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The Monterey Bay's local resource for tutoring in all academic subjects,
group workshops or private tutoring for SAT®, ACT®, PSAT®, SSAT® and
other standardized tests.

The 4 R’s of Successful Test Takers

May 12, 2015
1 min

The 4 R’s of Successful Test Takers

What are the most important R’s for successful test takers? If you said “reading, writing and arithmetic” then I am afraid you missed the mark. While good test takers excel at reading, writing and arithmetic, the following R’s represent the qualities of the best test takers: Realistic: Good test takers are realistic. They understand that test taking is a skill. Skills, like playing an instrument or mastering a new sport, require time and dedicated practice. Happy outcomes

For Test Prep, Birds of a Feather Flock Together

Apr 13, 2015
2 min

For Test Prep, Birds of a Feather Flock Together

Ahh, spring. Warmer temperatures and longer days get us all ready for summer. With spring in the air, the heat is also rising in the classroom. As spring days get longer and warmer outside so does the stress level for students. Sports commitments, performing arts, part time jobs, exams, social activities and more limit the free time for the average student. So in the middle of all the spring activities, and with the ACT and SAT looming, how can one find any time for test pre

For Test Prep, Birds of a Feather Flock Together

Apr 13, 2015
2 min

For Test Prep, Birds of a Feather Flock Together

Ahh, spring. Warmer temperatures and longer days get us all ready for summer. With spring in the air, the heat is also rising in the classroom. As spring days get longer and warmer outside so does the stress level for students. Sports commitments, performing arts, part time jobs, exams, social activities and more limit the free time for the average student. So in the middle of all the spring activities, and with the ACT and SAT looming, how can one find any time for test pre

How Stress Can Help SAT & ACT Performance

Feb 6, 2015
2 min

How Stress Can Help SAT & ACT Performance

All my students know that my first message with respect to test prep is to avoid stress. Stress can lead to negativity. Negativity can deflate confidence. Deflated confidence can reduce performance. In fact, I claim that stress is the number one enemy of test performance. While I stand by my claim, there may actually be a benefit to stress as long as you know how to use it effectively. Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman first wrote about pressure and stress on standardized tes

How Stress Can Help SAT & ACT Performance

Feb 6, 2015
2 min

How Stress Can Help SAT & ACT Performance

All my students know that my first message with respect to test prep is to avoid stress. Stress can lead to negativity. Negativity can deflate confidence. Deflated confidence can reduce performance. In fact, I claim that stress is the number one enemy of test performance. While I stand by my claim, there may actually be a benefit to stress as long as you know how to use it effectively. Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman first wrote about pressure and stress on standardized tes

How to Really Read Your PSAT Score

Jan 4, 2015
1 min

How to Really Read Your PSAT Score

Now that PSAT scores have been received by students around the country, it is worth a moment to really understand what these numbers mean. First and foremost, unless you are pursuing a National Merit Scholarship, PSAT scores should be taken with a grain of salt. Since most students do not qualify for the National Merit Scholarship, there should be little stress or anxiety over PSAT scores. Unfortunately, many students and parents view PSAT scores negatively. They place grea

How to Really Read Your PSAT Score

Jan 4, 2015
1 min

How to Really Read Your PSAT Score

Now that PSAT scores have been received by students around the country, it is worth a moment to really understand what these numbers mean. First and foremost, unless you are pursuing a National Merit Scholarship, PSAT scores should be taken with a grain of salt. Since most students do not qualify for the National Merit Scholarship, there should be little stress or anxiety over PSAT scores. Unfortunately, many students and parents view PSAT scores negatively. They place grea

ACT & SAT Math: Show What You Know

Dec 1, 2014
2 min

ACT & SAT Math: Show What You Know

Math word problems: do you love them or hate them? Chances are you hate them. Most students struggle with math problems that contain more words than numbers. Translating sentences into equations is not always the easiest thing to do. Despite the challenge, there is no way around word problems. Most of the math questions on the SAT and ACT deal with more words than numbers. Remember, the SAT and ACT are tests designed primarily to test your reading ability, not your math skill

ACT & SAT Math: Show What You Know

Dec 1, 2014
2 min

ACT & SAT Math: Show What You Know

Math word problems: do you love them or hate them? Chances are you hate them. Most students struggle with math problems that contain more words than numbers. Translating sentences into equations is not always the easiest thing to do. Despite the challenge, there is no way around word problems. Most of the math questions on the SAT and ACT deal with more words than numbers. Remember, the SAT and ACT are tests designed primarily to test your reading ability, not your math skill

Why You Don’t Need an SAT Tutor

Nov 8, 2014
1 min

Why You Don’t Need an SAT Tutor

How important is an SAT tutor? Is it necessary to hire someone to get a student prepared for test day? Truth be told, you don’t need to hire an SAT tutor. There is a lot you can do by yourself. Even better, the DIY method is easier than ever with free SAT prep available from Khan Academy. I’ve long been a proponent of the free resources available at Khan Academy, but after digging through the free SAT materials that are available on their site, I am more convinced that all s

