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Test Prep for the Class of 2027 and the Class of 2028

March 25, 2025

Hello,

It’s that time of the year to solidify test prep plans for the Class of 2027 and even the Class of 2028 for this summer and the early fall. Please keep in mind the following key points when creating a plan:

  1. Ideally, a substantial portion of test prep should be completed by the summer before junior year. While some students will be ready to begin testing by September or October of junior year, the majority will begin in December, with a goal to complete testing by June.
  2. 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.
  3. When navigating the issue of ACT vs. SAT, you should consider a few key points:
    • Here are two of the substantial reservations that I have about the digital SAT.
      1. With respect to math, the digital format is 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 SAT’s digital format reinforces bad math habits (especially, a lack of proper note-taking skills and a vague understanding of the logic behind individual math steps).
      2. Second, the adaptive nature of the new SAT (in which Module 2 questions are based on student performance on Module 1 questions) adds needless stress and complexity to the test-taking process.
    • The ACT remains 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 upcoming changes to the ACT represent a positive development, further tilting the balance to the ACT. I recommend that all students who take the ACT choose the paper version: the digital version offers no significant benefit; meanwhile, the paper version of the ACT will be very similar in form and content to its predecessor, while providing students more time per question. Finally, most of my students will continue to take the “optional” science section, at least until colleges have decided how to treat that section.
  4. Target Tutoring’s curriculum makes the most of the substantial overlap between the ACT and the PSAT/SAT: about 70% of my ACT curriculum carries over to the PSAT/SAT. Additionally, students who have completed Target Tutoring’s test prep courses are eligible to take a PSAT Review course at no additional charge in the fall to adapt what they have learned to the format of the PSAT/SAT so that they will be fully prepared for success.
  5. 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 18 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.

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Target Tutoring’s ACT curriculum comprises four core courses: the ACT Intensive, the ACT Math Booster, the Trig/Pre-Cal Module, and the ACT Science Primer.

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 $1400.

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 $1300.

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 $1000.

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 $800.

You will find a schedule of upcoming courses at https://www.target-tutoring.com/upcoming-schedule/. If you are interested in creating a test prep plan, please 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!