Direct Hits Blog

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As you start preparing for the college admissions process, you’ll want to plan a CRUCIAL (important) aspect of your search: EMBARKING (setting out) on college visits. You’ve probably already done a lot of research online, but actual visits can CORROBORATE (support) or BELIE (contradict) your original initial perceptions, intuitions, or expectations. You want to sense the tone of a campus, to identify the NUANCES (subtle differences) that can help you decide where you will be most comfortable for the next few years of your life. The OPTIMAL (best) time to visit colleges is when school is in session, so you can observe typical campus life at each university.

There are MYRIAD (many) recommendations on the college search process, but we’ll summarize a few of the more SALIENT (prominent, important) aspects. First, you might PONDER (consider carefully) whether you would like to REPLICATE (reproduce) your high school environment or seek out its ANTITHESIS (opposite). Would you like to get caught up in a crowd or find a small family? Do you want an URBAN (city) setting or a more RUSTIC (rural, country) one? Do you like UTILITARIAN (practical) concrete and glass construction, or does your AESTHETIC (sense of the beautiful) run to the PROVERBIAL (traditional) ivy-covered brick or Gothic architecture?

When you visit a college, make an appointment to attend an information session and a campus tour. In doing so, you’ll be able to gain the most PERTINENT (relevant) information about the college and its admissions process, and you’ll get a sense of campus life. As you visit each campus, don’t be TIMOROUS (fearful, shy) about asking the always-AFFABLE (friendly) tour guides and admissions staff about student life. But retain a bit of healthy SKEPTICISM (doubt), remembering that it is their job to market their school to you, the consumer. Try to ASCERTAIN (determine) what you can about the social scene, faculty-student relationships, the value placed on teaching, the STATUS (importance, rank) of the fields you have a PENCHANT (liking, preference) for, and other GERMANE (relevant, pertinent) aspects such as class sizes and class registration procedures.

The ESCALATING (rising) cost at all institutions, even state schools, makes the PECUNIARY (pertaining to money) issue one that cannot be ignored. If a college seems beyond your family’s MEANS (disposable assets), investigate other potential resources: financial aid, loans, and scholarships. Ask the admissions staff about financial resources and scholarship opportunities.

While it is IMPERATIVE (obligatory) to attend official admissions events during your visit, you can also SUPPLEMENT (add to) your experience by taking time to explore the campus and its surrounding area on your own. Pick up a copy of the college newspaper to learn about university news and students’ opinions on campus life. As you explore campus, take pictures to help you remember the various FACETS (features, attributes) of the university. While you may think that you’ll remember all of the MINUTIAE (trivial details) about your visit, once you’ve completed several college trips, those individual campus details will start to AMALGAMATE (blend). By taking pictures and collecting brochures during your campus visits, you can retrieve the details of each university when you’re making important college decisions later.

From among the DIVERSE (varied) ARRAY (collection) of institutions, you are seeking to identify the best MILIEUS (environments) for you to live, learn, and grow. It would also BEHOOVE you (be fitting or necessary) to keep working on your Direct Hits vocabulary books so that ultimately the colleges you pick will pick you!

Want to learn even more SAT vocabulary words to raise your scores? Get the Direct Hits vocabulary books now!

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Mark your calendars for Sunday, February 24, the 2013 Academy Awards. Whether you’re an AVID (enthusiastic) moviegoer with a PENCHANT (liking) for everything from blockbusters to indie films or you just like seeing what evening gowns the stars are wearing, there will be something for everyone on Oscar night. The most glamorous night in Hollywood will feature the biggest stars wearing their most ORNATE (elaborately decorated) and often OSTENTATIOUS (showy) designer apparel. Host Seth MacFarlane, the creator of Family Guy and the UPROARIOUS (hilarious) movie Ted, will certainly bring along his BENT (talent) for ADROIT (greatly skilled) impressions and his WRY (dry, clever humor) wit. Among a SPATE (large number) of celebrity presenters, Mark Wahlberg will be there with his CRASS (vulgar) co-star, Ted, the EPONYMOUS (named after the central character) teddy bear. Everyone is looking forward to hearing Adele bring her MELLIFLUOUS (smooth and sweet) voice to Hollywood to perform “Skyfall,” her Oscar-nominated song from this year’s James Bond movie.

