Help a Student With Algebra One Small Step at a Time

Help a Student With Algebra One Small Step at a TimeThere are lots of ways you can help a student with algebra one of the most useful of all is math. Math is important to everyone and students will never learn without using it. It is a very valuable tool to help children become better thinkers and more responsible for their own education.It is important that you keep in mind that your child's learning process is different from that of a child whose parents have special needs. Every child is unique. It is important to be sensitive and understanding when helping your child with his or her algebra assignments. You should also be able to help them make connections between algebra and other concepts they need help with.The teacher is the most important person that you have in helping your student. You should try to connect with the teacher on a personal level as much as possible. It is important to be an active part of the process. If the teacher cannot find anything to help your child wi th, do not hesitate to ask.Talking to your child will help them process the concepts and therefore become better at solving algebra problems. However, the hardest and most difficult part of this whole equation is choosing the best resources. Remember, there are many options to choose from and it will be up to you to determine which one is best for your child. Always remember to follow all state guidelines. Any miscommunication with the teacher or her aides could get your child placed in remedial classes.It is important to know the resources that are out there for help in math. Online tutoring is a great resource for kids. They can reach out to the tutor any time they want. They also have access to the materials needed to help them learn.It is good to have conversations with your student so they feel comfortable and involved. They will also be less nervous and shy around the teacher. Communication is always a great place to start. Use writing to help them learn and then build on thei r knowledge.You can also help your child by creating word problems and word games that are easy for them to understand. Students love learning word problems and games that are easy for them to solve. Word problems will also give them practice in problem solving and English grammar.These are just a few tips on how to help a student with algebra. It is important to remember that your child is different than the others and they will need more specialized help than other students. Always be patient and supportive, and if necessary, find the help you need.

Tutors For Students Who Want a Top Notch Personal Trainer

Tutors For Students Who Want a Top Notch Personal TrainerIf you are looking for a top notch personal trainer, look no further than the city of Atlanta, Georgia. This central city has both academic and recreational opportunities that allow students to gain more value in their degree programs and the resources that they need to succeed.Tutors are excellent for students who want to develop a personal coaching style while learning new skills and concepts. The area offers many different options for tutors who wish to teach skills such as nutrition, psychology, health, leadership, and leadership. All tutors at this center are certified by the National Association of State Directors of Personal Excellence (NASDPE).Many of the programs offered at the Atlanta Education and Program (AEP) have a progressive learning model that encourages students to move through the coursework, earning credits for learning in different areas of the coursework. The AEP also utilizes individualized services, incl uding mentoring and on-campus support. Any student who is interested in finding a tutor can receive a free trial certificate which is valid for one year.The ASG program at AEP, called 'Habitat,' is a 17-week training program. Students will learn health education, career readiness, and skills needed for the workforce. Those interested in pursuing careers in health, education, and allied health services may find the curriculum helpful.In addition to tutors who specialize in teaching leadership, nurses, and physical fitness, tutors at the APC center are very likely to teach students how to teach, work as teachers, or serve as coaches. APC's teaching programs are certified by NASDPE and can offer a career as a teacher with a Bachelor's degree.Nurturing leaders at APC's Early Childhood Center focus on teaching and developing leadership skills. Students will explore issues such as parenting, relationships, compassion, and ethics. These courses include field trips to the factory floor, bus iness meetings, and home visits.Students are able to go back to school and get their Master's degree while working with experienced coaches and teaching others how to work with leaders. For students who want to advance their career opportunities, this training can be extremely valuable. The center offers high quality programs that cover many different fields, which are well suited for students in a variety of programs.

