Wednesday, April 15, 2020
How to Write a Sample Word Application Essay
How to Write a Sample Word Application EssayWriting a sample application essay is a really challenging task. However, with the help of proper essay writing software it would not be so much difficult to write such an essay. Moreover, using essay writing software you would have the benefit of learning and perfecting your skills so that you can effortlessly make your way through the application essay task as well.You must be asking, what makes a good essay? It could be broken down into several different categories. The first is a good essay must contain useful information. This is one of the most important parts that are required for writing a winning application essay.For example, it must be able to provide information from the moment when the application is submitted up till the various stages of the selection process. This will include the details of your educational qualification, work experience, names of relatives and other background information. It must also provide information regarding what your goal in going for the programme was.Essay writing is not just about taking a break for half an hour after a long discussion. It has to be written keeping in mind certain guidelines. These guidelines are very important so that the essay writing becomes a real pleasure for the reader and the writer.In the essay writing, it is important to keep a balance between being knowledgeable and being to easy to understand. The knowledge has to be obtained through proper explanation as well as simple reading.The simple language of the text should not seem complicated or too long as well. It should not be too difficult to understand as well. The flow of the essay must always remain intact.Although you may try to explain your application in detail but you cannot do so if you do not make your application available for the audience. The best application for an essay is the application that you would submit with your resume. If you make your application appear simple yet effective , the application essay is bound to get a very good score.However, you should not settle for any application only because it looks and reads great. You should also make sure that the essay reflects your learning curve and experience in the field as well.
Monday, April 13, 2020
ACT vs SAT Which Students Should Take Which
ACT vs SAT Which Students Should Take Which SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips As a high school student, youââ¬â¢re probably wondering whether you should take the SAT or the ACT. Which one will give you a better score? Is one easier than the other? The answer is not as straightforward as you might think. Everyone has different test-taking strengths and learning styles. Based on these factors, it might be to your advantage to take one test over the other. In this article Iââ¬â¢ll go through a list of different strengths and weaknesses you could have as a test-taker and as a student in general and which test you should take based on these qualities. Test-Taking Abilities and Style These are a few common pitfalls unrelated to content that students encounter on standardized tests. It might be better for you to take one test over the other based on your experience with these issues. Youââ¬â¢re an anxious tester If you tend to get really nervous on test day, you are probably better off with the ACT.The ACT has much more predictable structure and content than the SAT, so you can prepare more confidently. On the reading section of the ACT, for example, there are always four passages in the same sequence of genres: Prose Fiction/Literary Narrative, Social Science, Humanities, and Natural Science.On the SAT, the structure is not as reliable. We know the topics that appear and the types of passages and questions, but not their order on the test. On the ACT, once the section for a subject is over, thatââ¬â¢s it - youââ¬â¢re done with it for the whole test.This is in contrast to the SAT, which has ten sections, six of which are ordered randomly.The SAT also has an experimental section on every test that wonââ¬â¢t count towards your scores and sometimes contains unfamiliar material, which can throw you off. You wonââ¬â¢t have to worry about this on the ACT. You get tripped up by confusing wording Itââ¬â¢s a better idea to take the ACT if this is a problem for you. The SAT has weird question wording that could trick you if you often get confused by that type of thing.The ACT is very straightforward in its question wording, so you usually have a clear sense of what the questions are asking right away rather than having to think about it too much first. For example, a reading question on the ACT might ask ââ¬Å"What was Sam trying to accomplish by talking to her sister?â⬠A reading question on the SAT might ask something more like ââ¬Å"If the author of passage 1 reads lines 16-24 of passage 2, which of the following is she least likely to offer as a response?