SAT/ACT prep that works
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Is Testing Still Necessary?
Tests are still vital for many students; please do not confuse "test optional" with "tests don't matter." As one colleagues noted: "Good grades and extracurricular activities are 'optional' too. But if you want want to get in, you'd better have them!"
Several sources have compiled data for admission rates at test-optional schools for applicants who submit vs. don't submit test scores. This source covers a range of public and private schools, while this one focuses more on elite East Coast schools. The clear takeaway is that applicants who submit test scores have an advantage—sometimes a very large one—at test-optional schools.
Only UC's, CSU's, and a small number of other colleges around the country are test-blind. |
Parents of Rising Juniors:
Now is the best time to plan your SAT/ACT strategy, especially now that some colleges are reinstating SAT/ACT testing requirements. Some students might not do test prep until next year—or at all!—but planning for a busy junior year is, in my experience, extremely important.
Parents of Rising Seniors:
We still have plenty of time to prepare for tests taking place in every month from August through December. If you think it's too late—or if you've been led to believe that testing doesn't matter this year—please talk to me! |
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My Approach
I construct detailed homework assignments and lesson plans with fundamental principles of learning, memory, and motivation in mind. Effective test prep involves three areas of learning:
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All three facets are woven together throughout the test prep process, with an emphasis on foundational content in our early lessons when more significant gaps exist in a student's math and grammar knowledge.
If you'd like to know more about how I work, please ask me. I'm happy to share!
If you'd like to know more about how I work, please ask me. I'm happy to share!
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Fees
My fee for SAT/ACT prep is $200 per hour, with some need-based discounts available. The number of tutoring hours required to prepare for testing depends on each student's goals and readiness, but complete prep to prepare for a first attempt at a test is typically 12-18 hours. I'm also available for shorter interventions. Next Steps Please contact me at (415) 990-1130 or [email protected] if you'd like to discuss your student's needs in more detail or schedule lessons. |
SAT vs. ACT I believe the SAT vs. ACT decision should be based on actual test or diagnostic score data, not just a feeling or a personal preference. Admittedly, the SAT is shorter and often easier to prepare for (though the ACT gets shorter in 2025!). But the data is still important. I can provide you with diagnostic tests and instructions, then help you make an informed decision about which test (if any) to pursue. |