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Stay Sharp over Winter Break

in

12/20/2024

Winter break is the perfect opportunity for sophomores and juniors to make progress on their SAT or ACT prep—without feeling like they’re missing out on the holiday fun. Of course, it’s important to relax and recharge; but dedicating a few minutes each day can set students up for success during the spring testing season. Let’s explore some effective ways to use winter break for self-prep, including Edison Prep’s free resources, so that you can stay ahead of the game.

1) Access our TI-84/Desmos Calculator Video Course

If you’re registered for one of Edison Prep’s group classes or private tutoring sessions ahead of the February ACT, April ACT, or March SAT, contact us to get early access to our Calculator Video Course on Teachable. This course covers everything you need to know about using your TI-84 calculator to improve your speed and accuracy on both the ACT/SAT Math sections, as well as in your school math work. We’ll soon be adding a new course focused on mastering the Desmos graphing calculator for the digital SAT, which will be available by the end of 2024. If you’re not currently enrolled but would like to access the course, it’s also available for separate purchase. To get started, email us at [email protected]. Additionally, if you were a former class member who never utilized it, email us for a fresh invite!

2) Brush up on Geometry and Algebra II

For students currently enrolled in or who have already taken Geometry and Algebra II, reviewing these subjects is key, as they make up a significant portion of both the ACT and SAT Math sections.

For Algebra II, we highly recommend using Khan Academy, a free, nonprofit resource accessible to students globally. Khan Academy provides a well-structured, comprehensive curriculum that supports students at various levels of math proficiency. Check out our guide to Khan Academy’s Algebra II course.

For Geometry, as well as general SAT/ACT math prep, we suggest checking out MathChops: an excellent tool for anyone studying for standardized tests, tutors looking to offer targeted math practice, or schools seeking an affordable solution to help students prepare effectively.

Other great resources include mathisfun.com, ixl.com/math/, and mathplanet.com. These sites offer valuable explanations, practice problems, and interactive lessons to help you reinforce your math skills.

3) Build your Vocabulary and Reading Skills

Email us at [email protected] to get a copy of our SAT Vocabulary List, available to all enrolled students. Focus especially on the words that are new to you, and practice pairing them with words you already know to strengthen your recall, then create flashcards or set up a Quizlet deck (e.g. write the words glut, replete, and surfeit on one side of a flashcard, with “a lot” on the other side). Pay close attention to prefixes, roots, and suffixes—these can help you decode unfamiliar words on the test.

And remember, vocabulary growth isn’t just about memorization—it’s also about exposure. So, make reading a daily habit! Whether it’s books, articles, or blog posts on topics that interest you, reading regularly helps improve both your vocabulary and reading comprehension. The more you read, the more you’ll become comfortable with complex sentence structures and diverse vocabulary, which will translate directly to both the ACT and SAT’s verbal sections.