Hey, all. I am an Excel novice so I appreciate the assistance. I am creating a worksheet. This worksheet has two primary columns that pertain to this question. Column A is merely a name of a large integer, while column B is the corresponding value, 10^n. For instance, cell A2 is "million" and B2 is "10^6", A3 is "billion" and B3 is "10^9". I have previously been able to highlight and drag the lowest B cells so that it auto fills these. Excel correctly added 3 to the exponent each time... until values started exceeding 10^3003 (B1001). Now, if I highlight B1000 and B1001 and try to drag down Excel just adds 1 instead of 3 (despite B1000 showing 10^3000). Even more interesting is if I highlight a higher B cell, such as B997 (10^2991) and drag down into unfilled B cells, all the previously filled B cells are converted to counting up by 1 instead of by 3- so B998 is converted to 10^2992 whereas previously it was 10^2994. What caused Excel's change in behavior and how do I fix it? Thank you!
Edit: using Excel on Office 365, presumably the most recent version as I just updated my license.

I am a 3rd year BSE Mathematics student. Ako yung cinoconsider ng mga kaklase ko na "mamaw" sa math, consistently getting 90+ in Math from elementary up until today. I want to share some tips from my experience na nakatulong sakin (and hopefully sa inyo din).
Disclaimer: This is more on general tips na pwede gawin mag-isa para pwede niyong gawin in your own free time or kung nahihiya kayong magtanong sa kaklase or teacher.
1a. Master the Fundamentals
Madalas na joke yung "Pati nga 1+1 ginagamitan ko pa ng calculator." and I personally never found it funny. Kung sa basic operations (+, -, ×, ÷) ay nahihirapan ka na, then that's the main reason kung bakit lalo kang nahihirapan pagdating sa mga mas complex na topic.
Having a good foundation on the basics allows you to spend less time and focus on the harder steps. Try solving practice drills with no calculator. Work at your own pace. Magiging mabagal ka mag-solve sa umpisa but after a few days of practice ay mapapansin mo yung difference.
Then afterwards, do the same thing with fractions, integers, exponents, radicals and polynomials. Emphasis on integers kasi maraming nabibiktima ng "tama lahat maliban sa sign".
1b. Mental Math Is Underrated
Kung kaya mo mag-solve ng math problems mentally, do it. It saves time kasi hindi ka na magcocompute sa papel or magpipipindot sa calculator. Optional lang naman to, di mo kailangang pilitin na mental math lang gagamitin mo pero kung gusto mong magbigay ng extra effort na ma-improve yung mental math mo through practice drills, go for it.

1. Worksheets, Worksheets, Worksheets

Hindi sapat na memorize mo lang yung formula / concepts na kailangan mo, dapat alam mo din kung paano at kailan gagamitin. Look for worksheets in your library or online and try to solve it. Pwede ka rin namang gumawa ng sarili mong problem set if you can. As much as possible, maghanap ka ng worksheets na makikita mo yung process / solution para maicocompare mo kung saang part ka man nagkamali.

1. Get To Know Your Calculator

Alamin mo yung purpose ng bawat button sa calculator mo. Maraming shortcut na hindi nagagamit kasi hindi familiar ang student sa kung anong kaya ng calculator nila.
Look for tutorials in YT or basahin mo yung instruction manual na kasama ng calculator (hopefully di mo tinapon yun). Also, stick to only one calculator throughout your years as a student if possible para hindi ka na ulit maninibago gumamit ng ibang calculator.

1. Play Around With Concepts

Math loves patterns, and kung may mga mapapansin kang patterns habang nagrereview ka, use it to your advantage. Mess around with the concepts na alam mo na and look for shortcuts or alternative ways para mas mapadali ang pagcocompute mo.
Useful Resources:
Math Tricks by Antoni soft group (App): Eto yung ginamit ko para mag-practice ng mental math.
Paul's Online Notes (Website): Notes for Calculus 1, 2 and 3, may kasama ring worksheets for practice
The Organic Chemistry Tutor (YT Channel): Andito na lahat from high school to college math, moderate lang ang pacing at madaling intindihin.

Hi everyone, I'm a new middle school math teacher (grades 5-8) in a private school. I do not have a teaching degree and this is my first experience teaching (I am technically coded as a "substitute" teacher due to my lack of credentials).
I got hired on September 5th and started working on September 9th during the first week of school. Having had no time to prepare any lesson plans or review the textbooks they gave me, I've been improvising and doing my absolute best since starting. I teach four different classes out of four different textbooks/curriculums provided.
Main things I'm struggling with:

1. Keeping track of every student and where they are learning-wise and assignment-wise. This is especially challenging when students are absent. How do you catch them up? Do you have them makeup the classwork and homework they missed? How do you keep track of whose in the gradebook and who has missing assignments?
2. Where do you get your homework assignments, quizzes, and tests from? I usually work straight from the textbook during class and will assign additional textbook questions as homework, but I can't help but feel like that gets boring for the kids. I've tried teacherspayteachers for worksheets but other than that I don't know where to get actual fun and engaging homework assignments or activities. Same goes for quizzes and tests and projects- I've made a couple, but if I'm expected to hand-write every quiz and test for every class, I feel overwhelmed by that thought.
3. How do you make math FUN? And engaging???? My 8th graders especially look at me like "this is the least interesting thing in the entire world and I literally do not care about exponents." I can hardly think of any games or interactive activities other than coming up to the white board to do a problem. Or perhaps something like jeopardy, but even something like that, where do I find it?

I haven't asked my principle these questions because to be honest she's a little aloof and seems just happy to have any teacher. Every time I express that I'm concerned or overwhelmed she tells me I'm doing great and I don't need to worry. She even told me that if the kids didn't have me, what they would have instead would be much less, basically implying that it's good anybody's there at all. I sorta alluded to the idea of quitting and she said she'd help me and give me resources so I stay but she hasn't done that yet (it's been over a week). I feel bad leaving because they don't have anyone else, but at the same time, I feel overwhelmed by the thought of hand-writing and hand-preparing everything for the rest of the year, but if I continue what I'm doing now I'd feel like I'm doing a shit job because all I do is read from the book, define terms and write examples on the board, and will usually teach first and then have kids come up to the board and do example problems. I'll sometimes break them out into groups and have them work together that way either from the book or from a print-out worksheet I get, but it's still basically the same thing every day. And even that feels like a lot!! Because even with this simple schedule, it gets overwhelming going around and checking everyone's work and making sure they understand, coming up with ways to explain it again to kids who don't, grading all the classwork and homework every day, re-teaching and correcting if students don't understand, etc. etc. etc.
I should also add: their diagnostic test scores came back and the large majority of my students tested below grade level, and I am the only middle school math teacher there so I don't have another person to collaborate and share resources with.
I can't tell if I'm being way too hard on myself or if I suck at this. Can anyone help me?
Thank you so much in advance

Hello everyone. I have been doing many practice tests and I really need help on the real basics of Percents, Exponents, Radicals, and Exponential Growth/Decay. Does anyone know any free websites/videos or worksheets that I can do to improve? I would really appreciate the help

Well this class took me much longer than anticipated and in ways lives up to its hype but ultimately I got it done! I took the PA twice and the OA once which is all I could of hoped for.
I will break down what I can remember was on there as well as a review of my thoughts on the class.
I found that using a whiteboard helped me dramatically vs writing in a notebook or cards etc.
Unit 1-
There was about 9 algorithm questions to start off on my version.
I'd say this is the worst chapter in zybooks. All other chapters in this book are actually pretty good. Still go through it as its a short read. However, it should be basic programming logic you already know minus the time complexity.
Going through this chapter I was unable to answer all the questions in the course tips "supplementary worksheets". Which in order to pass this class I feel you need to be able to do ALL of the supplementary worksheets. I found the powerpoint to be more helpful in prep for those worksheet questions as well as outside resources. One thing they really need to add is video recourses for algorithm analysis and structures. I say this because the instructors who made the video resources explain things really well! I don't have any good youtube video recommendations because I found them almost useless or hard to understand. Still look at other reddit post and watch them if you have the time. What made me slide on this Unit was memorizing this specific big o cheat sheet https://dev.to/deciduously/big-o-cheat-sheet-3i7d. I had an appointment booked with the instructor to go over certain slides on the powerpoint I didn't understand but set it up late in the game and ended up testing before the appointment date because I knew if I failed the OA it would be solely because of this unit.
Ok, Unit-2
This is your bread and butter unit. You should get all of these right because it's probably the easiest chapter in the entire class. Basic modular arithmetic is pretty easy. You divide by a number, subtract the whole part of the number so your left with a decimal and multiply that decimal amount by what you divided by.
Euclidean algorithm is not hard once you practice a few of them. Watch the video recourses here as they are better explained in the video then zybooks "little animations" but do the participation activities for more practice. The way I approach these problems is writing the blanks first like:
(489,12)
489= _*12+_
The first blank is your div (whole number when there divided) and the second blank is the mod. You continue this process all the way down.
489= 40*12+9
12=_*9+_
12=1*9+ 3
9= _*3+_
9=3*3+0
Extended is actually algebra. When you get a remainder of 1 or 1 step above a remainder of 0 you stop. Then manipulate the statement so that it starts with 1= or whichever number remainder you ended on etc. follow the videos on this one and note how they manipulate it and plug in values.
RSA encryption you do extended Euclidean algorithm but your typically looking for a specific value to solve for phi or multiplicative inverse or d (private key). You should be able to do Extended Euclidean quickly due to time on the test so practice them I saw about 5 or so questions being either RSA or plane jane Euclidean.
Know your binary to hexadecimal conversion maybe two questions, successive squaring with mod another 2 questions. Do the supplementary worksheet. Know how to turn an exponent into base 2.
Unit 3-
This chapter is what I spent most of my time on. In hindsight that wasn't a mistake but I still spent way too much time on it. About a month. The reason being is because I suck at algebra and always have. I took time to go back and rebuild my math foundation to be able to solve these problems well. You need to know factoring and solving for two equations and two unknowns. All the other algebra I relearned was irrelevant.
Finding the characteristic equation took time for me and on my test every question was formatted in a way that gives me the characteristic equation already. You really need to know recurrence relations. Given A subscript 0 = "some value" and A subscript 1= "some value", what is A subscript 5?
Also, recognizing these bad boys in pseudo code format and solving is important. There is a question on the PA that has "RTC" something in it and you go through each iteration. Practice that problem because a few questions seem like that one on the OA just with different values.
Induction again spent way too much time on. On the exam they only asked me to identify the hypothesis, theorem, and what I want to prove recognizing k+1 on both sides of the equation and ONE problem where you solve for two equations and two unknowns. Also recognize these in pseudo code. Don't get bummed on the supplementary worksheet for this chapter it was extreme overkill compared to what they were asking on the OA imo.
Unit 4 & 5
Unit 4 & 5 I felt like a recap of DM1 and probability. Though I felt confident in this section I'm really glad I still reviewed the supplementary worksheet for this one. Bayes theorem I got a few questions. Be very careful with these as its easy to mix up what there asking. READ SLOW AND MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT THERE ASKING! If you finish a problem and you don't see the answer choice or think its wrong you probably switched P given F with F given P. They are obviously two different statements.
Sometimes coin flip/card questions are not simple permutation combination questions and if the values are small enough draw out the possibilities.
I got bunch of expected value questions and a bunch of multiset questions and a pigeonhole question.
Know how to tell which formula on the formula sheet to use is extremely important.
one binomial theorem question I think.
Unit 6
Clap for yourself when you arrive here. Super easy unit just follow along in the book and practice questions. Just know how to follow the path of a DFA and NFA. You should know how they get all the answers on the PA and for sure what is accepted in a DFA and what is not. Pay attention to the double circles.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Make sure you are comfortable on a calculator and whiteboard. Make sure your calculator can do all the allowed functions. Time is your biggest enemy. I felt pretty good going into the exam however I finished with 3 minutes left which was just enough time to go back and make sure I didn't forget to finish one. I got exemplary in a few sections but competent in all. Guess I got lucky with the first 9 on Unit 1.
Overall pretty rough class but if you have a strong foundation in math and good memory from DM 1 and probability you are set!
Watch ALL course videos attached in the course tips and don't get hung up on chapter 3 if you can solve simple recurrence relations and recognize it in pseudo code.
Do all the supplementary worksheets and don't get hung up on participation activities in the zybook.
The PA matched pretty well to the OA despite what others have said. If you truly know how they get the answers on the PA your probably ready. I took my exam at 11:00pm after I had reviewed all day without getting a question wrong. Probably was overkill but take it when you feel ready. Don't take a long time to answer a question. If you don't immediately know what to do, skip it and come back. I didn't use my break but don't forget that you have one. USE A SMALL TIP DRY ERASE so you have more room for Euclidean and "RTC" type questions. I rate this class a 6.5/10.
Would be higher if all chapters in zybooks prepared you for the OA or if there was videos going through the supplementary worksheets. Again I wish there was more resources for Unit 1 and I wish Unit 3 was a little more clear.
Best of luck and feel free to DM me any questions not related to Unit 1!
See you on the other side!

So I am basically starting to self study all the math content that we learned in high school, but Im having trouble finding worksheets online to practice my math problems solving skills on.
The topics Im trying to master: Linear equations, graphs, system of equations, inequalities, rations, proportions, percents, tables, statistics, probability, scatterplots, functions, polynomials, radicals, exponents, quadratics, geometry, trigonometry, imaginary numbers.
If someone knows where I could find worksheets with hundreds of math problems about these topics, I would greatly appreciate if you could help me out.

