Test prep can be confusing. More and more colleges are requiring test scores and the whole admissions process is becoming more complex and earlier. We hear a lot of questions from parents. Among the most common are “Where should my student start?” and “How much prep do we need?”
The honest answer is: it depends. Not every student needs the same class, the same amount of prep, or even the same test. And signing up for the first program that fits your calendar is not always the best strategy—tempting as that may be.
That is why we created our SAT/ACT Student Pathway. (Below) It gives families a clear place to begin and helps students move through preparation in the right order.
The first step is a diagnostic assessment. This helps us determine whether the SAT or ACT is the better fit and whether the student is ready for test strategy or still needs to strengthen some academic fundamentals.
Students with gaps in math, reading, grammar, or vocabulary may begin with our Foundations Bootcamps, including Math Foundations A and B or Decoding the SAT Reading. There is no shame in starting with foundations. In fact, it is usually much more productive than trying to cover up missing skills with a handful of test-taking tricks and positive thinking.
Once the foundation is in place, students move into Strategy and Application through a small-group SAT/ACT class or private one-on-one tutoring. In addition, for a quick review, our 6 Hours to a Better SAT/ACT workshops are offered the Saturday before each test. In all three formats, students review content, learn pacing, question patterns, common traps, and how to use what they know under actual testing conditions.
After completing a small-group class or private tutoring, it is time to take a real test. Most students do not achieve their best scores on their first attempt, and it is important for them to experience the real testing situation. Some students are so happy with their score that they are done at this point, but this is honestly uncommon, and they need to continue prepping.
In order to improve scores after the first attempt, the next stage is Refinement. Advanced bootcamps, and private tutoring help students target the specific areas still holding them back. At this point, the goal is not to relearn the entire test. It is to find the leaks and patch them.
Then comes a retake of the official SAT or ACT. If the student reaches the goal score, onward to college applications. If not, we figure out what went wrong, return to the right part of the pathway, and try again with a smarter plan.
The vast majority of colleges do not care how many times students take the tests and students generally send a superscore comprised of just their highest testing events. Much of the reason that scores are so high these days is that students are taking the test multiple times to improve their superscore. Do not be afraid to take the test a few times.
The main idea is simple: students should not just do more prep. They should do the right prep at the right time. And that usually begins with a diagnostic, not a guess. Call or write us!
