SATPrep.EmilyLowe.com

The SAT is a lot different now than it was 30, 20 or even 10 years ago. Because most students apply to multiple colleges, the number of applications has risen drastically, so schools can afford to be a lot more selective about whom they admit. Many schools have a non-negotiable minimum score requirement for one or more sections of the SAT, and you may not be able to reach that score on your own.

The SAT is also a lot different from any other test you’ll encounter in high school (except for other standardized tests, such as AP tests.) The same logic doesn’t always apply. For instance, in school, it’s usually best to guess on every question; on the SAT, there are many cases where it’s best not to answer a question at all.

Finally, the unfortunate fact is that most other students are preparing, too. They’re enrolling in week- and semester-long courses at their high schools, at community colleges, and at national tutoring chains. If you choose to take the test without preparing with a qualified tutor, you may not get the highest score you can possibly get.

In whose opinion? Ivy League schools reject many students with perfect SAT scores, while even the lowest scores can get you into a junior college program. The rest of the schools fall somewhere in between that. This is why you should start by selecting a few schools, and then go from there; you may not need tutoring at all to get an acceptable score.

For comparative purposes, the national averages for 2007 were 474 for Writing, 502 for Critical Reading, and 515 for Math.

That depends on a number of factors, most notably your own involvement in the course. I usually assign one or two hours’ worth of work between sessions, but I also depend on my students to raise questions and ask for clarification when they’re confused. If you’re actively involved in these ways, your score should improve by 100 to 200 points; I’ve had students’ scores jump by up to 350 points in some cases.

However, each student is different, which is why these numbers are not a guarantee of your success. If you’ve never understood Geometry, it’s unlikely that I’ll be able to explain it to you in a few hours. If you have test anxiety or a learning disability, your scores may not improve much without a lot of one-on-one time. If you don’t do any work except for in our sessions together, it’s anyone’s guess as to whether your scores will improve at all.

All tutoring sessions are held in my home studio in Catonsville, about a mile from Mount de Sales Academy.

You’ll need a binder with looseleaf, something to write with, an SAT-approved calculator, and a copy of the textbook, McGraw-Hill’s SAT I. Also, if you haven’t given me a signed copy of the contract and your tuition, you should bring that as well.

Rescheduling is difficult. Individual students need to speak to me at least a day in advance to change the terms of our contract. Leaving an e-mail or voice message is not sufficient; you need to speak to me personally to avoid any possible miscommunication.

If you’re part of a group, unfortunately, you won’t be able to reschedule; you’ll need to get the material you missed from another group member. If the entire group wants to reschedule, we’ll need to discuss it together at a previous session.

People have been spreading this rumor since I was in high school, but if the ACT were easier, people would be flocking to take it instead. There are a few fundamental differences between the tests, which is why I don’t tutor for the ACT, but in general, they are very similar. The main difference is that the ACT is required for most Midwestern schools, while the SAT is required for most Northeastern schools. Some schools don’t require either. If you’re curious about a particular school’s requirements, check the College Board’s website.

When I took the SAT as a high school student, I saw right away the value of preparing for it. I was a good student already, but by taking practice tests and learning test-taking strategies, I raised my score 150 points, including a perfect Critical Reading score. I later got a perfect score on the SAT Writing Subject test, which is comparable to the Writing section of the new SAT I.

After graduating cum laude from Catholic University with a B.A. in Classics, I worked for a short time with a national tutoring company. I learned a lot there, but ultimately wasn’t satisfied with their tendency to fit all students into a very specific mold. I have found that every single student is different, and I strive to understand and minister to those differences when I teach.

In 2005, the year the new SAT debuted, I was hired to teach and develop a yearlong course in SAT Prep at Mount de Sales Academy in Catonsville. Teaching this course has provided me with lots of time and resources to hone my teaching skills. In fact, I began tutoring privately as a service to students at my school who couldn’t fit the course into their schedules, though I have since opened my schedule to students from many different schools.

It’s only a test! The SAT doesn’t measure your ability to think, to imagine, or certainly to succeed in college – although it claims to do all of those things. It’s just one of several ways in which colleges measure and compare students’ academic abilities. It doesn’t reflect in any way on your worth as a unique, valuable member of society.

All that being said, most students have to take the SAT anyway, so my first job is to convince my students that they can improve their scores through hard work, the same way they can improve their grades in school by studying. After that, we look at test preparation as practical training: in college or at a job, you do your very best on each assignment, even the ones you don’t particularly enjoy or agree with.

I have tutored for school subjects in the past; please contact me to determine my availability.

I do not currently tutor for the SAT Subject Tests, the ACT, or AP Exams, but I gladly provide my students with information about qualified tutors for those tests when they request it.

During the school year, I have a full teaching schedule, and students are busy with homework, sports and other commitments. I have found that the most comprehensive and beneficial learning takes place during the summer, without the added pressure of school.

In some cases, I have made exceptions and accepted tutoring students during the school year on a short-term, temporary basis. It won’t hurt to ask, but don’t be too disappointed if I’m not able to help you until the summer.

No, but I can recommend a fantastic college counselor who has helped a number of my students get into the schools of their choice. Contact me for more information.