Hydration Chemistry - Define Hydration Chemistry For Your Cat or Dog

Hydration Chemistry - Define Hydration Chemistry For Your Cat or DogAchieving a good hydration profile is extremely important for your health and that of your pet. There are many factors to consider when it comes to achieving this. When it comes to the water content in a dog or cat's drinking water, there are more variables than there are people.Cats are carnivores and their diet generally consists of a lot of meat and blood. The water that they consume is absorbed primarily through their skin. Therefore, the water has to travel through their entire body to reach the bloodstream and then to the organs.Cats' skin is very tough and dense. Since their coat is so thick, their water needs are generally very high. It has been proven that cats do not drink water at regular intervals throughout the day. They can get dehydrated quickly and even if their water intake is only for a few hours, they become weak and eventually die.Hydration chemistry needs to be tracked at every feeding period. Th is gives you a way to know how much water a particular dog or cat is getting on a daily basis. You will also be able to know what drinks are low in water and what drinks are high in water.A common hydration issue for your pet may be the presence of bladder stones. When a bladder stone forms, the urine is soft and only partially used. Once a stone forms, it pushes the urine farther into the urinary tract, which makes it hard for the urine to exit the body, causing a burning sensation.The root cause of bladder stones is a lack of water. Even though the bladder stone will dissolve and be flushed out as part of the urine, there will still be some traces of it left behind in the urinary tract. Your pet will experience a urinary tract blockage and will need to have treatment to remove the bladder stone.Mineral-rich water has recently been recognized as a good way to prevent bladder stones from forming. If your pet has bladder stones, you should consider making your own home-made water. Ma king your own water can also be done at the same time as making sure that you are giving your pet an adequate amount of water for both urination and drinking.In order to make good hydration chemistry at home, it is best to use a home-made formula based on natural and herbal ingredients like kiwifruit, liver fluke, yeast, licorice root, and beet pulp. Each of these ingredients contains a substantial amount of potassium, which can help to regulate the pH of the urine and increase the flow rate. Drinking large amounts of water that contains these ingredients can help to reduce bladder stone formation.

