Some key approaches that will help:

• Understand how the answer grid works so you don’t make a silly mistake in entering your response: only the answer entered properly as a decimal or fraction on the grid will be scored. Write mixed numbers as improper fractions.
• Don’t grid zeros before the decimal point.
• Grid zero by entering 0 in a single column (any column where 0 appears).
• Take each question one step at a time and identify what you need to know in order to answer the question. Since there are no possible multiple-choice answers to plug in or try, work out the steps carefully and double check that you actually answer the question that has been asked. For example, if you’re asked to give one possible answer, grid any of the correct answers and get full credit.
• For repeating numbers, grid as much as of a repeating decimal as will fit in the grid.
• You can use your calculator to help speed up getting an answer. Make sure you jot down your calculations so you can track your working steps.  Note: most of the questions can be solved without using a calculator.
• Write down the relevant facts on figures and details as you pick up more information in the question. When solving equations, algebraic systems and inequalities, make sure you know whether you’re dealing with positive or negative integers, observe the ‘equal’, ‘greater than’ or ‘less than’ sign, and then take the necessary steps to solve for a preliminary variable so you can use the information to solve for the final one that is asked for.

Keeping in mind the above pointers should help fine tune your problem-solving skills for the SAT Student-Produced Response section and give you the confidence you need to approach these questions with success.

On the whole, the report maintains that in 2011, fifty-five percent of all students who continue their studies were transferring to another college or university, compared to 68% back in 2002. (BC Stats.gov.bc.ca outcomes/DASCO Special Reports/BCCAT, 2011). Students were inclined to transfer to the research-driven universities, such as UBC, UVic and SFU, which received 69% of the transfers. Individually, UBC-Vancouver and UBC-Okanagan combined received 26% of the transferred students, while SFU and UVic had 23% and 14% respectively. The top 4 institutions that appear to send most student transfers are Capilano University, Langara College, Douglas College and Kwantlen Polytechnic University.

One of the reasons for this trend is that Applied program (i.e. Business & Management, Education, Engineering, Trades, Health, Human & Social Sciences) students (61%) were looking to complete their degrees at other teaching-intensive or research universities. Eight-six percent of the students were satisfied or very satisfied with the transfer credit they received from their desired institutions: Students transferring from Arts and Sciences programs were more likely to receive transfer credit they expected (87%) than those transferring from Applied programs (83%).

Only 8% of all respondents to the DASCO Survey reported that certain areas of the admissions and transfer system need improvement, so generally the transfer applicants were very happy with the transfer process. The areas identified were:

• Improved service from academic advisors and admissions staff at the institutions;
• Increased availability of clear, accurate, accessible, and timely information about course transfer;
• More opportunities for transfer credit from one school to another; and
• Increased collaboration among sending and receiving institutions.

On the whole, the overall transfer experience for post-secondary students remains very satisfying and encouraging for those who wish to work towards a Bachelor degree program or making their next step to graduate studies in an advanced degree. Options Solutions offers comprehensive service in assisting with degree-program planning either for continuing studies in the same institution or transferring to another school. Contact us to find out how we can help you.

Bring these:

• Your Admission Ticket (go to “My SAT” at www.collegeboard.com to print it).
• Your photo identification card or document (i.e. Driver’s License, Passport): it must be government or school-issued, valid, original and current.
• A few No. 2 pencils (sharpened) and soft erasers.
• An electronic calculator (graphing or scientific): laptop computers, iPhones, personal pocket organizers or cell phone calculators are NOT PERMITTED.
• A watch without an audible alarm.
• Batteries or back-up calculator.
• A bag or backpack.
• Snacks: food and drink for the break.

Do NOT bring these:

• Separate timer with audible alarm.
• Portable electronic devices such as cell phones, pagers, digital organizers, laptops, iPads, tablets computers, BlackBerry, iPods, cameras, sound or video recorders, MP3 or CD players, electronic dictionaries, and any other digital equipment.
• Scrap paper, notes, sticky notes, books, notebooks, dictionaries or reference texts.
• Coloured highlighters, markers and pencils.
• Rulers, compass, protractors and other measuring instruments.

Be sure that the above prohibited items are not in your possession when you enter the test centre. You are not allowed to use them at any time, even during breaks. These devices can be confiscated and you can be dismissed. Please DO NOT BRING THEM!

