3 Great Tips For Writing A Great Essay- Menlo Park ACT SAT test prep tutoring Services

Essays are an essential part of your college application process. Many schools encourage or require an essay for admissions. Not only will knowing how to write a great essay help you get into college, but it will also help you perform well throughout college. Writing is an essential part of higher education and you will be expected to know how to do it well. Here are three things you should do to write a great essay.

 

• Create a Thesis Statement

 

You need to know what your essay is about and it should be clear to your reader. A thesis statement is a single phrase that plainly states the main idea of the essay. Creating a thesis statement will help you organize your entire essay. FastWeb points out that it is a good idea to decide if your essay is intended to “inform or persuade.” Knowing your specific topic and your overall goal will help you write a clear and concise essay.

 

• Outline

 

Before you start writing, organize your thoughts. Creating an outline will help you know where to use your facts and examples to support your main points. You can gather catchy statistics or thought provoking questions for your introduction, write out your thesis and develop your supporting points. An outline will make sure that everything relates back to the thesis and that your main points are well reinforced. Once you have an outline complete, you can write quickly and efficiently, without rambling or injecting topics that don’t relate to the overall theme.

 

• Proofread

 

When you are finished writing, proofread. Glaring typos and grammar mistakes will detract from even the most well written essay. You don’t want these simple mistakes to take away from your writing. It can be easy to miss typos and misspellings, especially if you have been working on the same essay for a long time. Make sure you complete your essay in time to step away from it overnight, or at least for a few hours. Then, go back and proofread it with fresh eyes. You can also have a friend or family member read your essay to look for any mistakes and make sure it communicates your thesis clearly.

Time

Essays require time. If you want to write a great essay, allow yourself time to develop a thesis, organize your thoughts in an outline and edit your work. When you do these three things, you will be able to write an excellent essay.

 

More About Mr. Test Prep’s Menlo Park ACT SAT test prep tutoring Services

 

Since 1997, Mr. Test Prep has run the #1 Menlo Park SAT Prep program. By combining the benefits of private SAT instruction with the strengths of a group testing environment, Mr. Test Prep offers the best of both worlds: one-on-one attention, experienced academic counseling, group testing and a personal bond. By hosting this in a semi-group environment, Mr. Test Prep prepares his students for a real-world test experience. High school students who use his Menlo Park SAT Prep services will be equipped with the tools they need to succeed in the highly competitive world of standardized testing.

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What’s A Good SAT Score – Why You Should Care-Santa Clara ACT SAT test prep tutoring

Determining a good SAT score is more complicated than looking at percentiles or knowing the national average. A good SAT score is very personal and depends on what your individual goals are.

Overall Score

The new SAT is scored out of 1600 points. A score of 1000 is the national average. So, if you have scored above 1000 you are above average. However, just above average is probably not high enough to get you into your number one pick for college. The new SAT scores are also very nuanced, there is a score for reading and writing, one for math, and one for the optional essay. However, there are also cross-test scores for social studies/history and science questions that show up across the entire exam. These scores demonstrate how well you used skills in these disciplines to answer questions throughout the SAT. There are also sub-scores that indicate how well you performed in subcategories in the math and reading and writing sections.

Because your score is more complex than one number, you should expect that colleges will look at your entire set of scores. If you are interested in a particular program or discipline, a college may consider your scores in this area.

How To Determine Your Goal Score

The best way to determine your ideal score is to look at admissions statistics from the colleges that interest you. Many will look at any test score in conjunction with the rest of your application, including GPA, personal statement, references and extracurriculars, but you can develop an ideal test score by looking at averages. For example, Stanford informs (using old SAT scores) that 49% of their admitted class scored between 700 and 799 on the SAT math and reading sections and 55% scored above 700 on the SAT writing sections. This means that if your scores are above 700, you have a much better chance of admittance.

Score Converters

These statistics may be challenging to find for the new SAT because this is the first year it is being implemented. You can use score converters to roughly determine what the statistics translate to in terms of new SAT scores.

Why You Should Set a Goal Score

Develop your ideal score based on your academic aspirations. Setting a specific target will help you know how to prepare for the exam and determine whether or not you will need to retake it. Taking practice exams can help you decide how close you are to achieving your ideal score and where you need to invest more time studying.

Take the time to determine what a good score means to you and work towards that score. Your SAT score does not need to be perfect, but it should help you get into college. You don’t want your score to hinder your application.

 

Santa Clara ACT SAT test prep tutoring

Mr. Test Prep gives his students the deep learning skills they need to perform well on a lifetime worth of tests. At his Santa Clara SAT Prep center, he helps his students overcome years worth of bad mental habits and poor confidence so they’re ready to take on the test and reach their maximum score potential. With a combination of one-on-one tutoring and group testing, Mr. Test Prep offers the best of both worlds: experience with the conditions of the test and focused, student-specific instruction.

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Thinking Of Becoming A Doctor? Keep Your Eyes On These Schools – Sunnyvale ACT SAT test prep tutoring

There is no pre-med major, so how do you determine the best schools to go to when you want to pursue a career in medicine? Here are a few schools to consider if you are thinking about a pre-med track.

Johns Hopkins

Johns Hopkins has an excellent medical school and a top teaching hospital. An undergraduate degree at Johns Hopkins can offer chances to participate in research and get hands on experience volunteering in clinical settings; two criteria that are significant when applying to medical school.