4 Rock Singers With Great Vocal Technique - And 4 Without

4 Rock Singers With Great Vocal Technique - And 4 Without Suzy S. Do you love singing rock? Here, voice teacher Molly R. shares her recommendations for four singers to check out for how to sing rock and four more you can learn from! When you think about impeccable vocal technique, it’s not often that a rocker comes to mind, is it? Usually we’re praising the beautiful tone quality, high notes, and volume of an opera singer, or perhaps a jazz or musical theatre vocalist. Rock singers are usually known for their larger-than-life personalities and stage presence over anything else. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t rock singers out there with amazing, healthy voices. Au contraire! Some of the singers listed below are on par with many opera divas and divos as far as technique is concerned; their style just happens to be totally different! Here is a list of vocalists  with great rock singing technique: Ann Wilson Now here is my absolute favorite singer of all time Ann Wilson of the rock band Heart. Yes, I may have studied classical singing but let me tell you, if I had a choice to sound like Renée Fleming or Ann Wilson, I’d definitely  choose to sound like Ann! There’s a reason why they call her the “female Robert Plant.” What a powerhouse she is! First of all, this dynamic performer is in her 60s  and sounding better than ever. This is an indication that she has been using reliable vocal technique for decades. She can let loose with killer forte phrases and it sounds powerful, never forced. Why? She connects with her body  and doesn’t squeeze her throat! Ms. Wilson has also studied voice formally to keep herself in good vocal shape. Obviously it’s worked as she has enjoyed a very long career and is still going strong with absolutely no signs of slowing down. Here she is in 1977, performing live: Chris Cornell Mr. Cornell has a rich baritone rock voice that is the envy of many male singers! Although there is only one Chris, male rockers can take a cue from him by taking voice lessons  (he studied with the same teacher than Ann Wilson did, in fact!). In the video below, listen to him  singing something fairly unexpected a ballad! With great vocal technique, a rocker should be able to switch gears and sing something like this with more sensitive phrasing. If you push and scream your way through your rock singing career, you’ll simply shred your voice. Don’t you want longevity, like Chris? Pat Benatar Pat Benatar is another rocker still going strong in her 60s! Fun fact: She studied classical singing as a young woman and was even offered a spot at Juilliard. Although she chose the rock route, having a reliable vocal technique has kept her singing big rock songs for more than  30  years. Here she is singing “Heartbreaker” fairly recently. Notice she still has a very clear and powerful tone, especially through her middle range. Long phrases and big notes are no problem for this lady: with her classical training she knows how to support! Ronnie James Dio He may no longer be with us, but his amazing rock voice lives on! Frontman Dio never actually had any formal vocal training. However, he did  study as an instrumentalist, and has claimed that his time as a trumpet player gave him excellent breath technique. Not only that, but he loved to listen to opera from an early age. Clearly the breathing he learned as a trumpet player built up his lung capacity and allowed him to hit full, high notes with ease again and again. He was known as one of the best metal singers ever, and I think you can hear why. This song requires lots of stamina he’s staying in his upper register for most of it! Now, what about rock singers who well dont have the greatest technique? There are a few that stand out. Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day has an extremely  nasal sound. It always sounds like he is singing completely congested! This is due to the fact that he is not singing with any sort of open throat technique to make a more pleasing, ringing tone. This happens when the soft palate is not raised. Listen here: Lita Ford had better success as a top guitarist, and to me it’s clear why. Although her big hit Kiss Me Deadly” is a great song, I can’t help but wonder what it would sound like if she sang it out a bit more fully, rather than yelling or talking-singing most of it. Remember, there ARE healthy ways to “scream” in rock   but you better find a teacher who  specializes in this technique to guide you through it! In the video below, Sheryl Crow is lacking some serious support, putting out a wimpier, airier sound that’s fairly common in pop and rock. If Sheryl trained with good old-fashioned staccato vocal exercises to strengthen her diaphragm, she’d be sounding a LOT more powerful! She needs to sing with more lower body. Eddie Vedder has what I’d call an…. interesting sound. More specifically, he is covering! This means he is manufacturing his sound to make it sound darker in tone (usually this happens when the tongue is in the way). In reality, the audience just hears garbled, muddy sound. If one of his main articulators (tongue) is always in the way, no wonder we don’t understand a word he’s singing! Learn How to Sing Rock Do you have aspirations to be a strong rock vocalist? There are many teachers on TakeLessons who  can help you achieve your goals! Find a  singing teacher near your or online, and he or she will work with you to  build a solid and reliable vocal technique no matter what style it is that speaks to you! Want to learn more about rock singing  techniques? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Singing Styles and Genres! Post Author:  Molly R. Molly R. teaches online and in-person singing lessons in Hayward, CA. Her specialties include teaching beginner vocalists, shy singers, children, teens, lapsed singers, and older beginners. She joined TakeLessons in November 2013.  Learn more about Molly  here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

