Study Strategies for HSPT Success

Study Strategies for HSPT Success The High School Placement Test or the HSPT is an exam administered to 8th grade students who are applying to certain Catholic high schools. The HSPThelps to determine admissions decisions, class placement, and scholarship awards. If you are If you are unsure how the HSPT is scored,these points may help you. Here are seven study strategies for HSPT success: Break it down Because the HSPT consists of nearly 300 questions in five separate sections, one of the best study strategies is to break the test into its respective parts. For example, if you begin your prep with the Math section, finish reviewing these concepts before you move on to Verbal. Studying for each section individually can help you reinforce and build your HSPT content knowledge. At the beginning of each study session, review the areas you have previously addressed. Begin prepping early, rather than late. Practice, practice, practice While it may be tiresome to take practice test after practice test, doing so is a phenomenal way to prepare for the HSPT. Completing practice exams can help you in a number of ways. First, you are able to master your timing. Each section on the test must be completed within a certain time frame, so the more you practice finishing the HSPT within this window, the faster you will become. Practice exams can also help you identify your problem areas. You will quickly see where the gaps in your knowledge are perhaps you need additional help in Math, or perhaps a particular kind of Reading question gives you trouble. Write it down Once you have determined where you are struggling, start writing down what you learn. This might mean typing up an outline for later review, or creating flashcards that you can reference during your prep. When we write information down, our brains are more likely to remember it. Find a specific method that works for you, and use it across all sections of the HSPT. Avoid procrastination It can be tempting to wait until the week before the HSPT to begin studying. However, this rarely if ever pays off. Start reviewing as soon as you learn your test date. This way, you can spend adequate time on each section. To help prevent procrastination, create a prep plan early on, and then adhere to it. Be sure to include study goals, as well as to measure your progress toward them. If you are not meeting these goals, it may be time to reassess your prep plan. You may want to consider seeking an HSPT tutorto help you prepare. Designate a study space Try to create a space that fosters effective study habits. This may involve moving your desk to a quieter room, or locating a library with hours that suit your schedule. Your ultimate goal should be to find a space that will allow you to effectively learn and to maximize your prep time. Read a book Another great strategyis to read. The simple act of reading can familiarize you with vocabulary words, foster your comprehension skills, and enhance your understanding of grammar and syntax. Prepare for your test session On your test day, you may feel nervous. This is completely normal. To ensure you do your best on the HSPT, get plenty of sleep the evening before and eat a balanced breakfast. These points may help you succeed on the HSPT! Remember, too, that you have prepared for this day you are more ready than you may believe, so be confident and show the HSPT just how much you know. Success is only a few hours away!

Engaging Your Child in the Learning Process

Engaging Your Child in the Learning Process If youve ever tried to motivate your child to study or do homework, you probably know that its much easier to be successful when you get your childs input and buy-in. Research shows that students who are more engaged in the learning process, after all, are more attentive and focused, and generally more motivated to learn increasingly challenging topics. Although your childs teacher plays a big role, there are many ways you can encourage your child to become more connected and interested in what he or she learns. Here are several tips on how to do just that: Frequently start conversations about school topics. You can strengthen your childs critical thinking, communication, and other related skills by asking thoughtful questions about school, your childs opinion on an issue, the books your child reads and more. Skip the yes/no questions and instead focus on those that encourage inquisition and thinking from different perspectives. Asking about the why and not just the how will strengthen your childs ability to formulate ideas and foster the active learning process. It will also send the message that learning for the sake of learning is worthwhile. Talk about alternatives. Teachers usually encourage students to learn multiple methods to solving problems or answering questions and give them the freedom to choose the one they understand and like the best. You can reinforce your childs understanding of a subject by talking through alternate viewpoints or ways of solving a problem. If your child is working on a multiplication problem, for example, ask about other ways to get to the same answer and why your child chose a certain approach. Explaining different strategies to you will strengthen your childs understanding and build his or her confidenceactivities that lead to enhanced engagement. Take a supporting role. One of the simplest ways to increase your childs level of engagement is to put him or her in the drivers seatalways. Set ground rules at home that make it clear that you are available for guidance, not answers, and that school is your childs job. That means attempting things before asking for help and being resourceful about finding answers to questions. Your child is responsible for school work and all associated duties. Make sure you send that message with your actions as well as your words. Emphasize learning, not grades. Grades are important, but more important is the effort that your child puts into school. Take note of your childs persistence and hard work more than achievements such as gradesand remind your child that learning isnt always easy. Also, instill in your child the belief that the ultimate goal of school and homework is to acquire knowledge. Children sometimes find school to be difficult, frustrating or even boring, but there are many ways to encourage them to take ownership of school. Embrace these strategies for strengthening your childs academic engagement, and good things will happen. In the end, youll help your child take an active role as a learnera trait that will serve him or her well in college and long after.