Harvard

According to STEMJobs, Harvard offers support to pre-med students through organizations, counseling and job opportunities. An institution that can help you navigate a pre-med track and help you obtain the necessary experiences to achieve admittance into medical school is vital to your success as a pre-med student. As a result of their pre-med opportunities, Harvard boasts a high acceptance rate into medical school.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

According to College Magazine, 90 percent of UNC students who apply to medical school are accepted. This university offers significant support to pre-med students and even provides a 9-week summer program specifically for students who intend to apply to medical school.

Georgetown

Georgetown is one of several institutions that offers and Early Assurance Program. This means you can apply to that institution’s medical school before you take the MCAT. At Georgetown this application process is completed during your sophomore year. If you excel early on, you may secure a spot in med school without having to take the MCAT.

What to Look For

There are many other schools that offer excellent pre-med tracks. Ultimately, you want to look at schools that excel in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programs. Whether or not you choose a STEM major, you will still need to take courses in these areas to meet medical school prerequisites and be prepared for the MCAT. Schools that offer special advising or formal organizations for pre-med students are also ideal. Look for institutions that provide experience in clinical settings and participation in research.

Getting into medical school is very challenging. You do not have to attend an especially prestigious school to get in, but you will need a school that offers support to students pursuing a pre-med track. Help, encouragement and hands-on opportunities will be essential to earning your place in medical school.

 

Sunnyvale ACT SAT test prep tutoring

 

Mr. Test Prep helps every type of student—yes, even the shy ones—maximize their score potential. A lot of shy kids find the scrutiny of full one-on-one tutoring to be too intense, but at my Sunnyvale SAT Prep center, I create a safe environment that is perfect for kids who find verbal participation to be stressful. By combining group testing, with targeted instruction, shy kids can get the help they need in a way that works for their personality. No more awkward silences. No more pushy tutors. Just lots of practice and the guidance of an experienced educator.

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What Is The SAT? A Quick Overview-San Mateo ACT SAT test prep tutoring

You have heard of the SAT and taking this exam will influence your future. It will loom somewhere in your thoughts throughout your high school career. You will devote hours to preparing this is exam. So what exactly is it?

College Board

The SAT is a test administered by the College Board. The College Board is a non-profit organization that develops the tests and administers it at high schools several times a year.

Testing Critical Thinking

The SAT is designed to measure your critical thinking skills, as well as the knowledge you have learned in high school. Reading comprehension skills are tested throughout the exam and are essential for performing well. Most universities require an SAT or ACT score for admissions. These standardized tests create a uniform criteria for comparing students. High schools can vary vastly, the SAT supplements GPA in demonstrating to universities that a student has the necessary skills to succeed in college.

Three Sections

The SAT consists of three sections, reading, writing and math. The reading section is made up of multiple choice questions that follow a passage. This section requires that you demonstrate command of evidence, understanding words in context, and analysis. The passages cover a wide range of topics including science, history and literature.

The writing section requires that you display a proper usage of English grammar, expression of ideas, analysis, understanding of words in context and a command of evidence. The essay portion of the exam is optional, but some institutions require it. You will have 50 minutes to complete an essay that analyzes a passage. You will not be required to formulate your own opinion or write about personal experience. You will be asked to discuss the argument the author is making and the methods they use to express their argument.

The math portion examines grasp of algebra, problem solving and data analysis, and advanced math concepts. The math portion is primarily multiple choice, but includes a few questions that require students to supply their own answer.

Timing

The entire test is 3 hours long and the optional essay is an additional 50 minutes. The reading portion is 65 minutes, the writing portion is 35 minutes and the math portion 80 minutes. The test proctor typically allows two breaks during the exam.

Scoring

The SAT is scored between 400-1600 and the essay is scored from 2 to 8. You have the option of sending your score directly to the institutions where you intend to apply.

Prepare in Advance

Ultimately, the SAT is designed to determine whether or not you have the critical thinking skills and base knowledge to be successful in college. Universities want to know your skill level and make an appropriate choice about admissions. Start preparing for the SAT long before you take it so that you will feel confident and perform well on the exam.

 

San Mateo ACT SAT test prep tutoring

Mr. Test Prep has been a part of the San Mateo SAT Prep community for nearly 20 years. His experience working with students—from math wizzes to numberphobes, from novelists-in-training to kids who hate to read—has shown him that improving test results first requires improving a student’s confidence. To directly address this important facet of SAT prep, his tutoring program exposes students to the conditions of the test, while training them in subject-specific skills and teaching them testing strategies that can make the test much easier.

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Science & Engineering – The Career Paths For The Future – Los Gatos ACT SAT test prep tutoring Services

Science and engineering are ever broadening career paths. New discoveries and technologies are consistently opening up new job opportunities. Some of the world’s most exciting organizations such as Google and Apple need employees that are skilled in science and engineering. If you are unsure about a future career and you enjoy math or science, you may want to look into a career in science or engineering.

Career Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and math) have “some of the best opportunities for job growth in the future.” In 2013 the average wage for STEM careers was nearly 2 times as much as the national average wage. According to the US Department of Commerce STEM careers are expected to grow 17% between 2008 and 2018, while Non-STEM jobs are only projected to grow 9.8%

Variety in Types of Jobs

You may think of STEM careers only as working in a laboratory, conducting research, or working behind a computer screen, but a background in science and engineering opens up a wide variety of jobs. Organizations also need managers, sales people, educators, journalists and more that have a strong knowledge of science and engineering. If you enjoy working with people, managing systems, teaching or sharing knowledge, you may want to look into careers that use your science knowledge, but also harness your passion for working with people.

