Tutoring Websites

KHAN Academy - Volumes of video tutorials from linear algebra to ancient history. 

ACT Test Prep - Provides access to sample questions as test preparation materials.

Discovery Education - Offers free student resources that bring learning to life both inside and outside the classroom. Check out their interactive games, videos, contests, virtual labs and activities designed to help you dive deeper into a topic —and have fun too!

Carnegie Library Homework Help - Get online with real tutors and browse through databases of information specifically for students.

Varsity Tutors - 100,000 professionally written problems and thousands of distinct practice tests across 150 subjects. This includes subjects like foreign languages, history, math, and science at all levels of sophistication. They also have practice tests and problems for common standardized tests like the ACT, SAT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, ISEE, and SSAT.

 

Study Skills Websites

Cal Poly Study Skills Library - Contains a variety of study skills topics with printable versions to take on the go.

Test Taking Tips - Information on note taking to test taking tips for parents.

How-to-Study - From motivation to reading to remember, this site offers detailed articles for improving your academics.

Study Guides and Strategies

Study Skills Tip of the Month

Taking the Essay Test

 

1.  Read all the directions and questions.  Note the number of items, point distribution, range of difficulty, and time available.  Jot down any immediate answers that come to your mind - lists, outlines, etc.  Jot down any other key information you might forget.

2.  Analyze the test question and divide it into its main parts and sub parts.  From the parts quickly construct a rough outline.  Note the instructional words included in the question, e.g., compare or contrast.  Use the outline as a "map" to answer the essay question.  If you don't have time to finish the whole test, this outline may give you some points.  More importantly, the outline helps you to stay focused.

3.  Make you answer as specific as possible.  If you know the answer, write only what you are asked.  Avoid generalities.

4.  Use part of the test question in your test answer at the beginning of the paragraph.  This signals to the reader that you are answering this part of the essay here!  This will earn you points.Include an introductory statement at the beginning and a summary paragraph at the end.  Review your answers.  Your essay is written under the intensity of a deadline, but it is graded under much more relaxed conditions.  Allow sufficient time to check for spelling, grammar, omitted words, incorrect dates, etc.  This is when you will be glad you wrote in pencil.