By Jessica Brondo of The Edge

Holiday break is just about to start and while it is the perfect time to relax and take a break from work and studying, it is also an excellent time to get a jumpstart on test prep for the SAT, ACT, and SAT IIs. Below are the top 5 things you can be doing this break (if you’re a high school junior):

1. Meet with an instructor to review your PSAT results

This will not only give you a better idea of your weakest areas, but will also give you information on why you got certain questions wrong and how your PSAT score translates into an SAT score.

2. Take a practice ACT exam.

This will give you an idea of which test is more suitable for you. If your score on one test (the PSAT or ACT) is drastically higher than the other, you should probably consider focusing your studies on just one exam.

3. Make a testing timetable and register for your tests.

It is a great idea to decided when you’re going to take your SAT and/or ACT now and register for them in advance so you don’t have to worry about being a standby or late registration fees.

4. Start looking at schools.

Now is a great time to start researching schools in various books to get a sense of the type of students at each school. Then when you’ve decided which schools you like, you can make plans to visit these schools during the spring.

5. Chat with your friends who were seniors last year who are home on break.

This will give you great insight into what they like about school and what they don’t. If their school sounds appealing, you might want to ask them if you can come visit in the spring.

Enjoy the holidays!

To get you in the spirit of the holidays, we thought we’d share some inspired Brainypics with y’all. Enjoy!

choreography (n) - the arrangement of dances

Enervate (v) - To weaken or deprive of strength

Sanguine (adj) - Cheerfully optimistic, hopeful, or confident

Compress (v) - To press together into smaller space

Aghast (adj) - Struck with terror and amazement

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P.S. – We’re starting our video contest on January 1st. Submissions are open til March 15. Go here for more details: http://brainyflix.com/main/contest_rules

Remember that teacher who said, “There are no dumb questions”? Well, she was wrong.  I occasionally answer questions on Yahoo Answers just to be a nice person in case there’s anything to that karma notion, but sometimes the questions are so foolish that I can’t believe someone asked.  I politely answer but then the next day, someone else asks.  I answer, a bit more tersely.  Then a week later, someone else asks that same question.  So I’m writing the answers here in the hope that they google the question and find the answer.

Here are a few of the dumber questions, with the answers:

1. Are these PSAT scores good?

Questioners on Yahoo Answers ask that every day — actually, several times a day.  My answer is always, “Are they good for Harvard? No.  Are they good for community college?  Sure.  Are they good if you’re an honors student getting A+ in everything?  Nope.  Are they good if you’re flunking out of high school?  Probably.”  The question really means, “Can I take the SATs without doing any more prep?”  And the answer is get out a prep book and start working, you lazy bum!

2. I missed the deadline for sending my SAT scores to colleges.  Can I still send them?

The answer is a deadline is a deadline.  That’s why they call it a deadline.  You didn’t do it – now you’re dead.  Figuratively speaking.

3.  My PSATs are really bad.  Can I improve?

Haven’t you seen all those ads for SAT prep classes?  Do you think they’d offer them if people couldn’t improve?  One complaint that academicians have against the SATs is that rich people have a huge advantage because to a small degree classes help but to a greater degree private tutoring helps.  I’ve tutored kids who have gone up 250 points in one category alone.  More common are increases of 50 -100 points in each category.  So yes, read some suggestions on this blog, go to a class, hire a tutor and you can and will improve.

4.  How do I send my scores to colleges?

If you can’t read the instructions on the website, you’re probably not ready for college.  Both the SAT website and the ACT website give very clear directions on how to order official copies of your scores to send to colleges.  You need a credit card and the name of each school or program that you want to get your scores.  They send all previous scores unless you block specific dates or tests.

5.  The college admissions website says I need to have the College Board send my scores, but they’re on my application.  Do I still need to pay to have the College Board send them?

Yup, that’s why the website says to have the College Board send them.  The first college test is if you can follow the application directions.  And you could put anything on that application.  Your guidance department might put the wrong scores on your transcript.  It’s going to cost a fortune to get through college.  It will cost less than $100 to send your scores to your schools.  Just do it.

