The search for a high quality SAT preparation provider can be overwhelming. Should you do the internet, a school, a typical class, a tutor or do it yourself? Almost every parent with a child who is about to take the test wants to be wise in choosing a high quality SAT * preparation provider. I will give you a roadmap to help you evaluate your decisions.
The key: who teaches?
Please note, I did not mention the reputation of the company, brand, longevity, program, materials, educator qualifications or college attended by the instructor. Why don’t they matter? Because even the most prestigious organizations and universities employ well-trained but poorly trained trainers. If you were in college, you should see it in at least one class. You may remember the course where the instructor graduated from an elite university, but in the classroom … the instructor couldn’t teach a baby to cry.
Here are the areas, the questions you should ask and what to look for when choosing a good SAT preparation teacher.
Crawl to increase score
Has the instructor won any awards within the organization? How many students helped the instructor get into college? What area of score increase can you consider?
Experience
Most desirable: 5+ years
Desirable: 2+ years
Minimum: 1 year
Before you hand over your hard earned money to a SAT * Prep provider, ask them to talk to the coach (s) who will be teaching their child. Most people who sell you the test preparation course or lessons do NOT want you to speak directly with the instructor (s) in private. This is because they are salesmen and they fear that instructors will say something to mess up the sale. Regardless of the vendor’s title, the education director, program director or coordinator insists on talking to the coach (s) to discuss the above areas. Then make a wise choice. When choosing an education center, pay attention to the old bait and switch. You know the routine: Your child will receive an experienced instructor in the first two or three sessions. Your child will give you good answers; then your child will be assigned to the novice instructors.
Systematic approach that allows for flexibility A good coach has a well-established method of getting your child to score higher. However, a good coach has the flexibility to value your child’s skills and adapt the methodology to their child. When I talk about methodology, I am NOT talking about course materials or a lesson plan. I am talking about flexibility in the order and type of teaching, teaching techniques and ability to recognize and adapt your child’s learning habits / style. These things can only be gained from the experience of teaching many students face to face.
Patience and sympathy Let’s face it, there are many smart but bad people in the world. You know the “Look at My Big Brain” guys. sometimes smart people don’t have the patience to teach others. When students encounter one of these types of teachers, it may be uncomfortable to ignore certain materials, it is not good for building confidence.
Friendly and straightforward
It is always nice to work with friendly people, but if they are afraid to tell you directly that your child is not doing their homework or is not progressing well, your child will not get the expected results.
Full of strategies that give your child an edge
As a test participant, your child must be a strategy sponge. Students need to adopt as many strategies as possible to test, think, and reduce anxiety. A good instructor has a large, solid toolbox with contrasting test strategies. Don’t be surprised if the good teacher knows a thing or two about psychology and accelerated learning techniques. This means that a good instructor has been above average and has studied, reviewed and researched better learning methods.