Why take the ACT or SAT when it’s no longer required by most colleges?
Test optional does not mean test blind. A high ACT or SAT score can increase your student’s chances of getting into the college of their choice, as doing well on these tests shows that a student has the aptitudes, skills, work ethic, and knowledge to be successful in college. Many scholarships, which can help provide significant financial aid, are also awarded based on a student’s ACT or SAT scores.
Why trust Margaret as your teen’s tutor?
There’s a big difference between hiring a tutor who is another student or a recent graduate, and who is tutoring as a side gig, and hiring someone who has been coaching students on writing, study skills, and test prep full time for more than a decade. Tutoring is my full-time, professional job. I’ve been tutoring since 2011, and I’ve been producing educational resources since 1998. My past experience teaching GED and ESL classes, providing homework help to elementary and middle school students, editing graduate students’ dissertations and theses, writing books for beginning readers, creating teacher support materials, and helping high school students improve their English papers and college application essays has honed my ability to meet students where they are at and tailor content to a wide range of skill levels. I’ve taught learners from kindergarten through graduate school with great pleasure and success, and I’ve seen every one of them as a unique and promising individual.
My own love of learning and happy undergraduate experience at Stanford University inspire me to help teens get off to the best possible start for their college years. My expertise in creating customized study plans will benefit them, and my daily accessibility (I encourage my students to text me anytime 24/7) will be a comfort and convenience to them. Having taken many ACTs and SATs myself—practicing the advice I give my students—ensures that I am familiar with the content tested, know what the experience is like, and have insights and empathy for your student. I’m excited to maximize your student’s potential and prepare them to thrive in college.
What is the benefit of one-on-one tutoring versus commercial test prep courses?
First, many test prep courses are one-size-fits-all, so they can’t address the unique needs, learning styles, skill levels, and concerns of individual students. Test prep courses often spend an equal amount of time on all sections of the test, which may not be the optimal strategy for your child. For example, sometimes a student may need a lot of help with a certain type of problem on the ACT English section, but they may need very little instruction on ACT Reading. A private tutor like Margaret can customize sessions to focus on exactly what each individual students needs. Margaret tailors her explanations, sessions, and content to best suit the unique needs, personality, and skill levels of your student, optimizing the use of their precious time and energy.
Second, instructors at test prep companies are most responsible and loyal to the test prep company as their employer rather than to the families of the students they teach. They often have to promote test prep materials created and published by their employer, which may differ considerably in quality and content from real ACTs and SATs. Test prep companies like Princeton Review, for example, do not use real ACT exams in their test prep courses. Instead, they use and promote their own copyrighted materials, which are not necessarily as carefully crafted, tested, or proofread as official College Board and ACT test prep resources. Private tutors like Margaret are not beholden to promoting a certain test prep company’s materials, so she can choose what works best for your child. Margaret has reviewed countless copies of test prep materials and has found that many books not published by the ACT or College Board do not accurately reflect the types of questions and content that real ACTs and SATs cover. That’s why Margaret asks her students to invest in The Official ACT Prep Guide and use questions from the College Board’s question bank as well as other materials produced and published by the ACT and the College Board — the makers of the standardized tests your child will be taking.
Third, instructors hired by test prep companies are typically not highly paid and are not teaching test prep at these companies as a career. They usually teach as a part-time job, and they may not be as invested in their students’ success as an independent, full-time, professional tutor like Margaret. These instructors can’t provide your child with the same level of access and attention that Margaret can. For example, Margaret gives her students her personal cell number and encourages them to text her 24/7 with questions. Margaret’s ready accessibility means she can be more effective as an accountability partner and coach for your child.
Fourth, courses at a test prep company may not be able to guarantee consistency with the same instructor, nor do students often have the opportunity to meet their instructor and decide whether they like their style. Margaret believes that the personal dynamic between her and her students is vital to boosting students’ motivation, confidence, and success. That’s why she encourages prospective clients to set up a free, 30-minute Zoom meeting during which students can meet her, talk with her, and determine whether it’s going to be a good fit.
Finally, unlike at a test prep company with myriad employees, Margaret handles all aspects of Twin Cities Test Prep Tutor herself, from creating content for the website to booking, billing, and teaching. If you have concerns about any aspect of your child’s experience, Margaret is the single point of contact, and she is always happy to talk with you. She encourages parents to email, call, or text her anytime.
When should students start preparing?
Most students begin test prep before junior year. The ideal time to start, however, is the spring of sophomore year or the summer before junior year. An early start is helpful because it gives students more time to master the content, strategies, and skills they need to be successful on the ACT or SAT. To be ahead of the curve, students should plan to take the ACT or SAT at the beginning of their junior year (September or October for the ACT; August or September for the SAT). That gives them a year to retake the ACT or SAT as needed so that they can reach their score goals. The earlier that students achieve their target scores, the less pressure they will feel as they head into their senior year and college application season.
Although adequate preparation time helps students maximize their chances for success, even a minimum amount of test prep can make a difference in boosting students’ confidence and scores. Any preparation is always better than none.
How do I purchase a package of lessons?
Email info@twincitiestestpreptutor.com and request an invoice for a package of ten or twenty lessons. An invoice will then be sent to you from Novo.co. Once the invoice is paid, you will receive a private scheduling link that will allow you to book the lessons in your package.