â⬠You have to jump through a couple more hoops of ââ¬Å"this, not thatâ⬠logic before you can answer the question. You tend to run out of time If you have time problems, itââ¬â¢s a better idea to take the SAT.Why? You get more time per question, and itââ¬â¢s broken up into ten short sections rather than four long ones.This means that if you have a time problem on one section, it will not necessarily tank your scores. You will have a couple other sections to make up for it (3 math, 3 critical reading, 2 writing). On the ACT, each subject is just one long section, so if you get stuck on a difficult question and end up messing up your timing for a whole section, itââ¬â¢s going to have a much bigger impact on your scores. Anecdotal evidence from students also points to more problems with time pressure on the ACT than the SAT. But what if Iââ¬â¢m an anxious tester AND I tend to run out of time, which test should I take? If you have both of these problems, you should plan on doing a lot more prep before your next test.The decision is probably going to rest on where your strengths lie as far as content, which Iââ¬â¢ll get to in the next section. Time: The one true enemy of us all. Subject Strengths Let's move on to actual test content. I'll go through the different subject areas tested on the SAT and ACT and which test is the better one to take based on whether you excel or struggle in these subjects. Math Case 1: I consider numbers to be my only real friends If you have great math skills, the test where you stand to gain the biggest advantage is the ACT.The ACT tests more advanced math concepts than the SAT, and no formulas are provided for you (except on some individual questions).It also requires math problem-solving speed and stamina - you will need to solve 60 questions in a row with only a minute for each question. The ACT asks math questions in a more straightforward way than the SAT, so if your math skills are good but your reading comprehension skills are less so, the ACT is the test you want to take. Case 2: Math fills me with wrath You might be better off with the SAT if math is not your strong suit.The questions are more broken up (three sections, two 25 minute and one 20 minute), so if you mess up or run out of time on one math section you wonââ¬â¢t necessarily ruin your score. You will have more time per question (67 seconds rather than 60), and the math concepts tested are not as advanced.The SAT also gives you formulasto work with at the start of the math sections. Reading Case 1: Iââ¬â¢m a word nerd If you enjoy reading, itââ¬â¢s likely that you already have a strong base of vocabulary and can read passages fairly quickly.If you know a lot of advanced vocabulary words, youââ¬â¢re better off taking the SAT.Sentence completion and vocabulary in context questions make up a significant portion of the critical reading section, and a prodigious vocabulary will give you a leg up.There are also a lot of confusingly worded questions on the SAT in general. Youââ¬â¢ll have a much easier time surmounting that obstacle compared to students who arenââ¬â¢t as good at reading. On the ACT, knowing advanced vocabulary wonââ¬â¢t help your score much if at all.You might consider taking the ACT if youââ¬â¢re a fast reader and are very good at reading comprehension, not just vocabulary.These skills will help you on the Reading AND Science sections. Case 2: Iââ¬â¢m a Spark Notes type of guy/gal This is tough, because reading skills are very important on both tests.Iââ¬â¢d say if you are not as fond of reading you should take the ACT.Though there is a lot of reading involved and a lot of time pressure, the questions tend to be more straightforward and less confusing than those on the SAT.You also donââ¬â¢t need to know advanced vocabulary to do well.Practice reading quickly and understanding passages before the test - this will be extremely important on Reading and Science. My brain will just absorb the words. That's how reading works, right? Grammar Case 1: I'm the grammar police, and you're ALL UNDER ARREST If you're good at grammar, you could really take either test, but you'll probably have the biggest advantage on the SAT. The multiple choice on the SAT Writing section is similar to the ACT English section, but it is less passage-based. Most of it is identifying errors in sentences and improving sentences out of context.On the ACT English section, questions are always asked alongside a corresponding passage, so you have more context to work with for your answers. Case 2: I don't care 'bout no stupid grammar The SAT Writing section and the ACT English section will both be tough for you if youââ¬â¢re not so great at grammar, so study the grammar rules beforehand! The ACT English section might be slightly easier because, as mentioned above, it asks its questions in the context of long passages. But it also has a lot more questions (75 vs. 49 on the SAT), so it's a trade-off. Essay Writing Case 1: Iââ¬â¢m the next Hemingway If you're a great writer, you should take the SAT.On the SAT you will be writing an essay no matter what, and you only get 25 minutes to do it.The essay also accounts for about a third of your Writing subscore.Essay prompts on the SAT are varied and require you to formulate opinions and examples to support them very quickly, which is difficult if you don't