Hi teachers
I'm a sub who is trying to help out while they hire a new math teacher.
I need;
-8th grade level worksheet about adding/subtracting/simplifying exponents
-7th grade worksheet about plotting lines on a graph.
-Ideally a more advanced 7th grade worksheet, also about line plotting, but we will deal with that later.
Can yall please help me? I'm in over my head/overwhelmed.
I know some of yall are going to say, "Ask the other staff" but they are totally overwhelmed as well.

At the time I was 15 to 14 a freshman in high school and a special ed math class because I have ADHD. There were three other kids in the class. And the teacher had a policy about everything having to be 100% corrected before you could get credit being that the area we were behind in was algebra. We were doing order of operations for a whole year for some reason and the problems were super tedious. We also weren't allowed to use calculators and had to show our work. This was also at the end of the day so any meds I might have taken or even coffee in the morning would have worn off by then. I had multiple emotional breakdowns coming up to deadlines. I pulled all nighters sifting through tedious problem. After tedious problem I'd come to her turn in things. Something would be wrong and repeat. I ended up failing her class. on the last day of school she looked at me smiled and said "are you going to summer school?" I was so ready to cuss that witch out but it was the last day of school so I just left. However, I did go on a not-so nice rant about her to my friend on the bus in which I let the hatred flow. The school took my side in the end and I got to move on to a normal math class but I still had to make up the credit
So am I the bad apple 🍎🍏
PS. Here is an example of what we would be doing
(x-1)(2x-4)(1÷x+1)=(x+1)(2x-4)(1-5÷2x-4).
Remember no calculator and you have 19 more of those to do on your worksheet and if you mess up on a single one you get no credit for the day's work and have to correct it until you have the right answer and the right work for that answer And that's a tame example. By the way, there would almost always be exponents as well but this what's the best example I could find on Google? Also end of the day and you want to go home

She wanted to just do a parody of "Welcome to the Internet" but calculus themed, well I absolutely love that shit so I decided to do it myself. Took me 30 minutes, I'm surprised how good it turned out (IMHO). Let me know what you all think 😊
"Welcome to calculus Have a look around Any problem thinkable and able to write down We've got mountains of formulas Some easy, some cursed If none of it makes sense to you then you're not the first
Welcome to Calculus Come and take a seat Would you like to write a proof or maybe measure the degrees There's no need to panic There isn't a test, haha Just hope you studied for a quiz on the rest!
Welcome to calculus What would you prefer? Would you like to do derivatives or interpret a curve? It's crappy! It's boring! It fills me with rage! They've made a million different ways to integrate
Welcome to calculus Zero can't divide Here's a guide to remember constants And exponents that grow high We've got units, and functions, centrifugal force And a bunch of handrawn charcoal pencil manuscripts and reports of Isaac Newton never fucking anyone and dying a virgin (lol obviously can't do this in the real one, replace with "manuscripts of Isaac Newton being kind of nuts in the end" or something)
Welcome to Calculus Hold on to your socks Cause now Mr. TEACHER'S NAME is making us learn this math as his job He has worksheets to be finished, he just assigned more Now please include a diagram and label it whore! (replace with "and then do some more")
See a man regretting So much work now, see a shrink Send us pictures of the quiz key Work out every little thing Question sleuther, it's on Google, send a death threat to a tutor Or DM a nerdy loser Start a zoom class for marooners in your Here's an easy homework problem
You should quit your job Here's how to use polynomials to calculate the odds Which power law do you use You forgot the quiz! And now this school sent this Mr. TEACHER'S NAME to ter-ror-rize your kids
Can I interest you in regretting all of your life? Completely regretting all of your life? Apathy's normality, cal-cu-lus is a crime Completely regretting All of your life
Can I interest you in regretting all of your life? Completely regretting all of your life? Apathy's normality, cal-cu-lus is a crime Completely regretting All of your life"
That's all I'm doing lol but yeah 👍 Try it out with an instrumental, I think it tracks pretty well 😅

Excelize is a library written in pure Go providing a set of functions that allow you to write to and read from XLAM / XLSM / XLSX / XLTM / XLTX files. Supports reading and writing spreadsheet documents generated by Microsoft Excel™ 2007 and later. Supports complex components by high compatibility, and provided streaming API for generating or reading data from a worksheet with huge amounts of data.
GitHub: github.com/xuri/excelize
We are pleased to announce the release of version 2.6.0. Featured are a handful of new areas of functionality and numerous bug fixes.
A summary of changes is available in the Release Notes. A full list of changes is available in the changelog.

Release Notes

The most notable changes in this release are:

Compatibility

• Rename exported constants NameSpaceDublinCoreMetadataIntiative to NameSpaceDublinCoreMetadataInitiative for typo fix
• Rename exported variable ErrUnsupportEncryptMechanism to ErrUnsupportedEncryptMechanism
• Rename exported variable ErrDataValidationFormulaLenth to ErrDataValidationFormulaLength
• Rename exported variable ErrDefinedNameduplicate to ErrDefinedNameDuplicate
• Remove exported variable XMLHeaderByte
• Remove second useless parameter isCurrentSheet and error returns of the function SetSqrefDropList
• Remove TotalRows of row iterator

Notable Features

• ProtectSheet now support protect sheet with specify algorithm: XOR, MD4, MD5, SHA1, SHA256, SHA384, and SHA512
• UnprotectSheet now support specified the second optional password parameter to remove sheet protection with password verification
• New support 71 formula functions: AVERAGEIFS, BETADIST, BETA.DIST, BETAINV, BETA.INV, BINOMDIST, BINOM.DIST, BINOM.DIST.RANGE, BINOM.INV, CHIINV, CHITEST, CHISQ.DIST, CHISQ.DIST.RT, CHISQ.INV, CHISQ.INV.RT, CHISQ.TEST, CONFIDENCE.T, CORREL, COVAR, COVARIANCE.P, CRITBINOM, ERROR.TYPE, EXPON.DIST, EXPONDIST, F.DIST, F.DIST.RT, FDIST, F.INV, F.INV.RT, FINV, FORMULATEXT, F.TEST, FTEST, GAMMA.DIST, GAMMADIST, GAMMA.INV, GAMMAINV, GAMMALN.PRECISE, GAUSS, HOUR, HYPGEOM.DIST, HYPGEOMDIST, INDIRECT, LOGINV, LOGNORM.DIST, LOGNORMDIST, LOGNORM.INV, MODE, MODE.MULT, MODE.SNGL, NEGBINOM.DIST, NEGBINOMDIST, PHI, SECOND, SERIESSUM, SUMIFS, SUMPRODUCT, SUMX2MY2, SUMX2PY2, SUMXMY2, T.DIST, T.DIST.2T, T.DIST.RT, TDIST, TIMEVALUE, T.INV, T.INV.2T, TINV, T.TEST, TTEST, TYPE
• Check file extension on save the workbook
• Support workbook views mode and ruler display settings
• Improve number format support, introduced NFP (number format parser) dependencies module for custom dates and times number format and text place holder support, include local month name and AM/PM format in 19 languages (Afrikaans, Bangla, Chinese, English, French, German, Austria, Irish, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Thai, Tibetan, Turkish, Welsh, Wolof, Xhosa, Yi and Zulu) support for number format, related issues #660, #764, #1093, #1112, #1133
• New exported functions SetWorkbookPrOptions and GetWorkbookPrOptions to support setting and getting the FilterPrivacy and CodeName properties of the workbook, resolve limitations when adding VBA project to the workbook, related issue #1148
• Formula engine now support calculation with the none parameter formula function after infix operator notation
• Support to read boolean data type cell value
• Support set hole size when create the doughnut chart by AddChart function, resolve issue #1172
• Export 4 errors ErrPasswordLengthInvalid, ErrUnsupportedHashAlgorithm, ErrUnsupportedNumberFormat, ErrWorkbookExt so users can act differently on the different type of errors

Improve the Compatibility

• Improve compatibility with LibreOffice, fixed the issue auto filter doesn't work on LibreOffice if the sheet name has spaces, resolve issue #1122
• Improve the compatibility with alternate content, support preserve alternate content in the workbook, worksheet, and drawingML
• Improve the compatibility with page setup DPI fields

Bug Fixes

• Fix missing page setup of worksheet after re-saving the spreadsheet, resolve issue #1117
• Fix merged cells doesn't updated after opertaion in some cases
• Fix style parsing issue, which causes bold and other style missing, resolve issue #1119
• Fix file corrupted when save as in XLAM / XLSM / XLTM / XLTX extension in some case
• Correct cells style in merge range, make cell support inheritance columns/rows style, resolve issue #1129
• Fix incorrect style ID returned on getting cell style in some cases
• Fix incorrect build-in number format: 42
• Fixed parsing decimal precision issue in some case
• SetCellDefault support non-numeric value, resolve issue #1139
• Fixed show sheet tabs setting was missing on save as spreadsheet in some cases, resolve issue #1160
• Fix nested formula calculation result error, resolve issue #1164
• Fix a part of formula function calculation result precision issue and inconsistent result precision of formula calculation under x86 and arm64 processor (CPU) architecture
• This fix scientific notation parsing issue in some case
• Fix the issue that the chart axis maximum and minimum didn't work when the value is 0

Performance

• Improve streaming reading performance, based on the previously released version, reduce memory usage by about 50% at most for reading large data spreadsheet, and reduce 80% GC times for the row's iterator

Miscellaneous

• The dependencies module has been updated
• Unit tests and godoc updated
• Documentation website with multilingual: Arabic, German, Spanish, English, French, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, which has been updated

Hiya everyone! I got a 69/90/84, 82W this September 2021 sitting. I've had a ton of messages asking for some advice on prepping for the GAMSAT, so this post runs through my experience and a few of my thoughts. This is not a perfect how-to guide, it's a bit of wisdom from taking the GAMSAT in a very methodological, driven, and balanced way. I tackled the GAMSAT by taking many breaks, sometimes not taking enough, cutting many corners, spending too long on some things, and not long enough on others.
This is a verryyyyy (very, very) long post, but posts like these were how I got my strategy together for the test. I found them incredibly useful- everything you see here has been influenced by all the wonderful things people have put on the sub over the years. Take it all with a grain of salt, but I just wanted to put all my reflections and learnings out there in case it can be of use to any of you.
It's very important to recognise that everyone's journey is different, and I've included a lot of detail about my experience not so you can replicate it identically, but so you might be prompted to consider how YOUR unique context might change/shape how you'll need to study.
Disclaimer: Everything below is speaking from my own study experience, a big part of which was building my self-confidence and recognising where my strengths lie, and telling myself that regardless of the eventual outcome, the strengths and wholeness of my person as never going to be reflected in ACER's scoring metrics. There is no definite method, nor any definite marker, of achievement in the GAMSAT. This sub (which I love dearly and wholly attribute my score to), and general pre-med culture, emphasises cutthroat perfection- I'll say it right now that you DO NOT need a sky-high, or a 70+ GAMSAT to get into med, and you certainly DO NOT need a sky-high GAMSAT to be a good doctor. You need a GAMSAT that will suit your needs, goals, and context.
You don't need a perfect prep method to get a GAMSAT that can get you to where you want to go- no such thing as perfect prep exists. Everyone will find different aspects of the GAMSAT challenging, and one thing to take away from everything below is that you need to be methodological, realistic, and balanced with your prep, and it needs to be individual to your context. I've added heaps of context about my scenario, needs, and goals for GAMSAT in the hopes you'll view this as one experience rather than a bible of how to achieve mythical GAMSAT success. Getting a high GAMSAT won't be the answer to your problems, nor will it give you fulfilment. I've still had many anxious thoughts swirling the past few days about my capacity to get into med. I'm telling you just as much as me- put the doubts and comparison to bed, and focus on where you need to be. Take some of the tools below for your study, leave whatever doesn't sit right for you.
Let's go!!
My context:
I'm an arts degree undergrad student. Other than Y12 level chem + bio, I'm a NSB. I've always been strong in literature and the humanities, and I read a lot of non-fiction in my spare time. I haven't studied maths since Year 10. I tutor English, organisation skills, and ADHD mentoring for work, so I have a lot of exposure to writing, reading, coming up with ideas on the spot, explaining and disseminating concepts in logical ways, and communicating ideas. This was my first GAMSAT sitting.
Resources:
[Edit: I had a previous Notion linked here that I don't have anymore, but I have here a copy of my S3 reflection sheet if you want to use that as a template]
https://sapphire-piper-5ce.notion.site/f709ff82b4294f028392d5dbdf7282c7?v=d93a2458e8764d9790efefb31d5704a9&pvs=4
I also kept a drive of resources I found online of things I used to study. There's many good textbook PDFs online that I couldn't link for copyright, but it's worth having a search for some good self-teach science books. Klein's Organic Chemistry As A Second Language was my reference for the 2nd phase of my revision, as was the Kuhn Physics Self Teaching Guide- any of the ochem/physics prep in my 2nd phase timetable was making notes from these books on the listed chapter topic for that day... not super high yield IMO but quelled some anxiety so see how you go. Maths: A second start was a good guide too.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1l_xLZgMfoBfDFmC5Z8b7jrhVita-E_Nc?usp=drive_link
Mindset:
GAMSAT is inherently overwhelming. You need to use all the tools in your personal resilience toolbox to realise that you can and will tackle it. Tools include the fluffy stuff- I swear by a regular yoga, meditation, and reflective writing practice- but also the gritty stuff- committing to study times, sacrificing (a healthy level) of social life for your long term goal, and sitting down to work through the things you really don't want to do (maths, I see you). Cracking GAMSAT means a methodological study approach- I knew that my study needed to be smart, sharp, and directed both at my strengths and weaknesses, otherwise I'd switch off. I knew that for me, 3 months of intense revision interspersed with time outside and time with mates was the only way I could tackle it- so that's what I did. Your brain and body can and will commit to short, directed periods of study- you'll produce more dopamine when your tasks are achievable, segmented, and the end goal is close. TL;DR: ditch the 6 months of laborious study, drill down for 3, and make it smart and strategically planned. Try to bring as much joy and curiosity into it as you can- I loved seeing my reasoning develop, and found many of the stems interesting when I allowed myself to enjoy the learning process.
Where do you start?
Trawl through this reddit, pick up the tips that might work for you, make a master doc of them all, and then timetable the shit out of it. Calculate how much time you've got, work out your goals, then build a strategy that mediates the two. I knew I had 3 months between finishing Semester 1 exams and my GAMSAT sitting, with about a month total of holidays/social commitments already in place over the winter break in between.
I split my revision into two: 1.5 months of lax content review interspersed with breaks away with friends, then 1.5 months of pretty uncompromising active question/skill drills until my sitting.
From a lot of investigating of this sub, and being honest about my weaknesses, I knew I had some key goals for my prep:

