Test Prep Tutor With The Going Ivy Difference

As you prepare for the college admissions process, one of the first and most daunting things that will likely come to your mind is the standardized testing you will have to undergo. Most schools require that you submit standardized test scores from the ACT or the SAT, and most of the Ivy League and elite schools also require you to submit a few SAT subject tests regardless of which of the other tests you take. Your scores on your tests are usually the second or third most critical parts of your application (following your high school grades and classes taken). Along with your academic record, the score that you receive on your standardized tests are a precise, objective factor easily used as a tool for admissions committees when comparing applicants and trying to decide whether or not to extend offers of admission. In order to obtain the best score possible, preparation is key. With the results-driving approach that is utilized by the Going Ivy team, it is possible for you to see substantial improvements in your scores and an increased likelihood that you will be accepted into your preferred college.

Why Going Ivy for Test Prep?

The team at Going Ivy is made up of former admissions officers, expert educational counselors and expert tutors who are dedicated to helping you to get into the school of your choice. Our tutors are the best in the industry. Each of our tutors is a highly experienced subject matter expert who also excels in communication skills.

Our tutors have all scored in the top percentiles on the ACT and SAT tests, and they understand how to teach the proper test-taking strategies as well as the subjects that are contained in the ACT, SAT and SAT subject tests. They are also positive people who understand that doing well on these tests is about more than just knowing the answer. Our tutors motivate students, infuse the preparation with time to build confidence, help students build endurance for these long tests, and teach stress-management techniques. When you choose a tutor at Going Ivy, you will have the benefit of working with a highly accomplished and knowledgeable tutor who understands how to help you to improve your scores. Before you get started, it is important that you understand which test to choose and when to start preparing.

Deciding Which Test to Take

Most colleges do not have a preference of whether you take the ACT or SAT. Since both of these tests have differences, it is important for you to know which test to take and to prepare for. This means that you will initially need to decide whether the SAT or the ACT will be better for you. In order to facilitate your decision, you may want to take an assessment of what your best areas are. The SAT has changed to resemble the ACT a bit more closely, but there are still some differences that could mean a lot depending on your strengths. The ACT has more stringent times for each section, meaning that you will need to be able to answer more quickly on each question. The ACT also has a science section, which the SAT does not have. This may make it a better choice for students who are good at science.

The math sections of the SAT and the ACT are another consideration. The SAT has two math tests and allows students to use calculators only on the second test. The ACT has one test that lasts 60 minutes and follows more closely to what has been learned in high school, but it allows students less time to solve each problem. The ACT also tests some harder math areas, including trigonometry, matrices and logarithms while the SAT is mostly focused on algebraic concepts. People who are better at understanding and knowing the technical steps that they must use to execute problems quickly may do better in the ACT. Those who are better at understanding the concepts behind the problems may want to choose the SAT.

Generally, the SAT favors those students who have strong analytical abilities and critical thinking skills while the ACT favors those with stronger math and science skills. If you are better with verbal reasoning, the SAT may be a good option for you. In addition to assessing your strengths, it is a good idea for you to take the pre-ACT and the PSAT. If you do much better on one than the other, then you might want to choose that test. However, some students show more room for improvement on the SAT. Going Ivy can help you to choose the test that is better for you when we get to know you, your personality, strengths and needs. The earlier that you can get started on preparing, the better. You might want to aim to take the pre-ACT and the PSAT during your sophomore year so that you have plenty of time to work on improving your scores. This will also give you several tries during your junior year and possibly your senior year for taking the actual test.

Help with SAT Subject Tests

In addition to helping you with preparing for the ACT or SAT, our expert tutors are also available to help you prepare for your SAT subject tests. Most schools want you to take at least two SAT subject tests. Our admissions consultants can help you determine which subjects are best for you based on your future goals and current strengths. Our tutors are subject-matter experts and understand how to teach you the important concepts and how to recognize what the different questions are asking. When you have sufficiently prepared and have taken several practice tests under conditions that are like the actual testing experience, you may feel more confident and secure when you walk in the room on your test day.

