It wasn’t so long ago when cheating was something you’d at least lower your voice while discussing. There was a taboo, a sense of shame associated with it. Not so today. With cheating splashed all over YouTube, there’s definitely a “C’mon, everybody’s doing it” attitude to it and students are responding to the call with great enthusiasm and skill.

Using innocent looking gadgets such as cellphones, ipods and even soda bottles, students are finding more clever ways to deceive their teachers and cheat on their exams. Using a cell phone to text answers to friends has become popular, even in schools that don’t allow phones. Many teens have learned how to conceal the fact that they’re texting in class. An iPod provides another handy way to cheat. The teacher would find it hard to know that the students are listening to their own self-recorded audio file about the topic of test they are taking.

Schools have banned the use of of these gadgets in classrooms but it doesn’t seem to deter students from doing so.

Here is a list of standardized tests that a student would encounter.

* PSAT The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test is the SAT’s little sibling. It is a somewhat easier, and thus less consequential, version of the SAT. You commonly take it during the fall of your Junior year in high school, some time in October. Many people take it in 10th grade as well, for practice. It will effect two things: which colleges send you brochures in the mail without your having to ask and whether you become a National Merit Scholar, an award that once guaranteed a scholarship but no longer does. There is a similar, but much less available, version of the ACT. Moral: Don’t sweat it.
* SAT The Scholastic Aptitude Test is the most feared test of any college-bound student. Most colleges require that you take either the SAT or the ACT in order to apply. But don’t worry so much! It just tests reading comprehension, vocabulary, and high school math. Books, computer software, and courses are available to help maximize your score.
* ACT The American College Test is similar to the SAT, but some find it easier to do well on. It is more common in the Midwestern United States than elsewhere. Instead of the SAT’s two sections, the ACT contains four: reading comprehension, English (grammar, proofreading, vocabulary), math, and science reasoning (graph reading, etc. which does not suppose prior knowledge). It is available in all areas, and books can help you learn to ace it.
* TOEFL If you did not go to school in an English-speaking high school, the Test of English as a Foreign Language is for you. It tests writing, reading, speaking, and listening skills so that colleges know if you can function in an all-English learning environment.
* SAT II Given in many subjects such as foreign languages, literature, writing, math, sciences, and history, the SAT II lets colleges know if you have developed a thorough knowledge of any subject area. If you were homeschooled, bet on taking a bunch of them. Otherwise, many colleges require three, usually including the writing test (which has a scored essay to write). If you are entering a specialized field, count on having certain tests to take (Engineering often requires math and science tests, for example). If you are majoring in something more general, take the subjects you are most comfortable with, and take them as soon as you complete relevant course work so the material stays fresh. Some less selective schools may grant credit or placement for high scores on these tests.
* ASVAB This is the test you will take if you wish to enter the military. It assesses your skills and interests so that they can place you in the best position.
* AP Advanced Placement tests are usually offered at the end of a specific high school course, but some students choose to take them on their own. Offered in many subjects like foreign languages, science, math, history, psychology, and even art, high scores often grant credit and almost always grant placement.
* GED If you quit high school and now want to apply to college, you may need to take the General Equivalency Diploma in order to present evidence of a high school education to your college. Adult Education classes can help prepare you for these exams, which vary state to state.
* GRE The GRE is a test much like the SAT that students take in order to apply for admission to many master’s and Ph.D. programs, especially those in academic fields. It has a math section focusing on problem solving and data interpretations, a verbal section focusing on academic reading comprehension and difficult vocabulary, and an analytical section which tests your logical reasoning skills as well as offering up some logic games. Some subject tests, especially in the hard sciences, as well as a writing assessment, are also offered.
* GMAT The GMAT is similar to the GRE, but offers unique math questions to test your reasoning skills. This test is administered to students planning on attending business school.
* LSAT Potential law school students take this grueling exam, which focuses on reading comprehension, logic games, and logical reasoning skills. No math! You’ll also have to complete two writing assignments when taking this test.
* MCAT The master of all standardized tests, the MCAT is a full-day examination that tests verbal skills and scientific knowledge in a wide range of fields. If you are planning on going to medical school, start studying for this crucial examination now.

Remember that if you have a documented disability (learning, emotional, psychological, physical, etc.) you are eligible for special testing circumstances which may include a separate location, extended time, a computer, or a reader.

Living and studying in a boarding school can be a daunting task for students. One of the most challenging, and oftentimes confusing and scary, situations is the opposite’ sex presence in a dorm room. Most boarding schools do not let the genders mix in, specially in the dorms, but some of them do and not to mention college where everything is so much scarier and much more confusing. But that doesn’t mean that being in a coed boarding school dormitory is all bad, there are a few good things too. Here is a list of the pros and cons of living in a coed dorm:

PROS:

• You get to live and socialize with members of the opposite sex. For many students (at least the heterosexual ones), this is an irresistible option.

