Prepmedians Blog

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  • The Waiting Game

    The Waiting Game

    How Long?

    As every TV commercial claims for every consumer product, the results may vary. The ACT score release dates differs for students across a range of weeks, but most tend to see their results at the ten day mark, after taking the exam. They have often been released on either a Tuesday or Thursday ten days after your Saturday morning exam at around 10 pm (PCT).

    And what if they aren’t?

    Well, check on a weekly basis because that’s how ACT scores are released. No matter the circumstances, the ACT results should be released within eight weeks of the exam date. However, those of you who took the exam with writing, the wait is not over for you, unfortunately. You will have to wait up to another two weeks after the multiple choice scores are released. But don’t worry, colleges have to wait until all scores are finalized in order to receive your results.

    Delayed Score Release

    First, let’s point out the obvious reason for a delayed score release. Way more people than you and your sweaty, anxious peers sitting in the classroom take this exam at the same time, and there are simply too many tests to process and grade. Understandably, ACT Inc. might be running behind.

    Other reasons include:
    – Late delivery of documents to testing headquarters
    – Test date was rescheduled
    – Personal information doesn’t match the information provided during registration
    – ACT, Inc. randomly audited your test to check for accuracy in scoring
    – Overdue registration fees
    – ACT, Inc. detected an irregularity with your test scores or someone else’s test scores at your testing center

    This last one essentially means that ACT Inc. suspects you of cheating if they see that you have improved substantially between test administrations. If this happens to you, make sure you have evidence of your studying and preparation for the test. Also, make sure you show your work on the test so they know how you arrived at the answer.

    2019-2020 ACT Score Release Date Estimates

    Below are some estimates of the score release dates of the upcoming year.

    ACT Test Date Multiple-Choice Scores Release Complete Scores (w/ Essay) Release
    July 13, 2019 July 23, 2019 Aug 6, 2019
    Sept 14, 2019 Sept 24, 2019 Oct 8, 2019
    Oct 26, 2019 Nov 5, 2019 Nov 19, 2019
    Dec 14, 2019 Dec 24, 2019 Jan 7, 2020
    Feb 8, 2020 Feb 18, 2020 Mar 3, 2020
    Apr 4, 2020 Apr 14, 2020 Apr 28, 2020
    June 13, 2020 June 23, 2020 July 7, 2020
    Juy 18, 2020 July 28, 2020 Aug 11, 2020

    Remember…

    Keep track of your ACT login information, so you can be up-to-date on the latest news regarding the exam and so you can easily login on score release day. Or, you can be like me and just wait until people at school start to talk about their results to check yours. Don’t be afraid or hesitant to contact ACT, Inc. if you feel uneasy about there being a delay in your score release.

    It’s not the end of the world if you’re not satisfied with your score the first, second, or maybe even third time around. If it makes you feel better, I took the ACT a whopping 5 times. Yeah, I know… that’s A LOT mentally, physically, and emotionally. Anyways, if this is the case for you, make a plan to figure out the areas you need to focus on for your next attempt, and we at Prepmedians hope that includes us!

  • How to Look at Your ACT and SAT Score?

    How to Look at Your ACT and SAT Score?

    How are the SAT and ACT Scored?

    Before trying to interpret the scores, you need to understand how the scoring systems are for ACT and SAT. The SAT has two sections (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math), each of which is worth up to 800 points, so you would get a total score out of 1600.

    The ACT has four sections (English, Math, Reading, and Science), each section being scored out of raw scores of 36. Those scores are then averaged to get a final score out of 36.

    What is a Perfect Score?

    Don’t beat yourself up if you didn’t get a perfect score! Only about ~0.03% get a perfect score of 1600 on the SAT and about ~0.01% get a perfect score of 36 on the ACT. Our founder Kalyan Ray-Mazumder who wrote the curriculum for Prepmedians is one of the few people I know who got a perfect score on the test.