While the celebrities and performances will make it a memorable evening, the awards themselves promise to be anything but MUNDANE (uninteresting) this year. This year’s ceremony will make Academy history, as the Best Actress category features several UNPRECEDENTED (without previous example) nominations, JUXTAPOSING (placing together) 86-year-old Amour star Emmanuelle Riva, the oldest nominee in the category’s history, with 9-year-old Quvenzhané Wallis, a Hollywood NEOPHYTE (beginner) and the youngest-ever Best Actress contender. From the category’s ECLECTIC (choosing a variety of sources) group of nominees, PUNDITS (expert commentators) expect the Best Actress award to go to Jennifer Lawrence for her ACCLAIMED (praised) performance in Silver Linings Playbook. The AFFABLE (warm and friendly) Lawrence is also beloved by millions of fans for her performances in The Hunger Games and Winter’s Bone (2010).

Uncharacteristically, PUNDITS haven’t yet come to a CONSENSUS (general agreement) on which film will win the COVETED (strongly desired) Best Picture award. Historically, the Best Picture winners have also been nominated for Best Director, but this year, ATYPICALLY (unusually), two of the major contenders did not receive Best Director nominations. Still, it has happened that a film has won Best Picture without its director’s being nominated. Kathryn Bigelow, who made history in 2010 as the first female Best Director winner (for The Hurt Locker), wasn’t nominated this year, though her PROVOCATIVE (provoking controversy) Zero Dark Thirty is a strong contender for Best Picture.  Many feel Ben Affleck was also SLIGHTED (disrespected) by not being nominated for Best Director for Argo, but the COPIOUS (abundant) ACCOLADES (awards) GARNERED (amassed, acquired) by that film at other recent awards ceremonies could be PRESAGING (foreshadowing) a victory as the year’s Best Picture. The historical drama Lincoln, another Best Picture frontrunner, has also been LAUDED (praised) EFFUSIVELY (gushingly) and will likely receive many awards on Oscars night.

Who will win? The absence of a clear frontrunner could possibly lead to a surprise upset in the Best Picture category. We’ll have to wait until February 24 to find out, but INCONTROVERTIBLY (undoubtedly) we’re in for an evening of exciting surprises.

Photo Credit: Summit Entertainment/Andrew Cooper

Vampires have been a PERENNIAL (enduring year after year) favorite movie subject for decades, but they have achieved UNPRECEDENTED (without previous example) popularity over the past few years through the LUCRATIVE (very profitable) Twilight SAGA (long narrative story). Twilight tells the story of an UNGAINLY (awkward) teenager, Bella Swan, who falls in love with Edward Cullen, a 107-year-old vampire living CLANDESTINELY (covertly) among humans. Their relationship poses many dangers to Bella, and they are BELEAGUERED (surrounded with problems) by MYRIAD (numerous) difficulties and foes, including MALEVOLENT (wishing evil on others) werewolves, VINDICTIVE (vengeful) vampires, and the OMINOUS (menacing) and powerful Volturi. The romance and adventure of Bella and Edward’s UNCONVENTIONAL (unusual) love story have earned the series legions of fans from all segments of the population, TRANSCENDING (surpassing the limits of) its young adult DEMOGRAPHIC (segment of the population).