6. Are the SATs harder than the PSATs?

Why not take a practice SAT and find out, you lazy bum?  There is a free SAT on the College Board website. Sit down and take it timed and you’ll have a reasonable idea if the SATs are harder than the PSATs.  People are different, but most consider the SATs much harder than the PSATs, so don’t get too excited by your decent PSAT scores.  The SATs are longer.  There’s an extra year of math.  The reading selections are longer and more boring.  There’s more difficult vocabulary, both in the sentence completion questions and embedded in the reading selections.  And don’t forget that there’s an essay on the SATs.

7.  I’m a senior and I’m taking my SATs for the first time next week.  What can I do to prepare?

No, I’m not kidding.  Before every SAT, this question is asked by several people, usually followed by a growing string of exclamation and question marks as the test gets closer.  If the test is a day or two away, I usually suggest they look for schools that don’t require any standardized tests.   I also recommend they read the March 2009 entries to this blog (this one and this one) which contain last-minute hints, like bringing plenty of candy and iced tea to the test, changing the calculator batteries, and wearing a watch.  Hey, you too can read all the suggestions — why am I repeating them here?

8.  My grades are really awful.  Can good SATs or ACTs overcome a bad GPA?

No.  Let me say that another way:  NO.  Unless you have a very unusual and serious reason for low grades (a hospitalized parent, frequent moves to different high schools, a documented mental or physical health issue), colleges care more about how you do in your classes over a period of time and the rigor of those classes (you know that photography isn’t as impressive as honors physics, right?) than they do about how you did on your SATs.  Get off the internet and start studying for that U.S. history exam!

9.  Can I get into [name of college] with these SATs?

Why are you asking random strangers?  Go to princetonreview.com and see what the average SATs are for colleges you’re interested in.  Understand, though, that colleges are looking for much, much more than a good SAT score.  They want kids who will fit in with their school’s atmosphere, who will add to what they already have at the school.  They want kids with intelligence, ambition, concern for the wider world, an upbeat attitude, an interest in sports, a willingness to volunteer, an ability to lead — you  have all that, right?

10. A college I’m interested in is coming to my high school.  Do I have to go to that meeting?

My, you are lazy!  If you have a school or two or ten that you’d like to check out, the more contacts you make with that school, the better.  Sign up for information on their website.  See their reps at college fairs.  Talk to their admissions counselors when they show up at your school.  Call the admissions office to ask questions for which you can’t find answers on their website.  Take advantage of the opportunity to visit the campus.

———-

Do you have a dumb question you want to ask? Go ahead. I’ll try to answer without being snide.  And I promise I won’t put your name on a future edition of “Dumbest Questions.”

Wendy Segal

By Jessica Brondo of The Edge

The class of 2009 had the most college-bound students taking the SAT in history. The College Board proclaimed in its 2009 Press Release on August 25, 2009 that a record 1,530,128 students in the class of 2009 took the SAT, which continues to be the most widely used standardized college admission test. This represents more than an 8 percent increase over the last five years and a 30 percent increase over the past decade.” This number is likely to increase each year as a result of the ease of online applications, aggressive recruiting, and demographics. The increase in the number of applicants only makes the college admissions process more competitive, thus making SAT scores even more important.

Despite the swell in the number of students taking the SAT, SAT scores are at their “lowest level in over a decade.” According to data released by the College Board on Total Group Mean SAT Scores from 1972-2009, the average reading score was a 501 out of a possible 800, which is the lowest since 1994 when it was a 499, and average mathematics score was a 515, the lowest since 2001 when it was a 514, and the average writing score is the lowest since it was introduced in 2006.

However, what is most interesting is that students who have done some form of preparation have higher SAT scores than those who don’t. Despite what people might be telling you about how test prep is sometimes not effective, good prep really is helpful. The Edge offers the most effective and efficient program for score improvement and our average score improvements have eclipsed those of our competitors for that past four years. Our average score improvement for the SAT is 260 points and our average score improvement for the ACT is 4.5 points. For the month of December, The Edge will be offering complimentary strategy sessions to review students PSAT results and develop a manageable testing timetable for 2010.