If ACT and SAT Scores Were GPAs

Oct 26, 2014
2 min

If ACT and SAT Scores Were GPAs

One of the first activities I like to do with my ACT and SAT students is to begin with the end in mind. In other words, before we do any test prep, we research the SAT and ACT scores for the schools the student is considering. Armed with the knowledge of what score a student needs, the real preparation begins. Understanding what score you need on the ACT and SAT is the most important step in your preparation. Once you know the score you need, you can figure out how many quest

If ACT and SAT Scores Were GPAs

Oct 26, 2014
2 min

If ACT and SAT Scores Were GPAs

One of the first activities I like to do with my ACT and SAT students is to begin with the end in mind. In other words, before we do any test prep, we research the SAT and ACT scores for the schools the student is considering. Armed with the knowledge of what score a student needs, the real preparation begins. Understanding what score you need on the ACT and SAT is the most important step in your preparation. Once you know the score you need, you can figure out how many quest

How Long Do You Prep for ACT and SAT?

Aug 7, 2014
2 min

How Long Do You Prep for ACT and SAT?

The next ACT test is scheduled for September 13th. Undoubtedly, I will field a call from a parent or student looking for test prep help on September 10th. Same goes for the SAT. With the next test scheduled for October 11th, someone will frantically call me October 8th trying to schedule some test prep. Here is how the calls usually go: Parent: Can we schedule some tutoring before Saturday’s test? Me: We can definitely schedule some tutoring, but I doubt that it will do much

How Long Do You Prep for ACT and SAT?

Aug 7, 2014
2 min

How Long Do You Prep for ACT and SAT?

The next ACT test is scheduled for September 13th. Undoubtedly, I will field a call from a parent or student looking for test prep help on September 10th. Same goes for the SAT. With the next test scheduled for October 11th, someone will frantically call me October 8th trying to schedule some test prep. Here is how the calls usually go: Parent: Can we schedule some tutoring before Saturday’s test? Me: We can definitely schedule some tutoring, but I doubt that it will do much

How to Sleep Your Way to a Better SAT Score

Jun 25, 2014
2 min

How to Sleep Your Way to a Better SAT Score

Stress kills on the SAT. My students hear me wax poetic that stressed brains do not learn as well as unstressed brains. In fact, one of my first lessons with my students demonstrates that attitude is more important than aptitude. Simply put, a student’s aptitude cannot shine when the student’s attitude is negative, tired, unfocused or stressed. While many of my conclusions are based in scientific research and years of instruction, I was recently blown away by a study about sl

How to Sleep Your Way to a Better SAT Score

Jun 25, 2014
2 min

How to Sleep Your Way to a Better SAT Score

Stress kills on the SAT. My students hear me wax poetic that stressed brains do not learn as well as unstressed brains. In fact, one of my first lessons with my students demonstrates that attitude is more important than aptitude. Simply put, a student’s aptitude cannot shine when the student’s attitude is negative, tired, unfocused or stressed. While many of my conclusions are based in scientific research and years of instruction, I was recently blown away by a study about sl

What Will You Read This Summer?

May 14, 2014
1 min

What Will You Read This Summer?

Summer is fast approaching. Amazing how fast this school year came and went. With vacation around the corner, what will you be reading this summer? #ACT #read #readingcomprehension #SAT

What Will You Read This Summer?

May 14, 2014
1 min

What Will You Read This Summer?

Summer is fast approaching. Amazing how fast this school year came and went. With vacation around the corner, what will you be reading this summer? #ACT #read #readingcomprehension #SAT

How to Make Time for SAT/ACT Prep

Apr 24, 2014
2 min

How to Make Time for SAT/ACT Prep

Spring might be the busiest time of year for students. At this point in the year, students have lot on their plate what with upcoming final exams, team sport commitments, and end-of-year celebrations like prom or graduation. What’s worse, the warmer weather can prove to be a major distraction. With all of this going on, how can you possible have time for SAT or ACT Prep? One option is to avoid taking the SAT or ACT in the spring. Trying to cram in a test at a busy time of

How to Make Time for SAT/ACT Prep

Apr 24, 2014
2 min

How to Make Time for SAT/ACT Prep

Spring might be the busiest time of year for students. At this point in the year, students have lot on their plate what with upcoming final exams, team sport commitments, and end-of-year celebrations like prom or graduation. What’s worse, the warmer weather can prove to be a major distraction. With all of this going on, how can you possible have time for SAT or ACT Prep? One option is to avoid taking the SAT or ACT in the spring. Trying to cram in a test at a busy time of

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