already have strong writing skills. Case 2: I donââ¬â¢t have the write stuff If youââ¬â¢re not as into writing, the ACT is a better choice.You donââ¬â¢t even have to write an essay, and if you do take it with Writing the essay wonââ¬â¢t impact your composite score.You also get 40 minutes for the essay rather than 25, and prompts tend to be more straightforward. Prompts on the ACT ask students to consider how changes in the world today will affect humanity in a broad sense, and you can use abstract reasoning and even made up examples to support your points. Science Case 1: I am the lovechild of Bill Nye and his very attractive microscope (donââ¬â¢t ask me about logistics) Take the ACT!Although the science section doesnââ¬â¢t actually require much scientific knowledge beyond basic concepts you learned in elementary school, knowing a lot of science can help you get a better grasp on the experiments and data presented on the test.Youââ¬â¢ll have a much easier (and faster) time understanding whatââ¬â¢s going on and answering the questions if you are familiar with the science involved. Case 2: I break out in hives when I see a test tube. If you donââ¬â¢t like science, take the SAT.You should know that you CAN still do well on the science section of the ACT without knowing much science at all.However, itââ¬â¢s easy to get overwhelmed by the data presented and unfamiliar background information even if the questions themselves are not that hard.If you think seeing chemical equations or physics on one of these standardized tests will give you a heart attack, go with the SAT so you wonââ¬â¢t have to worry about it. Aughhhh I said no science! You KNOW I'm allergic! Summary and Follow Up In deciding which test to take, you should consider both your testing style and your subject strengths. Here's a summary of the situations listed above and my corresponding test recommendations: Test anxiety? ACTEasily confused by questions? ACTTime problems? SATGreat at math? ACTGreat at reading? SATGreat at grammar? SATGreat at writing? SATGreat at science? ACT Additionally, If you have a strong imbalance in your abilities in different subjects, you might be better off with the ACT.This is because your individual scores on each section are not nearly as important to colleges are they are on the SAT. On the ACT, your composite score is pretty much the only thing that matters. You also wonââ¬â¢t have to deal with switching unpredictably between subjects you know well and subjects you struggle with during the test. If you're still not entirely sure which test is best for you or which strengths and weaknesses you have, you should take an ACT practice test and an SAT practice test(each with the official time constraints so you'll know if running out of time is a problem!). Look up average standardized test scores for colleges you would like to attend to figure out your target score for both the ACT and the SAT. Then, score your practice tests and see where you end up. Is one test score significantly closer to your target score than the other? If so, that's the test you want to take. If the scores are similar, you may need to decide based on which test format makes you feel more comfortable. On test day, you'll be under a lot more pressure! What's Next? If you're still looking for more details on how the SAT and the ACT compare to each other, check out this article. Trying to decide when to take the SAT or ACT? Read this guide to find the best test date for you! For more advice on how to combat your weaknesses on either test, take a look at our advice on how to review your mistakeson the SAT or ACT and how to improve your overall scores on both tests. Want to improve your SAT score by 240 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now: ACT vs SAT Which Students Should Take Which SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips As a high school student, youââ¬â¢re probably wondering whether you should take the SAT or the ACT. Which one will give you a better score? Is one easier than the other? The answer is not as straightforward as you might think. Everyone has different test-taking strengths and learning styles. Based on these factors, it might be to your advantage to take one test over the other. In this article Iââ¬â¢ll go through a list of different strengths and weaknesses you could have as a test-taker and as a student in general and which test you should take based on these qualities. Test-Taking Abilities and Style These are a few common pitfalls unrelated to content that students encounter on standardized tests. It might be better for you to take one test over the other based on your experience with these issues. Youââ¬â¢re an anxious tester If you tend to get really nervous on test day, you are probably better off with the ACT.The ACT has much more predictable structure and content than the SAT, so you can prepare more confidently. On the reading section of the ACT, for example, there are always four passages in the same sequence of genres: Prose Fiction/Literary Narrative, Social Science, Humanities, and Natural Science.On the SAT, the structure is not as reliable. We know the topics that