After you’ve drawn up your checklist and gathered your items for test day. Relax the night before to take your mind off the test and get a good night’s sleep. On test day, wake up one hour earlier than you normally do and try a couple of questions in your SAT Test prep book to get yourself orientated to the instructions, questions and problems for the real thing. Think positively and good luck!

Canada

Acadia University, Bishops University, British Columbia Institute of Technology, Carleton University, Capilano University, Concordia University, Dalhousie University, Emily Carr University of Art and Design, Fanshawe College, Huron College, Kwantlen Polytechnic Institute, Langara College, McGill University, McMaster University, Mount Allison University, Queen’s University, Ryerson University, Simon Fraser University, Thompson Rivers University, University of Alberta, University of British Columbia, University of British Columbia- Okanagan, University of Calgary, University of Guelph, University of King’s College, University of Ottawa, University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, University of Western Ontario, University of Victoria, Wilfred Laurier University

United States

Bentley, Berkeley, Bowdoin, Brown, Cal Tech, Carleton, Chapman, CMC, Colgate, Cornell, Dartmouth, Duke, Georgetown, Haverford, Harvey Mudd, Northwestern, Notre Dame, NYU (with a $64,000 full ride), Oberlin, Pepperdine, Pomona, Princeton, Reed, Santa Clara, Stanford, Swarthmore, Texas A&M, Tufts, UCLA, UCSB, UCSC, UCSD, University of Chicago, University of Denver, University of San Diego, USC, University of Washington, Vanderbilt, Vassar, Washington University (MO), William and Mary, Yale

United Kingdom

Cambridge, Cardiff, Durham, Edinburgh, Exeter, King’s, St. Andrew’s, UCL, Warwick

Options Solutions also helped more than 20 students gain acceptance into more than 30 graduate and professional programs. A selection of these programs include: Queen’s law school, SFU Clinical Psychology Program, NYU MBA, Materials Engineering PhD at Cal Tech, Princeton, and Cornell.

Final Exam Preparation

These sessions cover the skills needed for successful studying and exam writing. Whether you are studying for final exams, provincial exams or AP exams, we can help you feel confident and prepared.

West Vancouver Office

Saturday, May 19th — 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Saturday, June 2nd — 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Vancouver Office

Saturday, May 26th — 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Provincial Exam Preparation

These sessions cover the skills needed for successful studying and successful exam writing for the provincial English exams. We offer full-length mock practice exams and focused debriefs, as well as structured study sessions. These sessions are all located in our West Vancouver office.

English 12

Saturday, June 9th 2:00 – 5:00 PM — Mock Exam

Saturday, June 16th 2:00 – 4:00 PM — Mock Exam Debrief

Monday, June 18th 1:00 – 3:00 PM — Study Session

Wednesday, June 20th 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM — Study Session

English 10

Saturday, June 9th 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM — Mock Exam

Saturday, June 16th 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM — Mock Exam Debrief

Monday, June 18th 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM — Study Session

Wednesday, June 20th 1:00 – 3:00 PM — Study Session

To register for any of our spring sessions, please call (604) 922-8456 or e-mail info@optionssolutionsed.com.

Nicky Darwin, Options Solutions tutor and UBC English graduate is also available for one-on-one study sessions in both of our office locations.

West Vancouver office — Monday & Wednesday – 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Vancouver office — Tuesday – 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM

When a sentence lacks one of two main parts, the subject and the predicate, it is said that the sentence is fragmented. Identifying the missing subject or predicate can help you improve the faulty sentence structure to do well in this section. Look for the verb first as this word tells what is happening in the sentence. The verb must agree with the subject. Depending on who or what is doing the action or when the action occurs, the verb will change in tense, in singular or plural form, or can take on auxiliaries such as “has, will, was, were, etc.” The noun and its various types should also agree with the pronoun reference that describes them. In other words, a singular noun should agree with its singular pronoun reference, a plural noun with a plural pronoun, and singular subjects joined with the conjunction “and” must be referred to by their modifying plural pronoun in the sentence. For example, “Diet and exercise can significantly improve your health if you are committed to them.”

To fix a sentence fragment, add a subject or verb where it is missing so it completes the meaning of the sentence. For example, fragment: “And perhaps the residents down the street as well.” The problem here is that the previous sentence with its thought was assumed to carry over to refer to this fragmented sentence; therefore, the missing verb or verb phrase was left out. Fix it for clarity: “And perhaps the residents down the street were informed as well.”