Rewarding Career Path

Many students who study STEM fields in college receive excellent internships and are often recruited before graduation to ideal jobs. STEM careers offer professional development and opportunities for promotion. During a time when many jobs are becoming more difficult to find and don’t offer opportunities for professional growth, science and engineering careers continue to offer exciting possibilities. Discover how your passions could lead to a rewarding and secure career path.

 

More About Mr. Test Prep’s Los Gatos ACT SAT test prep tutoring Services

Michael Romano has been offering his Los Gatos SAT prep services for almost two decades. He’s seen thousands of kids and helped with just about every kind of standardized testing anxiety a student could have. This has taught him that increased scores come down to confidence. Yes, you have to understand the material, but confidence is—more often than not—the #1 cause of a student’s trouble with testing. Bearing that in mind, he has created an SAT tutoring program that builds confidence by desensitizing his students to the conditions of the test, while providing them with targeted instruction on both the academic content of the exam and the tips and tricks that make it so much easier.

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How to Beat Senioritis – Santa Clara ACT SAT test prep tutoring

 

 

Our last post discussed why you need to beat senioritis, but when you are afflicted with a tough case of senioritis, you may be wondering how you can beat it. These five tips can help you overcome senioritis and stay on track all the way through graduation.

 

 

 

1) Celebrate

 

You’ve worked hard to get where you are. Did you get accepted to college, earn a scholarship, go to a state tournament? There are a lot of big accomplishments that happen your senior year. Take time to celebrate your accomplishments and savor all of the hard work that you put in. When you quickly move on to the next task without enjoying what you have accomplished, it can be easy to loose your motivation.

2) Sleep

You may be exhausted from studying for exams or writing college essays, now is the time to catch up on sleep. Go to bed a few minutes earlier or find time to nap. You will find yourself feeling healthier, physically and mentally and ready to tackle the last few months of school.

3) Plan

Continue to keep track of your tests and project due dates. Know when you need to get to work and when you can let up a little and relax. Studying ahead of time can reduce your stress level and you won’t feel the need to give in to senioritis.

4) Balance

Balance studying with spending time with friends and family and participating in extracurriculars. The minute you let one take over, senioritis can set in. It is important to hang out with friends and still manage to maintain your GPA. This ability to balance your social life and your academic career will be beneficial in every stage of life. Let yourself enjoy the last bits of high school without letting up on your responsibilities.  

5) Manage Your Stress

Senioritis is likely to kick in because you have been pushing yourself to the limit for so long. Feeling stressed for an extended period of time can take its toll. Instead of withdrawing from school, learn healthy ways to relieve your stress. Start exercising, eat healthier foods, talk with an adult you can trust and take breaks to relax. When you can manage your stress well, you won’t feel like you need to give up on school.

Everyone has moments of senioritis, you have worked hard and are entitled to them. However, don’t let senioritis take over. Find strategies to stay motivated so that you can finish high school strong.

 

Santa Clara ACT SAT test prep tutoring

Mr. Test Prep gives his students the deep learning skills they need to perform well on a lifetime worth of tests. At his Santa Clara SAT Prep center, he helps his students overcome years worth of bad mental habits and poor confidence so they’re ready to take on the test and reach their maximum score potential. With a combination of one-on-one and group testing, Mr. Test Prep offers the best of both worlds: experience with the conditions of the test and focused, student-specific instruction.

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Why You Need to Beat Senioritis – Cupertino ACT SAT test prep tutoring

Senioritis is apathy that sets in towards the end of your senior year. After your college applications have been turned in, you may be tempted to give up on school work and other obligations. You’ve worked so hard for so long, its hard to continue caring through your last semester. While you can slow down a bit and relax, don’t let senioritis ruin your last months of school. Here’s why:

1) Scholarships

Money is a powerful motivator. Scholarships become available all of the time, you don’t want a slip in your GPA to make you ineligible because you avoided school work the last few months of high school. Depending on the details, scholarships you’ve already received can also be lost if you don’t maintain the required GPA. The National Association of College Admissions Counseling cites examples of students who lost their merit scholarship because their class ranking fell during the last semester of school. It might be hard to imagine how college debt will impact your life in the future, but any assistance you can get is worth putting forth the effort.

2) Transition

The information you will be learning the last semester of you senior year will be helpful as you move on to college coursework. Make the transition to college easier by continuing to engage in learning and invest in your coursework.

3) Regret

You don’t want to look back on your last year of high school and regret how you spent your time. Don’t forget to spend time with friends and don’t quit the things you really enjoy. The last few months of high school can be the most fun and valuable for personal development.

4) Networks

If you are still exploring possible careers, this is the perfect time to find out more about your interests. Now that your exams are done and your applications are in, you have more time to talk with professionals, volunteer at an interesting organization, or arrange for job shadowing. Not only will you learn more about your interests, but you will develop contacts and create networks that could be beneficial to your future career.

Visualize the Future

It can be challenging to look past your current exhaustion or lack of motivation to see how the decisions you make now will impact your future. However, making wise decisions now, will set you up for a much easier time in college.

Cupertino ACT SAT test prep tutoring

Students generally dread test prep classes. They’re boring, difficult and pointless, or so most kids think. But they’re also necessary… Recognizing this, Mr. Test Prep has created a new approach to SAT/ACT tutoring that gets the job done without all the pain and frustration of traditional programs. Rather than depleting the finite well of motivation your student will need to get you through senior year, come to Mr. Test Prep for the most painless—dare I say fun?—SAT Prep in the Cupertino area. Specializing in the psychology of test taking, as well as the academic practices required to succeed, the lessons learned at our Cupertino SAT Prep center will empower your student both on Test Day and in their future academic endeavors.