appear and the types of passages and questions, but not their order on the test. On the ACT, once the section for a subject is over, thatââ¬â¢s it - youââ¬â¢re done with it for the whole test.This is in contrast to the SAT, which has ten sections, six of which are ordered randomly.The SAT also has an experimental section on every test that wonââ¬â¢t count towards your scores and sometimes contains unfamiliar material, which can throw you off. You wonââ¬â¢t have to worry about this on the ACT. You get tripped up by confusing wording Itââ¬â¢s a better idea to take the ACT if this is a problem for you. The SAT has weird question wording that could trick you if you often get confused by that type of thing.The ACT is very straightforward in its question wording, so you usually have a clear sense of what the questions are asking right away rather than having to think about it too much first. For example, a reading question on the ACT might ask ââ¬Å"What was Sam trying to accomplish by talking to her sister?â⬠A reading question on the SAT might ask something more like ââ¬Å"If the author of passage 1 reads lines 16-24 of passage 2, which of the following is she least likely to offer as a response?â⬠You have to jump through a couple more hoops of ââ¬Å"this, not thatâ⬠logic before you can answer the question. You tend to run out of time If you have time problems, itââ¬â¢s a better idea to take the SAT.Why? You get more time per question, and itââ¬â¢s broken up into ten short sections rather than four long ones.This means that if you have a time problem on one section, it will not necessarily tank your scores. You will have a couple other sections to make up for it (3 math, 3 critical reading, 2 writing). On the ACT, each subject is just one long section, so if you get stuck on a difficult question and end up messing up your timing for a whole section, itââ¬â¢s going to have a much bigger impact on your scores. Anecdotal evidence from students also points to more problems with time pressure on the ACT than the SAT. But what if Iââ¬â¢m an anxious tester AND I tend to run out of time, which test should I take? If you have both of these problems, you should plan on doing a lot more prep before your next test.The decision is probably going to rest on where your strengths lie as far as content, which Iââ¬â¢ll get to in the next section. Time: The one true enemy of us all. Subject Strengths Let's move on to actual test content. I'll go through the different subject areas tested on the SAT and ACT and which test is the better one to take based on whether you excel or struggle in these subjects. Math Case 1: I consider numbers to be my only real friends If you have great math skills, the test where you stand to gain the biggest advantage is the ACT.The ACT tests more advanced math concepts than the SAT, and no formulas are provided for you (except on some individual questions).It also requires math problem-solving speed and stamina - you will need to solve 60 questions in a row with only a minute for each question.The ACT asks math questions in a more straightforward way than the SAT, so if your math skills are good but your reading comprehension skills are less so, the ACT is the test you want to take. Case 2: Math fills me with wrath You might be better off with the SAT if math is not your strong suit.The questions are more broken up (three sections, two 25 minute and one 20 minute), so if you mess up or run out of time on one math section you wonââ¬â¢t necessarily ruin your score. You will have more time per question (67 seconds rather than 60), and the math concepts tested are not as advanced.The SAT also gives you formulasto work with at the start of the math sections. Reading Case 1: Iââ¬â¢m a word nerd If you enjoy reading, itââ¬â¢s likely that you already have a strong base of vocabulary and can read passages fairly quickly.If you know a lot of advanced vocabulary words, youââ¬â¢re better off taking the SAT.Sentence completion and vocabulary in context questions make up a significant portion of the critical reading section, and a prodigious vocabulary will give you a leg up.There are also a lot of confusingly worded questions on the SAT in general. Youââ¬â¢ll have a much easier time surmounting that obstacle compared to students who arenââ¬â¢t as good at reading.On the ACT, knowing advanced vocabulary wonââ¬â¢t help your score much if at all.You might consider taking the ACT if youââ¬â¢re a fast reader and are very good at reading comprehension, not just vocabulary.These skills will help you on the Reading AND Science sections. Case 2: Iââ¬â¢m a Spark Notes type of guy/gal This is tough, because reading skills are very important on both tests.Iââ¬â¢d say if you are not as fond of reading you should take the ACT.Though there is a lot of reading involved and a lot of time pressure, the questions tend to be more straightforward and less confusing than those on the SAT.You also donââ¬â¢t need to know advanced vocabulary to do well.Practice reading quickly and understanding passages before the test - this will be extremely important on Reading and Science. My brain will just absorb the words. That's how