Test Prep for the Class of 2026 and the Class of 2027
April 14, 2024
Hello,
Current juniors are certainly in the thick of it: finishing up with ACT and SAT testing, preparing for APs and IBs, ensuring that junior year grades will be as strong as possible, and venturing into the exciting yet daunting world of college applications.
It’s also time for the Class of 2026 and even the Class of 2027 to solidify test prep plans for this summer and the early fall.
Please keep in mind the following key points when creating a plan:
- Ideally, a substantial portion of test prep should be completed by the summer before junior year. While some students will be fully prepared to begin testing by October of junior year, the majority will begin testing in December, with a goal of completing testing by June.
- The courses that students take at Target Tutoring represent a starting point, not an ending point, for test prep. To achieve their exceptional results, Target Tutoring students come to the office regularly to undertake carefully structured practice under my guidance. Simply doing practice tests at home tends to be ineffective and often counterproductive; mistakes need to be addressed, and skills must be honed and adapted.
- When navigating the issue of ACT vs. SAT, a few key points must be kept in mind:
- The new SAT makes use of a relatively untested digital format. Here are two of the substantial reservations that I have about the changes.
- First, the selection of a digital format for math seems unwise, given the ever-increasing deficits in high school math instruction. From my vantage point, online math curricula have, in general, been poorly implemented and ineffective. The digital format of the SAT will reinforce bad math habits (for example, the lack of proper note-taking skills and a vague understanding of the logic behind individual math steps).
- Second, the adaptive nature of the new SAT (in which so-called Module 2 questions will be based on student performance on Module 1 questions) will add to the stress and complexity of the test-taking process.
- The ACT will continue to be the test of choice for most students. The ACT’s format, content, and rigor better integrate with beneficial learning outcomes for students. In addition, the testing schedule is substantially more convenient for most students.
- The new SAT makes use of a relatively untested digital format. Here are two of the substantial reservations that I have about the changes.
- As math instruction in South Florida schools has declined precipitously in quality over the past decade, students must devote substantially more time to fully prepare for the math portion of the ACT and/or SAT. I have been tutoring students from a wide variety of schools in this area for the past 17 years; I estimate that, on average, current students are at least a full year behind the math skill-level of students when I started. I would encourage parents to continue to speak out to ensure positive changes at their children’s schools. For test prep purposes, it is vital for students to begin math prep as soon as possible. For parents, please assume that substantial improvements in students’ math abilities will occur only after an intensive and sustained effort.
Target Tutoring’s ACT curriculum comprises four core courses: the ACT Intensive, the ACT Math Booster, the ACT Science Primer, and the Trig/Pre-Cal Module.
The ACT Intensive covers techniques and topics for the English and Reading sections. The course provides a comprehensive and novel review of English grammar, incorporating Target Tutoring’s proprietary method of abridged sentence diagramming to help students better grasp the underlying anatomy of complex sentences. The ACT Intensive takes place over six two-hour sessions and costs $1300.
The ACT Math Booster includes a review of key arithmetic, geometry, and algebra topics. The ACT Math Booster also introduces proprietary techniques and strategies to help students succeed on the time-pressured ACT Math test. The ACT Math Booster takes place over six two-hour sessions and costs $1200.
Target Tutoring’s innovative ACT Science Primer helps students tackle the intimidating ACT Science test with confidence. This four-session course provides a systematic approach to navigating the most open-ended section of the ACT. The cost of the ACT Science Primer is $700.
The Trig/Pre-Cal Module reviews a variety of advanced algebra, trigonometry, statistics, and pre-calculus topics, such as matrices, vectors, complex numbers, arithmetic and geometric sequences, conditional statements, and combinations and permutations. This course takes place over six sessions of two hours each and costs $900.
As for PSAT and SAT prep, keep in mind that Target Tutoring’s curriculum makes the most of the substantial overlap between the ACT and the PSAT/SAT. In addition, I will offer several courses in the early fall targeted specifically at the PSAT.
You will find a schedule of upcoming courses at https://www.target-tutoring.com/upcoming-schedule/. And to create your test prep plan, please call me at 786-374-1767 or email me at william@target-tutoring.com. Keep in mind that class size is limited (usually 10-12 students); therefore, if you have a tight summer calendar, it is best to register early.
Best regards,
William
New Location
June 2, 2020
Almost 15 years after its inception, Target Tutoring is excited to announce its next home at 2550 S Bayshore Drive, Ste 212 in Coconut Grove, FL 33133. This location at the edge of Biscayne Bay will allow Target Tutoring to offer an array of new tutoring options. We hope students and parents alike will be as delighted as we are!