4 Things to Do the First Week of Classes

4 Things to Do the First Week of Classes Ready or not, here come the first week of classes! While it may seem like you just sat down for your last final exams, there are plenty of things to start doing the first week of classes, like going back-to-school shopping for new study supplies and re-starting those morning alarms. But if you want this semester to be your best one ever, you need to kick off some more in-depth initiatives the first week of classes to ensure you start off strong. By doing the following four things the first week of classes, youll lay the foundation for a stellar continuation of the school year. 1. Meet with your instructors the first week of classes It can be easy to avoid one-on-one contact with your new teachers or professors until you absolutely need their help, and many students end up taking this approach. However, one of the best things you can do during your first week of classes is establish a relationship with your instructors so they know your face and name. Visit your professors office hours to introduce yourself, and let them know how excited you are for the spring semester. A little effort can go a long way! Face-to-face time with your instructor is necessary for a great student-teacher rapport, and that can later lead to more effective assistance with exam prep, or perhaps a needed letter of recommendation. 2. During your first week of classes, evaluate and make new goals Before you decide how youre going to make your new semester a great one, you need to evaluate how your last semester went. To start, make a list of things that went well: Did you get great grades on your papers? Did you do a good job balancing your school work with your internship or part-time job? Next, think about specifically what you did to be good at those thingsthese strategies, habits, and tactics are what you should make a point to continue into the new semester. [RELATED: New Years Resolutions for Students] After that part of your self-reflection is complete, consider the things that didnt go so well. Did you fail to study well ahead of time for midterms and finals? Did you often sleep through your 8a.m. lecture? When you think about the things that didnt go as well as you hoped, you can identify what negative habits may have contributed to them and make a point to avoid those this semester. Once youve completed this part of your self-reflection as well, you can begin to make tailored goals to improve your weak areas and continue to strengthen your positive ones. 3. Master your schedule for your first week of classes For some students, this may seem like an easy taskbut it is still vitally important. Getting used to a new schedule can be difficult, especially for college students who are running between multiple buildings on campus. Classes may be starting way earlier than youre used to, or ending later into the evening. Knowing when you have time to study is one of the keys to your success this semester. Plan out chunks of time you have on campus that you can spend in the library or at a professors office hours, and evaluate how many extracurricular activities you can take on. Ensure you also know exactly where your various classes are on campusyou might have some classes at a new building youve never been to before, so consider checking it out on an off day. Dont wait too long before figuring these things out! 4. Throughout your first week of classes, get ahead where you can The first week of the semester may be known as syllabus week, when instructors spend the majority of the time reviewing the semesters schedule and dont necessarily assign any reading or assignments. Instead of using this down time to completely relax, try to get ahead on some of your reading, or start an organizational system to get all of your assignment deadlines and test dates in place. Get these things laid out in a planner or calendar now so you wont have to worry about figuring them out later when youre busy with all of your classwork. Double-check that you have the following items as well: required textbooks any supplemental materials requested by professors extra pens and pencils notebooks and folders for each class Lastly, prepare for any other needs you anticipate. Do you know youll need a tutor in advanced biology? Look into biology tutoring and start making those arrangements while you have the free time. Hoping to gain the benefits of group studying this year? Start reaching out to classmates to gauge whos interested. Your future self will thank you! Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

Are You Bragging or Self-Promoting - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Are You Bragging or Self-Promoting - Introvert Whisperer Are You Bragging or Self-Promoting? Often times when we’re with a mindless bragger we think that because they are doing all of that boastful chatter that they must be perceived as a real winner.   Bragging really isn’t that effective.   Sure, some of it may do some good to help that person get ahead, but generally, most people don’t care to listen to that sort of thing very long. You can self-promote without coming across as a bragging jerk.   Also, people are attracted to others who are confident, which means asserting your personal brand by self-promotion a good thing to do.   Let’s detail out some of the things you can do to self-promote while avoiding being a bragger: Look for opportunities.  You can easily update your boss and peers in the hallway, staff meeting or even by writing status reports.   Look for ways to let people know what you’re up to. Stay modest.    One of the obvious characteristics of being a bragger is a sense of arrogance.   One of the biggest signs is using “I” way too much.   If you’re concerned you could be viewed as bragging, adopt a tactic of using “we” when you speak of accomplishments when at all possible. Stay balanced.    Part of the reason we dislike braggers is they drone on way too much about how wonderful they are or details about something they did.   Keep your comments brief and everyone will appreciate it.   You can be very impactful with just a couple of well thought out sentences. Use well-placed words.     All it takes sometimes is one word.   When you have a clear image of your personal branding, one well-placed word injected in what you’re saying will reinforce or extend your brand.   Here is an example: “I champion and recruit talent.”  Notice the word champion.   It completely enriches what you know about that person. Keep to the facts.    When what you are saying is simple, straightforward information, it isn’t bragging, nor will it be perceived that way. Communicate your accomplishments.   You are the only one who really knows.    When we think our work speaks for itself, what we are doing is hoping someone will notice.   Hoping isn’t a good strategy for career growth.   You are the only one who truly knows what you’ve done, which means it must be you who communicates the information about your accomplishments. Keep people in the loop.    It is good for you both.   Other people will benefit by knowing about what you’ve done or can do.   You are a resource and you can help people understand what you can do for them or with them. Let me emphasize that Self-Promotion doesn’t have to be obnoxious to be effective. But, if you don’t Self-Promote you, who will? If you ever want to get ahead, you have to learn how to Self-Promote. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that shows you simple, yet effective ways to Self-Promote. Start watching now: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential.