Adding and Subtracting Polynomials

Adding and Subtracting Polynomials A polynomial is an expression of power n where n= 0, 1, 2, 3 n Where n is a positive integer. Degree of a polynomial in one variable: - In case of a polynomial in one variable, the highest power of the variable is called the degree of polynomial. Polynomial of various degrees Linear polynomial: - a polynomial of degree 1 is called a linear polynomial. Quadratic polynomial: - A polynomial of degree 2 is called a quadratic polynomial. Cubic polynomial: - A polynomial of degree 3 is called a cubic polynomial. Biquadratic polynomial: - A polynomial of degree 4 is called a biquadratic polynomial. Number of terms in a polynomial: - Monomial: - A polynomial containing one nonzero term is called a monomial. Binomial: - A polynomial containing two nonzero terms is called a binomial. Trinomial: - A polynomial containing three nonzero terms is called a trinomial. Example of adding and subtracting polynomials: - Question1: - Add the following polynomials y^4 + 2y^2 + 3y + 5 and 5y^4 + 4y^3 + 3y^2 + 5y Solution: - (y^4 + 2y^2 + 3y + 5) + (5y^4 + 4y^3 + 3y^2 + 5y) =(y^4 + 5y^4) + 4y^3 + (2y^2 + 3y^2) + (3y + 5y) + 5 =6y^4 + 4y^3 + 5y^2 + 8y + 5 Question2: - Subtract the following polynomials: Z^3 + 2z + 1 and z^2 + 3z + 5 Solution: - (z^3 + 2z + 1) - (z^2 + 3z + 5) =z^3 + 2z + 1 z^2 -3z -5 =z^3 z^2 z -4