    The top tier American colleges like the Ivy-League schools are looking for scores above the 90th percentile. For the SAT, the 90th percentile score is approximately 1350 and for the ACT, the 90th percentile score is approximately 28.

    While a less than perfect score doesn’t dictate your chances with the top colleges and universities, a perfect score doesn’t determine your odds of getting in. There have been a lot of cases where students who have scored perfect scores, even multiple times, still were not able to get into some of the top tier schools. So, if the score you expected was not the score you got, don’t be disappointed.

    High SAT or ACT Score

    When interpreting SAT scores, realize that the average score of all SAT test-takers in 2018 was ~1050. Broken down into sections, that works out to 520 in math, 530 in reading and writing. Realize that getting a score above 1050 itself puts you above the 50th percentile. The average for ACT score falls between 21 and 22. Scoring above a 22 would mean that you have scored above the 50th percentile.

    While there is no one ideal score, you want to interpret the scores based on how selective the colleges in your list are. A 1200 or higher, along with other excellent application factors, should gain you admittance into many highly regarded American colleges. Depending on all the other factors of your application, an average score won’t keep you out of a good school.

    What’s the Worst Score?

    The low end for the SAT is a 400, and the lowest possible ACT score is 1.

    You have to work pretty hard to get a score that bad. Even if you don’t answer a single question, the companies that administer the tests are more likely to throw out your test, assuming an error was made, than to actually send it to any colleges.

    The question has been asked many times whether merely entering your name gets you the minimum SAT and ACT scores, and there seems to be no definitive answer.

  • SAT vs ACT: Which One Should You Take?

    SAT vs ACT: Which One Should You Take?

    SAT or ACT?

    Parents and students start the college process by comparing the SAT and ACT tests. The SAT and ACT cover generally the same topics, and both scores are used for college admissions decisions and the awarding of merit based scholarships.

    In the past, schools on the coasts generally gravitated towards the SAT while those in the midwest preferred the ACT. Now, however, the college application landscape has changed and schools have become increasingly flexible; both tests are now widely accepted across all US colleges.

    Don’t let the question of SAT or ACT keep you up at night! Know the basics about each test, your strengths and weaknesses as a test taker, and focus on!

    Comparing the SAT and ACT:

    ACT includes a Science section, the SAT does not.

    SAT includes one SAT Math Section where you may not use a calculator.

    Aspect SAT ACT
    Why Take It Colleges use SAT scores for admissions and merit-based scholarships. Colleges use ACT scores for admissions and merit-based scholarships.
    Test Structure Reading, Writing & Language, Math, Essay (Optional) English, Math, Reading, Science Reasoning, Essay (Optional)
    Length 3 hours (without essay) / 3 hours, 50 minutes (with essay) 2 hours, 55 minutes (without essay) / 3 hours, 40 minutes (with essay)
    Reading 5 reading passages 4 reading passages
    Science None 1 science section testing your critical thinking skills (not your specific science knowledge)
    Math Arithmetic, Algebra I & II, Geometry, Trigonometry and Data Analysis Arithmetic, Algebra I & II, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Probability & Statistics
    Calculator Policy Some math questions don’t allow you to use a calculator. You can use a calculator on all math questions.
    Essays Optional. The essay will test your comprehension of a source text. Optional. The essay will test how well you evaluate and analyze complex issues.
    How It’s Scored Scored on a scale of 400–1600 Scored on a scale of 1–36

    –from the Princeton Review

    Here’s an interesting analogy comparing the two tests:

    The ACT is like lifting a 5 pound weight ten times while the SAT feels like lifting 25 pound weights twice. Both are quite draining, but in different ways. The ACT is extremely fast paced while the SAT requires you to think more and deeply.

    Important note: Be sure to look carefully at admission preferences and requirements to double check which of the tests your prospective college accepts.