The Best Drum Books for Beginners

The Best Drum Books for Beginners Timeless Works to Help You Become a Drummer ChaptersCan You Learn to Drum with the Help of a Book?Basic Drumming VocabularyStick Control for the Snare Drummer by George Lawrence StoneTime Functioning Patterns by Gary ChaffeeMaster Studies by Joe MorelloThe Language of Drumming by Benny Greb4-Way Coordination: A Method Book for the Development of Complete Independence on the Drum Set by  Marvin Dahlgren and Elliot FineAfrican Rhythms and Independence for Drumset by Mokhtar SambaThe Best Books on Different Musical StylesDrumming Definitions“Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy.” - Ludwig van BeethovenNearly half of all internet users use a streaming service to listen to music.Could you use it to teach yourself how to play the drums?Maybe, but it’d be difficult. You'll need more resources than that!A lot of drummers are self-taught including John Bonham, Buddy Rich, and Keith Moon. In fact, Keith Moon was calling himself a drummer before he even had a drum kit!How did they learn?Buddy Rich learnt by l istening and used his sense of rhythm to help him along.  John Bonham and Keith Moon must have learnt some basic techniques.Learning to play the drums outside of a music school and without a music tutor isn’t for everyone.  In this article, we're going to look at a few books that every drummer should consider investing in in order to improve their playing.Future Sounds by David Garibaldi: This is great for rhythm and control.The Basics of Jazz DrummingJazz drumming isn’t for everyone, especially not beginners. However, if you want to give it a go, here are a few useful books that should definitely have a home on your bookshelf.Advanced Techniques for the Modern Drummer by Jim Chapin: This legendary book can help you become a jazz drummer. However, it is one of the most difficult books.The Art of Bop Drumming by John Riley: For learning modern jazz drumming.Modern Rudimental Swing Solos by Charley Wilcoxon: For learning swing rudiments.Learning Snare Drum TechniqueTo learn some s nare drum rudiments, Buddy Rich can help!Check out Buddy Rich’s Modern Interpretation of Snare Drum Rudiments by Buddy Rich and Henry Adler.After all, Buddy Rich is probably the greatest drummer of all time.Drumming DefinitionsWhether you're a beginner, intermediate, or expert drummer, when you learn to play drums, you’ll also need to learn the lingo.In a few of our articles on drumming, we've included a short glossary on drumming terms to help you on your way. If you want to become fluent in drumming, you're just going to have to read all our articles on the drums!Playing, anywhere and at any time, is the best way to improve. (Source: StockSnap)Tension RodThis is a metal part that attaches to the drum that helps hold the skin onto the drum.ForteForte means to play loudly. It’s the opposite of piano, which means quietly.

Online Community For Young Writers

Online Community For Young Writers Young people interested in writing have a new home, and its Figment.com. The site launched in early December, calling itself an online community for young writers to share work samples, receive feedback from other young writers, read and explore new, young fiction writers. Jacob Lewis, a former managing editor at the New Yorker, and Dana Goodyear, a staff writer at the New Yorker, created the site, originally envisioning it to be a similar to a social network site, like the young adults literary Facebook. However, the two noticed that young adults didnt want another Facebook. What they wanted, was to read and write and discover new content, but around the content itself, said Lewis, quoted in an article in the New York Times Figment is a free platform for young adults, encouraging them to write and read new fiction. The site also includes a mobile platform where aspiring writers can read and submit work, ranging from poems to short stories and novels. This idea came from Goodyear in 2008, when she wrote a 6,000-word article for the New Yorker about young Japanese women who were writing fiction on their cellular phones. Since then, the two have been promoting Figment at schools, literary organizations and libraries throughout the nation, recruiting several hundred students who would be willing to participate and post literary work. We wanted people to be able to write whatever they wanted in whatever form they wanted, Lewis told the New York Times. We give them a piece of paper and say, Go. He noted that people have posted work, including fantasy, science fiction, biographical work, and long serial novels. Theres a very earnest and exacting quality to what theyre doing. Many publishers will be paying close attention to Figment and the most popular work on it, trying to glean key insights into the literature young adults gravitate toward and introducing them to certain books and work. Lewis said that he hopes figment can at least capture a million users, serving as an opportunity for publishers to pluck young talent out of and promote their own authors by publishing novel excerpts. For publishers this is an amazing opportunity to not only reach your consumers but to find out really valuable information about how they are reading, Lewis told the New York Times. Figment has already signed on a few publishers, most notably Running Press Kids, a member of the Perseus Books Group. They will provide a novel excerpt from Purple Daze, a historical novel for young adults by Sherry Shahan.