Adapting the FLORID (flowery in style) language of the novels into a SCINTILLATING (sparkling, brilliant) movie series was a challenge, but the resulting Twilight films have delighted their devoted fan base, who  have responded EFFUSIVELY (gushing, expressing unrestrained emotion) to the film adaptations of the VENERATED (greatly respected) books. Despite the critics’ largely TEPID (lukewarm) response to the movies, the Twilight series has been a JUGGERNAUT (irresistible force that crushes everything in its path) at the box office, launching the careers of its stars, among them Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner. The FERVENT (enthusiastic) interest of Twilight’s fan base doesn’t appear to be FLAGGING (weakening); recently, over 1500 Twihards camped outside the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles at the Breaking Dawn – Part II premiere, in hopes of catching a glimpse of the REVERED (adored, admired) stars. As fans eagerly anticipate seeing Bella join the supernatural world as a NEOPHYTE (beginner) vampire, they will surely also be NOSTALGIC (longing for something past) and WISTFUL (yearning, somewhat melancholy) as the beloved series comes to an end.

If you’d like to learn more SAT words paired with memorable examples from movies, TV, literature, and other relevant sources, get the Direct Hits vocabulary books now!

The cooler weather is a HARBINGER (foreshadowing of future events) of the many delights autumn has for us.  Harvest festivals, crisp mornings, and the changing colors of the leaves are among the signs that fall has arrived, but for many people the highlight of this time of year is the return of football.  From Friday night light to Saturday college conference play to the NFL on Sunday, fans pour into stadiums and gather around televisions to cheer for their teams. It is also the start of the FORMIDABLE (intense) SAT season when students all over the world, filled with TREPIDATION (fear), pour into test centers.

In order to win in football, players must be INDOMITABLE (impossible to defeat) and commit to preparation, perseverance, and execution. The coaches must make sure that there are no surprises on game day.

In order to succeed on the SAT, students must apply the same INDEFATIGABLE (tireless) preparation, perseverance, and execution.. By committing to study your Direct Hits words, you will not be surprised on test day and will be prepared and ready to perform!

Do You Know These Words?

Below is a list of Direct Hits vocabulary that appeared in questions on the October 2011, January 2012, and May 2012 SATs.  Those listed as ”Direct Hits” were words that were the correct answer to the question.  Those listed as “Indirect Hits” were words that were among the answer choices or were key words in the question but not the actual answer. By knowing their definitions, you will be able to use process of elimination and easily identify the right answer. Many of these words will reappear in future SATs.

Direct Hits

Indirect Hits

 How would you have scored? Would you have fumbled the ball or run for a touchdown? To AUGMENT (increase) your SAT vocabulary even more and run up your score, get the Direct Hits vocabulary books now!

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Social media has become UBIQUITOUS (omnipresent) in our culture. With Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, LinkedIn, YouTube, and more, we’re sharing a lot of information online. In case you’re OBLIVIOUS (unaware), your online image matters, especially when it comes to applying for colleges, scholarships, and jobs. How you present yourself online can be a BOON (benefit) or BANE (source of harm) for you, as more and more college admissions officers and prospective employers use Facebook and other sites to research applicants. A negative online image could COMPROMISE (jeopardize) your college applications or job opportunities. Let us help you ELEVATE (move to a higher place) your social media presence as you prepare for college and beyond.

First, we IMPLORE (urge) you to clean up your social media accounts including usernames and handles. Timeline is becoming a PREVALENT (widespread) Facebook feature, making it easy to look through photos and posts from long ago. While Timeline is a great feature when you’re feeling NOSTALGIC (longing for the past) and want to relive old memories, it can be DELETERIOUS (injurious) to college applications. While a simple Facebook post seems EPHEMERAL (lasting for a short time), it remains online, and now, with Timeline, admissions officers and future employers can easily access old photos and Facebook statuses you wrote years ago. Would you be CHAGRINED (feeling distressed because of embarrassment) if an admissions officer saw some of the posts or photos on your Facebook profile? Take time to EXCISE (delete) any inappropriate content that you’ve posted on your social media accounts over the years.

EXPUNGE (delete) any PROVOCATIVE (causing controversy) photos and untag yourself from any of your friends’ photos that look potentially problematic. Remove any photos or posts that show you being COMPLICIT (associated or participating in a wrongful act) in any SOPHOMORIC (exhibiting great immaturity and lack of judgment) or illegal activity. Review your Facebook wall and Twitter feed and EXPUNGE (remove) posts that are discriminatory, DISPARAGING (disrespectful), or CRASS (vulgar).

