Vocabulary for SAT and PSAT

I found yet another site to use in studying for the SAT and PSAT tests. A unique site called Word-Nerd which I feel would be great for audio and visual learns.

A character named Sheldon will be your tour guide and show you all the unique aspects of the site. You have to take the tour in order to look at the site, after that you need to register to use it. There are two options a year for $69 or thirty day cram plan for $25. At the top of the home page you will see when the next SAT/ACT tests will be given, I thought that was pretty cool.

One unique aspect of this site is instead of giving one word at time you get one word with other words that fall into the same category. These are pulled up on what is called a SmartSet and you will find Sheldon there as a visual aid for words. Students can click on the words below the main word for the exact definition along with hearing the pronunciation of the word.

Students can test their knowledge through a quiz once the student submits their answer they are told if they are right or wrong. If they were wrong the correct word will appear. Quizzes can be taken based on the SmartSet the student is studying or once they feel they have mastered the quizzes they can take a test which includes all the words. Word-Nerd will keep track of all the scores from quizzes and tests to allow you and your student to focus on any weak areas.

The last unique aspect of this site is that includes a list of the most often used suffixes, prefixes and roots. If the student was studying root words they would see the root, the meaning along with examples.

Be sure to take a look at the links page as well, there are some useful links there.

There are other sites for studying vocabulary under the resource button, but because all students learn differently I will incorporate different sites as I find them. Also this site has been added to the resource page, so if you don't bookmark/favorite you will be able to find easily.

College Prep Genius Webinars

While I mentioned my next blog would be about reluctant writers, I received a newsletter yesterday from College Prep Genius. They will be doing three free webinars starting tonight, Thursday September 8, 2011, at 8:30 PM central time.

The webinar for tonight, Thursday September 8, 2011, is on "Secrets to Scholarships and Free College." Jean Burk will be addressing many of the important questions homeschoolers have concerning the testing process and scholarships. She will be sharing how to get scholarships which may also include room and board, studying abroad and more. Her knowledge comes from homeschooling her two children who she helped to send to college through scholarships.

On Thursday September 15, 2011 at 3:00 PM central time Jean will be discussing "How to Ace the SAT and Get Free College." Jean will share the secrets she learned about the SATs and how you can raise your students score along with getting into the college of choice.

The last webinar is on Thursday September 22, 2011 from 6:30 PM central and is all about Jean, listen to the interview and learn more about how she gained her knowledge along with her program to aid homeschoolers in achieving those high SAT scores.

Jean's newsletter also included her tip of the month along with information on two different scholarships. If you do not get her newsletter I urge you to go sign up for it.

Note: The link for College Prep Genius will take you to the program and is available now at 25% off.

Earn College Credit with CLEP Exams

Students can earn college credit by gaining a specific score on 33 different CLEP exams. This differs from college to college and some may not even accept the CLEP exams as a full credit course.

By studying for the exam students can earn a full credit instead of spending hours in a classroom. Tests cover material that is normally taught within the first two years of college. Colleges look to see what material is covered in the CLEP taken and colleges may even issue two credits for a single exam.

There are no regulations regarding how students gain knowledge for the exams however, you can view some products here which may help. The College Board also offers some study recommendations which can aid in helping students gain higher scores. Other resources the College Board offers include the Official Study Guide for $24.95 and individual exam guides for $10.00.

The CLEP exam is $77.00 however, an additional $10.00 may be required if the student wishes to complete the optional essay offered by certain exams.

Students may retake a test after a six month waiting period. However, some exceptions may be made, read more here. One individual mentioned that a student could only take the test once, I recommend checking with your testing facility for mohttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifre information. This may vary from state to state or even from testing facility to testing facility.

You may also be interested to read about students with special needs and military and veterans.

Home link for the CLEP exam at College Board.

Search for a local testing facility in your area here.

SAT/ACT Vocabulary Videos

While I thought I had saved the link for the other vocabulary site I mentioned it was not there. However today from Homeschool FreeStuff there was a link for this site "VocabAhead."

I played around on it for awhile and check some things out. I was really interested in creating my own list, but it seems like you can only use the words they have. I searched for one of Brandon's vocabulary words and could not find it. Maybe it is because it is designed for studying for the SAT/ACT.

What I did like was the videos, I like the fact that the vocabulary word is said so you are not going, "How do I pronounce that?" They are done in a cartoon format and even include more on how the word can be used. The word and definition are included on the card displayed along with the part of speech in the upper right hand corner.

Other features include quizzes, flashcards and to upload your own video. What a fun way to learn vocabulary for someone interested in creating videos. There is a blog, community, forums and word of the day available at the bottom of the page.

More Vocabulary for the SAT

This past week there were two suggestions for vocabulary from two other homeschool moms on a Yahoo group I belong to.

The first one is Prestwick House, which carries other items geared towards English as well. Focusing on the vocabulary, there are various programs to use in order to prepare a student for the SAT.