How is the STAAR Scored

How is the STAAR Scored What is the STAAR? The STAAR is the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness. The STAAR replaced the TAKS in 2012. This exam tests students at multiple stages of their education in mathematics and reading (grades 3-8), writing (grades 4 and 7), science (grades 5 and 8), and social studies (grade 8). There is also an 'end of course' test (similar to the Regents Exams in New York) at the conclusion of Algebra I, Biology, English I and II, and U.S. History. These assessments compare student growth across the state with the desired and expected learning outcomes. They are now required for graduation. Here are some essentials for the new STAAR teststhat you may want to take look at. How is the STAAR scored? All scores fall within three categories: advanced, satisfactory, and unsatisfactory academic performance. Individuals must earn a satisfactory or advanced mark on end of course (EOC) exams in order to graduate from high school with a diploma. Students with special education or English language needs may receive modified assessments. Each tests rubric is available via thestate website. Raw Score versus Scaled Score Each STAAR report includes a raw and scaled score. The raw result consists of the number of questions that a student answers correctly, with one point awarded for each problem. The scaled score takes into account the difficulty of the test version. Note that the scaled score fluctuates with the levels of academic performance each year. 2012-2014 is within the first testing phase, and thus, the scale has slightly lower thresholds for satisfactory academic performance. Advanced academic performance remains consistent. The score report also includes an analysis of an individuals strengths and weaknesses within the test. Preparing for the STAAR Many strong students struggle with standardized testing, but they cannot graduate with unsatisfactory STAAR scores on their EOC exams. Though the state releases some test content, preparing for a strictly timed and high stakes exam involves more effort. Timed writing or reading drills will assist individuals in gaining control of testing situations and developing confidence. Reading and understanding the rubrics for each test is also an important technique. You may want to consider a STAAR tutorto help you prepare. As a whole, this assessment system is still new to the state of Texas and it has been heavily scrutinized, as all new exams typically are. However, as the tests are increasingly regulated, additional materials should become available to schools, students, and teachers.

