As a test tutor, I sometimes encounter parents who want to start preparing their students early for tests like the ISEE and SAT. While students should learn some test-taking skills and strategies, my best advice to those who want to “prepare early” is to spend more time reading. Reading comprehension shows up on almost every…
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2025 ADDENDUM: This article was originally written in 2018, before many schools went test-optional and the SAT switched to its currently, digital format. Now that students have a choice about whether to apply to a school that requires testing, those who struggle with standardized tests might wish to forego testing and focus on other aspects…
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Families consider many factors when choosing a tutoring package: time commitment, availability, the test date for test prep, and finances. For some families, a ten-hour tutoring package is the best choice, even when a lot of material needs to be covered. The good news is that you can make significant progress with just ten hours…
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Yes, you should (probably) guess! Now that the New SAT, PSAT, and AP tests have abolished their guessing penalties, the short answer is “yes.” The long answer is still what it was before: it depends on the test. Very few tests today, however, penalize random guesses. A notable exception is the SSAT, a test required…
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Proven Effectiveness Numerous studies show that one-on-one tutoring by a highly qualified tutor is one of the most effective ways to increase grades, academic achievement, and test scores. It has also been proven to improve student attitudes about school, especially for the subjects in which a student is struggling. Individualized Instruction A private tutor hones…
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