A/Ls are over. What’s next?

Going to University

Going to university is a lifelong dream for some students and their parents. Therefore on completion of A/Ls, going to university isn’t optional.

However not all are set and decided in their ways. In this case, it is possible to study what options are available and make a well informed decision.

Selecting a University

If university is in your future, you need to plan. Which schools appeal to you? How are you going to pay for your education?

How do you decide on a school when there are thousands to pick from? Start by asking yourself questions about your preferences: What subject areas am I interested in? What kind of learning environment is best for me? Would I be more comfortable in a small school or would I feel confined? Do I want to stay close to home or live far away? Would I prefer to be in Colombo, out of Colombo or in another country? Should I go to a school where athletics are big or where fraternities or sororities rule? Do I like being with people who are mostly like me or do I want to meet a diverse group? What is my budget? (Do I have a budget) Ask friends and family who are in college about their universities and about other universities they’re familiar with. Talk to teachers and visit the education exhibitions held near you.

Once you’ve narrowed down your choic- es, call the universities. Visit their websites. When you’ve whittled your list down to a manageable number, make arrangements to visit. Try to do this when the university is in session so you can get a good idea of what life is really like on campus.

And remember: You’re not the only one making a decision. Schools are picking from a large pool of applicants. They want to know how well-rounded you are and what makes you stand out from everyone else. They will look at your marks, class rank, and your extracurricular activities — so it’s important to dedicate time and effort to all these things.

Money, Money, Money

Don’t cross a university off your list just because the tuition is beyond your budget. Ask the university about scholarships. Ask the university what banks they are partnered with for education loans .

Getting a Job

Maybe you’ve decided that university isn’t for you — right now, anyway. If you want to join the workforce, opportunities are out there for people who don’t have degrees. One path that some students take is joining the military. Some retail or hospitality industry organizations offer training programs to school leavers. Internships too are available and will give you a good introduction to work life.

In Sri Lanka it is advisable to make sure your parents’ friends know you’re looking for a job. Scour the classified ads in the newspaper and do some Internet research. Most large companies list their job openings on their websites.

Taking Time Off

For some people, the prospect of starting college, especially going away to university far away from home, is scary. It’s probably the first time that you’ll be totally responsible for your own schedule. What if you intend to go to college but just don’t feel ready to start yet — for whatever reason — and you don’t want to take on a full-time job after graduation? You might want to take a year off to pause and regroup. This practice is common in some countries, like the United Kingdom, where it’s called a “gap year.”

Taking time off doesn’t mean you should ignore the idea of applying to universities. In fact, you may want to consider making your university plans before you become involved in other things, especially if you’ll be traveling. Apply to universities and make your choice, then ask for a deferred admission. This phenomenon in rare in Sri Lanka but it is an available option.

Even if you decide not to apply to university, it can be a great idea to take a year to do something you may not have an opportunity to do again. Lots of volunteer organizations would welcome your time and energy and would provide you with a wonderful learning experience.

“So, what are you doing after your exams?” Many students get bored answering this question repeatedly. However, this is a question that we need to answer for ourselves. From university to getting a job, a plethora of options are available.

Talking to your parents

What if your post-A/L plans differ from what your parents have in mind? Talk openly with your parents about your plans — both for the short term (like what you want to do next year) and the long term (what you think you’d like to do in life). If your parents want you to go to university but you don’t feel you’re ready or that college is right for you, explain why.

Getting Advice

Even if you talk to your parents about anything, they probably don’t know everything. For school and career guidance, talk with adult friends (for example friends of the family). Make an effort to talk to people in the fields that interest you. If you think you want to be an accountant, call some accountants and ask them about their work. Most people are flattered to get calls like this, and they’ll usually take the time to talk to a student.

Whatever you choose to do now does not have to be what you do forever. You can always go back to university or change a career path. Your future is not set in stone and therefore can easily be changed with time. Mahishka Samarasinghe

This entire section consists exclusively of critical reading questions designed to test your reading and grammar skills at the sentence, paragraph, and passage level.

This 65-minute portion of the test includes 4 individual passages and 1 pair of passages. It has 52 questions. The passages themselves may include narrative, persuasive and informative passages, with topics ranging from classic and contemporary literature from the US and the world, social sciences, historically important documents, and basic concepts and recent developments in science.

The Evidence-Based Writing section is made up of 4 passages and 44 multiple choice questions and lasts for 35 minutes. The topics of these passages always include careers, social studies, the humanities, and science.

SAT testing: The Math section

The Math section of the SAT includes 2 sections and a total of 58 questions. In the first section, calculators are not permitted, and it contains 20 questions and lasts for 25 minutes. The second section has 38 questions, and lasts for 55 minutes, and you can use a calculator.

Within the entire Math section, there are four main content areas: fundamental algebra involving linear equations and inequalities, problem solving and data analysis, advanced concepts in algebra, including quadratic and higher-order equations, and finally additional topics including geometry, trigonometry, and complex numbers.

SAT testing: The Optional Essay

The Optional Essay section allows you to show your ability to comprehend source material, analyze an argument, and write effectively. The new SAT essay prompt asks you to read and analyze a provided passage and write an essay, using up to 50 minutes.

Essays are graded on three specific criteria: Reading, Analysis, and Writing, each of which is measured on a scale of 2 to 8, yielding a score range of 6-24.

SAT scores

The highest possible score on the EvidenceBased Reading and Writing section is 800, and the Math section having a maximum score of 800. The highest possible total score is therefore 1,600.

The optional essay section is separately scored, and has a maximum of 24.

SAT prep is a proven way to increase your scores. While you need to have a strong foundation in writing, reading, and math to score well, SAT test prep will teach you strategies to get the most from the knowledge you have. SAT help will allow you to determine your weaknesses and focus on improving them. Please visit www.prepacademy.lk or call 113 075 614 for further information. Classes for the November exam begin on September 3rd.