Why We Are Better Than Our Big Box Competitors

Many of the big box test preparation companies hold group classes for students who are trying to improve their scores on the SAT or ACT. Our experience has demonstrated to us that students do much better when they receive one-on-one instruction during their test preparation. We can help by identifying your individual strengths and learning style. This may help us to recommend the test that might be a better fit for you. If you are struggling in a certain area, we can look at why you are having difficulty and tackle the underlying cause in addition to communicating the information that you need in a clear and understandable way.

The big box test preparation companies have students meet in groups, and the students are then taught with a focus on the lowest common denominator. With our personalized and focused approach, we can help you to get the most out of your tutoring and test preparation time instead of waiting for another student who is struggling to catch up with something that you already have mastered. When students meet in large test preparation groups and do not have their unique needs met, their scores are unlikely to increase much.

Gaining Motivation

Going Ivy believes every student has some internal motivation, but some students may occasionally need a spark to reignite theirs. This is especially true for some students as they are preparing for their standardized tests where the sheer timing of the test can be exhausting. It is easy to feel overwhelmed with the preparation when it’s also combined with your normal class work and extracurricular activities. We are your team to inspire you so that you are excited and want to conquer your standardized tests. We provide the impetus for you to work toward your best result rather than pulling or dragging you along toward it. Keeping your motivation levels high is also important beyond your test date. If you allow your grades to fall during your senior year because of burnout, you risk having acceptance offers pulled when admissions committees review your mid-year grades.

When you are trying to figure out what scores you need to obtain on your SAT or ACT, one good first step is to check with your top-choice school to see what the range of scores was for its most recently admitted class. Your score should fall within that range, and if you can aim for the upper end of it, you may have a much better chance of getting accepted. By having a target score in mind, you may feel more motivation by challenging yourself to get there. Our team will also help you by offering access to motivational coaches and speakers so that you keep your goals in mind. When you have strong motivation, the work that is required to accomplish your goals will seem less like drudgery and more like you are drawing closer to what you want for your future.

Expert Tutors

Our tutors are the best available, and they are subject matter experts who also have excellent communication and teaching skills. This allows them to focus with laser-like precision on the areas that you need help and to boost the areas in which you are strong. We have tutors on the ground who are able to meet with you in person on a one-on-one basis. If you prefer, we also have expert tutors who are undergraduate and graduate students on the campuses of Princeton, Harvard and Stanford who are available for tutoring via video conferencing. When you choose one of our embedded tutors, you will sacrifice nothing in terms of interpersonal connection, and you’ll also be able to see a glimpse of what life is like on the campuses of elite colleges.

The Flexibility to Meet Your Needs Wherever You Might Be

We believe test preparation should be more than just meeting a few times. We recognize that when our students are studying, they often have questions for which they need answers quickly so that they can continue. We are available to help you 24 hours per day, seven days per week. We are invested in your success, and we don’t believe in office hours. We are happy to take your email, text or call at any time.

Holistic Approach Helps You to See Improvements

The Going Ivy team uses a holistic approach with every student. We recognize that your test score isn’t your end goal and doesn’t exist by itself on an island. Your score instead has a purpose of propelling you toward having the strongest application possible so that you can get into a top school. Our counselors start by completing an in-depth review of your strengths, areas that need improvement, your personality and your learning style. Your tutor will then develop an in-depth lesson plan that is broken down into the steps that will be needed for you to maximize your standardized scores. We might recommend that you take either the ACT or the SAT, depending on your relative strengths and interests. Some students are better off taking both. We will discuss the pros and cons of taking each of the tests or of taking both. Our overriding goal in everything that we do is helping you to do the best that you can while also helping you to learn the skills that will serve you well as you apply to college as well as during your future life.

Contact Going Ivy Today

The team at Going Ivy recognizes how overwhelming test preparation can be. By working with you one-on-one, we believe that we can help you to raise your scores on the ACT, SAT and SAT subject tests. When you obtain better scores, you may then be able to secure admission into the best schools. We offer free initial consultations in person or through video conferencing so we have the opportunity to learn more about you and your learning style before developing a comprehensive and focused plan that is tailored specifically to you. To learn more about how we can help, contact us today to schedule your consultation. We are dedicated to helping you as you work toward reaching your highest potential.