    According to the College Board, while both tests measure what you learned in high school, the SAT is a better indicator of skills you will actually need to succeed in college and beyond. Instead of focusing on how well you can recall information, the SAT emphasizes one’s ability to apply it in real world scenarios. This is why the SAT provides everyday math formulas while the ACT expects you to memorize them.

    Test Format

    Structure and Timing SAT ACT
    Testing time 3 hours + 50 minute essay (optional) 2 hours 55 minutes + 40 minute essay (optional)
    Structure 3 tests + optional essay 4 tests + optional writing test
    Number of questions 154 215
    Number of breaks 3 2
    Time per question 1 minute, 10 seconds 49 seconds
    Score range Composite 400–1600 (SAT Essay: reported in 3 dimensions, each 2–8) Composite 1–36 (writing domain scores: 2–12)
    Test length and timing Reading Test: 65 minutes, 52 questions. Writing and Language Test: 35 minutes, 44 questions. Math Test: 80 minutes, 58 questions Reading Test: 35 minutes, 40 questions. English Test: 45 minutes, 75 questions. Math Test: 60 minutes, 60 questions. Science Test: 35 minutes, 40 questions

    –from the College Board

    Test Timing

    With the SAT having a total of 154 multiple choice questions and the ACT having 215, timing is one of the most important aspects to consider when deciding between which test to take. Based on individual time windows, you have around 1 minute and 10 seconds per question on the SAT and 49 seconds per question on the ACT.

    A little bit stressed out?

    I feel you. Test taking is honestly one of the worst things about the college process in my experience. We love spending summertime huddled over practice tests and test prep books and watching everybody else have fun. Are you feeling this FOMO? Do you find yourself “reading” through grammar rules only to realize that you’ve actually just been looking at the words and not processing anything? It happens to the best of us. Want to crush the ACT or SAT in the next few weeks? We got you. Prepmedians teaches ACT and SAT test prep through entertaining and engaging ways with sketch comedy, music, rap, and more. We’ll get you through those boring summer study days in no time. Check us out today!

  • The Night Before the ACT/SAT

    The Night Before the ACT/SAT

    Review your toughest subject

    Choose the section that you have struggled the most with throughout the test prep process and do a quick review. It could be anything from reviewing a math concept you have struggled with, glancing over grammar rules or looking over a reading passage. Whatever the quick review is, the purpose is not to teach you a brand-new concept, but rather for you to know that you have done everything you could to prepare for the test and to walk into your test the next day feeling confident.

    Eat a good dinner

    Don’t forget to eat a tasty and filling meal the night before for dinner! Maybe your favorite meal (because is there anything else that makes someone feel good before a big day?) But avoid eating anything that is too greasy to make sure you don’t end up with an upset stomach. The last thing you need is your stomach rumbling during the math section because of those chili cheese fries. For more suggestions on what kind of meal is more ideal, refer to Is your Brain Hungry by Gerrin Alexander. Try to eat at a reasonable time, so the dinner does not interfere with your sleep. Keeping your body in good condition is a vital part of being prepared for anything—including test day!

    Pack your test materials

    Checklist for the test day:
    – admission ticket to the test
    – a photo ID (check the test website for what forms of ID are acceptable—generally, a valid driver’s license or a current school ID will be fine)
    – at least two #2 pencils
    – test acceptable calculator (check the test website to know what types are acceptable)
    The night before the test day, be sure to pack all the test materials that you need for the test day. You may also want to pack a healthy snack and bottled drink for the break, to keep your energy for the second half of the test. When choosing a snack, avoid anything too sweet or too salty because it will make you thirsty during the test. A healthy suggestion would be granola bars of some kind to provide you with energy since they are high in protein. Packing all the materials you need for the test the night before would save you the panic of finding everything you need moments before the test!

