Review: College Prep Genius

A few weeks ago I gave an introduction to COLLEGE PREP GENIUS, a SAT preparation course. You can view that introduction here.

The COLLEGE PREP GENIUS course consists of a text, a workbook, and a DVD course. The text is divided into eight parts:

Part I: Important SAT & PSAT/NMSQT Information
Part II: The Critical Reading Section
Part III: The Math Section
Part IV: The Writing Section
Part V: The Essay
Part VI: Scholarship Search
Part VII: Comparison Chart
Part VIII: Journal and Checklist for Success

COLLEGE PREP GENIUS is not an academic course; it assumes that the student already has a foundation of the academic material. What the course does do is reveal the patterns common to the SAT, the type of questions one might expect and a recommended method to approaching each question type. The end goal is a great SAT score that will result in numerous scholarship offers.

Jean Burk, COLLEGE PREP GENIUS author, starts the text by giving general information on the SAT and PSAT tests and how they differ from other standardized tests. The SAT is a test of reasoning and logic, rather than achievement or knowledge like the ACT. This is not a simple introduction; Burk includes everything students need to know about the SAT, from general information on the SAT to specifics of test day.

Next, questions from each section of the test are covered. Students are taught to make good use of their pencils by circling key words and crossing out obviously wrong answers. Time saving techniques, e.g. knowing where to look for information in passages without reading the entire passage, are also shared. Other helpful information, such as a lists of helpful prefixes and a table to 300 math terms, is also included.

Because it is a standardized test, the SAT has certain question patterns that it follows each time. Knowing these patterns will greatly improve your score and allow you to make better use of your time in showing your abilities. Each section gives a step-by-step explanation for approaching particular patterns and question styles. For each question type, Burk has created a unique acronym as a memory aid for the material taught in the text. Students are to diligently memorize the acronyms to utilize during the actual test. An example of one of the shorter acronyms is ROMAN, which is for the what Burk calls the “Roman Numeral Type Question”:

Remember to IGNORE Segment 2
Operate the question from every angle
Mark ALL correct answers on Segment 1
Analyze answers marked
Now match Segment 1 answers with Segment 2

There are about 25 acronym words covering the whole test. Some are strung together for one approach, such as HOT POWERFUL PAPER, which applies to the essay section.

The workbook has students actively apply what they've learned in the text with lists of the acronyms and practice questions for each section.

The DVDs cover all the material in the text verbally and through a sideshow presentation. There are four discs: Intro to the SAT (35 minutes), Critical Reading (1:33), Math (2:15), and Writing (1:15). The DVD course may be a better option for visual learners or to reinforce what is read in the text. The DVD set also makes this course available for group learning. (Note: All classroom participants should purchase their own text and workbook and are required to pay a small licensing fee).

As an accelerated middle school student, my daughter has already taken the ACT as a tool for yearly assessment rather than a grade-level standardized test like the CAT or IOWA. It was taken with little preparation except time management, some question exposure and bubbling practice. In our case of using such an exam as a diagnotic tool, extensive preparation is not always appropriate at this point. I was already planning to use the SAT for assessment this year and COLLEGE PREP GENIUS looks to be a great tool to prepare with sample questions and general exposure on what to expect.

However, when the stakes are college program acceptance and scholarship offers, more thorough preparation will certainly be part of the game plan, as it will be with the masses of other graduating high school students trying to wow universities. It is interesting to see the recommendations on how a student might truly prepare for such an exam when the stakes are high. Since my daughter's previous experience was with the achievement-based ACT, ways to approach a reasoning test like the SAT is also very beneficial.

To examine the effectiveness of this course, I started by having my daughter take a section of a retired SAT test in a study guide (available from the College Board, bookstores or your local library) prior to going over any material. This was the first time she had attempted any SAT questions and had no prior knowledge on what to expect. I then had her read through the corresponding section of the COLLEGE PREP GENIUS text two days in a row. The following day I had her take that section again with a different test version. I did this because I knew she would likely recognize the questions and recall some of her previous thought process of eliminating answers, perhaps giving an advantage. A fresh set of questions would better help gauge the effectiveness of the information. There was a 20% improvement in her score just from that one step. Next, I had her write down the acronym for use during the test. I did not have her memorize it, but providing it to her would give the same result had she actually memorized it. This time the score dropped from the second attempt, falling almost exactly between the first and second. I suspect the acronym was a bit distracting and she did better off intuitively using the information she learned in the text rather than referring to the acronym, at least at this point. Regardless of the acronym use, I have no doubt that the content in the text will help improve scores, especially after more practice.

