Lifestyle

Things to Keep in Mind before Starting SAT Preps

Published

4 years ago

June 9, 2021

SAT is an entry-level exam used by most colleges and universities to make admission decisions. The SATsare multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper test created and administered by the College Board.

Many high school students take the SAT, ACT, or both during the spring of their junior year or fall of their senior year. You should know that it is important to leave time to re-take the test if you need to raise your score before you apply to college. The SAT exam is held multiple times around the year; in March, May, June, August, October, November, and December.

You can never spend too much time preparing for the SATs. Some students spend months, while others try to finish preps in a couple of weeks. To know how long you need, it’s a good idea to take a free practice test available from the College Board and see how much you score. You can compare the total score and your section scores with to the scores of the schools you plan on applying to. The lower your score is compared to the school scores, the more time you should spend studying and preparing.

Of course, you should know that strategy matters when it comes to making the most of your test preparations. Here are a few tips and tricks to help you get started.

First of all, understand the basics. The SAT length is 3 hours, you get additional plus 50 minutes for taking an optional Essay.

SAT is divided into three sections which are Mathematics, Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Essay writing (optional).

SAT costs around $46 and $60 if also choose to take the essay test as well.

Moving forward, many students think that if they experience any test anxiety, then they are doomed to poor test performance. It is very normal to experience some level of anxiety when preparing for SATs. Anxiety is a part of the fight-or-flight response which helps you focusing and thinkingquickly. Instead of trying to get rid of your anxiety, you should keep a more balanced approach and don’t let the anxiety get to the point of panic as there’s no need to overly control your emotions.

Another great tip is that if you’re like most students at the start of their test prep journey, then you have a lot of different areas you could improve in. Anyhow, you should be zeroing in on a few key concepts and mastering them rather than trying to understand little bits of many things. By progressing through concepts one at a time, you’ll see more improvements in your score.

One more tip is that knowing math facts can help you solve questions quickly &efficiently, especially since you’ll likely be using at least some pencil and paper to find answers. It is recommended to students to review and brush up, include exponent rules and the common squares and cubes of numbers.

The Writing & Language Test is not only about testing your knowledge of grammar, but it makes up a big portion of it. The Standard English Conventions sub-score is based on 20 out of 44 questions, or about 5 questions per passage, and it is the canon-calculator sub-score to work on. There are many short books available at public libraries, or you can find grammar lessons online to help you as well.

Back to the mathematics test, many of these tips also apply to the Math with Calculator portion, but because they greatly improve your performance on the no-calculator portion, you should follow them.

Calculators allow you to easily work with decimals, so many of the no-calculator questions use fractions specifically. You should feel comfortable rewriting fractions, finding the least common denominators, and how to divide fractions

You should choose single-digit numbers or numbers like 10. You should not choose 1, because 1 has special mathematical properties that can lead you with two “correct” answers.

The fact that there are concepts and vocabulary terms needed to be memorized, Mathematics mirrors other subjects as well. Along with these, you must often know formulas. It is useful and recommended to make flashcards with the aforementioned terminologies to help remember them.

There are many coaching and classes available that can help you prepare for the SATs if you’re not able to study on your own. One such initiative is taken by the Randolph Foundation.

The Randolph Foundation strives to provide students with a high-quality education so that they can excel in their career paths. The Randolph Learning Center offers students an interactive space to study with all their needs as well.

Lifestyle

Why Classical Dance Is Thriving on Instagram

Published

6 days ago

April 28, 2025

Michelle Langton

For centuries, classical dance forms like Bharatanatyam and Kathak have been treasured for their elegance, complexity, and storytelling prowess. But in recent years, these age-old traditions have found an unlikely stage: Instagram. From intricate mudras to rhythmic footwork, young dancers are captivating audiences worldwide, all in the span of a 60-second reel.

So, what’s fueling this revival of classical dance on a platform known for trends, filters, and viral challenges?

Instagram, with its visual-first format, has become an ideal space for artists to share their craft. Classical dance, rich in visual storytelling, translates beautifully into bite-sized performances that are accessible and engaging for modern audiences.

“Reels are short enough to grab attention but long enough to convey the essence of a classical piece,” says one of Spardha’s dance teachers, actively creating dance videos for the Instagram page of Spardha School of Music and Dance, an online platform for performing arts education. “You don’t need an elaborate stage or hours of performance; a simple backdrop and good lighting can bring your art to life.”

On Instagram, young dancers bring a fresh approach to traditional art. They skillfully blend classical compositions with trending audio tracks, often choreographing pieces that resonate with younger audiences.

These videos show how classical dance can be relevant in today’s world as young artists reinterpret popular songs in classical style. Such performances respect the tradition, make it accessible to a larger audience by making classical dance relatable.

Social media has also given classical dancers something they’ve never had before: a global audience. Platforms like Instagram allow Indian artists to reach audiences in the U.S., Europe, and beyond, fostering cultural exchange and appreciation.

And the feedback loop is immediate. Unlike traditional performances, which are confined to auditoriums and limited audiences, Instagram reels receive likes, comments, and shares in real time, creating a sense of community and encouraging more engagement.

The rise of online platforms for learning music and dance like Spardha School of Music and Dance has further fueled this trend. Spardha provides structured lessons in classical dance forms like Bharatnatyam and Kathak, and even Bollywood, making them accessible to young learners regardless of their location.

“Many of our students have taken what they’ve learned and showcased it online,” says a representative from Spardha. “It’s incredible to see them not just learn the art but also innovate and present it in ways that inspire others.”

By offering online classes, Spardha ensures that classical dance is no longer restricted to physical studios, enabling dancers to connect with their culture through dance no matter where they are in the world.

The success of classical dance on Instagram lies in its ability to blend heritage with modernity. The younger generation, armed with smartphones and a passion for preserving their roots, is making classical dance both aspirational and accessible.

Dance has always been about expression, and Instagram is just a new way of reaching people.