    Time to relax

    After packing the necessary things, don’t forget to spend some time relaxing. It can be anything from watching a favorite movie, listening to music, unwinding with a video game, or even just spending time with someone. You should probably try not to do anything physically taxing like sports because you don’t want to tire yourself out. Make sure you’re spending your evening doing something you enjoy. The important thing is to feel happy and relaxed. You’ve worked hard preparing for the test, and your mind and body need time to “recharge” before the test. While a good night’s sleep can restore your energy, free time doing something not only restful, but that makes you happy, is important to get you into the right mindset the day before the test.

    We recommend going through our 3.5 minute positive psychology exercise, which you can listen to here. This exercise will help you visualize the testing situation so that you can destress before you even get to the room.

    Get a good night’s sleep

    I am sure you have gotten this advice in all forms before. But what can you do? It is true. Scientific studies have shown how important a good night’s sleep is for improved brain functioning. Using your mind burns more calories than any form of exercise, so taking the test will have the same effect on your energy as spending the morning doing intense workouts. No wonder you need a good night’s sleep! Keep an alarm before going to sleep because the test would be early in the morning and you need to be at the testing center on time. Try to get at least eight hours of sleep, that’s the minimum recommended for adolescents, although nine or ten hours are fine as well. This might mean going to sleep earlier than you usually do, especially for a Friday night, but being well rested on test day is more than worth it!

    The morning of…

    The morning of the test, be sure to get up with enough time to eat some breakfast and get to the testing site with at least fifteen minutes to spare. A good night’s preparation, relaxation, and rest should have you feeling calm and confident for the test itself—you’ve got this!

  • Common Myths About ACT/SAT

    Common Myths About ACT/SAT

    Myth 1:

    The SAT is more accepted among colleges than ACT.

    NO! A common myth is that top-tier schools tend to prefer SAT over ACT. But in reality, all schools accept and look at ACT and SAT in the same scale. The preference of students to take SAT or ACT tends to rely on students’ resident states. The ACT is more popular in the Midwest than the SAT, considering many states in the Midwest require mandatory ACT testing. Students from the West or the East coast tend to prefer the SAT over the ACT. So, the difference in proportion of ACT and SAT scores among the accepted pool in top-tier schools is caused more by the personal preference of students rather than by the preference of colleges.

    Myth 2:

    The October and December ACT/SATs are harder because more seniors tend to take them last minute.

    NO! There were comparative studies done about the average scores from one testing month to another and October had a lower average than May. Thus, the rumors about easier testing dates started running wild. But these testing dates keep changing. Sometimes it’s December with the lowest average and sometimes it’s June. Any student might find one test slightly easier than the other. One section or even one question could seem easier. But that opinion is different for every student. So, don’t pick a date based on this myth. Instead, pick a date that best works with your schedule.

    Myth 3:

    ACT is only for people who have a good science background.

    NO! The ACT Science section tests your ability to read and analyze passages, charts, tables, and graphs. It is not trying to test your in-depth knowledge and understanding of all areas of science. While it does present passages and experiments of science fields like biology, chemistry and others, it is your reasoning and reading comprehension skills that will actually help you in this section (not your hard science knowledge!).
    P.S. The SAT tests your ability to analyze data and graphs too. It does so in a more hidden way by mixing it with other sections.

    Myth 4:

    The ACT is “easier” than the SAT.

    NO! The ACT is not necessarily easier, it’s just that the questions tend to be more straightforward. Students who take the SAT and the ACT with an equal amount of preparation for both tend to score equivalently on both. The SAT has a no-calculator section unlike the ACT. Most students, however, realize that the calculator is not really necessary even for the SAT section that does allow it. It is worth exploring both tests to see which one is better for you! You can prepare for both at Prepmedians.

    Myth 5:

    You have to spend a lot of money to do well on the ACT/SAT.