Art Classes London

Art Classes London Where Can You Find Art Classes in London? ChaptersPainting and Drawing Art Classes in LondonArt Courses in SculptingPottery Art CoursesArt Courses in Jewellery MakingLondon being a global city in the arts, entertainment and fashion industries, the question should really be: where can’t you find art classes in London?Which begs the question: what form of art do you wish to learn?You might burn to practise performance art: singing, dancing, or acting. Maybe you endeavour to learn applied art: pieces and collections that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.Industrial design, perhaps, or designing for fashion. Maybe even making jewellery or pottery.Surely you’ve been to Albertopolis and have seen for yourself the world’s largest museum of applied art, right?Or, you might feel the pull of fine art: art that exists solely for the beautification of its environment.Naturally, we’re talking about painting â€" with watercolours, acrylics and oils, and sketching with pencil or charcoal. But there is so much more to f ine art!In fact, when people think of art, that is the type of work most have in mind.When they look for courses in art, they may overlook classes in sculpture, pottery, printmaking, mosaics and calligraphy â€" all of which are also considered fine art.Let your Superprof take you on a tour around London, to brightly-lit studios where artists diligently work... not just to beautify our spaces, but to teach willing students about the tools and techniques of creating art.Chelsea College of Arts, getting hands-on with paints, pencils and charcoal is vital.Not just to keep your interest in art alive but to experiment: with colour mixing, with shading techniques, and to develop brush control.If you are not a student; if you perhaps feel the pressure of your workday and want an intellectual pastime to relax with, you may also want to learn how to execute an exquisite life drawing.No matter what your circumstances, you can find the tutelage you need at London Art Classes.You could also take art classes in Manchester!Resident artists there offer both workshops and full classes, all on a pay as you go scheme â€" you won’t have to pay for lessons you don’t take!They also provide a full range of art supplies, be you interested in experimenting with mixed media, or a different medium altogether.And, if you criticize your work too heavily (everything looks like matchstick men!) and would die of mortification at taking an art class alongside other students, you may opt for private tuition.Each £60 session yields five hours of instruction and practice, as well as a lunch.If you are not so much for experimentation â€" if you already know your medium, be it acrylic, watercolour or oil; or if your focus is on learning to draw, you may prefer a short course at Sunny Art Centre.They are happy to take on students who have never so much as touched a pastel or paintbrush, intermediates and more advanced art students.They also offer art classes for kids!Permitting only 10 young s tudents per class means your child(ren) will get the individualised attention they need to become the artist they’ve always wanted to be.And, if you wanted to attend class with your kids, that would be perfectly okay, too. Best of all is that Mum or Dad painting in the kids’ art classes costs nothing extra!Why not check out kids' art classes in Birmingham?Art Courses in SculptingLooking around our fair city reveals a goodly number of statues: of stone, marble, bronze and other materials.If you have thus far thought of statues and sculpting in general as a form of stonemasonry, think again!Michelangelo’s David is one of the most famous examples of sculpting as an art form.Rodin’s The Thinker, although sculpted in brass, is another fine and famous example!How would you feel about picking up a pick or chisel and sculpting?Be it a bust or something altogether different â€" maybe abstract, you could learn the rudiments of sculpting at Art Academy London.Whether you have absolutel y no experience in the art or have hammered out a likeness in the past, tutor Lynne Abrahamson will take you through the basics of prepping your raw material through getting it ready to fire.The curriculum is as follows:On Saturday you will create a small sculpture in preparation for the bigger project you will undertake on Sunday.What that project will be is entirely up to you: fire up your imagination and design as you will!This weekend course costs £160 and all materials are provided.Scotland is famous for its sculpting! Why not investigate art classes in Glasgow?If you have substantial experience in sculpting, you may enjoy that school’s masterclass on portrait sculpture.Working from a live model, you will establish your three-dimensional representation of... expression? Dimension? Proportion?Whatever aspect of sculpting you need more focus on, tutor Suzie is sure to help.Because it would not be wise to permit children to play with sharp chisels, these classes accept only adu lts; art