For more information contact The Edge at 877-499-EDGE or email us at info@edgeincollegeprep.com.

Root-doot-doot-doot-da-doot! 10 weeks and 3,818 Brainypics later (whoa), we have our 10 Runners up and our Grand Prize Winner, as selected by our panel of judges. Ooohhh~ The Runners Up shall receive iTunes gift cards, and of course, our winner has won $200 to be split with his or her school.

#10 RUNNER UP – babyblue_456

ABSTAIN (v) - To hold oneself back voluntarily

#9 RUNNER UP – elgringoalex

Avenge (v) - to seek revenge

#8 RUNNER UP – kris_kidd

CLANDESTINE (adj) - Surreptitious; kept or done in secret

#7 RUNNER UP – drewprice11

gratuitous (adj): Unnecessary; free, voluntary; without reason or cause

#6 RUNNER UP – countrymusiclover

lethargic (adj): sluggish, weary, apathetic

#5 RUNNER UP – jberestovoy

LEWD - (adj) Obscene or indecent; characterized by lust or lasciviousness

#4 RUNNER UP – Marina

ABNEGATION - (noun) denial of comfort to oneself

#3 RUNNER UP – matchmanmatt

ACERBIC (adj) - Biting, bitter in tone or taste

#2 RUNNER UP – vazquezd

BELLIGERENT - (adj) Warlike; given to waging war

#1 RUNNER UP – bott_geneseohs

despondent (adj): Discouraged; disheartened

$200 GRAND PRIZE WINNER…

COERCE (v) - To force to think or behave in a certain way by use of pressure or intimidation (specifically, by one person to one or more others)

Congratulations, JKollar!

And props to our Runner Ups and Finalists. Our judges struggled greatly choosing amongst your hilarious (and weird) work ;]

Thanks again, everybody! Your participation has resulted in a fun and free resource that will now help others. And hopefully you learned and had fun making Brainypics, too.

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P.S. – Starting January 1 of next year, we will begin our:

Brainyflix Video Contest

Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah. To learn more about how you can win the $600 Grand Prize, go to http://brainyflix.com/main/contest_rules

By Jessica Brondo of The Edge

The holidays are now upon us and I’m sure you have a lot on your plate between holiday parties, New Year’s plans, shopping, cookie-making, and the list goes on, but you might have received something in the mail this week that is probably a little more daunting than a Christmas card: PSAT scores from the College Board!

It must seem like ages ago since you took the PSAT back in October, and you might not have been thinking about the test at all since then, so it’s only natural that it’s a little overwhelming to figure out exactly what the scores mean.

Significance of the Score
The PSAT, while formatted similar to the SAT, is merely a practice for the actual SAT and your PSAT scores will never be released to colleges, so if you totally bombed the test, don’t worry; no one will ever know! However, the scores are your PSAT are a great indication of your natural ability on the test. They will show you the areas in which you have an innate talent and where your biggest weaknesses are. If you happen to have done exceptionally well on the test, you could qualify for a National Merit Scholarship. Each year the qualifying scores change based on the national performance on the exam, but scores are usually well over 200 combined. Your high school will inform you whether you qualify for this.

Interpreting Your Score
The PSAT is divided into three sections (like the SAT): Reading, Math, and Writing. Each of these sections is scored out of a possible 80 for a combined total of a 240 on the PSAT. You can generally convert your PSAT score to an SAT score by adding a “0” to the end of your PSAT score. For example, if you got a 61 on the Math section of the PSAT, that would probably be equivalent to a 610 on the SAT. The national average for each section on the PSAT is around a 50, so you can use that as a rough guide to gauge how well you did compared to other students who took the test.

What to Do Now
Now that you have your scores, it’s important to determine whether you’ll need to do any additional preparation for the SAT. If you’re completely satisfied with your scores, then you’ll most likely get similar scores when you take the SAT, so you really don’t have much to do in the way of prepping. Maybe just take a couple of timed practice tests; however, if your scores aren’t where you want them to be for the SAT, then it’s a great time to start preparing for the upcoming exams in March, May, and June.