• Get basic literacy in the key sciences, including advanced chemistry knowledge and ochem, and getting a grasp of physics
• Refine my maths skills in key areas (graph reading, dimensional analysis, algebra, trigonometry, scientific notation, linear relationships, log graphs, exponential relationships, logs, exponents)
• Significant practice for S3 Qs (ACER and Des)
• Keeping track and analysing where I went wrong in each Q using a spreadsheet
• At least 3 full practice exams before my sitting
• Getting good at generating ideas quickly for S2

Just a note- you'll see a lot on here talking about not worrying about bio study, and focusing S3 revision on physics and chem. However, if you're a complete NSB with no prior bio study, in my opinion I think you should allocate a lil bit of time to develop an understanding of basic bio. A lot of us don't know how daunting a bio stem can be if you don't have an understanding of basic concepts. I had this literacy from ATAR human bio, but otherwise Khan academy would be the go to- just watch the vids, understand the words, put the pieces of the body and cells together in your head so you can recognise them in a stem. No need to memorise facts or anatomy, but you need to understand key body systems, components, and functions (+ genetics etc) on a superficial level. The more science terminology you intuitively understand, the less stuff there is to wade through in a stem- yes, most of GAMSAT is science reasoning, but you've gotta know the basics to be able to reason. If you're NSB, give yourself the gift of a little relaxed content review. Which is where I began...
1st revision period: content review and TAKING BREAKS !
For the first half of my revision, during winter break, I really focused on quite low-yield content stuff just to get into the groove. I tried to do a few hours a day whenever I wasn't away- usually I would head away camping for weekends, and then study and work in the city during the week. I did head away camping for 2 weeks and took that time totally off.
I used this period to ease into study, and to build a basic literacy with the sciences that I was unfamiliar with. I designed it to be a pretty lazy and vague overview of content so I could recognise the language of ACER Qs once I got to them. I tried to cover each concept in the informal 'syllabus' of prereq knowledge at least once- usually half-assed notes, and then 5-10 content based Qs a day or two later.
For this revision, I bought the basic GradReady package, including the textbook/question bank. If I did it again, I wouldn't bother- it was a waste of money. In this first period I used their PDF textbook and questions to review basic science concepts, but the GR package was only helpful for giving me structure at the start of my revision when I felt very lost, because all their info was segmented. The S3 resources that GR provided were shit- they had many mistakes, were written with heaps of assumed prior knowledge, and used Qs that were poorly formatted and tested very little reasoning. Use the free syllabi that prep companies put out and make yourself a database of content review resources from Khan Academy/Coursera that cover the basics of each topic. It will take a bit longer to organise, but the quality of study will be far higher. I didn't look at GR S3 content after this period of study. [Advice stands for other prep companies- if you really need an extra bit of support (but make sure it's reasoning-focused, doesn't waste time on content, and is and time-bound/goal-driven based on your specific needs to prevent you paying for generic teaching you can do yourself)]
2nd revision period: getting real
Once winter break finished, I had 6 weeks to study. I made a new timetable that focused on principles of active revision, refining areas of weakness, and building my timed skills. I was realistic about my capabilities- I dropped down to 3 units (instead of 4) after a week back at uni, realising I couldn't handle it. I worked about 15 hours a week, and had about 9 contact hours a week. I live at home so didn't have to worry about supporting myself- this was an immense privilege and certainly enabled me to study the way I did, and I do not for a second take it for granted. When building my timetable for this part of my revision, I factored in uni, work, family, and social commitments very realistically. I also set aside a non-negotiable 1-2 hours a day for exercise or just getting out of my chair and moving a bit- don't underestimate how much this stuff matters.
This schedule was flexible- if I was exhausted, I'd shift it around, move things to the next day. This timetable was a pretty solid guide/representation of how much I ended up studying- but the reality was certainly less than what was planned on there, because I inevitably overestimated my study capacity. When my body and brain needed a break, I gave it one.
When formulating your study strategy you need to know WHAT to study (topic, section, subject, skill), HOW to study it (questions vs content review vs timed Qs vs untimed Qs vs ideas generation vs writing a whole essay vs mindmaps- be creative), and WHEN to study each thing (what day, how much time you want to allocate).
My big WHAT was S3, coming from a NSB, so most of my study focused on reasoning, maths skills, and science literacy. My S1 and S2 study was thus pretty minimal. Most of my timed S1 study, and all the practice essays I wrote, were in the 3 practice exams I sat in the 3 weeks leading up to my sitting.
S1 STUDY (69):

• Totally half-assed study here because I had heard it’s tricky to improve on, but also knew that it was an area I was generally strong in
• Tried to do about 10-20 practice questions a day. This was the only time I used the Gradready question bank in this entire 6 weeks, it was relatively useful, but full of errors. Really, any advanced reading comprehension practice will do (I took the SAT in high school and I reckon the khan academy SAT reading question sets have some great stems for complex info, the Qs are a bit different but useful in practicing analytical skills). Also used the ACER S1 Qs intermittently, tried not to space them out so I didn't run out before exam day.
• In general, I read a lot of non-fiction, and a lot of ‘long read’ feature articles ( is great), also a fair bit of fiction- just for enjoyment, so probably helps with my vocab and expression
• S1 is my lowest scoring section by far so don't have much advice to offer here, you'll find many people on this sub who've worked a lot harder and have a lot more insight for S1 than I do

S2 STUDY (90):

• I gotta be honest and say I only did 6 (mayyyybeee 7) practice essays total, all of them in the 3 practice exams I completed. Safe to say this is NOT recommended, I was just lazy.
• I did do a bit of practice looking at prompts and coming up with draft essay ideas/approaches- I used ACER resources, the Des book, and the Frasers online generator (wherever ‘essay’ comes up in my study schedule, it was mostly brainstorming answers or reading sample essays I found in Des or online)
• I am an arts student and my writing is objectively quite strong, vocab and analysis wise. My tutoring experiences also rendered me very good at identifying intuitively what makes 'good' writing and embodying that in my work
• Don’t feel confined to a discursive vs an analytical structure for either essay- for both the essays I wrote on the day, my response was somewhere between the two, but probably verging more on analytical with some discursive intro and conclusion elements
• Similarly, don’t feel confined to rigid structures- you need to produce complete and thorough paragraphs that present unique ideas to support your thesis- a good essay lets the content of these paragraphs be flexible around the prompt
  • ie. structures like argument/counterargument/argument are useful, but they do not make the best essays all the time- good ideas do
  • You should be presenting well-considered, socially aware, and cognitively deft perspectives in response to the theme of the prompt
• Work on approaching questions in novel ways, with an overarching thesis that presents a clear and unified perspective, and then 3-4 body paragraphs that offer slightly different arguments towards this perspective
  • eg. in my second essay in my sitting, I wrote about my topic from a social, evolutionary, and technological perspective- I had an overarching argument as my thesis, and then took different disciplinary approaches for each paragraph- this is just one example of a structure. Don’t memorise a structure and try to jam it into any essay, use structures as examples of how to demonstrate deep and analytical thinking to the marker
• I hear a lot of people talking about improving vocab through reading, but vocab is not as important as expression. Practice writing intros or single paragraphs in response to random prompts, untimed, reading each sentence out loud for flow as you write- think about how it sounds, but also if it presents a concrete idea.
• Don't go with a prep company if you need help for S2, go with a private tutor. Improving writing takes detailed, specific, consistent, and constructive feedback. I didn't, but if you want to spend that money, invest in a tutor who not only has done well and understands GAMSAT writing, but who is a good writer at the university level. Work with them on structure of paragraphs, expression of ideas, and coming up with creative theses.

S3 STUDY (84):
I'd be lying if I said I didn’t have nightmares about S3 for months leading up to the GAMSAT- how does someone who's a catastrophic NSB, who hasn’t done maths since year 10, get an 84? By realising that she's gonna have to learn maths (faaark 😕), and by realising S3 is about reasoning and science literacy. Note literacy, not knowledge. Literacy is a general and intuitive understanding of key concepts. You can achieve science literacy through basic content review, and then refine it by revising more advanced content/Qs for concepts that appear in ACER or Des Qs frequently (pKA, pH, chirality, waves, light, diffusion are a few big ones) or concepts that you really struggle to grasp.

• I would say the subject you need the strongest grounding in is chemistry- you really do need an intuitive understanding of core chemistry concepts, which Khan academy would be a good resource for. This is a non-negotiable, because although most chem questions ultimately use reasoning, you need a nuanced understanding of chemical terminology, notation, and concepts to be able to reason the answers effectively. I needed help with ochem, so I used a simple ochem textbook to go through the foundational ochem concepts throughout the 2nd phase of my revision- I stuck to the very basics though, and wouldn't even say I understood them that well. Just had exposure to the terminology, notation, and patterns.
• Physics…. I hated, so kept to the basics. You could all probably do a heap more physics than I did. I used a self-teach physics textbook and just reviewed basic concepts throughout the 2nd phase of my revision. I avoided physics practice Qs like the plague (unless they came up in my scheduled ACER or Des Qs), because I just couldn't bring my brain to do it, but I tried to make the concepts feel as intuitive as possible.
• I re-taught myself maths!!! I downloaded 100+ free worksheets from like or something similarly generic, mainly on the key maths skills I knew I was weak in. Lots of exponents, scientific notation, long addition and multiplication, fractions, algebra, rearranging formulas, logs. I tried to work through at least 2 or 3 of these worksheets a day, under timed conditions. It really did only take about 7 weeks for me to go to needing a calculator for simple addition, to being able to manipulate complex formulae and logs and exponents. Second to practice Qs, this was BY FAR the most high yield part of my study. If you’re from a NSB, refining maths skills should be your #1 priority next to gaining basic science literacy.

I drilled practice Qs like no tomorrow.
I mixed timed + untimed blocks of practice Qs into my study to balance speed and skill development.
For every ACER or Des Q that was incorrect or guessed, it went into a Notion spreadsheet ('Unknown concepts spreadsheet'). I detailed the topic of the Q, rated how confident I felt with the topic upon getting it incorrect, explaining why I made the mistake, explaining the reasoning for the answer (usually using the gold standard videos if I couldn’t work it out from the ACER answers), listing an action for reviewing the topic (ie. content review, more practice Qs), and then rated how confident I was with the topic after I had reviewed it. The week before GAMSAT, I used this document to guide the concepts I needed additional review for. There's some good posts on this sub with other similar templates.
Now, the the eternal ACER vs Des question- which one did I think was better? Both, because neither quite represent what the GAMSAT now looks like. I interspersed both throughout my study to get a balance, but don’t ignore the benefits of Des just because it’s older- it's got some serious strengths, and its weaknesses (being too maths and content heavy) helped me improve my numerical reasoning and use discernment on the day to ignore Qs that I knew I didn't have the content base for.

• ACER overview: The ACER pink exam was definitely the most representative of the real thing, in terms of emphasis on reasoning and maths skills- the others had a bit more content emphasis, which I didn’t really find to be true for my exam. I would use the ACER resources as your first and regular point of call. I timetabled to spread my ACER Qs out across my whole 2nd stage study period. Even when the Qs are content heavy, ACER resources teach you the kinds of Qs that GAMSAT asks, the words they use, and the skills they’re testing you on. I had a stem from one of the ACER exams appear in my GAMSAT, just with slightly different Qs.
• Des overview: People say Des is outdated, but I think his S3 MCQ book was INVALUABLE. Using discernment with Qs that are heavily content-assumed, this book is truly the best you can get. Organised by thinking skills (!!!!), it allows you to see exactly how ACER uses reasoning to trip you up and test you. Yes, many Qs are very maths heavy, but I still did these Qs, because I think they really helped my maths skills and made the actual GAMSAT feel a little easier. Des also is structured very well to help you identify areas of reasoning weakness- I also had a Des stem appear in my GAMSAT, also with altered Qs.