reading works, right? Grammar Case 1: I'm the grammar police, and you're ALL UNDER ARREST If you're good at grammar, you could really take either test, but you'll probably have the biggest advantage on the SAT. The multiple choice on the SAT Writing section is similar to the ACT English section, but it is less passage-based. Most of it is identifying errors in sentences and improving sentences out of context.On the ACT English section, questions are always asked alongside a corresponding passage, so you have more context to work with for your answers. Case 2: I don't care 'bout no stupid grammar The SAT Writing section and the ACT English section will both be tough for you if youââ¬â¢re not so great at grammar, so study the grammar rules beforehand! The ACT English section might be slightly easier because, as mentioned above, it asks its questions in the context of long passages. But it also has a lot more questions (75 vs. 49 on the SAT), so it's a trade-off. Essay Writing Case 1: Iââ¬â¢m the next Hemingway If you're a great writer, you should take the SAT.On the SAT you will be writing an essay no matter what, and you only get 25 minutes to do it.The essay also accounts for about a third of your Writing subscore.Essay prompts on the SAT are varied and require you to formulate opinions and examples to support them very quickly, which is difficult if you don't already have strong writing skills. Case 2: I donââ¬â¢t have the write stuff If youââ¬â¢re not as into writing, the ACT is a better choice.You donââ¬â¢t even have to write an essay, and if you do take it with Writing the essay wonââ¬â¢t impact your composite score.You also get 30 minutes for the essay rather than 25, and prompts tend to be more straightforward.ACT essay prompts usually ask about issues related to high school, so they make it easier for you to figure out your opinion on the question from personal experience. Science Case 1: I am the lovechild of Bill Nye and his very attractive microscope (donââ¬â¢t ask me about logistics) Take the ACT!Although the science section doesnââ¬â¢t actually require much scientific knowledge beyond basic concepts you learned in elementary school, knowing a lot of science can help you get a better grasp on the experiments and data presented on the test.Youââ¬â¢ll have a much easier (and faster) time understanding whatââ¬â¢s going on and answering the questions if you are familiar with the science involved. Case 2: I break out in hives when I see a test tube. If you donââ¬â¢t like science, take the SAT.You should know that you CAN still do well on the science section of the ACT without knowing much science at all.However, itââ¬â¢s easy to get overwhelmed by the data presented and unfamiliar background information even if the questions themselves are not that hard.If you think seeing chemical equations or physics on one of these standardized tests will give you a heart attack, go with the SAT so you wonââ¬â¢t have to worry about it. Aughhhh I said no science! You KNOW I'm allergic! Summary and Follow Up In deciding which test to take, you should consider both your testing style and your subject strengths. Here's a summary of the situations listed above and my corresponding test recommendations: Test anxiety? ACTEasily confused by questions? ACTTime problems? SATGreat at math? ACTGreat at reading? SATGreat at grammar? SATGreat at writing? SATGreat at science? ACT Additionally, If you have a strong imbalance in your abilities in different subjects, you might be better off with the ACT.This is because your individual scores on each section are not nearly as important to colleges are they are on the SAT. On the ACT, your composite score is pretty much the only thing that matters. You also wonââ¬â¢t have to deal with switching unpredictably between subjects you know well and subjects you struggle with during the test. If you're still not entirely sure which test is best for you or which strengths and weaknesses you have, you should take an ACT practice test and an SAT practice test(each with the official time constraints so you'll know if running out of time is a problem!). Look up average standardized test scores for colleges you would like to attend to figure out your target score for both the ACT and the SAT. Then, score your practice tests and see where you end up. Is one test score significantly closer to your target score than the other? If so, that's the test you want to take. If the scores are similar, you may need to decide based on which test format makes you feel more comfortable. On test day, you'll be under a lot more pressure! What's Next? If you're still looking for more details on how the SAT and the ACT compare to each other, check out this article. Trying to decide when to take the SAT or ACT? Read this guide to find the best test date for you! For more advice on how to combat your weaknesses on either test, take a look at our advice on how to review your mistakeson the SAT or ACT and how to improve your overall scores on both tests. Want to improve your SAT score by 240 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:
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