Test Success Tips: a note from Ken
TEST SUCCESS ... IS A PROCESS!
Thank you for considering test prep sessions with me. Please keep in mind that I will provide my best experienced advice and assistance through a series of weekly lessons. Students are reminded that they are not their SAT or ACT scores. The college application process consists of a variety of factors, only one of which is the SAT or ACT. Other factors such as GPA, course selection, recommendations, activities, the essay, the interview, and legacy, can be just as important criteria as test scores for admission. During my program, I constantly reinforce such information in order to help students put the whole testing process in perspective.
Kids don’t always do their best first time out (March of junior year). In addition, a rare person does his/her best in Dec. or January of junior year…kids do better the second time around - (May/June junior year). Taking the SAT or ACT multiple times is not frowned upon by colleges, and is expected. Seniors taking the tests in October/November (which are not too late test dates) do the best. 95% of all students score higher than their PSAT score during their first SAT round (whenever they take it). A handful of students do not, but upon taking the test again, those students not only score higher than their first SAT scores, but also score higher than their original PSAT score. This all is a process that does not happen overnight – it takes practice, practice, practice.
For many students, one or the other test is the better test for them – SAT or ACT. Many students do not know that as of March 2007, all colleges in the country now accept the ACT! Most students think that they “have to take” the SAT. Not true. It is in student’s best interest to take both the SAT and ACT. Many colleges mix and match different parts of the students’ best performances from the two tests. For example, a young lady with whom I worked scored higher on her SAT Math sections and higher on her ACT English and Reading sections. Washington University in St. Louis, a top tier school, combined her best scores and admitted her.
Before students commit to my program, which is not one set in stone, (students may need only a few sessions, while others may need several more,) and is one that offers flexibility regarding student needs and schedules, it should be noted that students get out of this program what they put into it. Homework assignments are given weekly, including Critical Reading passages for students to read and practice timing, strategies, and scoring of results. In addition, math problems and vocabulary words are also assigned. Questions regarding reading and math questions and a short verbal quiz on vocabulary words are addressed during the following lessons.
During my program, we will cover all areas of the SAT and ACT, including sentence completion, short reading passages, grammar (writing skills), essay writing, and all areas of math. Given the time constraints, we will not have time to complete a whole pre-test or post-test. Students are encouraged to take such full-length practice tests on their own, either at home or at a library. During my program, several sections of various actual, real tests given by SAT and ACT will be reviewed and discussed weekly. This tutoring format has worked since 1998 with students achieving score improvements of 150 to 400 points.
SAT/ACT test prep is not an “exact science”. However, with consistent “practice, practice, practice,” significant gains can be made. I use the best resource materials available: official test materials created by the actual test makers of the SAT and ACT. I do not use other test materials as Kaplan and Princeton Review do. It takes a trained, knowledgeable professional with years of experience to go through these tests and present the information, answers, and further examples to thoroughly lock in those points. I use easy-to-understand language and terminology and encourage “practice, practice, practice”, which is the key to success.
I have seen such significant improvements in scores through the past 11 years that have resulted in students not only being admitted to the college(s) of their choice, but also of receiving extremely generous academic scholarships because of their test scores/GPA. Testimonials on my website and hundreds of thank you letters serve as proof.
With my combined 35 years’ experience working with students (24 years as a high-school math teacher and guidance counselor, plus 11 years as an SAT/ACT instructor), I have honed a method that brings amazing student test-taking results. I appreciate your faith in me.. In turn, I rely upon students to put forth their best efforts. Together, with time and practice, we will make this work.
Sincerely,
Ken Krueger, M.Ed