Building blocks for the future.
Planning your test prep strategy.
Pre-SAT vs PSAT Test Prep?
We don’t mean to confuse you with all of these similar looking and sounding acronyms. The PSAT stands for Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test. Okay…so that sounds like pre-SAT…
Yes it does, but let us help you understand why we have these two course offerings.
PSAT Test Prep
This intensive course is designed for rising 10th grade students who:
- Are seeking National Merit Scholarships
- Aim to score in the 90th percentile or higher on the PSAT/NMSQT
Formerly, an optional essay section was offered, but it has been removed.
Pre-SAT Test Prep
This course is designed for students who are 9th and 10th graders (and rising 9th graders) who:
OR
Feel they are lacking confidence in foundational math concepts such as:
- percents
- ratios
- reading graphs
- solving equations (basic algebra)
Feel they are lacking confidence in foundational reading concepts such as:
- identifying parts of speech (e.g. nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, etc.)
- vocabulary in context
- main points and details of reading passages
- the function of phrases or sentences
Feel confident in their knowledge of the math and reading skill examples listed at left, but want to:
- develop speed in problem solving
- delve deeper into concepts in preparation for the most challenging SAT problems/questions
Why did we create the Pre-SAT Test Prep course?
We’d like to start by saying that we have a high regard for our local teachers and the incredible efforts they make on behalf of our local students.
Whether it is due to the last two years of pandemic education, or whether it has to do with curricula, we are seeing students enroll in our program with deficiencies in their knowledge base.
We see students who are receiving A’s and B’s in high level English courses who cannot determine the various parts of a sentence. We see students who are receiving A’s and B’s in high level math courses, who struggle with math foundations and mathematical reasoning.
The Pre-SAT Test Prep course seeks to fill in these gaps and strengthen foundations, so that students may become confident in the fundamental concepts that are tested in the SAT exam.
For more avid students, this course will aid in finding solutions faster and also deep-diving into subjects wherein mastery has already been achieved.
How do you group students in the Pre-SAT Test Prep course?
We use our proprietary GroupSmart® algorithm to group optimally group students in our course. On our registration form, you will select all times your student is available to attend class. Then, you will receive instructions for your student to take an online proctored diagnostic test (a full-length PSAT). About a week before classes start, we create and publish your student’s exact class schedule, which is based on test scores and student availability, as well as other information.
Students are in class with others of similar strengths and challenges. They confidently ask questions and learn from each other’s queries. No other test prep company does this.