Being in the Midwest, which at one time predominantly used the ACT, I personally had no experience with the SAT test. I learned quite a bit about the types of questions my daughter will see on the exam and how to coach her to best approach them. The general information on the exam is also useful as well as the the section on scholarships at the end of the text. I am a bit unsure on the acronyms. First of all, there are quite a few to memorize and some of the associations are quite a stretch and lengthy. For example, in ROMAN, the N stands for “now”. Most students could easily remember “now”, but the critical information is that which follows, “match Segment 1 answers with Segment 2”. To use the acronyms effectively, students will need to know the text information inside and out and spend significant time memorizing phrases for each letter in the acronym. To be clear, Burk does not suggest this is an easy process. In fact, she acknowledges this will be hard work and that the handsome offers of scholarship money will make it all worthwhile. At first introduction though, the acronyms as a way to remember the approach seem overwhelming. I'm not sure if I'll have my daughter memorize all the acronyms; based on our limited trial run, I suspect it may be unnecessary for her after sufficient practice with the different types of questions. Of course, the acronyms will be useful individually for particular sections that are more troublesome or need a boost.

As far as presentation of material, I find the introduction materials (the first 38 pages) a bit scattered. There is quite a bit of repeating information and the presentation seems a bit disjointed. The content is interesting, but the layout and presentation of information could use some improvement. I didn't have this problem once the text moved into the actual SAT sections. Also bothersome were the numerous typos and formatting issues in the text, such as missing letters, a repeated paragraph, misplaced capitalization, etc. While a pet peeve of mine, it is more an annoyance than an impact on usability in this case.

Overall, there is plenty useful in this course to prepare a student for the SAT. The awareness of the question patterns and the most efficient way to approach them is sure to be very beneficial and better scores. As I stated in my earlier introduction, knowing the rules of the game is key.

The COLLEGE PREP GENIUS materials sell for the follow:

College Prep Genius Text - $39.95
College Prep Genius Workbook - $15.95
"Master the SAT Class" DVD set - $59.95

For a limited time, you can purchase the above three items as a package for $79.00, which is 30% off the regular price.

With some SAT prep courses costing in the thousands, this is a more economical option to prepare students to take the all-important SAT with hopes of wonderful scholarship offers. To purchase or learn more, visit the COLLEGE PREP GENIUS website. Jean Burk also has several informative articles posted on her website that may be of interest.

Visit the TOS Homeschool Crew's blog to read more reviews on this product and others.

Disclaimer: This review was provided as a result in my participation in The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Crew, a team of 100+ homeschooling parents. While the product was provided at no expense to me in order to provide this review, I have not received any other compensation. Furthermore, receipt of the product does not guarantee a positive review. I strive to give a balanced overview of each product, detailing my opinion of both pros and cons and how the product worked for my family. What works for one family may not work for another. I encourage you to read reviews of other Crew members and research sufficiently to determine if any product will be a benefit to your homeschool.

Review: Studypod by Genio

I love study aids and gadgets. I've purchased gizmos to hold papers hands-free, booklights of various sorts, a portable typing device that allows you to transfer work to the computer, aids to help with tracking when reading and book holders. Anything to make the studying process easier and refocus on learning is a potential purchase for our homeschool.

When the Crew was informed a Studypod by Genio would soon arrive, I hadn't an inkling what it could be. After a quick visit to the website, I saw that it was a book holder. While a book holder is already among our study tools, just as one can never have too many books, any extra book holders are welcome in my home! I wasn't sure how innovative a book holder could be, but I would soon find out.

Designed by a teacher and students, the Studypod is quite the gadget. After several simple steps to set up, the Studypod is ready to use. An instruction sheet comes with the product but I didn't need it after the first set-up. The video below should answer all your questions on putting your Studypod to work. With the adjustable support arms, it can hold virtually any size book. It is lightweight and collapses to a size similar to that of a hardcover novel, making storage and portability a cinch. A storage pocket is located on the inside and there is additional room to hold pens, pencils, and a calculator.



One of the main advantages of this book holder over others on the market is the angle which it holds the book. Similar in angle to a computer screen, the Studypod reduces neck strain and helps to maximize focus. Below is the Studypod (right) and another brand book holder (left) we've used in past for side-by-side comparison of the difference in angle. Also note that the Studypod takes up less valuable desk space.

The angle of Studypod is especially helpful when using a text with a computer. My daughter has online classes and she loved using the Studypod to hold her course text for reference, leaving her hands free to use the keyboard and mouse for class interaction.