GCSE Chemistry Exams and Grading Schemes

GCSE Chemistry Exams and Grading Schemes How to Ace Your GCSE Chemistry Exams ChaptersCommon Errors Made in Chemistry ExamsNot Just a Memory GamePractical KnowledgeCreate a Revision TimetablePractice Practice PracticeCheck the Mark SchemeStructure of the Exam PaperChief Examiner’s ReportsExam ConditionsWhere to Find Past PapersThousands of students across the country will be sitting their GCSE chemistry exams in the summer. With changing mark schemes, increasingly hard questions and plenty of chemistry revision to do here are some tips on how to prepare. PetarChemistry Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamChemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Dr parikhChemistry Teacher 5.00 (8) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SaifChemistry Teacher 5.00 (14) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ConorChemistry Teacher 4.75 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FrankChemistry Teacher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HeavenliChemistry Teacher £11/h 1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JideChemistry Teacher 4.80 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsCommon Errors Made in Chemistry ExamsA common error students can make is writing a description when they’ve been asked for an explanation. A description alone will not get any marks.To avoid this, make sure you read the question carefully and identify the correct command word. Underlining key words and circling command words can help you focus on correctly answering the question.You might think you know what the question is going to say after all of your practice in class but re-read it again. Misunderstanding the question can cost you precious marks!The exam is about demonstrating your knowledge, and even if you know the answer you have to use the correct vocabulary to show this. Make sure you get into the practice, in your revision and on your past paper practice, of using the correct scientific vocabulary to explain your answer. Not only will this make your answe r more succinct and to the point, but it will also ensure you hit the key points that the examiner is looking for.It is a good idea to keep a glossary of key terms for each topic. Test yourself on how you would use them in an exam. You can even practice writing 'model' answers to common questions to really get into the practice of using the right vocabulary.Not Just a Memory GameThe application of knowledge and understanding of science is particularly important in GCSEs.This means that questions could be set in unfamiliar contexts, asking students to link together ideas that aren’t necessarily linked on the specification. This tests your knowledge and understanding of the subject rather than just your ability to memorise!During your revision make sure you really understand each topic. Don't move onto the next topic until you are confident that you know the last one, and could apply it to different contexts. Your exam isn't going to go in chronological order so don't just rely on m emory to get you through.If you build a solid base of knowledge you can keep adding to it as you go through the specification. As you go through the course you will build up a broader knowledge and will be able to see how each topic links to another.The key to learning your topics, and we mean really learning them, is to constantly test your knowledge. Re-read the specification,  refresh your knowledge  with online quizzes and do  all the past chemistry papers you can find on your topic until you're sure you know it inside out!Get GCSE chemistry tutors here.Revision starts whenever you're ready to get stuck in! Photo on Visual huntPractical KnowledgePractical work forms a key part of the specification meaning that exam questions will draw on the knowledge and understanding that you’ve have gained through practical work in the lab.You should have a really good understanding of the practical work you’ve done in class and be able to use it in the exam.In your revision, focus on the reasons for carrying out a particular practical technique, or the use of a particular piece of apparatus in an experiment. This will help develop your understanding of these methods and be able to write about them in your exam.Brush up on the scientific vocabulary that applies to this practical work so you can easily write about it in your exam. Proper use of appropriate scientific vocabulary will demonstrate your understanding of scientific ideas and techniques.Thinking you know something and being able to accurately put it down onto paper are not the same thing. Practice this technique by picking your favourite topic and explaining it to a friend. You'll find that's it almost impossible to do this succinctly without using the appropriate vocabulary and key terms.Now you know what you need to brush up on for the exam here are some tips on revising so you can achieve the best result:Create a Revision TimetableBuilding a revision timetable can add structure to your revision techniqu es  and help you identify which topics you need to prioritise.Creating a revision timetable is a great way to organise your study time, plus it also helps boost your motivation to revise for your exams. Don't forget all of the other subjects that you have to make time for as well as chemistry!Display your timetable somewhere where you'll see it all the time. Having a daily reminder of your timetable will help you process the amount of information that can often be overwhelming at GCSE. Plus, once you've ticked off a revision session you'll feel extra productive! When it comes to exam day you'll be able to see all the work you've put in and you're bound to feel more confident.Don't hesitate to put fun activities on your timetable too. If you've got a friend's birthday one evening put it on the timetable! It will serve as a great motivator to get your work done so you can go enjoy yourself afterwards.Take the first step by setting your GCSE study goals to build a strong foundation for success.You won't go far as a chemist without the proper equipment. (Source: holdentrils) PetarChemistry Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamChemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Dr parikhChemistry Teacher 5.00 (8) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SaifChemistry Teacher 5.00 (14) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ConorChemistry Teacher 4.75 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FrankChemistry Teacher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HeavenliChemistry Teacher £11/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JideChemistry Teacher 4.80 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsPractice Practice PracticeOne of the best things you can do is to do as many GCSE past papers as possible.Practising past papers will help you get familiar with the:Exam formatQuestion styleTime pressurePast papers are an essential tool for chemistry revision. Getting used to the past papers will help you to understand the way your subject is structured. Knowing what to expect on the big day will mean you'll waste no time in figuring the paper format out, and you'll be much more at ease knowing you've seen it all before.Check the Mark SchemeMark schemes will help you work out where you’ve gained and lost marks, and how well you’re answering the questions. Mark schemes can be very specific, and so even when you know the topic well, you can still do really badly if you haven't done any past papers and don’t know what the marker is looking for.Be aware that there are sometimes key terms you need to cover to get marks. It isn’t just about your knowledge of the subject but of the marking scheme too. You have to answer the way the examiners want you to.Using the marking scheme will also help you identify weaker areas in your knowledge so you know what you need to focus your revision on. If you are struggling with a type of question in the past papers, ask your teacher for help. It's better to  work this out now in case it comes up again in the real exam.Structure of the Exam PaperPast papers help you get used to the structure and wording of the exam. Getting familiar with past papers is essential so there are no surprises on exam day.Make sure you get your head around the structure of your chemistry paper and ask yourself the following questions:1. Is the paper divided into sections?2. Are the questions multiple choice?3. How much time should you spend on each section?4. Have you covered all the sections in your revision?Chief Examiner’s ReportsFocus on exam practice by reading the Examiner’s Report. There is a report written every year after exams are taken which details the common mistakes students made and where marks were dropped.Reading this will get you into the examiner’s mindset when sitting the paper so you can avoid common mistakes.Exam ConditionsMake sure you do some past papers in exam-like conditions. While di scussing the papers with friends can be a useful tool, practising a paper under restricted time and without any revision notes is really important.Set a timer and sit in a quiet room with no distractions to really emulate an exam situation.Where to Find Past PapersYou can find past papers and chief examiner reports from previous years on the website of your exam board.Your teacher will usually give you some papers to do in class, but there’s no harm in doing the same papers more than once. The more you practice the more you’ll get used to the style of exam and the more prepared you’ll be!The more you can do to prepare for your exam day the better. You’ll feel less stressed in the lead up and will go into the exam hall knowing exactly what to expect.Good luck!