Call now at 877-499-EDGE to schedule a complimentary session with an expert instructor to review your PSAT results and customize a preparation program.

Graduating from high school is an extremely demanding time for a person; what to do next, where to go, college applications, course scheduling, etc.  Here is a brief guide on what high school students should do to stay on track for their college life.

Read more…

By: Ashley Ricks

Oak Grove High School juniors took the PSAT (Preliminary SAT) on October 14. This is the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship, sponsored by the National Merit Corporation. The top three percent of the junior students who take this test will be named high scorers in April, and most will be named semifinalists for the scholarship the following September. But the work doesn’t stop there. The semifinalist will have to submit applications including an essay, transcripts and recommendations. They will also have to take the SAT to confirm their PSAT score. If the student is lacking in any of these areas, the student will not advance to the finalist level. Being a semifinalist or finalist on this test can bring great benefits for any college-bound student. Some colleges, such as Southern Miss, will give full scholarships along with other benefits. Other colleges, mostly out of state, will offer competition packages for National Merit finalists.

Most students don’t simply show up the day of the test their junior year and hope for the best, most start preparation as a freshman. Oak Grove recently discovered that students are allowed to take the test both freshman and sophomore years to get familiar with the format of the test. Another way students have prepared is by enrolling in the Humanities class taught by Andrea Clark. The class has been known to raise scores by 20-50 points. In the class, students take practice tests to identify their problem areas and figure out the best way to work through them. Clark helps students improve test taking skills and overcome any anxieties or obstacles distracting students from doing their best. “As part of my philosophy of teaching, I encourage the students to understand their improvement is a result of their effort, not some lucky accident that just happened to them,” Mrs. Clark said.

A main goal of the PSAT and humanities class is to help students get money for college and broaden their opportunities.

IT IS I, MIKE HUNT!

I dislike this whole “junior year is your hardest year” mantra. So far though, it’s proving to be true – especially with early admission applications to USC.

Here’s a bit of background on the Resident Honors Program (at the University of Southern California).

I’ve no clue as to when this program was actually started. No clue as to how old it is, or how established it is amongst high-school counselor circles. Right around 100 Juniors apply each year to this program, and between 20-30 of them get accepted. So what exactly does that mean?

(In Mike’s Mind): If you get in, you’re a badass.

The RHP was established as a way for Juniors to skip their senior years of high school, and to attend their Freshman year of College at USC in exchange. Now, this means that the selected students won’t graduate high school (officially). Some high schools choose to give out “Honorary” diplomas, deeming RHP students exempt from any further courses in high school. However, the Irvine Unified School District is just a conglomerate of hardasses, so students like me will have to take the GED (some exam to prove that you’re not a ruh-tard) to obtain a high school diploma. Sad thing is, invitations to this program are sent based on PSAT scores.

…

Not cool, man.

I’m not the world’s greatest student – especially since teachers tend to hate me. Big fat toddlers…

Speaking of big fat toddlers, I’d just like to take a moment now… to classify most adults as big, fat unreliable CO2-emitting sources of unhappiness and mid-life crises. Now y’see, while writing my college essays and whatnot, my college counselor told me to send my work in for review. I didn’t get a reply. Not until a week later, the day that the application was due. In that one week, I worked on my application with another writing professor from the University of California at Irvine. Truth be told, I had become quite chuffed with what I had written – then on the due date, my college counselor told me to submit the (slightly and lightly) revised essays that I had JUST received. I now regret following her advice.. SHE PLAYED DIRTY!

She said: “But (UCI Professor) isn’t a professional college counselor – you should send THIS copy instead of the (UCI Professor’s).”

Fuck, I ain’t feeling so good about that decision now. Not at all. All I’ve left to rely upon… is the luck bestowed upon dumbshits in times of need.

YOU KNOW HOW THE DOGG ROLL.

Our judges are busy picking a worthy winner and some runner ups out of these 55 funny and creative finalists. We said we’d announce the results by the 10th but to give the judges enough time we’re aiming for the 13th cause we’re nice like that.
Enjoy!