Exam week/day strategy:
The week before my sitting, I scaled back my study hours by half, if not more. That week, I hung out with friends, decompressed, and I got into the zone. Relaxing is impossible with GAMSAT looming over your head, but getting mental clarity is achievable- prioritising activities that bring you closer to a bit of peace and acceptance of your hard work, and acceptance of the challenge to come. For the 2 days before my sitting, I did nothing except for an hour or so of very basic skills review (maths, S1, and essay plans) just to keep my brain ticking.
I practiced waking up at 5:30 the week prior to GAMSAT to get my brain used to working early in the morning, and going to sleep very early at night. I did the usual exam day stuff- chose my outfit, planned a protein lunch with a bit of sugar, packed panadol/claratyne etc just in case, printed admission ticket, got noise cancelling headphones charged for beforehand and the lunch break. I had someone drop me off to the test centre to minimise any anxiety about parking or catching public transport.
In terms of my actual sitting- its all a total blur. I remember feeling like S1 was fine, that my S2 essays felt good generally, and that my second essay was a bit rushed. During the break I ate, walked around outside the test centre and called my boyfriend for a bit of a reality check, did a 5 minute meditation, and had a protein shake for good measure. I walked out of S3 quietly confident- I blind guessed around 4 Qs, and was able to reason my way through most of the others. Maybe 5-6 Qs were a guess between 2 options I couldn't choose between. I was pretty rushed checking S3- I definitely wasn't as strict on my time management as I could've been, and this stressed me out whenever I reflected on the exam before results.
Conclusion!
Whew!!!! Hoping any of that might be useful to you all.
This exam is a devil, but all of you have the skills, drive, and grit to game ACER’s system and get to where you wanna be. You’re all wonderful, amazing people and GAMSAT is just a (terrible) hurdle on the way to wherever life goes. Hope any of this could be a little help to any of you, don't be hesitant to get in contact if ya need <<3

Hi Students!
We had a few students ask about a detailed day-by-day study plan leading into the February ACT exam, so we have posted the Star Tutors 3-week ACT Self-Study plan below!
Please note that in order to maximize your score, there needs to be a balance between studying efficiently vs. studying and getting overwhelmed. For this reason, plan for 2 days of breaks each week. When completing the lessons, try to spend 2 hours of good, solid work and then be done for the rest of the day. Don't have your phone or computer next to you, which makes a 2-hour study session turn into a 5-hour study session 😃.
When completing the free lessons on the StarU app that are mentioned below, the goal is to get to a point where you answer all of the practice questions from each lesson correctly and know why you answered them correctly. To access each free lesson, just click ACT on the home screen of the app, then click the desired section, and finally, the desired lesson chapter (each lesson chapter has practice questions associated with the lesson). You can track your results for each lesson and practice questions in the "Results" tab in the bottom right-hand corner of the app.
If you have already taken a practice test, you can plug-in your answers to one of our advanced score reports, which details every question type found on the ACT! The question types listed in the far right-hand column of the score report then correspond to the free lesson chapters within the app.
Using all of these free resources, we recommend taking the following steps in accordance with the day-to-day study plan listed below:

1. Take a test
2. Plug-in your answers to the corresponding advanced score report for your test
3. Figure out which question types you missed
4. Read the free ACT and SAT content in the StarU app (written and edited by current ACT and SAT tutors)
5. Then, do the corresponding practice questions in the app, which correspond to what you just read and studied.
6. Finally, repeat the process with a new test form!

Free Resources Needed to Complete the Prep Plan:

• StarU student account
  • StarU is available for free in the App Store or Google Play
  • Can also be accessed from a desktop or laptop at www.staru.co (same login credentials for the app and for the online version)
• Access to Star Tutors YouTube Channel - Subscribe and help us spread the word if you like the content on the channel!

**Please note that if you are already scoring 30+ on one section of the exam and would like to dedicate more time to another section with a lower score, we recommend reviewing the 30+ section but maybe not spending as much time on that section as listed below (for whatever section that might be).
​
Day-by-day Study Plan for February 6th, 2021 ACT Exam:
Monday, January 18th (MLK Day Next Monday)

• StarU App Lessons - ACT English - Verb Tense, Subject-Verb Agreement
• StarU App Lesson - ACT Math - Percents

Tuesday, January 19th

• StarU App Lessons - ACT English - Pronouns, Punctuation
• StarU App Lesson - ACT Math - Proportions, Averages (medians and modes)

Wednesday, January 20th

• Break Day - No Prep
• (Or minimal prep, but we highly encourage taking a full break)

Thursday, January 21st

• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Grammar Quiz #1
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Math - Exponents, Arithmetic Word Problems

Friday, January 22nd

• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Run-ons, Misplaced Words
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Math - Basic Algebra, Algebraic Word Problems
• Complete the 74F ACT English exam (English section only). The 74F test form can be found here.
• Watch the corresponding 74F ACT English real-time test video on YouTube, and make sure you have your own test in front of you. Make sure to take notes on your own test to maximize the next test you take.

Saturday, January 23rd

• Optional: Take fully proctored practice test on your own
• Break Day - No Prep
• (Or minimal prep, but we highly encourage taking a full break)

Sunday, January 24th

• Break Day - No Prep
• (Or minimal prep, but we highly encourage taking a full break)

Monday, January 25th

• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Grammar Quiz #2
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Math - Pick Tricks
• Complete the 74F ACT Math exam (Math section only). The 74F test form can be found here.
• Watch the corresponding 74F ACT Math real-time test video on YouTube, and make sure you have your own test in front of you. Make sure to take notes on your own test to maximize the next test you take.

Tuesday, January 26th

• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Grammar Quiz #2
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Math - Factoring, Simultaneous Equations
• Complete the 74F ACT Reading exam (Reading section only). The 74F test form can be found here.
• Watch the corresponding 74F ACT Reading real-time test video on YouTube, and make sure you have your own test in front of you. Make sure to take notes on your own test to maximize the next test you take.

Wednesday, January 27th

• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Consider looking at the ACT English Advanced Content if you feel like you are ready and have mastered the previous lessons. Otherwise, continue to go back and perfect the lessons where you need the most improvement. You can figure out which lessons represent your weaker subjects based on the advanced score report from the previous Saturday's practice test.
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Math - Geometry Introduction, Area/Perimeter
• Complete the 74F ACT Science exam (Science section only). The 74F test form can be found here.
• Watch the corresponding 74F ACT Science real-time test video on YouTube, and make sure you have your own test in front of you. Make sure to take notes on your own test to maximize the next test you take.

Thursday, January 28th

• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Consider looking at the ACT English Advanced Content if you feel like you are ready and have mastered the previous lessons. Otherwise, continue to go back and perfect the lessons where you need the most improvement. You can figure out which lessons represent your weaker subjects based on the advanced score report from the previous Saturday's practice test.
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Math - Triangles, Angles
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Reading - Reading Introduction, Context, Answering the Questions

Friday, January 29th

• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Consider looking at the ACT English Advanced Content if you feel like you are ready and have mastered the previous lessons. Otherwise, continue to go back and perfect the lessons where you need the most improvement. You can figure out which lessons represent your weaker subjects based on the advanced score report from the previous Saturday's practice test.
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Math - Basic Trigonometry, Basic Functions
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Reading - Extended Reasoning, Purpose Questions
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Science - Graph Basic, New information

Saturday, January 30th

• Full ACT Practice Test - Join us for a free, virtually proctored practice test on Saturday at 8am US Pacific
• Link to Released ACT Exams
• We have corresponding videos of our tutors/students taking certain test forms in real-time, so we encourage you to use one of these test forms if you haven't already taken them. The exams that we have completed (or partially completed) are forms 74F, B04, A11, B02, and 74C.
• After you have completed your exam, you can plug your answers into our ACT Advanced Score Reports, which can be found here.

Sunday, January 31st

• Break Day - No Prep
• (Or minimal prep, but we highly encourage taking a full break)

Monday, February 1st

• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Consider looking at the ACT English Advanced Content if you feel like you are ready and have mastered the previous lessons. Otherwise, continue to go back and perfect the lessons where you need the most improvement. You can figure out which lessons represent your weaker subjects based on the advanced score report from the previous Saturday's practice test.
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Math - Arithmetic Worksheet #1
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Reading - Main Idea, Tone Questions
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Science - Trends

Tuesday, February 2nd

• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Take practice English test B02 (if you have already taken this section, please use a different test form)
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Science - Data Representation Passages

Wednesday, February 3rd

• Break Day - No Prep
• (Or minimal prep, but we highly encourage taking a full break)

Thursday, February 4th

• Watch Star Tutors Live Comprehensive ACT Review and AMA for February 6th ACT Exam!
• Optional for students taking February 6th exam (if you are not taking the February 6th ACT exam, then we recommend completing this homework) - Complete the A11 ACT English exam (English section only). The A11 test form is Test #1 in the NEW 2020-2021 ACT Red Book. if you have already taken this section, please use a different test form.
• Optional for students taking February 6th exam (if you are not taking the February 6th ACT exam, then we recommend completing this homework) - Watch the corresponding A11 ACT English real-time test video on YouTube, and make sure you have your own test in front of you. Make sure to take notes on your own test to maximize the next test you take.

Friday, February 5th

• For students taking the February 6th ACT exam***, Relax*** and do a little review on the StarU app. Maybe go back and do a few English lesson problems or grammar quizzes to make sure you're staying sharp with your grammar rules.
• For students taking the February exam, Watch Star Tutors Live February ACT Hype Video to get in the right mindset for the next day's exam!
• Optional for students taking February 6th exam (if you are not taking the February 6th exam, then we recommend completing this homework) - Complete the A11 ACT Math exam (Math section only). The A11 test form is Test #1 in the NEW 2020-2021 ACT Red Book. if you have already taken this section, please use a different test form.
• Optional for students taking February 6th exam (if you are not taking the February 6th exam, then we recommend completing this homework) - Watch the corresponding A11 ACT Math real-time test video on YouTube, and make sure you have your own test in front of you. Make sure to take notes on your own test to maximize the next test you take.

Saturday, February 6th

• Test Day!!
• GOOD LUCK to all students taking the official February 6th ACT Exam!

As always, we hope all of this helps all of ACT crush it on test day! We are here to help when you need us, and thanks for all of your hard work.
Star Tutors
​
P.S Sorry if there are any errors with links or dates above. If you see an error, please comment below, and we will make sure to correct it!
​
Additional Free Video Resources (Students and Tutors taking Real ACT Exam Sections in Real-Time!) on the Star Tutors YouTube Channel:

• B02 English (Student edition)
• C02 Reading (June 2020 Test Form)
• C02 Math (June 2020 Test Form)
• C02 Science (June 2020 Test Form)
• 74F English
• 74F Math
• 74F Reading
• 74F Science
• B04 Math (Done without using a calculator to address the importance of the Star Tutors 3-Pass Math and Science Methods)
• B04 Reading
• B04 Science
• 74C Reading (Test 4 in ACT Red Book)
• A11 English (Test 1 in the new 2020-2021 ACT Red Book, replacing previous Test 1 - MC1)
• A11 Math (Test 1 in the new 2020-2021 ACT Red Book, replacing previous Test 1 - MC1)
• A11 Reading (Test 1 in the new 2020-2021 ACT Red Book, replacing previous Test 1 - MC1)
• A11 Science (Test 1 in the new 2020-2021 ACT Red Book, replacing previous Test 1 - MC1)

So, this is actually originally derived from an WritingPrompts post that I found here. If you want to see the original idea, go there!
​
I was shy. He was stubborn.
Together, we were perfect for each other.
He was chosen as the Hero at Birth by the gods. I was exiled as an orphan, alone except for a kind nurse who took me.
Together, we were perfect for each other.
The day we first met was one that could have been mistaken for any other. He was the popular kid, the strong one, that all the 3rd grade girls fawned over. I was the kid who was on the bench, away from all the kids that tended to bully me. Drawing, thinking, learning magic before any of the nerds of wimps even got a chance to later on, officially. We were both picked for the same team, and bumped into each other during dodgeball, which got us both out.
Over the years, I was entranced with how easily everything came to him. How he seemed to always be a straight A student. How he was always the fastest and strongest kid in class. How he never missed a shot. How he could put a boy over 100 pounds heavier then him in a pin in 8 seconds. From a distance, there was nothing wrong with him at all. There was one thing that I definitely didn't notice. How other girls were fawning over him less and less, and how he never seemed to speak to any of them.
The first time I got to speak alone to the mystical hero was in 7th grade. Middle school. The Hero was still relatively popular at this point. I still only knew him as The Hero. I hadn't had any classes with him yet, and that's all anyone else who wasn't close to him called him- including our teachers. I was still at the awkward phase of my life where I still wrote down ancient magic spells from the restricted section of our library- the librarian knew me well at this point- and practiced them at home when my parents were still at work. He was in the library, studying, when I decided that I had to walk up to him now. He was studying magic incantations, and he didn't seem to need help with it. He was acing every question perfectly.
"Uuum, excuse me, Hero?" I asked timidly.
"What? I'm trying to finish here." His voice was deep, scarily deep for a seventh grader. Like a fully grown man.
"I've been having some issues with my math homework. Could you help me with it?" I was lying, obviously. I hadn't had a problem with math since the 1st grade. I slid into the chair next to him, and handed him my still empty math paper.
"Sure." The Hero responded. He took the empty paper I had just given him, and started to fill out every question with lightning speed. I’d have to slow him down. I pointed at one of the questions he had just filled out, by the bottom of the first column.
“Hey, I don’t understand how you got that one. Could you explain it for me?”
“Sure. You input the y coordinate of the first point here, the x of the same point here, and then just use the PEMDAS rule we had from earlier this year. Parenthesis, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction. That’s what you do whenever they ask for that type of slope.”
“Oh, ok. Thanks!” I said. He immediately went back to filling out the problems.
“Uuuuum, what’s your name?” I tried. It was getting hard to even start a conversation.
“Nothing of your concern. Everyone calls me The Hero anyways.” he muttered, still completing problems.
“Well, I care. I want to know your name. ‘The Hero’ is boring, isn’t it?” I said.
“No. It’s exactly what I am. The Hero. Now let me finish this worksheet for you.” he said. He was around halfway through.
“Why? Don’t you want people to remember you?” I asked.
“Shut up. You asked me for help, and since I'm The Hero, I'm helping. I have other work to do, so this is wasting my time.” he glared at me for a second, and continued down the second column of problems.
“So I guess you have no name then?” I asked.
“I have a name.” he muttered.
“Well, I don’t believe it. After all, all I’ve ever known you as is The Hero.” I smirked.
The Hero put down his pencil in exasperation, and looked up at me. “Do you really want to know my name that badly?” He asked, sighing.
“Yes! You finally understand!” I clapped.
“Fine. I’ll tell you. But only if you promise not to tell anyone else.” he said.
“I pinky promise.” I said seriously, extending my pinky.
“You’re so immature.” He said, leaning into my ear, so nobody else would hear it.
“My name’s Poopbutt.”
I recoiled. Poopbutt? There was no way anyone had a name that stupid.
“You’re joking.”
“Does this look like the face of a prankster?”
“Good point.”
​
More in comments. This was 20,000+ character story that got out of hand. If you could give me help on it both in grammar and story, that would be great!