The arms that hold the pages open and secure are another unique feature. No more flipping of pages and loosing your place in the middle of a project. One of the first uses of the Studypod in our household was to prop up a drawing book. Similarly, it would be perfect for holding open cookbooks and music pages for hands-free reference. To turn the page, just slip the page out from the arm or pull the arm back to completely release the page. I loved that the arms adjusted to the size of the book. The book holder we previously owned was too large for the book being used in the above picture. The Studypod can hold both our large textbooks and smaller paperbacks.

Since my daughter has claimed the Studypod as her own, I'll have to take advantage of the a $5 off coupon that Genio is offering for one of my very own. Just enter code TSBLOG5 when placing your online order. The Studypod is available in black, blue or pink and retails for $19.95 or two or more for $16.95/each. To order, visit the Studypod website.

Visit the TOS Homeschool Crew's blog to read more reviews on this product and others.

Disclaimer: This review was provided as a result in my participation in The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Crew, a team of 100+ homeschooling parents. While the product was provided at no expense to me in order to provide this review, I have not received any other compensation. Furthermore, receipt of the product does not guarantee a positive review. I strive to give a balanced overview of each product, detailing my opinion of both pros and cons and how the product worked for my family. What works for one family may not work for another. I encourage you to read reviews of other Crew members and research sufficiently to determine if any product will be a benefit to your homeschool.

Review: College Prep Genius (Introduction)

As homeschoolers, most of us abhor the standardized test and would much rather focus on learning. Frankly, the current model of the pubic school system to teach to the test and nothing else is reason in itself to homeschool. However, like it or not, there comes a time when standardized testing has very high stakes. College admissions. If you have a college-bound student, you are probably acutely aware of the importance of an impressive SAT or ACT score for acceptance and offers of scholarship by the school of your student's choice.

Let's face it, college admissions can be pretty cut-throat and competitive. It is a game of one-up. It is a game of evaluating 13 years of schooling largely by a single test score. With homeschoolers who often have transcripts of “Mommy grades”, this is especially true. If you are going to play the game, you need to know the rules. Knowing the rules could pay off big in attractive offers and even full scholarships.

COLLEGE PREP GENIUS explains the rules and gives students specific plays to stay in the game. Author Jean Burk has over 10 years experience preparing students to take the SAT. Through her DVD course, book and workbook, students will learn common patterns of SAT questions, tricks to answer questions more efficiently and unique acronyms to learn recommended steps of approach for each type of question.

While my oldest has taken standardized tests before, her preparation consisted of little more than learning how to transfer answers from the booklet to the answer sheet and to bubble cleanly. Beyond that, it is her knowledge that has carried her scores. Standardized testing has always been used as a tool for my own information, a basic measurement of how our homeschool was doing with an outside tool. However, I can't deny the stakes involved in tests like the ACT and SAT. Well-trained athletes know the rules of the game and the likely plays of the opponent. Coaching on the rules of the SAT will allow your student to better show their abilities.

Over the next few weeks, I will be having my daughter go over some of the material presented in this course. We'll start with a retired SAT test, as recommended, for a baseline. After going through the materials, I'll report back on how this product worked for our family. In the meantime, you can check out the COLLEGE PREP GENIUS website and browse the articles found there. For a limited time discount, the entire COLLEGE PREP GENIUS DVD set only costs $79, which includes the revolutionary textbook, workbook and teaching DVD. That’s 30% off the retail price!

Be sure to check back for a personal review of this program.

A Review of Bonnie Terry Learning

For over 35 years, Bonnie Terry has worked in special education and currently is director of a private learning center. She is recognized as a top expert in her field. You can read more about her impressive credentials here. Terry's expertise from her many years of working with children who were struggling academically is now available, printed and bound for parents and teachers to use with their own students. I was sent two products for review - Making Spelling Sense and Ten Minutes to Better Study Skills.

Making Spelling Sense
Grades 1-3, struggling older students
120 pages plus appendix
$37.00













Making Spelling Sense focuses on spelling the 500 most used words with spelling patterns. Once the basic spelling patterns are mastered, students should be able to spell thousands more words beyond the 500 taught in the book. Terry removes the mystique of spelling by pointing out that consonants and vowels combine in only 8 different ways to make words. The book consists of the following parts:

Part I: The eight spelling patterns in 50 spelling lessons for the 500 most used words in the English language.

Part II: Suffixes, Open and Closed Syllables, Prefixes

Part III: Additional Word Lists

Part IV: The Appendix, Practice Test Sheets

A DVD is provided that explains to the teacher how to teach the patterns and use the book. Each lesson is covered in the same 2-page format. Ten words that follow the pattern are introduced by having the student write the word and identify the pattern. On the second page are two puzzles that use the words on the previous page. Any spelling rules or tips that may be needed are noted at the bottom of the first page. Terry has incorporated a helpful pretest and test procedure where the students first write each sound, next write the word, and then the spelling pattern before testing for the lesson. Making Spelling Sense utilizes visual, auditory and tactile modes of learning.

