective SCAT test prep.

The SCAT test is the harbinger of an exciting future for your gifted child so leave no stone unturned to ensure that she aces it. 

How to Find the Best Online chemistry tutor for Your Child?

It’s no secret that parents want their child to be the best. It is undoubtedly a great ambition, but how does one provide the child with the right tools to achieve this goal. Let’s talk about one of the most crucial subjects that students face starting from middle school and then high school – Chemistry. The word conjures up images of equations to be balanced, formulae to be memorized and of course breath-taking experiments. It can send chills down the spine; however, the right chemistry tutor can do wonders at this interesting subject. Then again how does one get to find one? For a visual and practical subject like Chemistry, there is no better option than online chemistry tutoring.

Now the next part – How to find the best online chemistry tutor for your child?

1.       Credibility – The first check would be the credentials of the online tutoring company. There are many available options but only a few have stood the test of time and quality. Check the teaching demos and validate all the details before honing on to the online science tutor.

2.        Qualified Tutors – A great online Chemistry tutor should not only be able to teach the bare subject matter but also equip the student with the extra tools needed to face future assignments. Qualifications, teaching experience, good communication skills, and tech awareness should be key factors influencing final tutor selection.

3.       Technological tools– Online science tutoring relies heavily on how technically equipped the company is. Sites such as etutorworld.com offer latest tech tools such as a shared interactive whiteboard, real-time personalized audio sessions and ability to share documents and presentations which allow the subject basics to be related to real life scenarios making Chemistry learning fun and effective.

4.       Cost-effectiveness – Rising education costs are a worry and often a hurdle to higher studies and college admissions for students and parents alike. Hence, affordability is the significant factor that one should ensure while selecting an online chemistry tutor. Undoubtedly, a cost-effective tutoring package can do wonders for your child’s grades!

5.       Personalized Tutoring – The best online Chemistry tutor will be the one who begins by identifying a student’s needs and then plans a learning path according to the student’s abilities. It is best advised to choose a tutor from learning sites such as etutorworld as these are personalized and focus on individual learning patterns.

So, go ahead and choose the right online Chemistry tutor and gift your child a bright future…

What really works when your child needs English help

Learning English at an academic level goes far beyond mere fluency at speaking, reading, writing or even chatting. It encompasses accuracy of grammar, pronunciation, phonetics and the list goes on. It does not matter whether one is a native English speaker or not; academic English is not an easy nut to crack.  Once it has been identified that a child needs help at studying English, the best bet for a parent would be to look for a genuine English tutor online. English tutoring online has multifarious benefits which could range from affordability, personalized curriculum and prepping for the English sections of tests like SAT, ACT, SCAT, SSAT and many more.

However, before choosing an online English tutor every parent needs to know what exactly works as far as their child is concerned.

1.       Understanding the exact requirement – Before finding an English tutor, the first step would be to identify the area(s) where English help is required. It could be reading, grammar or, as for most students - creative writing. Once this step is completed will the rest of the process follow?

2.       Adaptability – A good online English tutor should have the capability to adapt his or her own English language expertise in ways that suit the specific requirements of the student. Every. A good English tutor should be able to build an effective learning path not only to raise a student’s academic English grades but also so the student can confidently use the language to express herself every day.

3.       Fluency – The best online tutoring services ensure that their English tutors are native English speakers. This ensures fluency which is a key factor for ensuring that every student gets the best English learning experience.

4.       Affability – Without crossing the line, a good online English tutor should be able to communicate well with the student and get him or her to share views, opinions, likes, and dislikes. This is a crucial step in the English learning process as it allows for vocabulary enhancement, idea generation, and increased fluency.

5.       The extra step – Every parent wants the best for their child and in the case of English, it means a tutor who can go beyond the books and rules in order to design special exercises and worksheets to get the child to learn for school and beyond. Online tutoring services such as etutorworld.com have a great set of online English tutors who provide personalized English help to students which ensure best learning results.

Online English tutoring is an effective way for children to stay abreast and in fact ahead of their peers. Parents just have to identify what works for their child and then choose the best online English tutor.

5 Signs it's Time to Hire an Online Algebra Tutor

Math is one academic area where most students persistently struggle especially when the concept of Algebra is introduced. A primary level online math tutor may not be as efficient at explaining abstract Algebra concepts vis-à-vis the concrete Math concepts a student learns earlier. As parents it is quite crucial to ensure that children get all the support, they can, with Algebra right from the introductory stage in order for them to stay interested in its advanced concepts and Calculus in the future. An online Algebra tutor is a great answer to coping with the learning of Algebra concepts.

So, let’s look at key signs of when to get online Algebra help -

1.     Sudden dip in grades – The most glaring indicator is a sudden dip in grades. Your child may have been scoring well till then but with the introduction of Algebra, the dipping grades could act as the first sign for help.

2.     Loss of interest in Math – With a sudden shift from concrete Math concepts to abstract Algebra the child may not display the same level of enthusiasm for Math as a subject. Getting personalized Algebra tutoring online will certainly help the child regain the same level of interest

3.     Parent’s inability to help: There comes a moment where the parent(s) realize that they are ill-equipped to provide the child with the needed help at Algebra; it could be because of a lack of subject knowledge or a simple lack of requisite time. An online algebra tutor would be a great and safe option in this case.

4.     Differential learning speed – Every child learns at a different pace and in many cases, children find it tough to learn in a one-size-fits-all classroom. Online math tutoring with an individual tutor is the best option for such children to get customized coaching in the exact areas of improvement.

5.     Child is ahead of the class – It may not always be a case of falling behind; in certain cases, a child may be well ahead of the class in terms of algebra concepts. Amongst the various Algebra tutors, you can schedule a session with your favorite online Algebra tutor on tutoring sites like eTutorWorld. Hence, parents can help the child maintain the lead from the comfort of your home.

Once these signs are correctly identified the parents can simply choose a well-qualified online Algebra tutor from great sites such as etutorworld.com as they offer not only to help with the concepts but also a continued support by way of customized worksheets, assessments, and evaluations.

Happy learning!