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Why Old Methods Of Test Tutoring Did Nothing For Your Child’s Self Confidence-San Jose ACT SAT test prep tutoring

Mr. Test Prep offers a different approach to tutoring. Many of the mainstream tutoring programs are set in a large classroom, teach in a lecture style and require homework. Mr. Test Prep uses practice tests, one on one interactions and doesn’t require homework. Ultimately, Mr. Test Prep’s methods seek to boost confidence so that your child will feel prepared when it is time to take their exam.

Immediate Feedback

Edutopia suggests employing immediate feedback and allowing students to talk through the information they are learning to boost confidence. This method allows students to work through concepts as they encounter them and helps them express frustrations. Mr. Test Prep addresses problem areas in a one on one setting with students as they arise. Each student has an opportunity to work through some of their most difficult subjects in a comfortable setting, giving them confidence that they can conquer even the most challenging material.

Practice Testing

Practice testing helps your child feel comfortable with the exam. When they know exactly what to expect they can feel confident that they can answer the questions in the given amount of time. Mr. Test Prep simulates actual timed exam conditions so that the real exam doesn’t feel intimidating to students.

No Homework

Many mainstream test prep services offer score guarantees contingent on the completion of homework. Many students don’t have time to add more homework into their busy schedules. They begin to lose confidence when they show up to class week after week having failed to do required homework. Rather than feel better about taking the test, these students can begin to feel more overwhelmed and anxious about the exam. Mr. Test Prep works to improve your child’s score without demanding homework. Students can boost their confidence as they watch their scores improve rather than feel like they are falling behind.

Individual Strengths

Mainstream test tutoring is often based on larger classes and a methodology that is applied to all students regardless of their learning styles and capabilities. Mr. Test Prep works with students to develop individual goals and works to develop test taking strategies that play to each individual’s strengths. A student that attends Mr. Test Prep courses will have the confidence they need to perform well on significant exams.

 

San Jose ACT SAT test prep tutoring

By marrying the best of private instruction with the best of group practice, Mr. Test Prep’s San Jose SAT Prep program supplies students with the resources they need to succeed. Having served San Jose’s SAT Prep needs for the last 18 years, Michael Romano is uniquely qualified to instruct students on the content of the test and advise parents about how best to plan the SAT/ACT season. To learn more, book a Free Diagnostic Session today

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Planning For College In The 11th Grade – Palo Alto ACT SAT test prep tutoring

The 11th grade is a pivotal year for preparing to go to college. You will not apply to college your junior

year, but many of the things you do during this year will significantly impact your college application. Here

are some things you need to do during the 11th grade so that you are ready for college.

1) Take the PSAT

This exam is not required for entrance into college. However, you can get a scholarship based on your

score. The Federal Student Aid website points out that you must take this exam during your junior year in

order to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship program.

2) Prepare for the SAT or ACT

The sooner you can begin taking these exams, the more opportunities you will have to get a better score

before you need to apply for college. Most students take these exams during the fall or spring of their

junior year. This allows at least one more opportunity to take the exam before you will begin applying to

colleges. You don’t need to rush it though, if you don’t feel prepared, take the test in the spring instead of

the fall.

3) Take Advanced Courses

Colleges like to see that you have challenged yourself. You don’t have to take advanced or AP courses in

every subject, but choose a few that interest you. You can also take SAT subject tests as you complete

courses in related material. This will cut back on the amount of time needed to review and prepare for the

exams.

4) Delve Into Extracurriculars

Instead of adding more extracurriculars, find a way to excel at the clubs, sports or organizations you are

already involved in. Colleges prefer quality over quantity and want to see that you have demonstrated

commitment, leadership, and improvement in your extracurriculars. My College Options, suggests

seeking out a leadership role in an extracurricular during the 11th grade.

5) Start Narrowing Your Options

Do research on colleges and careers that interest you. Seek out alumni to talk to. Find a professional to

discuss a career that interests you. Plan college visits. Start making a list of colleges that interest you and

discover what your best options are. Don’t forget to look into financial options such as scholarships,

grants and student loans.

The more you prepare during your junior year, the less stressful applying to colleges will be during your

senior year. The grades you earn, exam scores you receive, and the outside activities you pursue will

help you achieve entrance into the university of your choice.

 

Palo Alto ACT SAT test prep tutoring

With over 18 years of experience, Mr. Test Prep operates the premier Palo Alto SAT test prep program. By combining one-on-one SAT tutoring with free SAT practice tests, Mr. Test Prep offers the benefits of private SAT tutoring (focused attention, tailored instruction, a human connection) in a group environment, which prepares the student for the SAT test experience. Students who attend his Palo Alto SAT Test Prep program will see their hard work and dedication reflected in significant score increases. Call Mr. Test Prep today and get prepared!

 

 

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Fact – Sports Reduces Stress And Depression – Get Your Teen Active – Menlo Park ACT SAT test prep tutoring Services

Students who participate in sports learn a variety of important skills beyond an athletic ability. They can learn teamwork, working to accomplish a specific goal, how to lose gracefully, and focus and concentration under pressure. In addition to all of these important skills, students get the added benefit of exercise.

Improved Mood

Exercise can immediately improve mood and stave off depression over time. The Anxiety and Depression Association of American cites studies that found people “who got regular vigorous exercise were 25 percent less likely to develop depression or an anxiety disorder over the next five years.” Mayo Clinic points out that exercise releases “feel-good” brain chemicals such as endorphins, which can improve your mood in the moment. Elevating your body temperature through exercise may also have a “calming effect.” This calming effect can relieve stress and help you focus.