ACCESSIBLE (adj) - Approachable; easy to get to

ABSTAIN (v) - To hold oneself back voluntarily

CLANDESTINE (adj) - Surreptitious; kept or done in secret

DEFACE (v) - To mar or disfigure the face or external surface of

TRANSMUTE (v) - To change in nature, substance, or form

ASPERSION (n) - a curse, expression of ill-will

FABRICATE (v) - To make or create; to invent in order to deceive

INIMICAL (adj) - Adverse; unfavorable; antagonistic

DEFILE (v) - To make unclean, impure

ESCHEW (v) - to abstain or keep away from; shun, avoid

Avenge (v) - to seek revenge

Pathos (n) - Quality of being able to evoke pity or sympathy

Renown (n) - Honor, acclaim

Clemency (n) - Mercy

Indolent (adj) - Habitually inactive or idle

animated: (adj) lively; (v) to give life to

garish (adj): gaudy, in bad taste

gratuitous (adj): Unnecessary; free, voluntary; without reason or cause

aberration (n): The act of departing from the normal course; the act of deviating from the usual type

despondent (adj): Discouraged; disheartened

quandary (n): A puzzling predicament

adhere (v): to stick to something ; to follow devoutly

lethargic (adj): sluggish, weary, apathetic

somnolent (adj): Sleepy, drowsy

vocation (n): A particular occupation or profession; calling

Assess (v) - To determine the value of

Excavate (v) - To remove by digging or scooping out

Meritorious (adj) - Deserving of praise or merit

Fatuous (adj) - Idiotic; stupid; without sense of reality

Dour (adj) - Stern, joyless

LEWD - (adj) Obscene or indecent; characterized by lust or lasciviousness

HARROWING - (adj) Agonizing, distressing

BELLIGERENT - (adj) Warlike; given to waging war

FETID - (adj) Having a foul odor

SYCOPHANT - (noun) A flatterer seeking the approval of others; yes man; brown noser

MENDACIOUS - (adj) Lying; false

EXPUNGE - (v) to obliterate, eradicate

VITUPERATE - (v) to berate, use harsh language

DISPERSE - (v) to scatter or to cause to scatter (with an object); to be scattered (without an object)

ZEALOUS (adj) -fervent, filled with eagerness in pursuit of something

ANESTHESIA - (n) loss of sensation

APPALLING - (adj) inspiring shock, horror, disgust

COERCE (v) - To force to think or behave in a certain way by use of pressure or intimidation (specifically, by one person to one or more others)

ABNEGATION - (noun) denial of comfort to oneself

INNOCUOUS - (adj) Harmless

ABORT (v) - To give up unfinished

ACERBIC (adj) - Biting, bitter in tone or taste

CAJOLE (v) - To impose on or dupe by flattering speech

EXEMPLARY (adj) - Serving as a model or example worthy of copying

ILLICIT (adj) - Illegal

MALEDICTION (n) - Utterance of a curse

NADIR (n) - Lowest point

PACIFY (v) - To bring into a peaceful state; to appease, calm

PRESUMPTUOUS (adj) - Assuming too much

PUNCTILIOUS (adj) - Very attentive to following rules

WOWOWOWOWOWOW.

As of midnight last night, you guys created 900+ Brainypics in one week. Who da man?  YOU da man.  That’s right. Way to finish strong, everybody!  :]

As you’d imagine, picking this week’s winners to round out the Finalists for the $200 Grand Prize was harder than ever, but we found some worthy winners…

CLANDESTINE (adj) - Surreptitious; kept or done in secret

DEFACE (v) - To mar or disfigure the face or external surface of

TRANSMUTE (v) - To change in nature, substance, or form

ACCESSIBLE (adj) - Approachable; easy to get to

ABSTAIN (v) - To hold oneself back voluntarily

Congrats to Kris_kidd, Quinn, Caleb717, Lizard_king_93 and Babyblue_456 for their contributions.

I’ll put together a post with all of the Finalists ASAP for you to check out, as our judges git bizaaay!

We’re closing submissions at midnight, so get in your Brainypics if you want to earn iTunes and compete for our $200 Grand Prize.  Since last Monday, you guys have created over 900 Brainypics.

