Changes to ACT essay scores are coming in September

Changes to ACT essay scores are coming in September 2016 has been a year of change for the college admission testing landscape with the introduction of the new SAT in March, and that change appears poised to continue with a revision of the ACT essay’s scoring structure set to debut in September.The ACT unwittingly ignited controversy with its shift in September 2015 to a new essay task and scoring scale.  Beginning with that testing date, the revised ACT essay has been scored on the same 36-point scale as the rest of the test.However, many students reported scores on the ACT essay that were significantly lower than their composite scores on the multiple-choice portion of the ACT (differences of 10 points were not unheard of).   Moreover, some students who paid $50 to have the ACT re-score their essay saw large jumps in their essay scores that called into question the reliability and consistency of the ACT’s essay grading process. The ACT contended that while the essay is scored on the same 36-point scale as the other sections of the test, scores across multiple sections are not intended to be compared to each other.  Rather, the ACT recommends that students look at their percentiles for each section to gauge their relative performance.Last month, the ACT acknowledged the confusion created by the scoring change and revealed that it plans to move to a 2-to-12 score range for the ACT writing test.  This change will take effect with the September 2016 administration of the ACT.According to the ACT, the writing task itself will continue in its current form, as will the four domains on which students’ essays are graded (ideas and analysis, development and support, organization, and language use and conventions).  Beginning with this year’s September ACT, the scores in the four domains (each scored from 2-12) will be averaged to yield an overall ACT writing score between 2 and 12.Hopefully this move towards clarity on the ACT’s part will produce greater consistency in ACT writing scores a change that wou ld be appreciated by students and colleges alike.To learn more about AJ Tutorings test prep and academic programs please call (650) 331-3251 or email us at info@ajtutoring.com

New italki Brand Ambassador Kailin

New italki Brand Ambassador Kailin Congratulations to Kailin for becoming an italki Brand Ambassador! Below Kailin describes her experience. I first met italki this January, when I was searching for some English grammar  questions online. One of the italki users offered a very sufficient answer, which deeply  impressed me. Further exploring on italki, I felt that I discovered a new world of  language learning! italki not only solves my doubts through the learning process, but  also connects each of the language enthusiasts in the community.  In the past, I hesitated to contact with native speakers of English because I worried  that it might be somehow offensive. However, in italki, I dont need to hesitate. I  know that those who I meet are real language lovers who may want to have language  exchange, or truly kind helpers who don’t expect anything but are just willing to help.  My English writing and speaking skills improved dramatically with the help of my  italki friends and teachers. Many of them offered really professional corrections and  advice. Gradually, I saw fewer errors in writing and gained more fluency in s peaking.  As I progressed, my italki friends cheered for me as much as I did for myself. They  are teachers, friends and even mentors. Moreover, I am so glad that my corrections for  Mandarin writings are also helpful and effective! italki is not only a community of  give-and-take, but a place that generates goodwill and kindness. One day, I received an email advertising for becoming an italki brand ambassador and  now here I am. I am delighted to promote italki among the language enthusiasts on  campus. I am cheerful to hear my friends saying italki is amazing. I am also happy  to see that italki is growing increasingly popular and helping more and more language  enthusiasts. On Nov. 2nd, I promoted italki during the regular training held by the language club  in our university, which I have been actively involved in. Only one out of the sixty  members ever used italki before, but they are all language lovers! During the event, I  did a presentation about how I used and benefited from italki, especially writing  notebooks, asking questions and having online lessons. Their wow expressions told  me that they were very intrigued! When I was distributing the italki promotion cards  in the end, many of them asked whether they could have an extra one for their friends.  italki is an ideal place if you want to get immersed in a language and improve it with  the lowest cost. I am lucky that I found it this year and I really hope that italki can  reach more language lovers in the future! If youre interested in becoming an italki Student Brand Ambassador please contact Ilar at ilar@italki.com for more information! New italki Brand Ambassador Kailin Congratulations to Kailin for becoming an italki Brand Ambassador! Below Kailin describes her experience. I first met italki this January, when I was searching for some English grammar  questions online. One of the italki users offered a very sufficient answer, which deeply  impressed me. Further exploring on italki, I felt that I discovered a new world of  language learning! italki not only solves my doubts through the learning process, but  also connects each of the language enthusiasts in the community.  In the past, I hesitated to contact with native speakers of English because I worried  that it might be somehow offensive. However, in italki, I dont need to hesitate. I  know that those who I meet are real language lovers who may want to have language  exchange, or truly kind helpers who don’t expect anything but are just willing to help.  My English writing and speaking skills improved dramatically with the help of my  italki friends and teachers. Many of them offered really professional corrections and  advice. Gradually, I saw fewer errors in writing and gained more fluency in s peaking.  As I progressed, my italki friends cheered for me as much as I did for myself. They  are teachers, friends and even mentors. Moreover, I am so glad that my corrections for  Mandarin writings are also helpful and effective! italki is not only a community of  give-and-take, but a place that generates goodwill and kindness. One day, I received an email advertising for becoming an italki brand ambassador and  now here I am. I am delighted to promote italki among the language enthusiasts on  campus. I am cheerful to hear my friends saying italki is amazing. I am also happy  to see that italki is growing increasingly popular and helping more and more language  enthusiasts. On Nov. 2nd, I promoted italki during the regular training held by the language club  in our university, which I have been actively involved in. Only one out of the sixty  members ever used italki before, but they are all language lovers! During the event, I  did a presentation about how I used and benefited from italki, especially writing  notebooks, asking questions and having online lessons. Their wow expressions told  me that they were very intrigued! When I was distributing the italki promotion cards  in the end, many of them asked whether they could have an extra one for their friends.  italki is an ideal place if you want to get immersed in a language and improve it with  the lowest cost. I am lucky that I found it this year and I really hope that italki can  reach more language lovers in the future! If youre interested in becoming an italki Student Brand Ambassador please contact Ilar at ilar@italki.com for more information!