Here some tips for spotting sentence errors and improving sentence fragments:

• Look for most common mistakes that writers make in grammar: subject-verb agreement, pronoun agreement, parallelism, placement of modifiers, and adjective/verb confusion.
• Identify errors in idioms, which are words and phrases that are particular to our language usage because of their meaning when used together.
• Read the entire sentence before you look at the choices.
• Read all five versions of the sentence quietly to yourself and read each choice along with the entire sentence.
• For spotting sentence errors, move quickly through the questions.
• For improving sentences, read more slowly than you normally do.

Follow this blog series for more helpful hints on the SAT Writing section.

The US admissions session drew a healthy crowd of aspiring students who wish to attend a university or college in the States to pursue a Liberal Arts, Business, Sciences, or Engineering degree. The talk touched on key factors for gaining admission and highlighted what an applicant should be aware of in submitting an application, such as the acronymed ‘usual suspects’ of GPAs, the SATs, ACTs, APs and IBs. Emphasis was also placed on a balanced educational profile that embraces a diverse range of extra-curricular experiences, volunteer work, and significant accomplishments in academics, sports, performing arts or other non-academic pursuits. Students curious about the application process were informed about the Common Application and given some helpful hints on how to write their college essay and supplements.

Applying to UK universities also holds special interests for a number of grade 10 and grade 11 students at Sardis Secondary. The students attending this UK admissions presentation were keen to find out about the highly-regarded, well-respected UK higher education system and its universities, especially the twenty reputable, research-driven institutions of the Russell Group.  Topping the UK university rankings, Oxbridge (the portmanteau of Oxford and Cambridge) are sought after for their distinguished academic tutorial system, which offers students the privilege of supervision by faculty members, supported by their renowned collegiate structure that provides special pastoral care in addition to academic advising. The UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) was introduced to the students as the common portal for applying to UK institutions. Preparation for the process involves applicants writing a Personal Statement and gathering a letter of reference from an academic teacher or school counselor.

Coming up with a well-informed educational plan with healthy choices is certainly part of healthy living and Options Solutions was thrilled to be an active participant in this important event at Sardis Secondary and its school community.

We are still here to help! After our team has supported you through the university application process, we are also available to guide you through your next steps.

Our consultants can guide you through the following:

1. Registering as a newly-admitted student, whether you’re entering your first year of university or transferring into year two, three or four at a new university.
2. Degree program planning for course requirements in the faculties of Arts, Fine Arts, Social Sciences, Humanities, Sciences, Arts & Sciences, Engineering and Business, as well as everything in between.
3. Identifying your core courses for a major, area of concentration, or specialization.
4. Making a decision about which electives to take.
5. Building your timetable.
6. Creating a checklist for important dates and deadlines.

Many universities have already opened course registration to their incoming students, so it’s never too early to start planning your academic course load for the coming school year. Please contact the office at (604) 922-8456 or info@optionssolutionsed.com to book your appointment.

Here are some key questions:

• First of all, what are the deadlines for accepting or declining the university offers? Are you aware of the faculty and program dates and timeline for new students?
• What factors will you consider in deciding on attending a particular institution? Have you received any financial award?
• Have you arranged for your final transcripts to be sent (as required)?
• When deciding on a university program, what major or specialization are you going to pursue and what are the required courses and electives?
• Are you in touch your university through their student services portal system, such as the SSC at UBC, SOLUS at Queen’s, my Page at UVic, or myUofC, for information on registration?
• When does first-year course registration start for new students? Concordia registration have already started and University of Calgary newly-admitted students can register beginning May 23^rd.
• Have you applied to residence to ensure you’ve got a place?
• Have you checked your first-year student guide or transfer guide?
• Have you started getting academic advice in degree or course planning and putting together a timetable?
• When are the deadlines for deposits and fee payments?

Identifying and considering the important factors that will help you determine where you will pursue your post-secondary education are your next steps. Contact Options to ask how we can help.

In addition to her nomination for the YWCA Women of Distinction Award, Melinda Giampietro is eligible for the Connecting the Community Award. If she wins, Scotiabank will donate $10,000 towards programs that focus on healthy choices for youth.

Melinda would love your support! Please go here to cast your vote. Contestants are listed alphabetically and you can vote once per day until May 22.