Stress Response

The American Psychological Association links exercise with improving the body’s ability to respond to stress. Some studies have found that norepinephrine is released during and after exercise and that this neurotransmitter may inhibit neurotransmitters that cause a physical response to stress.

Any Activity

While sports are a fun way for many teens to get exercise, not every teen enjoys organized athletics. Don’t force organized athletics if it is not something your child enjoys. The added pressure of a team sport may increase stress rather than relieve it. This doesn’t mean they can’t be active. Encourage your teen to take a walk around the neighborhood, or better yet offer to go with them. A bike ride, jog, or game of frisbee with friends are all great ways to get exercise. Whether it is an organized sport or something else, help your teen discover what activity they enjoy and then help them make time for it.

Daily activity reduces stress, improves mood, and relieves anxiety. Exercise can also improve concentration and focus. Making time for daily physical activity can lead to better grades and a more enjoyable school year.  

 

More About Mr. Test Prep’s Menlo Park ACT SAT test prep tutoring Services

 

Since 1997, Mr. Test Prep has run the #1 Menlo Park SAT Prep program. By combining the benefits of private SAT instruction with the strengths of a group testing environment, Mr. Test Prep offers the best of both worlds: one-on-one attention, experienced academic counseling, group testing and a personal bond. By hosting this in a semi-group environment, Mr. Test Prep prepares his students for a real-world test experience. High school students who use his Menlo Park SAT Prep services will be equipped with the tools they need to succeed in the highly competitive world of standardized testing.

from Mr. Test Prep http://mrtestprep.com/menlo-park-act-sat-test-prep-tutoring-services/
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Empowering Parents To Empower Their Children- Los Altos ACT SAT test prep tutoring

As a parent, you have the most significant role in shaping your children. You have the opportunity to help your child excel in academics, but also in life. Empowering children goes beyond nagging them to do homework or offering rewards for good grades. Those things are often necessary, but empowerment takes more.

Developing a Sense of Self

Empowering your children means using words and encouragement to help them develop self confidence, a sense of identity and a safe environment to explore their interests and even fail. Empowering children takes work, so how will you feel empowered to empower your children?

Long Term Goals

Take a look at your child’s long term goals. Sit down and develop these goals together. Look beyond getting an A in biology this semester and talk about what career goals they have and what kind of person they want to become. When both you and your child have a long term vision, you will know the most helpful ways to empower your child. As you see them accomplish their goals, you will see how your role has been beneficial for them.

Track Accomplishments

Keep track of your child’s accomplishments. This includes grades and exam scores, but also includes social accomplishments, caring for their community, investing in an outside interest, and acts of kindness that display integrity and character. No child gets it right all of the time, so when you are feeling frustrated by a particular behavior you can remember all of their accomplishments and see the growth and development they are experiencing.

Take a Break

Teenage years are tender years and need to be navigated with extreme care. You are constantly figuring out how to communicate with your teenager and discovering what freedoms and boundaries they need. You are resolving conflicts and at times making necessary demands. This can be exhausting. Take time to engage in some activities you enjoy. Get plenty of exercise and sleep to help relieve stress. The better you feel about yourself, the more you will be able to empower your student.

Communicate

Ultimately, make sure you are communicating with your child. You will know what problems they are facing and you will be able to empower them to solve those problems. Children that feel empowered, loved, safe and cared for will find ways to be successful in life.

 

More About Mr. Test Prep’s Los Altos ACT SAT test prep tutoring

Michael Romano has been helping students prep for the SAT for almost 20 years. He employs a hybrid approach that blends private SAT tutoring with group practice tests. This ideal mixture of focused instruction and real-world test-taking results is huge score increases for his students, and his Los Altos SAT Prep center functions as a calming environment in which students can learn the ins and outs of a stressful exam. For a candid description of his services, click here to browse Mr. Test Prep’s extensive collection of student and parent testimonials.

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Free Trial Session

The best candidate for my tutoring program is student for whom my approach resonates. [See: Methodology] If it doesn’t feel right to you, then it probably isn’t right for you. In order to give prospective students an opportunity to try out the Mr. Test Prep approach before making any kind of financial investment, I offer a full, two-hour trial session, free of charge. During this session, the student and I spend some time getting to know each other, and the student works through a diagnostic test. Not only will the trial session give me a better idea of where the student struggles, but it also gives the student a taste of my tutoring style and offers a glimpse into how things work here at Mr. Test Prep Headquarters.
After the Free Trial Session, I have a phone conference with one of the student’s parents to discuss how the diagnostic went and recommend a test prep plan that fits the student’s needs. During this conversation, I’ll offer the family a score satisfaction guarantee and discuss financial assistance, if necessary.
If the family feels I’m a good fit, then we can set up the first paid session. If not, I’m happy to recommend another local tutor who may align more closely with what you’re looking for. The last thing I want to do is strong-arm anyone into working with me, even if that means giving business to one of my competitors. After 18 years in the business, I’m 100% convinced that my approach is the best way to prepare for standardized testing, but some parents want something more traditional, and I fully support that decision.