So, this is actually originally derived from an WritingPrompts post that I found here. If you want to see the original idea, go there!
​
Anyways, onto the story!
​
I was shy. He was stubborn.
Together, we were perfect for each other.
He was chosen as the Hero at Birth by the gods. I was exiled as an orphan, alone except for a kind nurse who took me.
Together, we were perfect for each other.
The day we first met was one that could have been mistaken for any other. He was the popular kid, the strong one, that all the 3rd grade girls fawned over. I was the kid who was on the bench, away from all the kids that tended to bully me. Drawing, thinking, learning magic before any of the nerds of wimps even got a chance to later on, officially. We were both picked for the same team, and bumped into each other during dodgeball, which got us both out.
Over the years, I was entranced with how easily everything came to him. How he seemed to always be a straight A student. How he was always the fastest and strongest kid in class. How he never missed a shot. How he could put a boy over 100 pounds heavier then him in a pin in 8 seconds. From a distance, there was nothing wrong with him at all. There was one thing that I definitely didn't notice. How other girls were fawning over him less and less, and how he never seemed to speak to any of them.
The first time I got to speak alone to the mystical hero was in 7th grade. Middle school. The Hero was still relatively popular at this point. I still only knew him as The Hero. I hadn't had any classes with him yet, and that's all anyone else who wasn't close to him called him- including our teachers. I was still at the awkward phase of my life where I still wrote down ancient magic spells form the restricted section of our library- the librarian knew me well at this point- and practice them at home when my parents were still at work. He was in the library, studying, when I decided that I had to walk up to him now. He was studying magic incantations, and he didn't seem to need help with it. He was acing every question perfectly.
"Uuum, excuse me, Hero?" I asked timidly.
"What? I'm trying to finish here." His voice was deep, scarily deep for a seventh grader. Like a fully grown man.
"I've been having some issues with my math homework. Could you help me with it?" I was lying, obviously. I hadn't had a problem with math since the 1st grade. I slid into the chair next to him, and handed him my still empty math paper.
"Sure." The Hero responded. He took the empty paper I had just given him, and started to fill out every question with lightning speed. I’d have to slow him down. I pointed at one of the questions he had just filled out, by the bottom of the first column.
“Hey, I don’t understand how you got that one. Could you explain it for me?”
“Sure. You input the y coordinate of the first point here, the x of the same point here, and then just use the PEMDAS rule we had from earlier this year. Parenthesis, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction. That’s what you do whenever they ask for that type of slope.”
“Oh, ok. Thanks!” I said. He immediately went back to filling out the problems.
“Uuuuum, what’s your name?” I tried. It was getting hard to even start a conversation.
“Nothing of your concern. Everyone calls me The Hero anyways.” he muttered, still completing problems.
“Well, I care. I want to know your name. ‘The Hero’ is boring, isn’t it?” I said.
“No. It’s exactly what I am. The Hero. Now let me finish this worksheet for you.” he said. He was around halfway through.
“Why? Don’t you want people to remember you?” I asked.
“Shut up. You asked me for help, and since I'm The Hero, I'm helping. I have other work to do, so this is wasting my time.” he glared at me for a second, and continued down the second column of problems.
“So I guess you have no name then?” I asked.
“I have a name.” he muttered.
“Well, I don’t believe it. After all, all I’ve ever known you as is The Hero.” I smirked.
The Hero put down his pencil in exasperation, and looked up at me. “Do you really want to know my name that badly?” He asked, sighing.
“Yes! You finally understand!” I clapped.
“Fine. I’ll tell you. But only if you promise not to tell anyone else.” he said.
“I pinky promise.” I said seriously, extending my pinky.
“You’re so immature.” He said, leaning into my ear, so nobody else would hear it.
“My name’s Poopbutt.”
I recoiled. Poopbutt? There was no way anyone had a name that stupid.
“You’re joking.”
“Does this look like the face of a prankster?”
“Good point.”
​
Part 2- Here!

Guess what, I don’t give a damn how to find the square of a polynomial. I’ll never need to know how, I don’t want to, and it’s a complete brain waste. What’s really helpful is how our teacher hardly bothers to explain how to do this new topic before handing us a worksheet on it. Now tonight I have to do this dumb assignment on this “IXL” website, which is a site that fucking takes away or adds points to your “total” until you hit 100, and any time you get close to 100 you lose like 8 points for a wrong answer and 1 for a correct one. You basically need to hit 95%, which is fucking infuriating for a guy barely tracking 50. Now I’m going to fail the quiz next week and be back down to a C or D in Math, right back to where I was, as soon as I actually got it up to a B. Fuck math, the waste of space, waste of brainpower, most useless, frustrating, tiring thing I have ever encountered. I hope the people who invented exponents and variables and fucking calculus are happy, they make millions of people’s lives today hell.

Sorry for the hassle with this everyone, but please find below the comprehensive day-by-day ACT study plan for the September 12th and September 19th ACT exams. We are going to leave the Google Doc available as well, so if you have the link to that, you the same stuff below is also posted in the Google Doc! Let us know how else we can help, and as always, keep up the hard work!
​
Hi ACT -
We had a few students ask about a detailed day-by-day study plan leading into the September exams, so we have posted that plan below!
Please note that in order to maximize your score, there needs to be a balance between studying efficiently vs. studying and getting overwhelmed. For this reason, plan for 2 days of breaks each week. When completing the lessons, try to spend 2 hours of good, solid work and then be done for the rest of the day. Don't have your phone or computer next to you, which makes a 2-hour study session turn into a 5-hour study session 😃 .
When completing the free lessons on the StarU app that are mentioned below, the goal is to get to a point where you answer all of the practice questions from each lesson correctly and know why you answered them correctly. To access each free lesson, just click ACT on the home screen of the app, then click the desired section, and finally, the desired lesson chapter (each lesson chapter has practice questions associated with the lesson). You can track your results for each lesson and practice questions in the "Results" tab in the bottom right-hand corner of the app.
If you have already taken a practice test, you can plug-in your answers to one of our advanced score reports, which details every question type found on the ACT! The question types listed in the far right-hand column of the score report then correspond to the free lesson chapters within the app. Using all of these free resources, we recommend taking the following steps in accordance with the day-to-day study plan listed below:

1. Take a test
2. Plug-in your answers to the corresponding advanced score report for your test
3. Figure out which question types you missed
4. Read the free ACT and SAT content in the StarU app (written and edited by current ACT and SAT tutors)
5. Then, do the corresponding practice questions in the app, which correspond to what you just read and studied.
6. Finally, repeat the process with a new test form!

**Please note that if you are already scoring 30+ on one section of the exam and would like to dedicate more time to another section with a lower score, we recommend reviewing the 30+ section but maybe not spending as much time on that section as listed below (for whatever section that might be).
​
Free Resources Needed to Complete the Prep Plan:

• StarU student account
  • StarU is available for free in the App Store or Google Play
  • Can also be accessed from a desktop or laptop at www.staru.co (same login credentials for the app and for the online version)
• Access to Star Tutors YouTube Channel - Subscribe and help us spread the word if you like the content on the channel!

**Please note that if you are already scoring 30+ on one section of the exam and would like to dedicate more time to another section with a lower score, we recommend reviewing the 30+ section but maybe not spending as much time on that section as listed below (for whatever section that might be).
​
​
Day-by-day Study Plan for September 12th and September 19th Exams:
Monday, August 24th - Today

• StarU App Lessons - ACT English - Verb Tense, Subject-Verb Agreement
• StarU App Lesson - ACT Math - Percents

Tuesday, August 25th

• StarU App Lessons - ACT English - Pronouns, Punctuation
• StarU App Lesson - ACT Math - Proportions, Averages (medians and modes)

Wednesday, August 26th

• Break Day - No Prep
• (Or minimal prep, but we highly encourage taking a full break)

Thursday, August 27th

• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Grammar Quiz #1
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Math - Exponents, Arithmetic Word Problems

Friday, August 28th

• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Run-ons, Misplaced Words
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Math - Basic Algebra, Algebraic Word Problems
• Complete the 74F ACT English exam (English section only). The 74F test form can be found here: http://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/Preparing-for-the-ACT.pdf.
• Watch the corresponding ACT English real-time test video on YouTube, and make sure you have your own test in front of you. Make sure to take notes on your own test to maximize the next test you take: https://youtu.be/Yl-XVh4np_Q

Saturday, August 29th

• Optional: Take fully proctored practice test on your own
• Break Day - No Prep
• (Or minimal prep, but we highly encourage taking a full break)

Sunday, August 30th

• Break Day - No Prep
• (Or minimal prep, but we highly encourage taking a full break)

Monday, August 31st

• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Grammar Quiz #2
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Math - Pick Tricks
• Complete the 74F ACT Math exam (Math section only). The 74F test form can be found here: http://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/Preparing-for-the-ACT.pdf.
• Watch the corresponding ACT Math real-time test video on YouTube, and make sure you have your own test in front of you. Make sure to take notes on your own test to maximize the next test you take: https://youtu.be/XLU35AytM7A

Tuesday, September 1st

• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Grammar Quiz #2
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Math - Factoring, Simultaneous Equations
• Complete the 74F ACT Reading exam (Reading section only). The 74F test form can be found here: http://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/Preparing-for-the-ACT.pdf.
• Watch the corresponding ACT Reading real-time test video on YouTube, and make sure you have your own test in front of you. Make sure to take notes on your own test to maximize the next test you take: https://youtu.be/-xroPexIXKE

Wednesday, September 2nd

• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Consider looking at the ACT English Advanced Content if you feel like you are ready and have mastered the previous lessons. Otherwise, continue to go back and perfect the lessons where you need the most improvement. You can figure out which lessons represent your weaker subjects based on the advanced score report from the previous Saturday's practice test.
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Math - Geometry Introduction, Area/Perimeter
• Complete the 74F ACT Science exam (Science section only). The 74F test form can be found here: http://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/Preparing-for-the-ACT.pdf.
• Watch the corresponding ACT Science real-time test video on YouTube, and make sure you have your own test in front of you. Make sure to take notes on your own test to maximize the next test you take: https://youtu.be/BH_PFFO0cwk

Thursday, September 3rd

• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Consider looking at the ACT English Advanced Content if you feel like you are ready and have mastered the previous lessons. Otherwise, continue to go back and perfect the lessons where you need the most improvement. You can figure out which lessons represent your weaker subjects based on the advanced score report from the previous Saturday's practice test.
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Math - Triangles, Angles
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Reading - Reading Introduction, Context, Answering the Questions

Friday, September 4th

• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Consider looking at the ACT English Advanced Content if you feel like you are ready and have mastered the previous lessons. Otherwise, continue to go back and perfect the lessons where you need the most improvement. You can figure out which lessons represent your weaker subjects based on the advanced score report from the previous Saturday's practice test.
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Math - Basic Trigonometry, Basic Functions
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Reading - Extended Reasoning, Purpose Questions
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Science - Graph Basic, New information

Saturday, September 5th

• Full ACT Practice Test - Join us for a free, virtually proctored practice test on Saturday at 8:45am US Pacific
• Link to virtually proctored practice test live stream - https://youtu.be/KMMMltV_kls
• Link to Released ACT Exams - https://www.startutors.net/act-released-exams
• We have corresponding videos of our tutors/students taking certain test forms in real-time, so we encourage you to use one of these test forms if you haven't already taken them. The exams that we have completed (or partially completed) are forms 74F, B04, A11, B02, and 74C.
• After you have completed your exam, you can plug your answers into our ACT Advanced Score Reports, which can be found here: https://www.startutors.net/act-advanced-score-reports-and-scales

Sunday, September 6th

• Break Day - No Prep
• (Or minimal prep, but we highly encourage taking a full break)