    NO! Sure, there are many test prep courses require you to spend a lot of money, sometimes even many thousands of dollars. And the cost is often positively correlated with the amount of time you spend. But it’s important to note that the ACT/SAT tests your knowledge gained from all your K-12 education. Most of the topics these tests focus on, like algebra, tend to be from earlier stages of schooling than later. So, none of the topics tested by ACT/SAT are completely new. Rather, they try to gauge how well you understand the fundamental topics. It is not worth paying someone thousands of dollars to have them reteach the content that you already know and waste hundreds of hours of valuable time in that process. Rather, your focus should be on reviewing the topics and finding strategies that would help you tackle the known but hidden patterns of the test. You will find a faster review of the necessary content and strategies, all taught through entertainment at an affordable price, at Prepmedians!

  • How to Tackle College Admissions?

    How to Tackle College Admissions?

    What Activities Should I Pursue to get into a Good College?

    All colleges want to see that you have passion for something and that you pursue your interests to the best of your ability. So it is probably important to, well, have passions and interests. Stop worrying about whether college admission officers will be impressed by the things you’re interested in and just go for it. The college application reflects on your best personality, not your perception of the admission officers’ best personality. You like video games? Great. Nothing gets you more excited than the new limited edition sneakers that are about to be released? Okay. Your voice enters ranges not audible by humans when you see puppies? Cool. It doesn’t matter what you’re passionate about, as long as you’re passionate about something. Regardless of how quirky your passion is, it is your own. So, show that in your applications with pride!

    What are you doing about it?

    Okay, now you’ve got a passion. That is still not enough — you have pursue your passion. You’re a painter? Blog about it, give your painting for a showcase, conduct painting lessons. You love cooking? Maybe there is a food festival coming soon or host your own community cooking show. You <3 puppies? Find a local animal rights charity or dog rescue and start volunteering (but do it passionately, don’t treat it like a chore). No matter what your passions are, find out what you love the most about your passion and pursue it in that path.

    How are you pursuing it?

    I am not saying that you should ONLY do things related to your narrow range of interests. You should focus on being involved in your school and your community (and not just to get into college, but because you enjoy it). Lots of students sample a little bit of everything, their resumes list positions in 15 different clubs each year to the point where you have to wonder if maybe they have a time traveling device to get to all those meetings. Well, they definitely don’t yet. Colleges can see that, and they know that you did this to pad your resume to impress them (and so, of course, they aren’t impressed). Find a few clubs, organizations, charities, teams, or groups that you enjoy being a part of and stick with those activities throughout high school.

    Why it matters?

    The reason you shouldn’t spread yourself out is so that you can spend time developing your interests and skills. It is not just about how broad your exposure and knowledge are, but also about how deep they are. How can you become the editor of your school newspaper if you are only in the newspaper club for a semester? How dedicated to quiz bowl can you be if you only participated for a year? Find the activities that truly interest you and pursue those activities for multiple years. Of course you can go through a trial and error process. If you are not sure what clubs you enjoy, try the ones you are interested in for a couple weeks when you start high school. Once you figure out your interests focus your time on that. The main focus of this process is for you to figure out your interests that you would enjoy for the rest of your life. Do this for yourself and not the college applications!

    When it comes to your college applications, your essay is the best place for you to put your totally awesome, unique, interesting personality on display. After you participate in activities that you enjoyed every minute of, you’ll find it so much easier to reflect and write about them in your essays. So, do things that you enjoy rather than what you think the college wants because you are the best at being yourself!

  • 🎵 What Shall I Wear Today? 🎵

    🎵 What Shall I Wear Today? 🎵

    What to Wear on Exam Day

    When it comes to standardized testing, there are some external factors that can have a large impact on your performance, and picking the proper attire is one of them. So, let’s walk through what would be considered appropriate attire for exam day.

    Look Confident, but Comfortable

    The ACT and SAT test dates aren’t the first day of school where most students are looking to dress to impress. It’s okay if you’re not trying to wear a runway-ready look. In fact, it’s not that high on the priority list for most students. If there is anything for you to take away from this article, let it be that you should always choose comfort over fashion. You’re not gaining any brownie points for looking amazing, so make good decisions by avoiding clothes that cause you to fidget or re-adjust. However, promoting comfort as the number one priority does not mean that I am advocating students to show up looking like slobs. It’s important for me to note that if you feel good, you will be more inclined to do good things and that includes tackling the test.