students as well as those looking for the medium they could best express themselves in.Find an art tutor  near you thanks to Superprof.Let’s go find kids’ classes where the medium is clay, shall we?Throwing a pot is not just a matter for dirty hands! Source; Pixabay Credit: LebemajaPottery Art CoursesWhether you want to engage in pottery as a family activity or enrol your children as an after-school activity, you will find enthusiastic and helpful instructors teaching at Parade Mews Pottery.There is still time to enrol your child(ren), ages 7 or older, in a summer workshop!Each of these two-day events includes full use of the studio’s supplies and equipment, along with instruction from a very enthusiastic teacher.You should be sure to pack a lunch for your young participants, as the class runs from mid-morning till mid-afternoon.Search for  art courses near me  on Superprof now.The cost of these workshops is £64, all-inclusive.Incidentally, Parade Mews Pottery also h osts family workshops, hen parties and adults-only classes.With the holiday season coming up, you might think about gifting handmade pottery to all of your loved ones!Or, better yet: how about an art lesson in ceramics?Pop quiz: what is the difference between ceramics and pottery?The instructors at Ceramics Studio Co-op would surely tell you!Not only will they answer any questions you might have about materials used to produce functional art, but they will make those materials available to you in their classes.They will also teach you how to use them and challenge you to reach beyond simple clay pinching to learn these techniques:coilingpress mouldingslab-buildingthrowing and turningglazingIf you thought pottery was a subject matter for dirty hands only, we dare you to head to their open studio on Tuesdays, Thursdays or Saturdays, to see how fun and how relaxing it can be to work clay.Their adult courses cost between £185-195, which includes all materials and firings.You may also f ind pottery art classes in Leeds, for young and old!You may learn to make an intricate necklace in jewellery class Source: Pixabay Credit EstallArt Courses in Jewellery MakingRemember how we said that art can be functional? Wearable, even?Fashion â€" clothing is just one wearable art form; another is jewellery. Have you ever felt inspired to create your own pieces to suit your inimitable style?If so, you will definitely enjoy lessons at Kat Bee Jewellery.There you can learn to design and make earrings, pendants, bracelets and rings â€" from the newfangled stackables to the stone inset ones.You don’t have to know anything about making jewellery but you do have to have an idea of what you want to create, and possibly have it sketched out before the workshop.You may invite up to five friends to participate in your two-hour, half-day or full-day session; at a cost of £45 per person.If you’d rather work one to one with Kat, the price is £100 per hour.Incidentally, she often teaches at the Soho House Group, so if you’re a member, you might inquire about her next engagement there.As though all of the galleries in and around London weren’t enough of a testament to our city’s art culture, clearly the wealth of classes would do the trick!If drawing and painting is your creative outlet, and if you want to improve your drawing skills or painting techniques, nothing will do but to take art lessons.Finding an instructor to teach you composition, perspective and realistic figure drawing is not a difficult task.Neither is finding art classes near me, anywhere in the UK!Read our other posts about finding art classes in other UK cities such as,  Edinburgh Belfast  and Cardiff.Likewise, if you were looking for an outlet for your creativity and painting classes don’t suit you, you could try working with clay as your medium: for sculpting, for pottery-making and for modelling.No matter what type of art making you wish to engage in, London has a class for you! Just re fer to the table to pick your art school, and we’ll look forward to your first exhibit soon!Facility NameWhat you could learnPhysical AddressWeb AddressLondon Art ClassesPainting, drawing, sketching165 Childers Street London SE8 5JRhttps://www.londonartclasses.comSunny Art CentreDrawing, painting, calligraphy, kids' classes30 Grays Inn Rd, London WC1X 8HRhttp://www.sunnyartcentre.co.ukArt Class LondonDrawing, painting, lino-printing, watercolours502 Hornsey Road London N19 4EF? UKhttp://art-class-london.co.ukCity Litsculpting, drawing, painting, printmaking, collageKeeley Street, Covent Garden, London WC2B 4BAhttps://www.citylit.ac.ukArt Academybeginner, intermediate and advanced sculpture165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HRhttps://artacademy.org.ukParade Mews Potterykids and adult pottery7 Parade Mews Tulse Hill SE27 9AXhttp://www.parademewspottery.co.ukCeramics Studio Co-opPottery and Ceramics14, 17, Block C Juno Way New Cross SE14 5RW Londonhttps://www.ceramicsstudio.coopKatBee's Jewell eryJewellery27 Old Gloucester Street, London, WC1N 3AXhttps://www.katandbee.co.uk