The next step in your social media makeover is to privatize your information. Change your Privacy Settings on Facebook so that only your friends can see your full profile and the content you’ve posted. Choose an interesting profile picture and cover photo that creates a positive impression since admissions officers will be able to see these, even if they can’t read your Facebook posts. Social media is a BOON because it can show your passions and personalities, so use your “About” section on your Facebook profile to add to your positive online image. In your profile, ENUMERATE (list) your MYRIAD (numerous) interests and pick quotes that describe you. Establish a new REGIMEN (system) for posting online. Be PRUDENT (careful) with what you post online, and ESCHEW (avoid) posting things that reflect poorly on you. Use good grammar and spelling and ABSTAIN (refrain) from using profanity. Use social media in a way that ENHANCES (improve) your online image and perhaps even your college applications.

For more SAT vocabulary, follow Direct Hits on Twitter and get the Direct Hits vocabulary books now!

For those of you who are juniors, the HALCYON (idyllically calm and peaceful) days of summer have come to an end and the dreaded year has begun. While you may be feeling DISCOMFITED (uneasy) or even TIMOROUS (afraid) about the upcoming year, let us DISPEL (drive away) the PERVASIVE (widespread) rumors that junior year is necessarily going to be the BANE (source of ruin) of your existence, presenting only INSURMOUNTABLE (not capable of being overcome) challenges.  Although 11^th grade can be stressful, you can DEVISE (formulate) and IMPLEMENT (put into use) a FEASIBLE (possible) plan to THWART (prevent) the customary headaches of junior year.

The best way to MITIGATE (relieve) the PROLIFERATING (rapidly increasing) academic, extracurricular, and social stresses of junior year is to get organized. METICULOUSLY (very carefully) maintain a calendar of all your commitments: paper due dates, activities, SAT and ACT dates, college fairs, and any other obligations. Your calendar will help you to manage your time wisely and to fit your college visits around the rest of your life.

Research online and CULL (gather the choice things or parts) from the many options a list of colleges that appeal to you. There are a MYRIAD (many) aspects of college to PONDER (consider carefully), among them size, cost, strength of various academic departments, and location. Consider whether you’d prefer an URBAN (city) setting or a more PROVINCIAL (rural, country) MILIEU (environment). The OPTIMAL (best) time to visit a college is when school is in session, to get a sense of the “tone” of a school and whether you can see yourself there.

It is critical that you not get behind in your school work. Falling behind will only EXACERBATE (make worse) the stress of this INDISPUTABLY (undeniably) demanding year. The DEARTH (shortage) of time in which to AMELIORATE (to make better) any weaknesses on your transcript makes it IMPERATIVE (necessary) that you stay on top of your responsibilities.

This is the year when your PSAT scores count.  Doing well could mean achieving National Merit recognition. It would be PRUDENT (sensible) for you to prepare for the October PSAT. By taking the time to prepare, you can become an ADROIT (skilled) and confident test taker ready to face the next hurdle, the SAT or ACT, with FORTITUDE (strength of mind) and RESOLUTENESS (determination). You can register for the SAT here and register for the ACT here. Note that the College Board and ACT have implemented new security measures for the SAT and ACT to PRECLUDE (prevent) the CHICANERY (deliberate trickery) discovered last year. The College Board and ACT now PRESCRIBE (requires) that you upload a photo of yourself during online registration for the test. The photo will appear on your admissions ticket and on the roster at the test sites; it will also be attached to any score reports sent to high schools and colleges.

You can NEGOTIATE (successfully travel through) the difficulties of the INFAMOUS (having a bad reputation) junior year. HISTRIONICS (over-dramatic theatrics) won’t help; a calm, PRAGMATIC (sensible, practical), organized approach will.  Approach the challenges UNDAUNTED (steadfast, intrepid), and have a great junior year! Let the Direct Hits vocabulary books help you prepare for the SAT and ACT.