    Shoes and Accessories

    Let’s be real here… no one ever wants to be known as “that kid” in class. The type of person that everyone else stares at angrily and probably hates because they consistently attempt to impress the professor. Same thing applies here, so listen up ladies! Be considerate to your fellow test-takers and don’t wear heels to the exam. You’re not impressing anyone by click-clacking your way back to your seat on already squeaky floors. I advise everyone to wear soft-soled shoes to avoid being a distraction for yourself and others. Also, note to everyone, avoid wearing noisy accessories and jewelry that can throw you and others off of your game. If you’d like, wear an old-fashioned watch for timing purposes like I’ve mentioned in my other article “The Clock Never Stops Ticking.”

    Lucky Charms?

    At one point or another, we’ve all had an object in our life that we’d consider a lucky charm. If you have one, bring it! Now, does this object actually help you find the answer to a question? Probably not. But, it does offer a sense of security and comfort that we all search for in stressful times. However, do not use this object as your only way to prepare for the exam. Check out our Prepmedians website to properly prepare to ace your exam(s).

    Hair

    If you have longer hair, avoid constantly pushing or blowing it out of your face by simply pulling it back or putting it in an easy updo. No one has the time to fix their hair while reading and answering passages on the exam, so make your life and the person’s sitting behind you easier.

    Layers

    If it’s hot outside, we wear shorts and t-shirts. If it’s cold outside, we wear sweatpants or jeans with sweaters or hoodies. Our outfits are determined by the weather outside during the day. We know that the weather is always changing, but the temperature outside doesn’t always reflect the temperature inside a building. Avoid being too hot or too cold by regulating your own temperature wearing multiple layers.

    Remember that…

    You should always choose comfort over fashion and don’t stress over wearing the perfect outfit on exam day. Also, try to pick out your outfits at night to avoid wasting time in the morning. Whatever outfit you decide to wear, I’m sure you will feel good entering and leaving the exam.

  • How to Engage Students More Effectively: Edutainment

    How to Engage Students More Effectively: Edutainment

    Edutainment…

    … is a portmanteau of the words “education” and “entertainment” that refers to products and technology that merge education with entertainment. In our new and growing digital age, young people and students are drawn to edutainment. Edutainment makes learning fun, and we young people love to have fun.

    “But, learning isn’t supposed to be fun!”
    “How much will you actually be able to ‘learn’ if you’re busy having fun?”
    “Why can’t you just tough it out and grind through?”

    These are a few examples of common doubts, criticisms, and questions skeptics have about edutainment — they are all perfectly valid. In fact, I had plenty of reservations myself at first. If I’m going to study, I don’t want any distractions. And if I want to have fun and relax, I don’t want to be thinking about studying or schoolwork. But there are times when it feels as if education isn’t fun enough and entertainment isn’t serious enough.

    If one can mix in entertainment with education at the right balance, information can be absorbed in a more efficient and effective way. The amusement and fun hold our attention as we are simultaneously processing information.

    Not convinced? I’ll give an example: the alphabet song.

    We all know how the song goes, “A, B, C, D, E, F, G… X, Y, and Z. Now, I know my ABCs…”. Now imagine having to memorize that without the tune. It’d be significantly more challenging and would slip out of your mind if you didn’t recite it on a regular basis.

    Academic research has shown that engaging the amygdala (the emotional part of the brain) can influence the hippocampus, which is the brain’s memory center. By singing along to the tune — which happens to be the same as “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” and “Baa, Baa, Black Sheep” — the amygdala is engaged, allowing one to experience emotions that make memories stronger. Through this, one is able to commit information to memory in a more efficient and effective manner.

