Frequently Asked Questions
Standardized Testing (ACT and SAT) Advice for 10th & 11th Graders
It’s harder than ever to stand out when applying to college.
Last year saw more applications to American colleges than any year prior.
USC received more than 60,000 applications for 9,535 spots.
Harvard’s acceptance rate fell to 3.4%.
NYU’s first-year applications rose by 17%.
It is harder than ever to stand out from other applicants at popular colleges.
But there is one piece of the admissions puzzle that will help you stand out that you have complete control over — your ACT or SAT score.
Yale, UT Austin, Dartmouth, Brown, Purdue, MIT, and Georgetown have reinstated standardized testing requirements. Every week it seems like there is another one! The reason is simple — standardized test scores are now the single best predictor of:
college grades
college graduation
job placement after college
graduate school placement
Even colleges that remain “test-optional” place a premium on standardized test scores. They prefer students who submit ACT and SAT scores because strong scores predict strong college performance.
Test Prep Gurus teaches students how to raise their ACT and SAT scores so that they can reach their goals for college and beyond.
The test prep process has the power to change students’ lives:
the colleges they are admitted to,
the scholarships they win,
and their perceptions of what they can achieve in the future.
“How I Learned Not to Hate the ACT”
What kind of results can I expect?
We work with students of all levels. Our students average improvements on the ACT of 6 composite points (equal to +240 points on the SAT) more than 220 points on the SAT when enrolled in programs of 24 or more hours.
Students who commit fully to their preparation program by completing 100% of their homework often see improvements as high as 10 composite points (equal to +400 on the SAT) and more than 350 points on the SAT.
This past year, one of our students in Orange County jumped from a 17 to a 31 on the ACT. That is the equivalent of +560 points on the SAT! This improvement moved him from scoring higher than just 31% of students nationwide to scoring higher than 95%, making a huge difference in the admissions process. This dramatic result, while not typical, shows that anything is possible when a student is willing to put in the time, energy, and work.
Several of our recent students earned perfect scores on the ACT and SAT. Dozens more scored in the top 1% of the country.
Take Back Control of the College Admissions Process:
Look at how Christian regained control of the process of applying to college by completing a 1-on-1 prep program with Test Prep Gurus:
My first SAT, I was stressing a lot about it, because I was worried that my score wasn't good enough, and that this was going to decide my career and my future.
Test Prep Gurus helped me because they showed me that I had the potential, and gave me a self-confidence boost. I started with a 29, and finished with a 35, just one point away from a perfect score.
That score opened up a ton of opportunities for me that before were out of reach, and now they're not that far away.
If I could tell my mom and dad one thing, it would be '"thank you for your sacrifices."
- Christian from Orange Lutheran
Three Steps to Success:
1) Complete a free mock ACT or SAT exam.
2) Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to review your exam results.
3) Discuss how test preparation can help you and your child reach your goals for the future.
Did you know that the average merit scholarship for a student who works with Test Prep Gurus is $12,000 per year?
ACT and SAT scores aren’t just for getting into college. They also heavily impact scholarships and financial aid terms.
Below is one example of how colleges use SAT and ACT scores for merit-based scholarships. The exact numbers vary at each college, but Point Loma provides an example of how merit-aid awards often work.
Graduate of the Webb Schools, winner of the USC Trustee Scholarship (~$205,000 over 4 years)
Three Steps to Success:
1) Complete a free mock ACT or SAT exam.
2) Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to review your exam results.
3) Discuss how test preparation can help you and your child reach your goals for the future.
““Our son did 12 weeks of tutoring with Test Prep Gurus. Test Prep Gurus have the whole process down to a fine art with updates from the instructors after every session, monthly full-length practice tests under real exam conditions, and check-ins with the Director after each mock exam to discuss our son’s progress and the next steps. The teachers were highly trained and focused on the areas causing challenges. It was great to have a different teacher for the English/Reading and Math/Science sections. While it was a big investment, we feel that the investment has paid dividends with college paths now open that could previously have not been an option for our son, as his score improved by 6 points on the ACT (to a near perfect, 35 out of 36). Thank you Test Prep Gurus!””
What makes Test Prep Gurus different?
You might not know it yet, but the process your son or daughter experiences during test prep is actually just as important as the end results. In fact, we've heard from many families over the years that it was more valuable. The test prep process offers a unique opportunity to reinforce the value of sustained hard work, encourage persistence toward long-term goals, and teach young minds that they can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
The system that enables us to deliver our unique process is as follows:
Dedicated directors who take the time to understand your specific goals, manage everything from the instructors to the schedule, and who work tirelessly to make sure your family is on track to achieve your goals.