We’re so psyched!!!   Can we crack 1,000???

Hi guys! I hope you all had a good Thanksgiving eating til your bellies bulged.

This is the final week of the Brainypics contest. We’ll be picking the last 5 finalists who will compete for our $200 Grand Prize and win themselves iTunes songs.  Ooooohhhhh~

And here are 5 vocab words to help you on the SAT courtesy of last week’s winners.  Some were Thanksgiving-themed, others were just flat-out hilarious.  All can be enjoyed. :]

P.S. – We had some really great submissions which we had to pass on because there was no source listed. Ooooffffff. Please remember to show the source!

ASPERSION (n) - a curse, expression of ill-will

FABRICATE (v) - To make or create; to invent in order to deceive

INIMICAL (adj) - Adverse; unfavorable; antagonistic

DEFILE (v) - To make unclean, impure

ESCHEW (v) - to abstain or keep away from; shun, avoid

Congrats to Misfit1, Lsliker, Asentimentalman, AlbertWesker and Anna Ellis. And thanks again to everyone who participated!

* * *

If you still want to win iTunes and get a shot at our $200 Grand prize, THIS IS OUR FINAL WEEK OF COMPETITION!

Anyone can get involved. You just need to create a Brainypic at Brainyflix.com.

Good luck, everybody!

If you search back in the previous posts to this blog, you’ll find the answers to most of your SAT, ACT, and college application questions.

But I’ve been collecting questions that have come up from students and parents since that blog, and I think it’s time to do another HELP question and answer.  Here goes:

Question: I’m a high school junior.  I know my PSAT scores will be available by around Christmas break.  But when should I take the SATs?

Answer: I recommend that most of my students take the March and May SATs in their junior year. Most but not all?  If you have a commitment when the March or May test is scheduled (March 13, 2010 and May 1, 2010), you can take the January test (1/23/2010) or June test (6/5/2010), but the January test is often difficult and is too soon after the PSATs come back for you to use that info to prepare for the next test.  And the June test conflicts with finals and SATIIs.  So for most kids, March and May SATs are just right.

Question: What about SATIIs?  When do I take them?

Answer: SATIIs, or SAT Subject Tests, are one-hour multiple choice tests that are given in a variety of subjects, like math, science, foreign language and history.  The most selective schools require two or more SAT Subject tests.  The fairly selective schools like to see two or more.  The less selective schools don’t much care.  You can take up to three in a day, but DON’T!  Don’t take more than two in a day.  You’ll be wiped out. Most kids take those either in June of junior year (6/5/2010) or October or November of senior year. They’re given the same day as SATs (except no SATIIs are given in March), so you can’t take both SATs and SAT Subject tests on the same day.

Question: I’ve heard about the ACTs.  Do I have to take those, too?

Answer: The ACTs used to be popular only for kids attending school in the mid-west.  Now nearly 100% of my students take the ACTs.  Some kids do substantially better on the ACTs, some do better on the SATs, and some score pretty much the same on both.  The ACTs are shorter and less stressful, and that’s reason enough for some kids to take them. Bonus: If you take the ACTs and score well, you don’t have to take SATIIs — and if you score really well, you don’t even have to take the SATs.  I’d recommend juniors take the ACTs in April (4/10/2010).  They also give the ACTs in June, but why not take them in April?  That way, you’ll have your scores back in time to decide whether you have to take June SATIIs.

Question: I’m not even in my junior year yet, but I want to get started early.  What should I do to prepare for the SATs?

Answer: One thing NOT to do is take the 10th grade PSATs.  What a waste of time and money!  There’s no value in taking that test, and it might do you harm, because if you don’t do well, you won’t be able to take the 11th grade PSATs with confidence.  Another thing NOT to do is take practice tests given by testing organizations.  I’ve found the difficulty of the tests is unreliable. Either the tests are too easy to build your confidence, or they’re too hard so the testing organization can get you to sign up for a course of prep sessions.  Don’t do it. The best thing you can do to prepare early is pay attention in math class, asking for extra help if there are concepts you don’t understand, and read.  Read.  READ.  It’s especially useful to read TIME magazine or Newsweek, especially the letters to the editor (“inbox” in TIME) and the back page essay.  The more you read essays, the better you’ll be at reading essays. Makes sense.  If you think your vocabulary is particularly weak, try SAT Vocabulary for Dummies.  I hate the name of that book, but it’s very useful.