For my struggling speller, I used those lessons in Making Spelling Sense that aligned with our current program as a supplement. My son appreciated the puzzles the most! I found that everything was well laid-out and easy to follow. I particularly liked the pretest method described earlier. As far as the approach, my son seems to do better with a focus on spelling rules rather than patterns. However, Making Spelling Sense referenced many of the same rules and was compatible for re-enforcement. Pattern recognition is also a component of my son's current spelling program and can be effective for many students. I asked Terry about using this as a supplemental program, rather than a stand alone, and she had the following to say:

"I always believe in making things as relevant as possible. The books can easily fit into any other program you are working such as Orton-Gillingham. They are a great supplement/addition to the program. I like teaching patterns because there are only 8 of them to retain vs a whole bunch of rules."

I also inquired about Making Spelling Sense II, the next step of her spelling program.

"Yes, a stronger speller can jump into book II without going through the first one. The lessons are all based on the patterns too. The second book gets into more difficult words and after completing it, there is a list of 113 sets or pairs of common homonyms that can be used for further spelling lists and a list the most 500 most frequently misspelled words that you can do with the same pretest sheets and pick out activities from earlier lessons to do with them."

If your student is having trouble with the spelling rules, focusing on the eight spelling patterns may be what they need to get them over the hurdle.

Ten Minutes to Better Study Skills
Grades 1 and up
58 pages, single-sided
$37













This book includes quick and easy exercises used to improve writing and study skills. Thirteen different forms are included with detailed instructional sample pages. Each form helps the student to organize information simply and visually. Once information is categorized, students are better able to write about or study the material. Various study aids and references are also included. The sections are as follows:

Part I Getting Started, supplies needed and planning calendars

Part II The Nitty Gritty, various forms and examples

Part III Study and Writing Tips, general study and note taking tips

Part IV Easy References, spelling, grammar and writing tools

The exercises are easy and non-threatening to the student, yet teach the important organizational skills many students are lacking. For example, one form is called the Hamburger Paragraph. The top of the bun represents the topic sentence, or main idea. The ingredients equals the details of your main idea. Lastly, the bottom of the bun is a conclusion or restatement of the topic. Students can put their thoughts in each category, before writing a paragraph. Giving a starting point with organized ideas, it is then easier to focus on how to express the information in complete written form. Some of the forms in this book can be used as early first grade and others through high school.

Both of my very different kids lack in the area of organizational skills. This is such an essential precursor to learning. Terry has included many simple forms all in once place for easy reference for a variety of ages. These forms can be used with any subject. For example, my son was doing a science lesson and I had asked him to repeat to me what he had just learned in the lesson (how flight works). He knew the information, but was having trouble organizing his thoughts for a complete verbalized answer. I made a copy of the Cause and Effect form, which consists of two rows of five boxes with a line connecting each box row. The Cause is on the left and the Effect on the right. Together we decide on each factor of flight and what effect it had. In the end, our form looked like this:



The Cause box doesn't necessarily have to be filled in with the information from the previous Effect box. This is just how we did it. Seeing the step-by-step cause and effect visual on the form helped my son to better explain the process.

For my daughter, I see a lot of potential with the forms that help create an outline for research papers. She is an excellent writer, but often times has trouble organizing her thoughts before writing. For fiction, a write-where-your-imagination-leads-you approach is sometimes effective. With a research paper, it is usually not. The outline form will help her organize thoughts and topic components in a way that is not overwhelming prior to writing .

I especially liked the Study & Writing Tips section for quick reference while doing writing assignments. This section included references such as writing a bibliography, essay writing tips and general writing tips.

For the typical homeschooler, I felt both of these titles were on the pricier side. However, for those with struggling students, this may be a small price to pay to get your child on the right track, not to mention much cheaper than tutoring. A tutor or teacher, with many students, may get more bang for their dollar. Both books come with a limited reproduction permission for reproduce up to 50 copies per year to use with the purchaser's own students.

If your student struggles in the area of spelling or study skills, these products may help them get on a better path to learning. All Bonnie Terry Learning products come with a 60-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked. Visit the website to read more about these products and others offered, including learning games. For free teaching and homework tips, stop in at Bonnie Terry's blog.

Be sure to visit the Official TOS Crew Blog to read more reviews on these products and others offered by Bonnie Terry Learning.