Cost Each 2hr session is $250. Practice tests are free of charge. Investments of time and money vary from student to student. Depending on the score improvement desired, my test prep services can cost anywhere from five hundred to six thousand dollars.
Payment Policy Our policy is “pay as you go”. We do not invoice: however, we are happy to accept advanced payments or will create a payment schedule if necessary.
Skype Sessions Skype sessions are available for students with special circumstances or challenged by the commute. Skype sessions are 2 hrs long and $250.
Where Classes are held in a studio space at my home: 787 Cereza Dr. Palo Alto, CA 94306. Phone Number (650) 575-5867
When Free Trial Sessions can be scheduled on Thursdays at 3:30pm or 5:30pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 12pm or 2pm.
Regular sessions are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 3:30pm or 5:30pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 10am, 12pm or 2pm.
If you would like to speak with me prior to your Free Trial Session, see Contact Page. Be sure to include your phone number and a time you would liked to be reached. Otherwise, schedule your Free Trial Session by filling out the form that follows.

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Score Satisfaction Guarantee

stand behind the fact that the Mr. Test Prep program can help almost any student achieve the score increase he or she is looking for. I am so confident that I offer my students a score satisfaction guarantee, which allows them to continue to attend Mr. Test Prep, free of charge, if they aren’t fully satisfied with the results.
How does the Score Satisfaction Guarantee work?
Based on your student’s diagnostic test results, score goals and standardized test history, I will estimated the maximum number of sessions I think it will take to get the SAT/ACT* score you’re looking for. After we have exhausted that number of sessions, if you are not completely satisfied with your student’s test results, he or she can continue to attend Mr. Test Prep—one tutoring session each week, no limitations apply—totally free of charge. Because you don’t have to pre-purchase a set of sessions, this places all of the commitment on Mr. Test Prep.

• If your student aces the test before we reach the maximum number of sessions, he or she can stop attending Mr. Test Prep without any cancellation fees or penalties. This means that if, for example, your student only needs a couple sessions, you only pay for a couple sessions.
• If, on the other hand, your student reaches the maximum number of sessions and hasn’t performed up to his or her potential, we will continue prepping for retakes until we either get the scores we’re after or exhaust our testing options (typically December of the student’s Senior year).
• If your student decides to discontinue the use of my services, he or she can do so without any cancellation fees or penalties.

Moreover, compared to other guarantees in the test prep industry, this offer is not contingent on “verified” completion of homework assignments or practice exams, so as long your student attends the prescribed number of sessions, we’ll either get the scores you want or we’ll keep working at no additional cost. This offer puts a reassuring ceiling on your financial commitment to test prep, but there is no ceiling on the amount of time I will commit to making your desired test scores a reality.
* The Score Satisfaction Guarantee is only available for SAT and ACT test prep programs.

Why do I offer a guarantee?
Much like an athlete who prepares tirelessly for the big race but fails to perform up to expectations, well-prepared students cannot be 100% guaranteed that they’ll get great results on test day. Sometimes forces outside of their control conspire against them. An illness, an argument with a friend, a poor night’s sleep or even an unprepared test proctor can prevent students from reaching their maximum score potential. Fortunately, the SAT and ACT are offered once every couple of months, giving students more than enough time to regroup and take another shot at a successful outcome. Recognizing that even the most dedicated students sometimes suffer from uneven performance—poor results for one test, stellar results the next—I began offering this guarantee to not only reassure parents that they won’t be on the hook for an infinite number of sessions, but also because I want my students to know that I believe in them and the program I offer.

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Background

I was raised in Rhode Island, where my parents ran a chain of popular nursery schools. Watching my mother, affectionately known as “the Mother Goose of New England,” and her positive impact on countless youngsters have certainly shaped my way of relating to both teenagers and adults. After high school, I attended Duke University on a partial music scholarship and graduated in ‘91 with a major in Psychology and a minor in Music. While studying Psychology, I learned that success in life (as well as success on standardized tests) is much more about the timely entrance of peak performance states than it is about any particular ability or talent. My education and continued interest in the psychology behind such performance states are key components of my approach to tutoring. Additionally, as an accomplished musician, I am aware of the positive impact music can have not just on mood and health but also on academic performance, a phenomenon know as the “MOZART” effect. As a singer-songwriter, I am well versed in an artistic process that rewards openness, flexibility and receptivity. These lessons learned from years of music and songwriting inform my tutoring, as I aim to affect my students in an inspired and creative way, a phenomenon known as the “MR. TEST PREP ” effect. After college, I moved to California and started working for an SAT tutoring company. Along the way, I saw flaws in its methodology and thought I could bring more successful strategies to the test prep process, strategies which I have been refining since 1997. To date, I have prepared over 1500 students. I Love what I do. Not surprisingly, when I was little and asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, my response was not Astronaut or Policeman; it was “MR. TEST PREP “.
ONE MORE THING: I LOVE BASKETBALL! GO BLUE DEVILS!