The Online Tutorials Guide

The Online Tutorials Guide Advice for Better Online Tutorials ChaptersThe Required Material for Online Private TutorialsWhat Online Tutorials Are LikeHow Can You Find Online Private Tutors?How Much Do Online Tutorials Cost?“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” - William Arthur WardThe private tutoring and academic support market have seen an increase in recent years.  Academic support, as the name suggests, is there to support students who are struggling in one or several academic subjects. Private tutors can teach either in person or via webcam. We’ll be looking at the latter today.In this article, we’ve got tips for online tutorials including how to find the right tutor, the cost, the equipment you’ll need, and how an online private tutorial should go. Here we go!you might want to check the condition of your computer and equipment. You'll need a computer, a good internet connection, a webcam, and a microphone. (Source: StockSnap)The first thing you’ll need is a computer as you can’t find a private tutor without it. Even though you can follow lessons on your smartphone or a tablet, you’ll be far more comfortable at a desk in front of your computer. Whether you’re using a desktop or a laptop or a PC or a Mac, it doesn’t matter as long as your computer is fairly quick and can support videoconferencing.Make sure you always turn your computer on 15 minutes before the start of your lesson as you don’t want an update or a slow startup to cause you to miss the start of your tutorial.You should also make sure your internet connection is working and quick enough. A video call uses a decent amount of bandwidth so make sure your internet connection can keep up. To ensure that the connection is smooth and doesn’t buffer, you’ll want at least a 30Mbit/s connection for a high-quality video call.Tip: use Speedt est to check your internet connection speed.You’ll also need to make sure that you have a microphone and webcam that work so that the tutor can see and hear you. Whether you’re doing catchup lessons, a foreign language tutorial, or maths, you’ll want to be able to hear your tutor without having to send messages via typing. You want your webcam to be of a high enough quality so that your tutor can read your work when you show him it.Test your microphone and webcam by calling a friend before your first tutorial. Speak, get them to listen to you, and show them some written work to see if they can read it. This is a great way to check if everything is working fine. Download a videoconferencing programme that both you and your tutor agree on. Generally, Skype is the most commonly used and it allows you to share your screen and send files during calls.After all, you'll never be able to achieve academic success if you struggle to communicate with your tutor online.Find out more about online tutorial resources.What Online Tutorials Are LikeJust because you’ve checked all your equipment before the lesson, it doesn’t mean everything will go well. You’ll need to check the quality of the connection once you start. This should only take around 30 seconds but it’s essential for ensuring that the tutorial will go well and not be full of technical problems. Unlike school, the tutor will be ensuring that the tutorials are engaging and tailored to the student. (Source: KokomoCole)Just like during your first face-to-face tutorial, during your first online tutorial, you’ll need to determine your objectives and what you want to learn.Your tutor will ask you questions to help you prepare for your next tutorials, your expectations, and your difficulties. You’ll need to tell them about your level, your short-term and long-term objectives, and you’re availability. You might want to book a few classes together so that your tutor can plan.After that, your lesson will be just like a traditional face-to-face tutorial:Covering the lessonExercises to check retentionCorrection and explanationsHomework for the next lessonOf course, the tutor will adapt the lessons to your needs. If you need help with your homework, let them know. Similarly, some lessons can be entirely dedicated to correcting errors, going over a class you missed, or past papers. It’s up to you.Even if you get supplemental instruction via webcam, you'll find there's a lot of similarities between home tutoring and online tutoring. The only real difference is that the person being tutored isn't in the same room as their tutor.Find out more about what online tutorials are like.How Can You Find Online Private Tutors?To make sure you find the right online tutor, you’ll need to ask yourself a few questions. Their answers will help you decide the criteria for any potential tutor. There are many places where you can find online tutorials. (Source: StartupStockPhotos)The subject you need help with: physics, chemistry, biology, maths, Spanish, French, etc.Your level: primary, secondary, GCSE, A Level, degree, etc.Your objectives: exam revision, preparation, learning a new language, improving your grades, etc.Your budget.Your availability: evenings, weekends, during the holidays, etc.Once you’ve worked out what you’re looking for, you can then start looking at online tutors via classified sites, academic support organisations, or online platforms for finding private tutors.Each has its advantages and disadvantages.Classifieds: the rates tend to be better but you’ve no guarantee of the tutor's experience or reputation.Academic support organisations: tutors are often required to have certain qualifications and experience. In some cases, they’ll be students but they’ll also have professional teachers in some cases. The rates tend to be quite high in compar ison to the other types we’ve seen. Of course, these tutoring companies don't tend to let anyone become a tutor, so you are guaranteed a higher level of tutor.Tutoring platforms and search engines like Superprof: you can see a tutor’s rating and reviews from former students to get a better idea of their quality. The rates are more competitive than tutoring organisations. The tutors’ profiles are checked and many of them even offer free tutoring for the first hour. While you don't need any formal qualifications when it comes to becoming a tutor on these types of platforms, you do need to assist students properly else you'll never build a reputation.With hundreds of thousands of tutors on Superprof, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Don’t hesitate to ask around and pay particular attention to the tutors who respond quickly (in less than 24 hours) and are active on the platform.Whether a student needs help with test prep, test-taking, writing skills, note-taking, study skills or o ther academic support services, you're bound to be able to find a tutor who can offer tuition in the academic skills they need.How Much Do Online Tutorials Cost?The cost of online tutorials will depend on various criteria.The subjectThe levelThe tutor’s qualificationsThe tutor’s experienceThe platform or service you use to find your private tutor A good online tutor will help students regain their self-confidence. (Source: StartupStockPhotos)However, online tutorials are generally more affordable than face-to-face tutorials since the tutors don’t have as many outgoings to worry about. With the tutor staying at their own home, they don’t have transport costs to worry about. Similarly, they can schedule more tutorial each week, increasing what they can potentially earn.You’ll have to consider your budget. It’s difficult to find a tutor who meets all your criteria so you’ll need to find one who meets most of them. Your budget will probably make the final decision for you.There are plenty of online tutoring services online. In addition to the one-on-one tutoring offered by tutors on Superprof, you can also find the best tutors from all over the world. If a student's academic performance is suffering and there are no local tutors or your need a more affordable way to help, many of the great tutors on the platform are tut oring online, too.No matter what you want to learn, there are three main types of tutorial available: the online tutorials we were discussing in this article, face-to-face tutorials, and group tutorials. Each has its advantages and disadvantages and it'll be up to you to choose which works for you, your learning objectives, and your budget.Group tutorials tend to be the cheapest per person per hour since the cost of the tutor's time is divided between all the students attending. However, this means that you won't have the tutor's undivided attention during the whole class.Face-to-face tutorials are just between you and your tutor. The courses are tailored to you and as a result, you'll pay a premium for all the time inside and outside of the class the tutors puts into planning and teaching the course. These tend to be the most cost-effective type of tutorials even if they're also usually the most costly.And as for online tutorials, you already know everything you need to know about them!