Whats different about AJ Tutoring

Whats different about AJ Tutoring One of the most common questions we’re asked is what sets AJ Tutoring apart from its competitors.   Silicon Valley and the Bay Area in general are crowded with test preparation and tutoring companies, each claiming to have the best approach to the test.While I may be slightly biased, after years working for AJ Tutoring and other tutoring companies, I do think AJ Tutoring has what it takes to help students succeed!   There are several major differences between AJ Tutoring and other tutoring centers:1)           AJ Tutoring prepares students for the test in fewer hours.   Many other tutoring companies recommend packages of 20 hours or more.   Students at AJ Tutoring typically complete 8 or 9 sessions, for a total of 12 to 13.5 hours, before the test.   We know that high school students don’t have much free time, and we respect that by being as efficient as possible and still achieving the same results.2)           At AJ Tutoring, you’ll have the same tutor for the entire process.   Many other companies have tutors who specialize in math, reading, and writing, and your instructor for the day changes based on the topic.   All of our tutors are trained to be proficient in all parts of the SAT and ACT, so you can develop a close working relationship with the same tutor all the way up to test day.   Of course, if you feel like your tutor isn’t the right match for you, you can change tutors at any time.3)           AJ Tutoring doesn’t require you to pay up front.   We know that tutoring is a significant financial investment, and many people are understandably wary of spending quite a bit of money up front for a full tutoring package.   AJ Tutoring will only bill you for the tutoring sessions you’ve completed, and you’re welcome to stop tutoring at any time.   We don’t think you’ll want to, though!4)           AJ Tutoring’s test-prep methods are common-sense, reality-based, and easy to implement.   As a tutor who’s helped many students prepare for the SAT and ACT, I’ve heard some amazing stories from students who have worked with other tutoring companies.   Students have described incredibly complicated strategies, which include techniques such as memorizing sentences word-for-word for the essay and picking which reading comprehension questions to answer in a very specific order.   These complicated strategies take up a lot of brain space on test day and can actually increase students’ anxiety.   They also don’t work particularly well!   Our strategies rely on common sense and sound educational methods.   In fact, I often use the same reading comprehension strategies with my SAT and AP US History students.There are many good tutoring companies out there, but we here at AJ Tutoring believe that we offer the most efficient and effective way to achieve your educational goals.   We’d love to talk with you about your plans!