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No Homework

When I started out as an SAT tutor almost 20 years ago, I worked for one of the big chain companies, and I learned something that very few tutors will admit: since students almost never apply themselves to test prep homework, it’s almost always a complete waste of time and energy. When homework gets done—if it gets done—there’s actually very little A) that I can tell from their performance and B) that the students get from the experience. This is because almost no one does the homework in a way that replicates the conditions of the test. Some do a rush job in the 10 minutes before the lesson. Others make a halfhearted attempt while watching TV or intermittently scrolling through Instagram. Even the most dedicated students shoot themselves in the foot by going WAY over the time limits because they “don’t want to get a bad grade.” It’s the dirty little secret of the tutoring industry that no one else wants to admit: homework is for the parents. Parents expect it—and they’re the customers after all, not the students—so no one ever stops to ask if homework is actually a useful pedagogical tool.
For this reason, I stopped assigning homework altogether and it’s been the best choice I’ve ever made as an educator. By not demanding that students self motivate on their own time, I avoid the frustration and demoralization that comes with halfheartedly doing something that is simultaneously hard and boring. Of course students get frustrated doing SAT homework! Standardized testing is designed to take place inside a strict infrastructure—proctors, ticking clocks and silent classrooms—which forces them to take the questions seriously. If students don’t apply the attention that these tests require, the questions go from challenging to impossible. Now, just imagine how your confidence would plummet if, week after week, you went through an unpleasant exercise that just reinforced how stupid, pointless and tedious standardized testing is. That negative mental state basically guarantees a lower score, so why do all the other test prep programs insist on doing something so ineffective?
By dispensing with homework, I get a huge amount of credit with my students, which translates to a stronger rapport, the #1 tool in any educator’s arsenal. Eliminating homework also prevents the burnout that so often occurs 3/4ths of the way through these sorts of programs. Instead, by giving up a very limited pedagogical tool, I am able to pull out of my students a much more dedicated, serious and engaged performance. They appreciate that all I’m asking for are the two hours of the lesson, so they work harder and stay focused longer, and that’s worth a whole lot more academically than 15 pages of homework done by the light of a TV screen.

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Methodology

Most test prep programs use a one-size-fits-all approach. Students work their way through simplified content, which is designed so relatively inexperienced tutors can teach the broadest set of subjects to the broadest set of high school kids. These programs about are about coverage rather than depth. A good tutor will pick and choose which subjects to focus on, but still, a lot of time gets wasted either going over things the student already understands or attempting to explain subjects that the student isn’t ready for yet, just because that’s the next chapter in the book. For a high school student, this uneven approach to test prep can be alternately boring and exceptionally frustrating, with moments of genuine learning in between.
After years teaching the SAT just like everyone else, I decided to abandon convention and try a radical approach. Instead of doing what parents expected me to do—lots of homework and long one-on-one tutoring sessions—I decided do what was best for my students and their test scores.
The first thing to go was the one-on-one session format. Simply put, it’s just not that effective. Even if the tutor has the most encouraging attitude, it’s just too exhausting and demoralizing for students to be subjected to that kind of critical scrutiny for hours at a time, and it does NOTHING for confidence. Instead, I switched to a 2 hour session format that combines the best elements of private tutoring with the best parts of group learning.

Group testing to replicate the conditions of the test

Everything starts with the test-taking environment. My approach is to create two separate spaces with two separate purposes. First, there is the test room, where a group of students simulate the group-testing environment. I supply my students with real SAT and ACT tests and have them complete them section by section, sticking to the time limits, just as they will on test day. Like the actual test environment, my testing room is not without distractions. People shuffle their papers. They tap their pens. And intermittently, I purposefully go in and cause distractions. All this prepares the students for the actual day of the test. If they can work through the distractions they encounter here, no sniffly nose or bouncing knee will upset their performance when it really matters.

Private conferences to teach content and testing strategy
After the student has completed a section of the test, I immediately score the test and address the weak areas I see. This approach has a few major benefits. First, I don’t just pull students aside; I bring them to a separate and more calming space—when the weather permits, we meet at a table in the garden for some fresh air and sunlight. This little break from the test helps them stay focused, improving attention and mental stamina. Second, by addressing problems as they arise rather than hours or days later—as is the case with tutoring programs that emphasize homework—students have a chance to struggle through the questions, just like they will on the day of the test, but then we walk through the problem while it is is still fresh in their minds. Whether it is an issue of comprehension or confidence, this calm space allows me to address whatever is limiting the student’s score without increasing test anxiety or undermining confidence.
Over the course of each 2-hour session, students meet with me for three private, one-on-one conferences (totaling about 20 minutes per student, each session), during which we work through difficult question types, process performance anxiety, build confidence and review test-taking strategies. This balance of hands-on, real-world practice with focused, expert instruction has resulted in huge score gains for a wide range of students. [See: Testimonials]

Free, Group Practice Tests
To ensure my students have an accurate gauge of their progress, I offer full-length, group practice tests, free of charge. After a few sessions—once he or she has had a chance to internalize some of the things we’ve been working on—I encourage each of my students to sign up for a practice test. This helps the student build mental stamina, a huge advantage when preparing for a high-stakes, four-hour, multiple-choice exam. This also helps reduce testing anxiety through low-stress exposure, making standardized testing nothing but an annoying routine, rather than a looming crisis. Embracing the routine—show up, sit down, do your work, go home—is the best antidote I know for anxiety.
The next time we meet, the student and I go over his or her scores and address any material that posed a problem. Not only does this give the student valuable exposure to actual test-taking stressors and actual tests, but it also gives us plenty of opportunities to identify and then solve the underlying issues that cause students to struggle with standardized testing.

Mindfulness and Meditation
There is no greater impediment to big scores on a standardized test than anxiety. In some ways, the thing the SAT and ACT test most effectively is a student’s ability to perform under pressure. This is why even kids with the highest grades, taking the most advanced classes, can still sometimes underperform on material that is comparatively easy when positioned next to the final for APUSH or Calculus BC.
Too many test prep programs focus on teaching students ways to game the exam: “If you see a question that looks like A all you have to do is B.” But strategy and skill building is really only part of the solution. The key is learning how to maintain poise and a positive mental state even in the midst of an intensely stressful and unnatural environment. The clock is ticking. A proctor is pacing the aisle. The kid next to you seems to be finishing the section twice as fast. How do you cope with those stressors?
The answer is mindfulness and positive self-talk. Laying the groundwork for a peaceful mental state can be the difference between a panic attack and a smooth sailing on test day. Bearing this in mind, I help my students unlearn bad mental habits—“I’m not good at this subject.” “The SAT is stupid. Why do I have to take it?” “What if I get a bad score and no colleges accept me?”—silencing the incessant, self-critical inner voice that plagues both adults and high school students alike.
Not only do I use our session time to reshape their mental image, but I also offer free, mindfulness and meditation classes once a week to anyone who is interested.