Monday, September 7th

• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Consider looking at the ACT English Advanced Content if you feel like you are ready and have mastered the previous lessons. Otherwise, continue to go back and perfect the lessons where you need the most improvement. You can figure out which lessons represent your weaker subjects based on the advanced score report from the previous Saturday's practice test.
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Math - Arithmetic Worksheet #1
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Reading - Main Idea, Tone Questions
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Science - Trends

Tuesday, September 8th

• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Take practice English test B02 (if you have already taken this section, please use a different test form)
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Science - Data Representation Passages

Wednesday, September 9th

• Break Day - No Prep
• (Or minimal prep, but we highly encourage taking a full break)

Thursday, September 10th

• Watch Star Tutors Live Comprehensive ACT Review and AMA for September 12th ACT Exam!
• Optional for students taking September 12th exam (if you are not taking the September 12th exam, then we recommend completing this homework) - Complete the A11 ACT English exam (English section only). The A11 test form is Test #1 in the NEW 2020-2021 ACT Red Book. if you have already taken this section, please use a different test form.
• Optional for students taking September 12th exam (if you are not taking the September 12th exam, then we recommend completing this homework) - Watch the corresponding A11 ACT English real-time test video on YouTube, and make sure you have your own test in front of you. Make sure to take notes on your own test to maximize the next test you take: https://youtu.be/ODHp030cq2o

Friday, September 11th

• For students taking the September 12th exam***, Relax*** and do a little review on the StarU app. Maybe go back and do a few English lesson problems or grammar quizzes to make sure you're staying sharp with your grammar rules.
• For students taking the September 12th exam, Watch Star Tutors Live September ACT Hype Video to get in the right mindset for the next day's exam!
• Optional for students taking September 12th exam (if you are not taking the September 12th exam, then we recommend completing this homework) - Complete the A11 ACT Math exam (Math section only). The A11 test form is Test #1 in the NEW 2020-2021 ACT Red Book. if you have already taken this section, please use a different test form.
• Optional for students taking September 12th exam (if you are not taking the September 12th exam, then we recommend completing this homework) - Watch the corresponding A11 ACT Math real-time test video on YouTube, and make sure you have your own test in front of you. Make sure to take notes on your own test to maximize the next test you take: https://youtu.be/XuJa_0IodLs

Saturday, September 12th

• GOOD LUCK to all students taking the official September 12th ACT Exam!
• For students who are not taking the official exam, join us for a free, virtually proctored practice test on Saturday, September 12th at 8:45am US Pacific.
• Link to virtually proctored practice test live stream - https://youtu.be/M2z7vM7cvtg
• Link to Released ACT Exams - https://www.startutors.net/act-released-exams
• We have corresponding videos of our tutors/students taking certain test forms in real-time, so we encourage you to use one of these test forms if you haven't already taken them. The exams that we have completed (or partially completed) are forms 74F, B04, A11, B02, and 74C.
• After you have completed your exam, you can plug your answers into our ACT Advanced Score Reports, which can be found here: https://www.startutors.net/act-advanced-score-reports-and-scales

Sunday, September 13th

• Break Day - No Prep
• (Or minimal prep, but we highly encourage taking a full break)

Monday, September 14th

• Complete the A11 ACT Reading exam (Reading section only). The A11 test form is Test #1 in the NEW 2020-2021 ACT Red Book. if you have already taken this section, please use a different test form.
• Watch the corresponding A11 ACT Reading real-time test video on YouTube, and make sure you have your own test in front of you. Make sure to take notes on your own test to maximize the next test you take: https://youtu.be/ZNuENdXh1aM

Tuesday, September 15th

• Complete the A11 ACT Science exam (Science section only). The A11 test form is Test #1 in the NEW 2020-2021 ACT Red Book. if you have already taken this section, please use a different test form.
• Watch the corresponding A11 ACT Science real-time test video on YouTube, and make sure you have your own test in front of you. Make sure to take notes on your own test to maximize the next test you take: https://youtu.be/H7ihvc5rI9c

Wednesday, September 16th

• Break Day - No Prep
• (Or minimal prep, but we highly encourage taking a full break)

Thursday, September 17th

• Watch Star Tutors Live Comprehensive ACT Review and AMA for September 19th ACT Exam
• Review specific lesson chapters based on previous results from advanced score reports and/or take two practice sections: one test from your weakest section and one test from your strongest section to make sure your confidence remains high!

Friday, September 18th

• For students taking the September 19th exam***, RELAX*** and do a little review on the StarU app. Maybe go back and do a few English lesson problems or grammar quizzes to make sure you're staying sharp with your grammar rules.
• For students taking the September 19th exam, Watch Star Tutors Live September ACT Hype Video to get in the right mindset for the next day's exam!

Saturday, September 19th

• TEST DAY!!!
• Just remember that you're the same person walking into the test as you are walking out of it. It's still just Saturday, and after you're done, you can forget about this stuff for awhile and just hang with your friends. Plus, if you follow this entire plan, we guarantee your score will go up. So there's nothing to worry about!

As always, we hope all of this helps all of ACT crush it on test day! We are here to help when you need us, and thanks for all of your hard work.
Star Tutors
P.S Sorry if there are any errors with links or dates above. If you see an error, please comment below, and we will make sure to correct it!

Hi ACT -
We had a few students ask about a detailed day-by-day study plan leading into the September exams, so we have posted that plan below!
Please note that in order to maximize your score, there needs to be a balance between studying efficiently vs. studying and getting overwhelmed. For this reason, plan for 2 days of breaks each week. When completing the lessons, try to spend 2 hours of good, solid work and then be done for the rest of the day. Don't have your phone or computer next to you, which makes a 2-hour study session turn into a 5-hour study session 😃 .
When completing the free lessons on the StarU app that are mentioned below, the goal is to get to a point where you answer all of the practice questions from each lesson correctly and know why you answered them correctly. To access each free lesson, just click ACT on the home screen of the app, then click the desired section, and finally, the desired lesson chapter (each lesson chapter has practice questions associated with the lesson). You can track your results for each lesson and practice questions in the "Results" tab in the bottom right-hand corner of the app.
If you have already taken a practice test, you can plug-in your answers to one of our advanced score reports, which details every question type found on the ACT! The question types listed in the far right-hand column of the score report then correspond to the free lesson chapters within the app. Using all of these free resources, we recommend taking the following steps in accordance with the day-to-day study plan listed below:

1. Take a test
2. Plug-in your answers to the corresponding advanced score report for your test
3. Figure out which question types you missed
4. Read the free ACT and SAT content in the StarU app (written and edited by current ACT and SAT tutors)
5. Then, do the corresponding practice questions in the app, which correspond to what you just read and studied.
6. Finally, repeat the process with a new test form!

**Please note that if you are already scoring 30+ on one section of the exam and would like to dedicate more time to another section with a lower score, we recommend reviewing the 30+ section but maybe not spending as much time on that section as listed below (for whatever section that might be).
​
Day-by-day Study Plan for September 12th and September 19th Exams:
​
Monday, August 24th - Today

• StarU App Lessons - ACT English - Verb Tense, Subject-Verb Agreement
• StarU App Lesson - ACT Math - Percents

Tuesday, August 25th

• StarU App Lessons - ACT English - Pronouns, Punctuation
• StarU App Lesson - ACT Math - Proportions, Averages (medians and modes)

Wednesday, August 26th

• Break Day - No Prep
• (Or minimal prep, but we highly encourage taking a full break)

Thursday, August 27th

• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Grammar Quiz #1
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Math - Exponents, Arithmetic Word Problems

Friday, August 28th

• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Run-ons, Misplaced Words
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Math - Basic Algebra, Algebraic Word Problems
• Complete the 74F ACT English exam (English section only). The 74F test form can be found here: http://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/Preparing-for-the-ACT.pdf.
• Watch the corresponding ACT English real-time test video on YouTube, and make sure you have your own test in front of you. Make sure to take notes on your own test to maximize the next test you take: https://youtu.be/Yl-XVh4np_Q

Saturday, August 29th

• Optional: Take fully proctored practice test on your own
• Break Day - No Prep
• (Or minimal prep, but we highly encourage taking a full break)

Sunday, August 30th

• Break Day - No Prep
• (Or minimal prep, but we highly encourage taking a full break)

Monday, August 31st

• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Grammar Quiz #2
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Math - Pick Tricks
• Complete the 74F ACT Math exam (Math section only). The 74F test form can be found here: http://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/Preparing-for-the-ACT.pdf.
• Watch the corresponding ACT Math real-time test video on YouTube, and make sure you have your own test in front of you. Make sure to take notes on your own test to maximize the next test you take: https://youtu.be/XLU35AytM7A

Tuesday, September 1st

• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Grammar Quiz #2
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Math - Factoring, Simultaneous Equations
• Complete the 74F ACT Reading exam (Reading section only). The 74F test form can be found here: http://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/Preparing-for-the-ACT.pdf.
• Watch the corresponding ACT Reading real-time test video on YouTube, and make sure you have your own test in front of you. Make sure to take notes on your own test to maximize the next test you take: https://youtu.be/-xroPexIXKE

Wednesday, September 2nd

• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Consider looking at the ACT English Advanced Content if you feel like you are ready and have mastered the previous lessons. Otherwise, continue to go back and perfect the lessons where you need the most improvement. You can figure out which lessons represent your weaker subjects based on the advanced score report from the previous Saturday's practice test.
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Math - Geometry Introduction, Area/Perimeter
• Complete the 74F ACT Science exam (Science section only). The 74F test form can be found here: http://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/Preparing-for-the-ACT.pdf.
• Watch the corresponding ACT Science real-time test video on YouTube, and make sure you have your own test in front of you. Make sure to take notes on your own test to maximize the next test you take: https://youtu.be/BH_PFFO0cwk

Thursday, September 3rd

• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Consider looking at the ACT English Advanced Content if you feel like you are ready and have mastered the previous lessons. Otherwise, continue to go back and perfect the lessons where you need the most improvement. You can figure out which lessons represent your weaker subjects based on the advanced score report from the previous Saturday's practice test.
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Math - Triangles, Angles
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Reading - Reading Introduction, Context, Answering the Questions

Friday, September 4th

• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Consider looking at the ACT English Advanced Content if you feel like you are ready and have mastered the previous lessons. Otherwise, continue to go back and perfect the lessons where you need the most improvement. You can figure out which lessons represent your weaker subjects based on the advanced score report from the previous Saturday's practice test.
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Math - Basic Trigonometry, Basic Functions
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Reading - Extended Reasoning, Purpose Questions
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Science - Graph Basic, New information

Saturday, September 5th

• Full ACT Practice Test - Join us for a free, virtually proctored practice test on Saturday at 8:45am US Pacific
• Link to virtually proctored practice test live stream - https://youtu.be/KMMMltV_kls
• Link to Released ACT Exams - https://www.startutors.net/act-released-exams
• We have corresponding videos of our tutors/students taking certain test forms in real-time, so we encourage you to use one of these test forms if you haven't already taken them. The exams that we have completed (or partially completed) are forms 74F, B04, A11, B02, and 74C.
• After you have completed your exam, you can plug your answers into our ACT Advanced Score Reports, which can be found here: https://www.startutors.net/act-advanced-score-reports-and-scales

Sunday, September 6th

• Break Day - No Prep
• (Or minimal prep, but we highly encourage taking a full break)

Monday, September 7th

• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Consider looking at the ACT English Advanced Content if you feel like you are ready and have mastered the previous lessons. Otherwise, continue to go back and perfect the lessons where you need the most improvement. You can figure out which lessons represent your weaker subjects based on the advanced score report from the previous Saturday's practice test.
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Math - Arithmetic Worksheet #1
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Reading - Main Idea, Tone Questions
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Science - Trends

Tuesday, September 8th

• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Take practice English test B02 (if you have already taken this section, please use a different test form)
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Science - Data Representation Passages

Wednesday, September 9th

• Break Day - No Prep
• (Or minimal prep, but we highly encourage taking a full break)

Thursday, September 10th

• Watch Star Tutors Live Comprehensive ACT Review and AMA for September 12th ACT Exam!
• Optional for students taking September 12th exam (if you are not taking the September 12th exam, then we recommend completing this homework) - Complete the A11 ACT English exam (English section only). The A11 test form is Test #1 in the NEW 2020-2021 ACT Red Book. if you have already taken this section, please use a different test form.
• Optional for students taking September 12th exam (if you are not taking the September 12th exam, then we recommend completing this homework) - Watch the corresponding A11 ACT English real-time test video on YouTube, and make sure you have your own test in front of you. Make sure to take notes on your own test to maximize the next test you take: https://youtu.be/ODHp030cq2o

Friday, September 11th

• For students taking the September 12th exam, Relax and do a little review on the StarU app. Maybe go back and do a few English lesson problems or grammar quizzes to make sure you're staying sharp with your grammar rules.
• For students taking the September 12th exam, Watch Star Tutors Live September ACT Hype Video to get in the right mindset for the next day's exam!
• Optional for students taking September 12th exam (if you are not taking the September 12th exam, then we recommend completing this homework) - Complete the A11 ACT Math exam (Math section only). The A11 test form is Test #1 in the NEW 2020-2021 ACT Red Book. if you have already taken this section, please use a different test form.
• Optional for students taking September 12th exam (if you are not taking the September 12th exam, then we recommend completing this homework) - Watch the corresponding A11 ACT Math real-time test video on YouTube, and make sure you have your own test in front of you. Make sure to take notes on your own test to maximize the next test you take: https://youtu.be/XuJa_0IodLs

Saturday, September 12th

• GOOD LUCK to all students taking the official September 12th ACT Exam!
• For students who are not taking the official exam, join us for a free, virtually proctored practice test on Saturday, September 12th at 8:45am US Pacific.
• Link to virtually proctored practice test live stream - https://youtu.be/M2z7vM7cvtg
• Link to Released ACT Exams - https://www.startutors.net/act-released-exams
• We have corresponding videos of our tutors/students taking certain test forms in real-time, so we encourage you to use one of these test forms if you haven't already taken them. The exams that we have completed (or partially completed) are forms 74F, B04, A11, B02, and 74C.
• After you have completed your exam, you can plug your answers into our ACT Advanced Score Reports, which can be found here: https://www.startutors.net/act-advanced-score-reports-and-scales

Sunday, September 13th

• Break Day - No Prep
• (Or minimal prep, but we highly encourage taking a full break)

Monday, September 14th

• Complete the A11 ACT Reading exam (Reading section only). The A11 test form is Test #1 in the NEW 2020-2021 ACT Red Book. if you have already taken this section, please use a different test form.
• Watch the corresponding A11 ACT Reading real-time test video on YouTube, and make sure you have your own test in front of you. Make sure to take notes on your own test to maximize the next test you take: https://youtu.be/ZNuENdXh1aM

Tuesday, September 15th

• Complete the A11 ACT Science exam (Science section only). The A11 test form is Test #1 in the NEW 2020-2021 ACT Red Book. if you have already taken this section, please use a different test form.
• Watch the corresponding A11 ACT Science real-time test video on YouTube, and make sure you have your own test in front of you. Make sure to take notes on your own test to maximize the next test you take: https://youtu.be/H7ihvc5rI9c

Wednesday, September 16th

• Break Day - No Prep
• (Or minimal prep, but we highly encourage taking a full break)

Thursday, September 17th

• Watch Star Tutors Live Comprehensive ACT Review and AMA for September 19th ACT Exam
• Review specific lesson chapters based on previous results from advanced score reports and/or take two practice sections: one test from your weakest section and one test from your strongest section to make sure your confidence remains high!