Ask an MBA Admissions Expert Chioma Isiadinso

Ask an MBA Admissions Expert Chioma Isiadinso Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Chioma Isiadinso is a former HarvardBusiness School Admissions Board member as well as the former Director of Admissions at Carnegie Mellon University. She is the CEO of EXPARTUS, a worldwide MBA admissions consulting service, and has also written a book of insights on the MBA admissions process called The Best Business Schools Admissions Secrets. VT: How much time should be set aside to adequately prepare for and complete the application for an MBA program? Chioma: Ideally you want to start to seriously think of the MBA a couple of years before you actually apply. By having such a long lead time you can invest time identifying any weaknesses in your profile and can address them long before you apply. An early start in preparing for your MBA will enable you to be strategic in the types of projects you pursue and will allow you to cultivate the strong relationships with your superiors who will eventually write recommendation letters for you. When it comes to applying, you should budget about five months. Two months to prepare and take the GMAT or GRE and three months to work on the application. VT:What would you say is the single most important thing to focus on for this kind of application? Chioma: While each part of the application is important, not having a strong academic profile will ensure that the application will be rejected. For the highly selective MBA programs, candidates who have very low test scores will be eliminated early in the evaluation process. It is important to adequately prepare for the GMAT/GRE to ensure that you have a strong test score. While a strong test score alone does not guarantee admission to a top school, not having them will make it easy for the admissions board to deny you admission. VT: What do MBA admissions officers look for most in the essay questions? Chioma: They look for depth of character. The essays provide a canvass through which a candidate can showcase their strengths, accomplishments and motivations. They explain what is driving you and why you have made the choices you have made in your life. Because of the variations in MBA essay questions, they offer a chance for candidates to speak about their personal and professional lives and achievements. The essays, when written well, can be the main differentiator and can endear you to the admissions board. There are so many talented candidates applying and it is hard to separate strong candidates who have similar work profile, test scores etc. However, the essays can be the deal breaker when they are poorly written or the deal maker when they reveal really insightful things about you that makes you come alive to the admissions board. VT: What are the biggest mistakes one can make on this application? Chioma: The biggest mistake applicants make is to underestimate how much work is involved in putting together a successful application. This often leads them to submit application essays that are weak and riddled with errors. Another mistake that applicants make is selecting the wrong people to write recommendations for them. Recommendations are quite important in the evaluation of MBA applicants and it is critical to select recommenders who know you very well. Avoid choosing recommenders based on simply their seniority at your firm (eg. The CEO of your firm who barely knows your name); you are better off choosing a recommender with a less impressive title who knows your work very well and can provide detailed examples to support your candidacy. VT: What aspects of the MBA admissions process make it most different from undergraduate admissions process? Chioma: The main difference between college and MBA applications is that the latter group of applicants are older and have more years working in the real world. The average MBA candidate has worked for 3 or more years before applying to business school. Therefore, the quality of work experience and impact in a professional setting is weighed quite highly in the business school application assessment. Outside of the work experience difference there are a lot of similarities between the college and MBA admissions (both programs are looking for smart, accomplished individuals who will add to the diversity/richness of their schools). VT: Is there anything that automatically disqualifies an applicant from being considered for an MBA program (i.e. low GPA, lack of particular work experience, etc.)? Chioma: This varies from school to school and is important for applicants to understand the nuances of different MBA programs. For instance, while international experience is important to all top MBA programs, it is particularly of high importance for a MBA program like INSEAD. Failure to show international experience or exposure will relegate your INSEAD application to the reject pile. The same applies to language fluency: not having another language under the belt disqualifies a candidate from being admitted to a program like INSEAD. Work experience is valued at most top MBA programs. Yet there are some programs that are more open to candidates who are early in their career and have less work experience. A program such as Stanford GSB admits a few exceptional candidates with little to no work experience. Very low GPA or GMAT can undermine a candidates application as well. The further away your score is from the average score of admitted students, the more of an issue it will be. Academic infractions such as suspensions, plagiarism, as well as criminal records are sure ways of disqualifying a candidate. VT: What kind of work experiences should be highlighted in the MBA application? Chioma: One of the things candidates should do when showcasing their work experience is to cut out jargon from their CVs and focus on the impact and contributions they have had in each of their jobs. Since many programs like to see short CVs of not more than 2 pages (one page resumes for most of the US MBA programs), candidates have to think carefully about all the details of their responsibilities within each role and at each firm. Anything that doesnt help reinforce their brand (how they are positioning themselves) should be cut out allowing them to connect the dots of their experiences in their resume/CV. Internships that are in the industry you are looking to enter are worth including in your MBA application especially when you have limited work experience. VT: What advice do you have regarding GMAT test prep? Chioma: My advice on test prep is to make the investment upfront before taking the GMAT. So many applicants take the GMAT without fully being prepared resulting in mediocre scores. Ideally it is best to take the GMAT once. So before embarking on the exam there are some practical things to do to give you the best chance of success:-Take a practice test to see what your benchmark score is. If it is lower than 700 you will be better off doing additional preparation before taking the test. Practice tests can be found on www.MBA.com.-Identify where you are weak in (verbal versus quantitative) and focus your efforts in strengthening this area. This may involve self-study or a class. Some applicants can get away with a few sessions with a tutor instead of an entire class.-There are many test prep companies out there so you should do your homework before deciding on the best one. VT: Is it absolutely necessary to have work experience prior to starting an MBA degree? Chioma: It isnt absolutely necessary to have work experience and there are several accelerated MBA programs that allow college seniors to go directly from undergraduate study to the MBA. However, I recommend getting some experience prior to the MBA. You can better contribute to the classroom by drawing on real experiences instead of relying solely on theoretical lessons from a previous course. If you are choosing to do a Masters degree in Management, you dont need to have work experience. VT: What are the characteristics of a great MBA program? Chioma: One of the main characteristics of a great MBA program is that it attracts a truly diverse set of candidates across industries, sectors, countries, etc. This diversity creates a stimulating environment where students can grow and learn from one another. Secondly, a successful MBA program must have committed faculty who are invested in teaching and developing their students. It is also important that the faculty have expertise across a wide variety of business subjects (finance, marketing, operations, management, etc.) to give students a firm foundation in business education. Finally, on the career side, a great MBA program has to have a track record of success preparing students to attain employment when they graduate. It is vital to look at employment statistics as well as the industries and companies that recruit at the school to ensure that there is a fit between you and the schools you are interested in applying to. Visit EXPARTUS for more information or follow Chioma on Twitter @EXPARTUS.The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