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As you enjoy the IDYLLIC (simple and carefree) days of summer, you may be feeling NONCHALANT (coolly unconcerned) about the IMPENDING (imminent) senior year, but the HIATUS (break) from schoolwork is almost over. When you add college applications to a schedule already filled with the MYRIAD (many) commitments to AP classes, extracurriculars, and SATs, you’re facing an EXCEEDINGLY (exceptionally) busy fall semester.  But by starting on your college applications during the summer, you can FORESTALL (prevent) some of the typical senior stress.

We EXHORT (strongly urge) you to print out the 2012-2013 Common Application and start filling it out. ACCUMULATING (gathering) all of the necessary biographical information now will be a major BOON (benefit) for you this fall when you’re scrambling to submit your college applications. PERUSE (examine) the Common Application essay topics. The college essay is your opportunity to DEMONSTRATE (show) who you are beyond your test scores, GPA, and resume.  RUMINATE (ponder, muse) about meaningful or interesting events in your recent life.  A small encounter described vividly will usually result in a more focused and effective essay than a long, DIFFUSE (scattered, dispersed, discursive) story.  Steer clear of travelogues!  As with any writing, specific details can make the difference between a MUNDANE (ordinary) and a SCINTILLATING (sparkling, brilliantly clever) essay. RUMINATE (ponder, muse) on possible topics and begin your first draft. ESCHEWING (avoiding) the PEDESTRIAN (commonplace, unoriginal) and instead crafting a compelling essay will showcase your personality and interests to admissions officers. By starting early, you will have time for your ideas to CRYSTALLIZE (to assume definite form), as well as time for several drafts that can CULMINATE (come to completion, reach a point of highest development) in an IMPECCABLE (flawless, perfect) final essay.

Getting organized is INDISPUTABLY (undeniably) a way to MITIGATE (relieve, ease) your senior stress. Make a list of colleges to which you’re considering applying and find out online their admissions requirements and deadlines. Make a METICULOUS (very exacting) checklist of admissions requirements for all your colleges. It would also be PRUDENT (sensible) to write down on a calendar all application and scholarship deadlines, dates for open houses, and SAT and ACT test dates.  If your schools PRESCRIBE (require) supplements to the Common Application, download those forms and start working on those essays and short answer questions.

If you’re planning to take the October SAT, register online now. New security measures have been implemented by both the SAT and the ACT to keep in CHECK (to halt or restrain) the CHICANERY (deliberate trickery) that came to light last year.  Students will now be required to upload a photo of themselves when registering for these exams. The photos will appear on the students’ admission tickets and on the test site rosters available to proctors. Then the photos will be attached to any score reports sent to high schools and colleges.

Begin now— since you will have a DEARTH (shortage) of spare time once school starts.  Register for SAT prep classes and plan a study schedule for the upcoming months. To start improving your SAT scores, get the Direct Hits vocabulary books now!

Students, it’s here — the last test of this school year, the June SAT! But don’t let TREPIDATION (fear) STYMIE (thwart) you.  If you’re DISQUIETED (worried) about how you should be spending the last few days before the test, fear not! Direct Hits is here to PLACATE (calm) your ANGUISH (torment) with this helpful and ENLIGHTENING (informative) advice.

Of course, it is important that you study these last few days. This is your last chance to review, so you need to spend your time wisely. We EXHORT (encourage) you to review your most challenging vocabulary words.  Review your favorite literary works and historical figures in case they might be useful examples in writing the essay.  You want to be able to produce a SCINTILLATING (sparkling) two-page essay rather than a PEDESTRIAN (ordinary) one.  Maybe rework those PERPLEXING (confusing) math problems that always CONFOUND (puzzle) you.  If you’re already successful on one part of the SAT, spend more time reviewing your weaker areas.

However, we ADMONISH (warn) you not to cram for the SAT.  PARADOXICALLY (in a contradictory but true way), cramming can in fact have a NOXIOUS (harmful) effect.  Last minute cramming can EXACERBATE (make worse) your stress. Rather than frantically trying to review everything all at once, pick a couple of things to review each day.

