by Claire Russell – Founder, Russell Tutoring
I was digging into a student’s SAT and ACT tests the other day, and just from a bubble sheet, I could see so much. I saw this test-taker and her habits, and I had so many questions for our interview based on their tests and our proprietary surveys. Already, I had ideas about how we at RTC could help her.
Most test prep companies have a student take an SAT-ACT assessment which they score, and based on which test has a higher score, they select a test for the student. They might ask if the student has a preference, but usually, it’s a black-and-white decision based on a number. If a family comes in asking for SAT, the company defers. And it’s a crime.
Fact: It is not unusual for a student to score just a little higher the first time on SAT over ACT, because the pace of ACT initially overwhelms them.
Fact: When I look at their test-taking strengths and habits, and then interview them about what’s going on in their experience of taking the tests, so often, I find a student who has scored just a bit higher on SAT is stronger on the ACT for about five reasons. They have actually struggled with the traps of the SAT all over the place, whereas on the ACT I can see all these places they can grow. Each student thinks differently, and a student’s individual strengths will make them better adapted for SAT or ACT. It entirely depends, and you never know until you assess. That has to include getting to know the student, not just giving them a bunch of test questions.
In July, I always have families of rising seniors call me desperate to save their students’ scores. So often, these students have gotten pretty awful test prep, and my teacher heart hurts for them. So often, they were railroaded into one test for a wrong reason when they were actually right for the other, and it’s always too late to switch tests, so we have to make the best of it. What that means is that a student who could have gotten a 34 (SAT 1550) on the ACT settles for a 1370 (ACT 30) instead, which is a universe of difference in terms of college acceptance and merit aid. Again, it breaks my teacher heart, because our kiddos deserve better. If you can get it right from the start, you will save yourself a lot of anxiety, stress, and possible heartache.
I always say to families, you don’t need to go with RTC. We aren’t the right fit for every student, because students have to want to work to be the right fit for us. But please, know what you’re getting in test prep. Ask:
- How thorough is your assessment?
- How do you approach teaching the test and customize your curriculum to my student?
- What are the qualifications of your tutors, and how long have they been with your company?
- How do you manage test confidence and anxiety?
- How many total hours of tutoring will my student need?
- How will your SAT or ACT prep help my student develop college-readiness skills?
If a company can’t give you thoughtful, thorough answers to all those questions, I hope you will walk away and find someone who can. Your student deserves a company that cares about their future.