1.)Vocabulary Power Plus for the new SAT is a serious of four books, one for each year of high school, with a cost of $8.99 each.

2.) Vocabulary from Latin and Greek Roots contains 40 different products to improve vocabulary through roots. The products contained in this series is for 5th - 12th grades. Samples are available for all products, books $8.99, software $19.99 and posters $28.95.

3.)Vocabulary for the College Bound is geared toward 7th - 12th grade with a book for each level at $7.95.

Wow! I spent a lot more time at this site than I thought. However, it gave me an opportunity to not only write this blog, but see what they really had to offer. I am exactly impressed with what I saw, the cost is great and at this point I am considering making a purchase. I like that there is a book, software and a poster to aid in a greater understanding.

I want to say that if you visit the site click on the sample from the product you are interested in. There are samples located on the product page, which I clicked on and had to go through a whole process for purchasing. I will say that those are more indepth, but you will be prompted to enter your credit card information. This is what I did, put zeros for the card number, checked the type of card, put in the expiration date and zeros for the four number digit code on the back. It went through with no problem.

You also may want to look at Test Prep, AP Teaching Units and Resources and Refrences.

Also save 50% off on books, includes recommended titles from colleges. See the link on the resource page, it is the last one I just added it today. I asked the company about the 50% off sale and check this out, it is ongoing plus they said the books include added side notes, glossary and vocabulary. It was cool I just pressed the box for online help and there it was, way cool. I'm stoked now!!! Going to make my list.

Vocabulary Study For ACT/SAT

Recently I learned about three products for studying vocabulary for the ACT/SAT. While you can use the flashcard method which I blogged on previously or you can chose one of these options.


The first is a series of books written by Josh Burk, does that last name look familiar? If so that is because he is the son of Jean Burk author of "College Prep Genius." After Josh and his sister had completed their testing the family was left with a pile of vocabulary flashcards. The family had worked hard researching the most common words used on the ACT/SAT test. Dad had the brilliant idea of incorporating all the words into books so, son Josh did just that.

I received a free copy of one of Josh's books from his mom at the NBHE conference after I signed up for her newsletter. The book "Planet Exile" is a futuristic story about a young man who is sent to a boys military academy which orbits the galaxy after his ultimate prank. The ship eventually crashes on Planet Exile which is filled with gunslingers and outlaws. During the process of finding their way home they strive to stop "planetary wide rebellion, overthrow a dictator and save a young princess."

Each book contains various vocabulary words through out, which are in bold. At the bottom of the page you will find the word and definition. Each book contains 300 words along with a glossary at the back of the book. Currently Josh has written four books, each book sells for $12.95. Visit Josh's site VocabCafe to view a synopsis of two of the four books and view the reviews. You can purchase all of Josh's books at Rock Solid for the same price or get all four for $47.97.

I know I mentioned three products, but because I have this product in my possesion this blog was longer than intended. So, I will discuss the two other products in another blog.

Testing One Two

Jean Burk is the author of College Prep Genius, a test prep program for high school students. She homeschooled her two children and during the high school testing years she documented what they learned. Jean can teach you how to get your children into college for free.

I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with Ms Burk while at the NBHE conference. She spoke of how it was hard on the single income most homeschool families have to get her children started in college. After studying the SAT her and her husband found out some things about the tests which are likely to throw students off. She explains these in her course which will allow our students to achieve higher scores. It was amazing how she showed myself and other parents homeschooling high school how some of the questions are trick questions which can confuse a student, thus causing a lower score.

She also gave us a small handout of when to start testing our students. I must say I was surprised to find out that testing can begin in 7th grade and led to scholarships!! Many homeschoolers wait until the junior year of high school to start testing when they could be earning scholarships along the way. Don't wait be sure to check out every area of Jean's site.


There are two options for using this program, you can purchase it on your own for $99.00 (limited time) or Ms Burk can be scheduled to come and teach the class over a two day period. However, you will need to have a minimum of 25 students, there is no maximum. Also the host will get all the materials for the class free which is everything you need for the course. Ms Burk does not require travel fees of any type students only need to pay $149.00 for the course materials mentioned above unless the class is scheduled before January 2011. If scheduled before previously mentioned month and year the cost is $99.00. If enrolling siblings the other child/children will recieve a discount due to the need of only one DVD. Also if you have already purchased the program the cost is $50.00 when using your own materials.

Ms Burk does have a few requirements in order to teach the class effectively such as a facility with chairs and preferably tables. Along with a projector screen or white wall and an extension cord. You will be supplied with an email to send to the parents of students regarding the program along with helpful advice to make sure it is a success.

Be sure to stop by her site, look at the testimonies and be sure to sing up for her newsletter for helpful tips and more.

Read the review by The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

The biggest must see is the Roadmap to Success, which tells you what you need to do from 7th grade until 12th in the way of testing. You will be surprised at this one, I know I was.