Friday, September 18th

• For students taking the September 19th exam, RELAX and do a little review on the StarU app. Maybe go back and do a few English lesson problems or grammar quizzes to make sure you're staying sharp with your grammar rules.
• For students taking the September 19th exam, Watch Star Tutors Live September ACT Hype Video to get in the right mindset for the next day's exam!

Saturday, September 19th

• TEST DAY!!!
• Just remember that you're the same person walking into the test as you are walking out of it. It's still just Saturday, and after you're done, you can forget about this stuff for awhile and just hang with your friends. Plus, if you follow this entire plan, we guarantee your score will go up. So there's nothing to worry about!

As always, we hope all of this helps all of ACT crush it on test day! We are here to help when you need us, and thanks for all of your hard work.
Star Tutors
P.S Sorry if there are any errors with links or dates above. If you see an error, please comment below, and we will make sure to correct it!

Hi ACT -
Please note that in order to maximize your score, there needs to be a balance between studying efficiently vs. studying and getting overwhelmed. For this reason, plan 2 days of breaks each week during your preparation. When completing the lessons, try to spend 2 hours of good, solid work and then be done for the rest of the day. Don't have your phone or computer next to you, which makes a 2-hour study session turn into a 5-hour study session 😃 .
When completing the free lessons on the StarU app, the goal is to get to a point where you answer all of the practice questions from each lesson correctly and know why you answered them correctly. To access each free lesson, just click ACT on the home screen of the app, then click the desired section, and finally, the desired lesson chapter (each lesson chapter has practice questions associated with the lesson). You can track your results for each lesson and practice questions in the "Results" tab in the bottom righthand corner of the app. This will track all progress each time you complete a lesson.
Tuesday, June 23rd - Today

• StarU App Lessons - ACT English - Verb Tense, Subject-Verb Agreement
• StarU App Lesson - ACT Math - Percents

Wednesday, June 24th

• StarU App Lessons - ACT English - Pronouns, Punctuation
• StarU App Lesson - ACT Math - Proportions, Averages (medians and modes)

Thursday, June 25th

• Break Day - No Prep
• (Or minimal prep, but we highly encourage taking a full break)

Friday, June 26th

• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Grammar Quiz #1
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Math - Exponents, Arithmetic Word Problems

Saturday, June 27th

• Full ACT Practice Test - Join us for a free, virtually proctored practice test on Saturday at 8:45am US Pacific
• Link to virtually proctored practice test live stream - https://youtu.be/_XSRviVyqDQ
• Link to Released ACT Exams - https://www.startutors.net/act-released-exams
• We have corresponding videos of our tutors/students taking certain test forms in real-time, so we encourage you to use one of these test forms if you haven't already taken them. The exams that we have completed (or partially completed) are forms 74F, B04, A11, B02, and 74C.
• After you have completed your exam, you can plug your answers into our ACT Advanced Score Reports, which can be found here: https://www.startutors.net/act-advanced-score-reports-and-scales

Sunday, June 28th

• Break Day - No Prep
• (Or minimal prep, but we highly encourage taking a full break)

Monday, June 29th

• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Run-ons, Misplaced Words
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Math - Basic Algebra, Algebraic Word Problems
• Watch the corresponding ACT English real-time test video on YouTube, and make sure you have your own test from the previous Saturday in front of you. Please only watch one video per day to make sure you don't get burned out, but when viewing that one video, make sure to take notes on your own test to maximize the next test you take: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMCyVHDrYxTBtzSbJNGj2ig

Tuesday, June 30th

• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Grammar Quiz #2
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Math - Pick Tricks
• Watch the corresponding ACT Math real-time test video on YouTube, and make sure you have your own test from the previous Saturday in front of you. Please only watch one video per day to make sure you don't get burned out, but when viewing that one video, make sure to take notes on your own test to maximize the next test you take: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMCyVHDrYxTBtzSbJNGj2ig

Wednesday, July 1st

• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Grammar Quiz #2
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Math - Factoring, Simultaneous Equations
• Watch the corresponding ACT Reading real-time test video on YouTube, and make sure you have your own test from the previous Saturday in front of you. Please only watch one video per day to make sure you don't get burned out, but when viewing that one video, make sure to take notes on your own test to maximize the next test you take: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMCyVHDrYxTBtzSbJNGj2ig

Thursday, July 2nd

• Break Day - No Prep
• (Or minimal prep, but we highly encourage taking a full break)

Friday, July 3rd

• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Consider looking at the ACT English Advanced Content if you feel like you are ready and have mastered the previous lessons. Otherwise, continue to go back and perfect the lessons where you need the most improvement. You can figure out which lessons represent your weaker subjects based on the advanced score report from the previous Saturday's practice test.
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Math - Geometry Introduction, Area/Perimeter
• Watch the corresponding ACT Science real-time test video on YouTube, and make sure you have your own test from the previous Saturday in front of you. Please only watch one video per day to make sure you don't get burned out, but when viewing that one video, make sure to take notes on your own test to maximize the next test you take: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMCyVHDrYxTBtzSbJNGj2ig

Saturday, July 4th

• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Consider looking at the ACT English Advanced Content if you feel like you are ready and have mastered the previous lessons. Otherwise, continue to go back and perfect the lessons where you need the most improvement. You can figure out which lessons represent your weaker subjects based on the advanced score report from the previous Saturday's practice test.
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Math - Triangles, Angles
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Reading - Reading Introduction, Context, Answering the Questions

Sunday, July 5th

• Break Day - No Prep
• (Or minimal prep, but we highly encourage taking a full break)

Monday, July 6th

• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Consider looking at the ACT English Advanced Content if you feel like you are ready and have mastered the previous lessons. Otherwise, continue to go back and perfect the lessons where you need the most improvement. You can figure out which lessons represent your weaker subjects based on the advanced score report from the previous Saturday's practice test.
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Math - Lines, Coordinates
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Reading - Direct Questions (Very important question type on the ACT Reading section)
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Science - Science Introduction

Tuesday, July 7th

• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Consider looking at the ACT English Advanced Content if you feel like you are ready and have mastered the previous lessons. Otherwise, continue to go back and perfect the lessons where you need the most improvement. You can figure out which lessons represent your weaker subjects based on the advanced score report from the previous Saturday's practice test.
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Math - Basic Trigonometry, Basic Functions
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Reading - Extended Reasoning, Purpose Questions
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Science - Graph Basic, New information

Wednesday, July 8th

• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Consider looking at the ACT English Advanced Content if you feel like you are ready and have mastered the previous lessons. Otherwise, continue to go back and perfect the lessons where you need the most improvement. You can figure out which lessons represent your weaker subjects based on the advanced score report from the previous Saturday's practice test.
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Math - Arithmetic Worksheet #1
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Reading - Main Idea, Tone Questions
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Science - Trends

Thursday, July 9th

• Break Day - No Prep
• (Or minimal prep, but we highly encourage taking a full break)

Friday, July 10th

• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Take practice English test B02 (if you have already taken this section, please use a different test form)
• StarU App Lessons - ACT Science - Data Representation Passages

Saturday, July 11th

• Full ACT Practice Test - Join us for a free, virtually proctored practice test on Saturday at 8:45am US Pacific
• Link to virtually proctored practice test live stream - https://youtu.be/E5g1avhjZm4
• Link to Released ACT Exams - https://www.startutors.net/act-released-exams
• We have corresponding videos of our tutors/students taking certain test forms in real-time, so we encourage you to use one of these test forms if you haven't already taken them. The exams that we have completed (or partially completed) are forms 74F, B04, A11, B02, and 74C.
• After you have completed your exam, you can plug your answers into our ACT Advanced Score Reports, which can be found here: https://www.startutors.net/act-advanced-score-reports-and-scales

Sunday, July 12th

• Break Day - No Prep
• (Or minimal prep, but we highly encourage taking a full break)

Monday, July 13th

• Watch the corresponding ACT English real-time test video on YouTube, and make sure you have your own test from the previous Saturday in front of you. Please only watch one video per day to make sure you don't get burned out, but when viewing that one video, make sure to take notes on your own test to maximize the next test you take: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMCyVHDrYxTBtzSbJNGj2ig
• StarU App Lesson - ACT English - Take practice English test A11 (if you have already taken this section, please use a different test form)

Tuesday, July 14th

• Watch the corresponding ACT Math real-time test video on YouTube, and make sure you have your own test from the previous Saturday in front of you. Please only watch one video per day to make sure you don't get burned out, but when viewing that one video, make sure to take notes on your own test to maximize the next test you take: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMCyVHDrYxTBtzSbJNGj2ig
• StarU App Lesson - ACT Math - Take practice Math test A11 (if you have already taken this section, please use a different test form)

Wednesday, July 15th

• Watch the corresponding ACT Reading real-time test video on YouTube, and make sure you have your own test from the previous Saturday in front of you. Please only watch one video per day to make sure you don't get burned out, but when viewing that one video, make sure to take notes on your own test to maximize the next test you take: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMCyVHDrYxTBtzSbJNGj2ig
• StarU App Lesson - ACT Reading - Take practice Reading test A11 (if you have already taken this section, please use a different test form)

Thursday, July 16th

• Watch the corresponding ACT Science real-time test video on YouTube, and make sure you have your own test from the previous Saturday in front of you. Please only watch one video per day to make sure you don't get burned out, but when viewing that one video, make sure to take notes on your own test to maximize the next test you take: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMCyVHDrYxTBtzSbJNGj2ig
• StarU App Lesson - ACT Science - Take practice Science test A11 (if you have already taken this section, please use a different test form)
• Watch Star Tutors Live Comprehensive ACT Review and AMA for July ACT Exam
• Link to ACT Review Live Stream - https://youtu.be/qVFCUd6Wau4

Friday, July 17th

• Relax and do a little review on the StarU app. Maybe go back and do a few English lesson problems or grammar quizzes to make sure you're staying sharp with your grammar rules.
• Watch Star Tutors Live July ACT Hype Video to get in the right mindset for the next day's exam!
• Link to ACT Hype Live Stream - https://youtu.be/xDcOuzmRXD4

Saturday, July 18th

• TEST DAY babayyyyyyyyyy
• Just remember that you're the same person walking into the test as you are walking out of it. It's still just Saturday, and now you can forget about this stuff for awhile and just hang with your friends. Plus, if you follow this entire plan, we guarantee your score will go up. So there's nothing to worry about!

​
As always, we hope all of this helps all of ACT crush it on test day! We are here to help when you need us, and thanks for all of your hard work.
Star Tutors
​
P.S Sorry if there are any errors with links or dates above. If you see an error, please comment below, and we will make sure to correct it!