• It’s a helpful “real life” experience because the world isn’t separated into same-sex spheres. Men and women need to learn to relate to each other, especially in the workplace, and a dorm can be good practice.

• Living with familiar men around can be a safety advantages for female college students — or at least can make them feel less vulnerable.

• Coed dorms may offer students more housing options. On some campuses, only a limited number of residence halls are same-sex.

• Living in an all-girl or all-guy environment isn’t for everyone. Some college girls find other women to be catty and would prefer not to live with a whole dorm full of them.

• Many students who live in coed dorms argue that it’s not that big of a deal. Dorm life is not one big college sex party. Male and female students have the same basic housing needs– sleeping accommodations, a place to study, and companionship. Why separate people with the same needs? After all, students are adults.

CONS:

• Having guys in the dorm may offer safety advantages to college girls, but this also poses safety problems. College girls find themselves living in close quarters with dozens of young men.

• Sexual harassment can be a big problem in coed dorms. College girls can find themselves the victim of pranks and “locker room talk” that crosses the line. Even if sexual harassment isn’t going on, some college guys make girls uncomfortable with vulgarity and lewdness.

• For modest students, coed dorms are not a good idea. No, people don’t walk around the hallways naked, but they do walk around in bathrobes and boxer shorts.

• Coed dorms provide lots of dating opportunities. Unfortunately, dating someone in your dorm isn’t necessarily a good idea. It’s kind of like living together after the first date, since there’s no getting away from each other. Everyone in the hallway will know your drama, and if you break up, you’re stuck with each other. There are many places on a college campus to meet dating prospects, and living in a same-sex dorm isn’t going to take those away.

• A same-sex dorm can be a fun and supportive environment. Both males and females sometimes feel more like they can be themselves when there aren’t people of the opposite sex around. Freshman year can be stressful enough, so if a same-sex environment sounds more relaxing, it’s probably a better option.

• Some students (and their parents) have religious or moral reasons for not wanting to live in a coed dorm

For anyone who has ever taken any type of exam before, a good study habit can be the deciding factor on whether or not you pass or fail. Here are a few basic tips that you can follow if you want to pass that all important exam.

Time Management

Before you start to study, make sure you have an sufficient amount of time to complete this task. Keep in mind that the amount of time you’ll need to study for a college exam is probably quite a bit more than the time you needed to study in high school.

Study Environment

What’s the best environment for studying for an exam? For the most part, that’s a personal decision. Some students need dead quiet. Some students have trouble concentrating without background music or other noise in the room. Some students study better alone, and others need company. The trick is to figure out what works best for you.

Get Help From the Professor or TA

Here’s an important tip that professors frequently tell their students, but that students frequently ignore. Look over the material at least several days before the exam, and then ask the professor if you have any questions! Of course, this means you can’t put off your studying until the last minute.

Figure Out What’s Important

As you study, pay special attention to what the professor thinks is most important. You can make educated guesses that certain kinds of material will be on the test.

Flashcards and Other Tricks

For many students, it’s helpful to write things down as you study. This helps reinforce the information in your mind, and it also gives you an easy way to look over information before the test.

One popular way of studying in this manner is by using flashcards, usually created with index cards. This is a good way to learn definitions and important words, as you can write the word on one side and the definition on the other. Be careful, though– make sure you fully understand what the definition actually means, and how it relates to the rest of the material.

Another helpful trick is to make a succinct outline of your notes and the readings. If you do this, be careful not to leave out any material that’s important.

Some students find it helpful simply to scribble down notes on a piece of paper as they study, or type things into a Word document. Although this isn’t the most organized way to study, this method can be effective in helping to reinforce material.

Remember passing the exams are just a part of the bigger picture, which is to LEARN.

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If a parent wants to find the best possible school for their children then asking the following question would be a great idea in order to get valuable information. Don’t forget to bring a pen and paper to take note of the answers.

•What is the school’s philosophy?

•What is the school’s code of conduct?

•Does the school offer conflict resolution? •What are the guidelines for suspension and expulsion?

•Does the school have a strict dress code? •How do the students interact with the teachers?

•Does the school have a diverse student population?

•Does the school have an accelerated or gifted program?

•What is the criterion for having your child tested or admitted into a gifted program?

•What is the average class size?

•Does the school have reduced class size? (Are the reduced class size only for particular programs?)

•Does the school offer an integrated curriculum with full inclusion of all learners?

•What are the school’s academic standards?

•How are the school’s test scores?

•Have the scores fluctuated or have they been steadily improving or declining?

•How does the school prepare its students for higher education?

•What programs are offered in the school?

•Does the school support English Language Learners?

•How long has the administration been in the school?

•Does the school provide teachers with professional development?

•Does the school have a strong PTA or PA?

•Is an after school program offered?

•Does the school have an Emergency Evacuation Plan? If so, is it plan given to parents?

•Does the school have a website?

This list can be very useful, but parents should also ask whatever questions they may have that are not listed above. You can also share those question in the comment box for other parents to read.