    And that’s how Prepmedians works! Students are better engaged through sketch comedy, rap, and music. The fun and entertaining videos keep students more focused and able to absorb information. The content in the videos are the product of 5,000 hours of private tutoring experience and careful analysis of SAT and ACT exam content. What students get from Prepmedians is more than just ACT or SAT test taking strategies (though these are indeed heavily emphasized), students are taught the fundamental skills of grammar, math, and reading that they will use for the rest of their lives.

    Prepmedians is proof that edutainment works

    As part of my onboarding, I completed the entire ACT English section on Prepmedians. I was pleasantly surprised to find that while the videos were really funny on their own, I had also finally managed to learn correct semi-colon and colon usage! After my Prepmedians experience, I was sold on edutainment; edutainment is not only fun but actually even more effective because it is fun.

  • Who’s vs. Whose: What’s the Difference?

    Who’s vs. Whose: What’s the Difference?

    Definitions

    To start out, let’s first define who’s and whose:
    who’s – a contraction for “who is” or “who has”
    whose – a possessive pronoun meaning belonging to or associated with which person

    Roots: Who and Whom

    To understand when to use each word, one must first start from the basics: the root. The pronouns used as the roots of “who’s” and “whose” are “who” and “whom.”

    “Who” and “whom” are similar in that you’ll use both when describing a person or when asking a question about which person did something. The difference between “who” and “whom” is that “who” is a subject pronoun so it will be the subject of a clause or phrase and “whom” is an object pronoun. Some other examples of subject pronouns are he/she/they, and some other examples of object pronouns are him/her/them.

    For more help in the difference between “who” and “whom,” check out our website Prepmedians to learn more about proper usage between the two.

    “Who” Examples:

    • Who called my phone?
    • Who asked you to prom?
    • Jed, who is a musician, only talks about being a musician.

    “Whom” Examples:

    • Whom does Hannah B. love?
    • Whom do you believe?
    • Do you know with whom you will go to prom?

    Usage and Examples

    Who’s

    “Who’s” is a contraction of either “who+is” or “who+has.” The apostrophe in the contraction of who’s stands for the missing letters of either “i” in who is or “ha” in who has.

    Examples:
    – Who’s on right now? (Who is on right now?)
    – Who’s your one true love? (Who is your one true love?)
    – Who’s gone outside of the country? (Who has gone outside of the country?)

    Whose

    Whose is a possessive pronoun used in questions when asking about ownership of one thing.

    Examples:
    – Whose side are you on?
    – Whose phone are you calling?
    – Whose song are you listening to?

    By the way, “Whose mans is that?” does use the proper “whose”! Also, if you’re concerned about getting to a level where someone says that about you, we can help get you there on the grammar end, but you’ll probably want to look to an actual dating coach like our friend Blaine Anderson.

    #1 Tip for Remembering the Difference

    It’s helpful and all to remember the definitions of “whose” and “who’s,” but proper usage can still elude even those who memorized the definitions. Here are 2 tips for remembering which one to correctly use:

    Plug in “who is” or “who has”

    One easy way for proper usage is to replace “who’s” or “whose” with “who is” or “who has.” Think of our first examples. Whose mans is this? and Who’s Hannah going to give a rose to on the next week of the Bachelorette? Now replace both “whose” and “who’s” with “who is” or “who has” and see if it makes sense.

    Who is man is this? No, that doesn’t seem right. It sounds too clunky so “whose” is probably the right choice.
    Whom is Hannah going to give a rose to on the next week of the Bachelorette? Yep, seems right. “Who’s” is the correct choice here.

    Key Takeaways:

    • “Who’s” is a contraction of “who is” or “who “has.”
    • Whose is a possessive pronoun and another way of saying “belonging to whom”.
    • Plug in “who is” or “who has” in the blank; if either works, then “who’s” is the correct answer.

    For more help on homophones, tricky pronouns, or any other material you might encounter on the SAT/ACT, check out our website Prepmedians to learn more about everything you need to know!