Lessons from Sports Psychology
Have you ever started doing something and it just felt right somehow? Mysteriously, your performance capacity has seemed to multiply overnight and suddenly you’re able to run faster/think quicker/perform better than you ever have before. Sports psychologists call this “flow state” or, more colloquially, “getting in The Zone.” As a lifelong athlete and musician, I’ve sought to reach that flow state on the basketball court and at the piano bench, but in my professional life, I’ve also sought to help my students find their flow on the day of the test.
The first step in increasing your chances of getting into the SAT/ACT Zone is changing how you think about yourself and test-taking in general—after all, no one ever got into The Zone by telling themselves that they couldn’t do it—so preparing for flow state performance starts with increasing confidence and retraining your brain to silence nagging self-doubt. While it’s essential to tune out or turn off the negative voices in your head, you also need to get as much practice as you can in order to making the unnatural and traumatizing process of standardized testing into a totally unremarkable part of daily life. By practicing in a calm and controlled environment, you can slowly transform something remarkable into something routine, thereby giving you the mental space to find The Zone.
Even the most experienced athletes can’t be certain that they’ll find their flow state during any particular game, but with lots of practice, good mental discipline and a constructive inner voice, they can increase their chances. The same goes for students doing standardized testing.

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Testimonials

Philosophy

Students never have enough time. With classes, sports practice, rehearsals, internships, and after school jobs, no high school student wants to take on one more boring and time-consuming obligation by adding test prep to his or her already crazy schedule. And the same goes for parents. With the unending succession of deadlines and hoops to jump through, no parent wants one more occasion for argument or one more extracurricular program to monitor.
But the truth is… preparation is king. Few students can compete in today’s college application arms race without doing some kind of test prep. So the question is this: What’s the most effective but least painful way to prepare for the SAT/ACT? After working with students for the last 18 years, I’ve developed a test prep approach with four main functions:
Build students’ confidence:

To build a student’s confidence, you have to minimize the stress and discouragement that accompanies standardized testing. Often students have some subject they just can’t wrap their minds around. At some point in their academic lives, they told themselves that they couldn’t do math or they were bad at writing. Those limitations become identities they carry into every classroom. “Who am I? Oh, I’m a bad test-taker.” This kind of thinking becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, causing a problem instead of identifying one. To address this, I expose their doubts and fears and demonstrate that they are much more capable than they think they are. On the surface, I may be helping them prepare for a “pointless” standardized test, but ultimately, my goal is to revise their understanding of their own limitations and multiply their confidence.

Take the pressure off parents:

The high-stakes college application process can be incredibly stressful for the whole family. The best thing I can do to help is take the burden of motivation and planning off parents. To make this possible, I’ve done something pretty radical: I’ve eliminated homework from my test prep program. This means that there’s no need for parents to step in and ensure the homework’s getting done because I assign none [see: No Homework]. Zero. Nada. Zilch. All work is done in session, so as long as the student arrives with a pencil and a calculator, there is nothing to worry about or budget time for.

Teach the material efficiently:

Both energy and time are finite resources in a student’s life, so it’s crucial that test prep be as efficient as possible. Most conventional tutoring programs use a one-size-fits-all curriculum to teach to the test; this requires hours of homework, and long, intense sessions. While this may seem useful—work as hard as you possibly can and you’ll get big results, right?—it can actually be totally counterproductive. Imagine sitting across from someone for hours at a time, as he or she points out everything you’re doing wrong, question after question. Even an adult would be exhausted and discouraged by that routine. Instead, I draw on my nearly two decade’s worth of experience to provide immediate feedback and targeted instruction that addresses the core issues each student is having. Not only does this surgical approach minimize damage to the student’s morale, but I also deliver that feedback in the most efficient way possible: while the questions are still fresh in the student’s mind. After a student finishes a section of a practice test, he or she meets with me to go over the problems they just struggled with. This increases both comprehension and retention, resulting in bigger score gains with less study time.

Help families navigate the standardized testing season:

“Will my son perform better on the SAT or the ACT?” “Is my daughter ready to take the test yet?” “Which Subject Test is best?” Having worked with over 1500 students, I can guide you through the SAT/ACT testing season, advising on when to take which test in order to maximize performance and avoid the disappointing results common with students who take the test before they’re ready. No more missed deadlines. No more guesswork or partially informed advice. Just experienced strategy from someone whose life has revolved around the standardized testing season for the last 18 years.
Over the course of my career, I’ve worked with just about every kind of student: from the overachiever with test anxiety to the smart kid who never tries; from the math wiz who programs in her spare time to the poet with a 504 plan; from the theater techie to the cross-country anchor; from the diligent scholar to the kid who just can’t be bothered. I’ve refined my approach to test prep, in order to address the underlying issues that affect the full range ability levels and personalities. While this learning process has informed how I teach, the most fundamental lesson I’ve learned over the last 18 years is that I genuinely enjoy working with this age range. I’m not their adversary; I’m their ally. And I think that comes through. [See: Testimonials]

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Blog

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