Question: Do I really have to take the SATs more than once?  How many times can I/ should I take them?

Answer: Don’t stop at once, even with score choice, unless you get something spectacular the first time, like above 730 on each section.  This isn’t a good time to be lazy.  And don’t take them more than three times.  After three times, your score isn’t likely to improve so significantly that it would be worth the extra time and effort.  So, take the SATs twice or three times, usually twice in junior year and once in senior year.

Question: Should I send my scores to schools when I sign up for the SATs to take advantage of the four free score reports?

Answer: I used to insist that my students send their scores to different schools each time they took the test, but now that they’ve instituted score choice (you can hide entire seatings of SATs if you want), there’s not enough benefit to sending scores now.  Wait until ALL of your tests are done, which means the fall of senior year for most students, then decide which SATs, which SAT Subject tests, and/or which ACTs to send.  Don’t send anything anywhere until then.

Do you have more questions? Please do ask by posting a comment to this blog.  And feel free to tell your friends and guidance counselors about my blog.  It’s the teacher in me — I just like answering questions!

Wendy Segal

Ohai. Here is this week’s Brainypics contest: THANKSGIVING!

Here are some examples I made to get you into the turkey (eating) spirit. :]

Consummate (v) - To bring to completion

Delegate (v) - To hand over responsibility for something

Start making Brainypics at Brainyflix.

I should have posted this sooner, but you can get all the info in it from the previous posts. It’s just in video format and has my handsome mug.

Hey guys! Thanks for all of the submissions to last week’s “Your Photos” Brainypics contest. I know it was tougher than usual because you had to take or dig up photos you’d taken before and then turn it into a Brainypic flashcard, but the turnout will still great. We basically matched last week’s record best of 540 pics. :]

This week’s contest: Brainypics About Brainypics. We got this idea from some really funny users. Basically, you create Brainypics with sentences that talk about the Brainyflix.com website, refer to other Brainypics, mention you as the creator of the Brainypic, etc.

Not quite sure what we mean? Check out these examples:

wrath (n): vengeful anger, punishment

assail (v): to attack

Belligerent (adj): Warlike; given to waging war

Good luck, guys, and get started —>>> Brainyflix

Here are the 10 “Funniest Photo” Winners. You’ll notice that we have an affinity for picking Brainypics where the creators weren’t afraid of getting a bit goofy (kinda like us). Enjoy!

animated: (adj) lively; (v) to give life to

garish (adj): gaudy, in bad taste

gratuitous (adj): Unnecessary; free, voluntary; without reason or cause

aberration (n): The act of departing from the normal course; the act of deviating from the usual type

despondent (adj): Discouraged; disheartened

quandary (n): A puzzling predicament

adhere (v): to stick to something ; to follow devoutly

lethargic (adj): sluggish, weary, apathetic

somnolent (adj): Sleepy, drowsy

vocation (n): A particular occupation or profession; calling

Congrats to Maddio28, Drewprice11, Sarahskewl, Countrymusiclover, Isaac12, Bsaia, A. Damitz, B. Rudy, E. Knezz, and C. Vandersnick for these Brainypics. And thanks again to everyone who participated by creating, voting and leaving comments.

If you’d still like a chance to win iTunes and compete for our $200 Grand Prize, we’ve got 3 more weeks of our Brainypics contests left! This week’s theme: Brainypics about Brainypics. Click here to learn more. :]

Graduating from high school is an extremely demanding time for a person; what to do next, where to go, college applications, course scheduling, etc.  Here is a brief guide on what high school students should do to stay on track for their college life.

Read more…

Here is the video version of our announcement for last week’s winners and this week’s theme (in case you’re not in the mood to read this). Enjoy!