To be an ADEPT (very skillful) test-taker, you also need time to rest and relax.  Study breaks will keep your focus and energy from FLAGGING (becoming weak) and your reviewing from becoming PERFUNCTORY (spiritless and mechanical).  Exercise can help you clear your head and de-stress, so it would be PRUDENT (sensible) to take a HIATUS (break) from your work. After exercising, you will return to your studying with greater FERVOR (enthusiasm) and better focus. Additionally, it is IMPERATIVE (absolutely necessary) that you get enough sleep.  If you sleep well throughout the week, you’ll have the stamina to survive the nearly five-hour test.

On the day before the test, if you have a PREDILECTION (strong inclination) for study, CHECK (restrain) yourself and only study a little bit.  Instead, focus on getting ready for the day before the test. Make sure you know where your test center is, how long it takes to get there and where you need to park if you are driving yourself. Pack your bag of test-day essentials. You’ll need your SAT admission ticket, a photo ID, several sharpened No. 2 pencils (mechanical pencils are not allowed) with good erasers (you will use up at least one pencil writing the essay). Also take your calculator, a watch so that you can keep up with time on each section (it cannot make any noise), a snack with protein and water or Gatorade for the breaks. It would be DELETERIOUS (injurious) to your math score if your calculator died during the test, so make sure you start with fresh batteries and have back-up batteries with you just in case you need them. Eat a good dinner, relax, and go to bed early.

On test day, wake up early and eat a solid breakfast.  Eggs are supposedly good for the memory!  Make sure that you leave plenty of time to get checked in at the test center and that you take your bag of SAT essentials with you. By being well prepared, you can face the SAT with FORTITUDE (strength of mind), TENACITY (persistence, toughness), APLOMB (self-assurance), and EQUANIMITY (composure, poise).  Good Luck!

As the semester ends, you may now be looking ahead to the upcoming SAT Subject Tests on June 2. The SAT Subject Tests (formerly known as the SAT IIs) are 20 different hour-long tests in MYRIAD (many) academic subjects, which allow you to demonstrate your particular academic abilities and achievement. Strong subject test scores can ENHANCE (improve) your college applications, demonstrate your interest and skill in the subjects you have studied, and display your TENACITY (determination in holding onto something of great value) with respect to academic pursuits.  Subject test scores that EVINCE (show clearly) your readiness to handle college courses may even exempt you from certain class requirements or place you in more advanced class levels.

You may take a maximum of three different hour-long tests at a sitting. The College Board doesn’t DICTATE (explicitly require) which ones you must take; instead, you can select those that will best demonstrate your academic PROWESS (ability).  But some colleges do PRESCRIBE (require) a certain selection of SAT Subject Tests as part of their admissions requirements.

How do you choose which ones to take?  Research college websites online to determine if your potential choice requires any subject tests for their applications and, if so, which ones.  Since the most PERTINENT (relevant) English skills are covered in the SAT, you should definitely take a math test and choose among the science, history, or foreign language tests for the remaining two. The Math I test covers Algebra 1 and 2 and geometry, while Math 2 adds elementary functions (precalculus) and trigonometry.  If your language offers a test with a listening component and your aural skills are good, consider taking that one to show an additional level of competence.  You will need one of the allowed CD players and extra batteries if you elect this option. Note: the foreign language listening tests are only offered in November and the Latin subject test is only offered in June and December.

It’s best to take tests that cover courses you have just completed, since the material will still be fresh in your mind.  Still, you must also familiarize yourself with the format and approach of each test you plan to take.  Do not go in cold!  Get the Official College Board Subject Test book or go online  to find practice materials. Your scores on these tests can be helpful if you do well, but if you don’t prepare, they could actually be counterproductive.  So— we EXHORT (strongly urge) you to PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!

Planning ahead for the fall: to improve your SAT scores, get the Direct Hits vocabulary books now! http://bit.ly/AdwzbT