Hey Everyone,
I just took the Aptitude test for Local Union here on the Central Coast of CA. This was my second time taking the test. I first took it back in 2018. So I’m making this post I might have some handy in formation on what you should read up, also I do have a question which I’ll get too. Bare with me here, I’m doing my best, I’ll explain what I can. It might get a little confusing but if it does, hopefully you can still understand the point I am trying to make. Also note I passed algebra in High School, and re took a class back in 2013. I basically forgot everything except the simple stuff, Orders of Operations, PEMDAS, Exponents....etc. So within the past two weeks I basically retaught myself algebra.
First off questions I saw on the math section, the first few questions were identifying number Patterns. One in particular I remember starting off like 3, 21....etc. Essentially it was dropping down every 3 numbers, or something similar to that.
The next questions were ones that I’m actually trying to identify because I struggled in this section. It would read an equation like R=3/S+2 and would give you A, B, C, D answers. The answers would be R is equal if not greater than 3/S+2 or something vise versa. I completely missed all of these equations. Right now I’m trying to figure out exactly what those were so I can come back and edit this.
Next questions were Linear Equations/Polynomials and Equations where you would input the value’s given. These were actually pretty easy and there were a fair amount of those equations. Also their was linear systems that were in fraction and decimal form. Also get familiar with Literal Equations!
After was graphing methods that gave you A, B, C, D answers that looked like Linear Equations. I wish I had more information on that but unfortunately my half witted brain is still trying comprehend a lot of these system names. I didn’t complete the math section do too having I want to say 45 Minutes to do 33 problems. I also got stuck on a lot of problems.
As of the comprehension part of the test. It was fairly easy. It covered 4 topics: Tea Tree Oil, Doppler Effect, How a Star is Born, and about Water, how unique it is. Each question, you were able to find the answer within the text. The hardest one was the Doppler Effect for me, I had to go back re-read a lot of it. Just pay attention while reading, and also look for keywords. Each keyword in the question was in the text and it gave you your answer.
Personally I think I might of failed again, but I did the smart thing by going to my car at the break period after the test and wrote down what kind of equations I was doing so I could study it more.
Also I used these two reddit post to look into what I needed to freshen up. These basically nailed it and covered everything
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.reddit.com/electricians/comments/890jc3/just_took_the_ibew_252_aptitude_test/
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.reddit.com/electricians/comments/2t3x3z/what_to_study_for_ibew_apprentice_math_test/
Also this post:
http://ibew99.org/sites/ibew99.org/files/aptitude_test_prep.pdf
Here’s a few things i suggest, if it seems to complicated to be on an Aptitude test, it probably isn’t going to be on the test. Also YouTube will be your best friend. I watched a lot of Khan Academy, but if his videos weren’t making sense, I watched The Organic Chemistry Teacher and it usually helped.
Also give yourself worksheets. After every subject, give yourself 10-20 Problems and practice them! This is crucial, if you think you’ll remember how to do them, you won’t. I wasted a whole week studying and not giving myself worksheets. I literally forgot how to do almost everything I learned. The worksheets definitely help get everything set in stone! Kutasoftware was extremely helpful with that part.
Another thing is make sure you go through each step of algebra, work your way up. Don’t go from multiplying decimals straight to Quadratic Equations. I tried doing so and I was lost. There was a lot of stuff in between that would help you understand the more difficult stuff.
If your taking your test in a month, don’t wait till the last week. Start now and focus on it every single day you can. This will become extremely helpful.
Now my closing statement: I can do the electrical work, I know I can do the schooling. Just getting past this test is so damn hard! I’m hoping this becomes useful for anyone that can’t find the right information. I needed this post two weeks ago, so I’m hoping this helps you if you’re in need!

LONG POST FOR THE ANXIOUS
extra details provided by comments added in the end
*disclaimer: *as you can see from my post history i haven't taken 330/351 yet or any upper level cs courses. Thats why this is just part one so ill probably post a part 2,3, and 4 as i keep on swimming. Also, if any other fellow cs majors have anything to add to prepare our incoming children then please comment it and ill edit it at the top of the post. also do that if i made a mistake somewhere (besides grammar lol)
CMSC131 (intro to OOP): this is the first class you will take as a cs undergrad or an aspiring cs major. (idk if theres like another class to take that fulfills this requirement but if there is one that you know of please comment it so people will know). In this class you will learn basic concepts in object-oriented programming. The class is taught in java using eclipse IDE. Now for anyone with 0 programming knowledge, there will be a rough learning curve in the beginning. youll probably move from thinking along the lines of "dna is the blueprint of an organism" to "a class is the blueprint of an object? tf is an object? what is initializing? tf is going on" but this is only in like the first two weeks at which point you either wont care becuase you have a basic idea of how one might use an "object" or youll grasp the concept and know how. As for professors, absolutely hands dont take it with professor NELSON. infact, any class you can take with NELSON take it with NELSON. Projects arent too bad and if you really needed to you can finish them in one or two days depending on how much of a coding god you are but only do this in dire situations. If you are failing this class, no problem. Try again. if you failed the second time, then this major may not sit well with you. but if you still want to get into the tech industry try information science.
CMSC132 ( Java part 2: electric boogaloo): i took this course over the summer with ANWAR MAMAT. Hes an alright prof who teaches well and gives fair exams and projects but can be kind of a dick sometimes so just dont get on his nerves in class and itll be smooth sailing. the projects were once again not bad and not that difficult but def start as early as possible. exams were also fair. the conceptual side of this class is basically learning different ways to manipulate code in java to store data efficiently and learn efficient search and sort algorithms STUFF TAUGHT: linked lists (single, double, circular), Binary search trees, stacks and queues, Graphs, recursion HARDEST SHIT: using recursion to search for shit in graphs
CMSC216 ( C u later amirite): PROFESSOR: LARRY HERMAN DO NOT TAKE SHANKAR HES A DICK STUFF TAUGHT: C programming (important functions and basics pretty much like cmsc131), Assembly language, memory allocation, UNIX commands and how that file system works EXPERIENCE: This class will be harder than the last two programming classes. Why? first- you feel like you are finally comfy with java and eclipse but now? you need to code without an IDE that will highlight your mistakes for you. You will no longer have the luxury of having Mr.Computer tell u where ur missing curly brace or semicolon or misspelled variable name is. you will need to learn how to use debuggers (recommended for last two classes too). On top of that, you will have to learn how memory works in greater detail and make code that uses memory efficiently and since its a new concept and you dont actually see the memory in a computer being use, it might be a hard concept to visualize and understand. in the final few weeks of the semester, you will learn Assembly language and especially how to convert C code to assembly. Assembly is going to hard at first and very annoying bc its another brand new topic but then once it clicks in your brain itll be far easier. (PROFESSOR) Larry Herman is quite the character. I never made him mad personally so he just geeked me the whole semester . Hes really annoying about having phones in lecture and about sitting as close to the front as u can (he will call u out if u come in to class late or are socially awkward and chose to sit in the last row and make u move to a closer seat). Besides that, hes a great professor and teaches well. the discussion sections in this class are insanely helpful. why? this class is harder than the previous two classes. The EXAMS are fair enough however, the exams and projects are very harshly graded and a small mistake could mean dropping a grade letter on an exam. therefore youll need to be sure you completely understand what the concepts on exams and DOUBLE CHECK ur answers bc youll be massively blown when u see ur exam and u made a dumbass mistake and you hate you dumbass self for not sleeping last night so your dumbass self made a stupid fucking mistake and got a B but you deserve an A bc you are way smarter than the other tards in the class. The (PROJECTS) get progressively more difficult. If you got by in 131/132 by learning the shit as you code, youll have to change that and learn your shit before you code. C and Assembly are just not as straightforward as Java so if u code and learn at the same time youll want to kill yourself. the material itself isnt that hard to understand but the issue is when it comes to applying it. Just go to class lol ur not a freshman anymore at this point u gotta be a big boy and go to class. If not discussion at least at the bare minimum for the love of god please read the textbook and look at lecture slides and examples programs from lecture and make sure youre fucking on top of that shit motherfucker.
CMSC250 (Discrete Math): PROFESSOR: Jason Fillopou. this guy means well. he is from greece and he is young and likes memes and really does want his students to do well and pass and succeed. BUT (oh no he said but) he is a bad teacher. Its either that or the class is just hard but when u have a bad teacher its hard to tell the difference. STUFF TAUGHT: this class is all based on mathematical proofs. Its heavily reliant on algebra and assumes that your algebra skills are strong and you can manipulate expressions and equations so you can bend them to work with you (expansing sigma notation, binomial/polynomials, exponents) real basic stuff but if you suck at math then youll suck at this class. The next biggest thing is actually understanding the logic behind doing a proof and when you would use those proofs to prove different things. If you dont go to class and just look at lecture slides and videos you should be fine bc he records his class HOWEVER hes really annoying with LECTURE WORKSHEETS in which he tells students they are graded for 100% participation but grades them for accuracy anyways so yeah go to class for the participation points for sure bc youll need all the percentage points you can get. The EXAMS in this class are graded rather harshly. As you might know proofs are a series of sequential steps that show how u proved something. if your initial reasoning is wrong or made an algebra mistake in one of the first steps, jason will absolutely wreck your butt cheeks. USE THE HOMEWORKS TO STUDY FOR A TEST AND GO TO THE CLASS BEFORE AN EXAM AT ALL COSTS AND PRACTICE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN AT ALL COSTS.
MATH140 (calculus I)- If you took AP calculus in high school youll find that this class is just the first half of AP Calculus A/B. if thats the case then youll be fine in this class and i recommend taking it even if you got AP credit because its an easy 4.0 on your transcript. Just practice to refresh your skills before an exam and do your homework on time. If you didnt take AP calc in high school then you will need to go to class for this one. on top of that, after class before doing the hw try reading the textbook too bc if u didnt get it in class the textbook often makes it easier to understand but class is also essential so you can see someone work out the problems. Do homework but also do a fuck ton of practice before an exam. Math classes require hella practice.
MATH141 ( calculus II) if you took AP Calc or didnt in Hs see above. Same shit. different semester. Harder math if you fall behind
Stat400 - This class is easy if you stay on top of shit. My professor was all right (TIMOTHY PILACHOWSKI). He let us have cheat sheets and a calculator for the exams. I highly recommend reading the textbook and skipping this class tho bc its just that easy. His exams were essentially photocopies of his past exams but different numbers which you can find in the link below. But yeah this class is insanely easy just dont make the mistake of not attending discussion either. Not bc its helpful bc of teaching but they have weekly quizzes that are significantly weighted and i made the habit of skipping stat all together and highly regret skipping discussion bc they were easy points.
upper level electives: take whatever u want idc lol but PSYC classes are easiest but you will need to do the pre reqs such as psyc100, 200, and 300 to get to the good classes but there are still other psyc classes probs u can take by just taking psyc100. I suggest taking some 100 level courses that also fill your gen ed requirements and if you like a class then go ahead and take the next level class and if u like that too then i highly recommend choosing a minor in that discipline. only bc at the point where u finish all the lower level courses for a certain field then take the 12 upper level classes for CS then you'll only have like 2 or 3 classes to get the minor. you put in all that work already. why not have neuroscience on your degree and resume next to computer science?
So bottom lines - take nelson, take larry, practice, dont let other ppl scare you when they are complaining how hard a class is and how they are failing. if you go into a class and believe youll fail youre setting urself up for failure. instead just be like lol ur dumb and go into the class expecting new material and that itll be an abrasive learning curve but youll get the hang of it if you are doing above the bare minimums. If you strive for the bare minimum you are at greater risk to score lower than the bare minimum to pass the class
TESTBANK : this is provided by umd its not cheating its a resource
https://www-math.umd.edu/testbank.html
goodluck
edit (by u/auresylie ) Pretty accurate. I found 216 to be easier than 131/132 tbh. just took 216 last semester so I can give more input on that. Gonna go into detail bc Larry said he’s scheduled to teach 216 next fall again so I hope this will be useful then lol. Definitely do take the class with Larry; best lecturer(cos he’s not a professor apparently) I’ve had at UMD so far. I really enjoyed his lectures and he prepares you well for the exams. He also gives out chocolate and occasionally shows videos of cute animals, so there’s that lol. He’ll also repeat certain information 3-4 times during lecture and that’s a hint you should write it down bc it’s likely to be tested. The practice exams he gives are generally harder than the actual exam and pretty representative of the actual exam material. MC sections are tricky bc C has a lot of—annoying—quirks you just have to know—my best tip is to study the slides for the MC section. Projects are also reasonable and project descriptions are suuupeeer detailed. If you thoroughly read the project description you’re 90% likely to pass all/most of the secret tests. If you’re not careful, the majority of the points you lose on projects will probably be from style(there’s a strict style guide you have to follow). Assembly is also ridiculously easy to learn and only 5-10% of the class. He’ll also say that you need to read the book, but you really don’t need to read the book to get an A.
edit (by u/moymoymoy96 ) Another easy upper lvl is Geography. If you’re into maps then def do this. You don’t need any prerequisite for the 300&amp;amp;400 lvl classes plus a they have programming courses as well. Also if you already took stat400 then you can use that for Geog306
edit (by u/AmusingLion99) paraphrasing: Larry Herman requires you to read certain chapters when he doesnt have time to go through it in class so youll have to read it bc ut will 100% be on the exam
edit: i learned how to format lol

Monday morning I am teaching my first lesson as part of my student teaching. I will be teaching this lesson to the lowest level algebra I class and have to submit my lesson plan tomorrow. The topic is integer exponents and I decided to use a foldable for an interactive notebook so that the students can keep it as a reference and they will have something to create. I have written quite a few lesson plans, but actually deciding the logistics with a real group of students has been a bit difficult. There is a lot that goes into making the foldable and I want to make sure that the students are focusing on the content. Any advice on how to keep a class of 25 freshmen reasonably on task?
Edit: Thank you all so much for the advice! The lesson today went great. I cut out the foldables before class, so all the students had to do was fill them out as I taught and glue the center to a piece of paper. I think this saved me a big chunk of time and made the room less chaotic. I was surprised by how engaged the students were during the lesson. This probably had a lot to do with the fact that my cooperating teacher moved a few seats and somebody else was teaching. They also completed the follow-up worksheet with an average score of 80%! There were a few times where students would ask me where they were supposed to write something seconds after I explained it, but if that is the worst that happened, I'd call today a success!