A uniquely designed training program that makes our exclusive pool of instructors the best in the country (they all must score in the top 1% on anything they teach).
A unique teaching Test Prep Gurus curriculum that enables students to succeed in college and beyond.
Do you prep students for other subjects?
Absolutely. If there is a test involved, we can help your student prepare for it. We offer expert instruction for academic subjects ranging from Chemistry to AP US History, as well as all other standardized exams such as the PSAT, GRE, ISEE, SSAT, and LSAT.
The Test Prep Process:
Step 1: Diagnostic Exams: Our process is built to help your student achieve his or her goals for the future. But before we know where we're going, we need to know where we're at. We begin each program by administering two free diagnostic tests: one ACT and one SAT. This helps us to determine which exam is naturally a better fit for the student. Please note that previously completed official exams, including the PSAT may be used in place of our mock exams.
Step 2: Personal Consultation: After diagnostic testing, you and your student will be invited to schedule a complimentary consultation. This can be done in person or over the phone. During this meeting, we will review the results of the diagnostic exams and discuss how much the student's score might need to improve to be competitive at the specific colleges your family is considering. With this information, we can begin building a customized test preparation program that will give your student the best possible chance of achieving his or her goals.
Step 3: Instruction: Contrary to popular myth, improving scores on standardized exams is not simply a matter of learning a few "test-taking tricks." While it is important to teach students test-taking strategies, massive score improvements are rooted in mastering the complex content and concepts that are assessed on the ACT and SAT. Individual 1-on-1 instruction is the most effective way to improve ACT and SAT scores because it allows our instructors to focus on the content areas where your student can improve the most.
Improved her ACT score by +11 composite points (equivalent to +440 points on the SAT)
Duration: Teaching all of the content and concepts assessed on the ACT and SAT requires a sustained, focused effort over time. We recommend different packages of various frequency and duration based on your family's specific circumstances, starting scores, and future scoring goals.
To get a sense of how a typical program unfolds, let's look at our most popular program, the comprehensive 1-on-1 24-hour program (in red below). In this program, your student would typically meet with his/her instructors once per week, in 2-hour sessions, for 12 weeks. The student would also receive an additional 2-3 hours of homework per week.
Mixed in throughout the lessons, your student would also take a minimum of 5 full-length practice ACT or SAT exams. The results of these practice exams help us to adjust lesson plans as needed based on your student's progression. There is no additional charge if you wish to schedule additional practice exams.
Customization: We'll work around your student's busy schedule. We offer 1-on-1 sessions during the week and on weekends. Students typically meet our instructors at one of our eight physical locations, in-home, virtually, or a combination thereof.
“ “Test Prep Gurus helped me improve my SAT by 260 points...and I won a scholarship that over four years is worth $72,000 over the next four years!””
Invest in Your Child’s Future
There is an initial financial commitment that comes with working with an expert test preparation firm like Test Prep Gurus. This is because your student won’t just work with his or her tutors. Behind the scenes, an entire team of educational professionals will work around the clock to inspire your student to achieve his or her goals.
You might also be interested to know that an investment in test prep can save you money. Roughly half of all scholarships are tied to your GPA and an ACT or SAT score. Many of our students win scholarships each year worth $10,000 - $30,000 per year. A strong ACT or SAT score can also lead to more favorable financial aid terms. These technically aren’t scholarships, but the result is the same — your family saves money.
At the end of the day, committing to an ACT or SAT prep program isn’t a decision about “cost.” Just like college, it’s an investment in your child’s future.
Achieving a successful score on the ACT or SAT can open a student’s mind to the idea that they are capable of much more than they previously thought possible. It can inspire them with the confidence to pursue their dreams, whether that’s starting a business, creating something unique, or pursuing a higher degree. When they do, they will know that with hard work and determination, they can accomplish just about anything.
"If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur."
-Red Adair
Three Steps to Success:
1) Complete a free mock ACT or SAT exam.
(Learn where your student is scoring today and whether their current scores will help or hold back their applications to their first-choice colleges.)
2) Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to review your exam results.
(ACT and SAT scores must be understood in their proper context, taking into account the specific tests, when they were taken, and how they stack up against your student’s goals for college.)
3) Create a 1-on-1 test prep plan to reach your goals for college and beyond.
(We work with students of all levels. Whether you’re shooting for a perfect score, simply want to be more comfortable with standardized exams, or anywhere in between, Test Prep Gurus is here to help you reach your goals.)