Good job, everybody! You created over 540 Brainypics last week, which beat the previous record by about 100 pics. Wow. And we were quite impressed by those of you up for the challenge of imagining fake conversations. Clearly, you guys are as crazy as we are, if not moreso. Hahaha.

Here are 5 words to help you on the SAT & ACT courtesy of our very deserving winners. Enjoy!

Assess (v) - To determine the value of

Excavate (v) - To remove by digging or scooping out

Meritorious (adj) - Deserving of praise or merit

Fatuous (adj) - Idiotic; stupid; without sense of reality

EDIT: In case you didn’t understand this Brainypic, Brittney is being fatuous for thinking that fatuous means fat. Get it? Pretty clever!

Dour (adj) - Stern, joyless

The creators of these Brainypics were Emilychat, Lsliker, Ben Fiat, Drewprice11 and Dynamofan999, who has been submitting Brainypics for a few weeks now without ever getting picked but finally broke through with persistence and a rad Brainypic

If you are bummed that yours did not get picked, don’t be! You’ve got 4 more weeks to earn iTunes and compete for our $200 Grand Prize.

This week’s theme: Your Photos. Yep, we want photos you have taken, and the photos can be of anything: your dog chasing its tail, the nasty food served in your cafeteria, whateva. Just make it yours and make it funny http://Brainyflix.com.

Hopefully, you got all the Imaginary Conversations going on in that crazy little head of yours done in time But if not, don’t worry! We’ll start accepting your submissions for this week’s contest RIGHT NOW. W00t!

The theme for this week will be: Your Photos.

Thus far, we’ve accepted images from everywhere so long as you document the source. But this week, you are the source! We want photos that you’ve taken of anything: your uncle sweating it up at your cousin’s 16th birthday party, a mobile pic of your teacher stuffing her face with a hamburger, you posing in front of a statue with your fingers up its nose… ANYTHING. Just show us what’s yours and of course, have fun with it.

P.S. – We’ll announce last week’s winners later this afternoon, so stay tuned.

Say what?

For week 6, we are asking for Brainypics where your sentence is what somebody is saying in an imaginary conversation that is happening in the picture.  Just as you get to pick the word, picture and sentence, you get to come up with the conversation, too. The sillier, the better, of course. :]

A little confused?  Here are some examples I came up with to help you in your quest for iTunes and those dolla dolla billz.

The youngster screamed at his pencil VEHEMENTLY, "Write! Write like you've never written before!!!"

VEHEMENTLY – (adv) marked by intense force or emotion

More examples after the jump…

"OK! I capitulate! I ate the last cheeseburger. Now please stop pointing at me!"

CAPITULATE – (verb) To surrender under specific terms

"I really want to say a PEJORATIVE, but kids and my nana come to this website!!! RAAAAWR!"

PEJORATIVE – (adj) derogatory, uncomplimentary; (n) a word that is derogatory in nature

We look forward to your masterpieces.

As always, if you have questions, you can reach us at admin [at] brainyflix [dot] com.

]]> http://blog.brainyflix.com/2009/11/22/winners-for-brainypics-about-brainypics/ Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:55:59 +0000 miteach http://blog.brainyflix.com/2009/11/22/winners-for-brainypics-about-brainypics/

Hi-yo! Here are 5 tough vocab words to help you on the SAT, taught by our hilarious winners from last week’s “Brainypics About Brainypics” contest. As always, choosing them was very tough cause you guys are funnaaaay.

Avenge (v) - to seek revenge

Pathos (n) - Quality of being able to evoke pity or sympathy

Renown (n) - Honor, acclaim

Clemency (n) - Mercy

Indolent (adj) - Habitually inactive or idle

You can thank Elgringoalex, Insomniacmushroom, Ipopstar, Ez Mac + Rice + Anna, and Jberestovoy for the lols.  Well done, well done.  :]

* * * * *

Are you feeling “emoticon sadface” because your Brainypic was not picked?  Do you want to win iTunes and compete for our $200 grand Prize?

We still have 2 more weeks of competition left!  This week’s contest: Thanksgiving (what else).  Give us your funniest Brainypics with a Turkey Day theme.

Get gobblin’ at Brainyflix.com.