How to Create an SAT Prep Plan

How to Create an SAT Prep Plan If youve recently signed up for the SAT, youre probably beginning to think about preparation. While students often allot different amounts of time for this process, it is important to have a plan in place thats right for you. For some students, this means a year of preparation; for others, a few months. No matter which category you find yourself in, it is important that you develop a plan that will maximize your time and your score. The first step of preparation is simply to know how youre going to approach your study sessions. Create an SAT prep plan with these tips: Establish a timeline Before you can effectively plan your study time, you need to know exactly how much of it is available. If youve got a year until the test, youll study differently than if youre taking the test in two months. Know your test date and time frame. Youll also need to know how long you can study per week, day, etc. Plan for study sessions of varying length, but be honest with yourself about the amount of time you can actually contribute to SAT studying when taking into account your other ongoing commitments, such as extracurriculars, homework, a part-time job, etc. During this timeframe, youll also want to set some personal goals for the SAT. If you plan to study as a group with others, establish some group goals as well. Explore the test Its hard to study for a test you arent familiar with, so take this opportunity to open up the test and explore. Figure out the logistics (time requirements, tools youre allowed to have, etc.) and learn how the test is portioned out. Also note new changes to the SATs format, such as the elimination of the guessing penalty. Next, youll want to look at the actual questions. Begin by taking a quick sample of questions from different areas can you answer them? Eventually, youll want to take a practice test to identify areas of weakness. Focus your efforts After youve taken a practice SAT, you should be able to identify areas of possible weakness. Youll be able to see where you score well too, which tells you where to focus less of your efforts. Take a practice test a few times to make sure your results are accurate and consistent then, start studying. By now, youll know where you need more work, so begin there. Plan to focus the majority of your time in areas where you scored lower so you can improve your results. However, dont forget about the areas you do well in! These high scores can help boost your overall results, and you dont want to be rusty come test time. Consider using a prep book to guide your study experience as well for instance, you could directly review lessons on the reading section if you want to refine your skills there, or take a look at some math tips to refresh your mind on that area. Review test questions After youve taken a practice test, it can be helpful to meet with an SAT tutor to review the questions you got wrong and areas you continue to struggle with. A tutor can help clarify why you may be answering these incorrectly and shed light on the spots that are tripping you up. After going through the questions that provided trouble, take more practice tests until youre confident you have a better understanding of them. If studying with a group, it can be helpful to show up with a few sample questions that youve come up with this will diversify the questions youre exploring and broaden your knowledge base. Compare your scores It will be important that you track your progress as you continue to prep for the SAT. A great way to do this is not only by taking the practice tests, but by monitoring your scores each time as well. Are you consistent in subject areas of strength and weakness? Are your scores getting better? Knowing this will allow you to make adjustments to your SAT prep plan as needed. If your scores arent improving, youll need to allot more time to a certain subject area or change the way youre approaching it. A change in routine can make a world of difference. Approach the test with confidence Confident students tend to do better on tests, and this is especially true for long exams like the SAT. If you approach the test with confidence, your score could show it! To build yourself up, come prepared. By following an SAT prep plan, youll approach the exam with the knowledge and skills necessary to get the score you hope for. You may also want to practice driving to the test site and even take a practice test there if youre able these small gestures can make you feel at ease when the actual day comes, resulting in a test score that reflects all of your hard work. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.