  • Is Your Brain Hungry?

    Is Your Brain Hungry?

    I know, I know. You probably don’t want to read another article telling you what foods you should and shouldn’t eat before you take the test, but bare with me here. This is simply one day, actually less than that if you really think about it, so I’m sure you can manage. Whether you like it or not, diet is essential when it comes to learning, but let’s be clear. I’m not talking about a temporary fad diet like a high-protein diet or a low-carb diet. I’m talking about a healthy, nutritional diet.

    Along with knowledge, the brain needs food to keep the mind sharp, heighten your attention span, and be cognitively flexible. And what’s more important than a sharp mind when taking a test? By increasing the level of healthy foods you eat, you can help boost your test scores. Here are some food options you can eat to improve your brain’s health and get a leg up on exam day:

    1. Fish

    Fish are a great source of Omega-3 protein which is an excellent source for quality brain functioning. This will help you stay sharp during your test because Omega-3s contribute to maintaining concentration abilities, brain capacity, and general alertness. The best fish to eat for Omega-3 protein are Wild Alaskan salmon, or other types of oily, cold-water fish like herring, mackerel, sardines, and trout. Now, I’m not expecting you to get up and pry open a can of sardines or cook fish to eat for breakfast, but eating a meal with fish the night before taking the test should suffice.

    For my vegan and vegetarian friends, there are some vegetable sources to get your Omega-3s. For example, hemp protein and flax seeds work just fine, but make sure the flax seeds are grounded; otherwise you won’t retain any of the nutrients.

    2. Complex Carbohydrates

    If you didn’t know by now, the brain is like an engine and it needs fuel, or sugar to properly function. However, the simple sugars in sodas and candy that comes to mind burn up too quickly to give you the steady energy needed to power through this long test. Therefore, the best source of fuel is complex carbohydrates because the brain needs twice as much energy as the rest of the cells in your body. Complex carbohydrates are minimally processed fruits, vegetables, and grains.

    They say the blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice; but for antioxidants, a good general rule is the darker the fruit or vegetable, the healthier it is for you. Why? Because antioxidants are most beneficial when obtained through whole foods like blueberries, artichokes, prunes, apples, etc. Pack these types of food to snack on during breaks on the day of the test. Take advantage of these brain breaks to consume food that will keep your energy up as opposed to junk food that will cause a crash. If you’re not the snacking type, incorporate some complex carbohydrates into your morning pre-test breakfast by eating some steel cut oatmeal and some berries. Yum!

    3. Protein

    I, myself, am a protein kind of gal wink wink. And from that, I found that protein is vital for sustained energy. Plus, eating meals that include protein are recommended because protein lessens anxiety which can be pretty useful come test day. I mean, am I right? Or am I right? Some great sources of protein include eggs/egg whites, soy food products, lean meats, milk etc. That shouldn’t be too hard for you to include in your diet even though most of us eat these foods on the regular. Protein-heavy foods help to increase mental clarity and concentration, so just eat eggs for breakfast and I’m sure you’ll do eggcellent on the test! Yeah, that was corny, but what’s done is done.

    4. Water

    It’s a no brainer (pun intended… Okay, I’ll stop…) that proper hydration is important for brain functionality, so drink plenty of water the night before and the morning of the test. To ensure hydration even further, bring a water bottle to the test and take a couple of sips any time you feel hungry or slightly fatigued. The last thing we want is for you to be dehydrated during the exam because that alone can diminish concentration and drain your physical energy. #StayThirstyMyFriends.

    Keep in mind that…

    You shouldn’t rely on healthy eating habits alone to boost your test scores or focus on your academics. That’s why you have Prepmedians to guide you on the path to success on these standardized tests. Hey, that rhymed! Anyways, fixing your diet is a great way to maintain optimal mental performance, and who knows, you may even develop a new healthy lifestyle!