How Asha went from a 26 to a 34 on the ACT

Asha started at a 26 on the ACT, scored a 32 on her first official exam after a group class, then added one-on-one work on math and science and came back with a 34. She and her mom Angie talk about what the class actually taught, why the second score changed the list of schools they were considering, and what Asha plans to study.

Transcript

Angie, Asha, welcome. Asha, do you want to tell us a little bit about yourself?

Hello. My name is Asha. I go to Beckman High School, and currently I'm in the class of 2026.

Okay, fantastic. Well, Angie, let's start. Let's go back before you found us. What was the biggest challenge or problem that you were facing? Initially, what's going through your mind?

Honestly, it was, how do I know which program is going to work for my girl? There's so many competitors out there, and I just was overwhelmed by the amount of information that's out there. I think that was the biggest obstacle for me. And then, would she be successful doing online, or would in person be... She has a very demanding schedule, and so trying to find a program that would fit her schedule and her needs and her learning style was overwhelming for me.

Right. What was going through your head initially with regard to all of that?

Yes. So standardized testing always seemed like a very big, scary thing, especially with college admissions, because college admissions in general is a really big thing, especially for kids my age. And so it's just going into it like, how do I even approach taking the ACT or the SAT?

Let's dig just slightly deeper. What's scary about it?

I think what's scary about it is just the idea of not really knowing. It's such a new idea. Like, I've never written a college essay before. I've never had to go and sit in for an SAT or an ACT. And so it's just that idea of the unknown, and what to expect, and how to really go into the college admissions process.

Yeah. And then, how does the aspect of being judged based on these things you haven't done before and you don't have a lot of practice with, how does that feel?

It's definitely scary. And even just taking a practice test, hearing that feedback, it's definitely a scary thing.

For sure. Right. Now, what did you initially encounter in trying to solve the problem? Once you realize, okay, I'm going to need a score to get where I want to go, what are the initial pain points there?

I think luck was on our side. I don't know if I want to call it luck or destiny. But the way we came about Test Prep Gurus was actually through your generosity. Your company donates to our National Charity League chapter, and it was a silent auction item. And I passed by and I thought, you know what, I'm just going to give this a go. And I watched the table and I won it. And the woman who was checking me out said to me, you're going to love them. My daughter did this. You're going to love them. And so I said, okay. And it was very fortuitous, I think, that day, because it kind of almost made the decision for me, and I thought, I'm going to give it a go. And it's been the best thing ever for her.

Yeah. And it was one of the online classes is where you started.

That's right. Initially, one of the virtual classes.

And for you, what were you thinking and feeling when you first hear that your mom bought this thing and now you're going to have to go do it?

I think it was honestly a little bit exciting, just to hear that I was going to be getting some sort of help, and just a sense of relief came over me. Like, there are people who want to help me, and they're going to help me through this process.

Okay. Had you seen any of the webinars through the Irvine School District?

No, I just said, you know what, I'm going to give this a go.

Interesting. Yeah.

And now I tell everybody. You guys have been generous again, and I'll tell everybody, this is what you want to bid on, because you will not be disappointed.

Yeah. Well, and feel free, if the... sometimes the chapters don't follow up again and they don't ask, even if we made the donation, and then we'll forget about it, because there's so many of the various chapters. And so feel free to remind us if they don't ask.

Thank you.

As you started in the class, what was different about this than anything you had tried before?

I think it was different because it was specifically tailored to the test itself. It's different than just studying for math, science, or reading. It's specific test taking techniques, and learning those specific techniques were really helpful and really critical for me in order to up my score and really learn more about the test.

So, within the class, started at a 26 on the ACT. I assume you took a... we had a PSAT and an ACT score to compare.

I did the PSAT actually after my baseline. So that was my first baseline for a test.

Yeah. Okay. And then that directed you towards ACT, because that one was a little bit... And then going through the class, you ended up at a 32 on your first official exam, which is fantastic, because that's roughly 240 points on the SAT. A six point increase on the ACT. But the story's not done there. You keep going after that, and we're going to swing back around to that. What were you seeing as a parent as she's going through the class?

You know, what she was saying, how it was very specific to the exam. After every session she'd walk out very excited. I learned this, I learned that. You know, the insiders' kind of techniques and strategies. And so I could just see that she was getting more confident, less scared in her ability to take the test. Come, was it September, was the first time she took it. So all through the summer there were little light bulb moments that she was having after every session.

Right. And this all started the summer after your sophomore year, and then you took the class, and then September of junior year is when you take your first... Okay. Is there a specific moment when either one of you realized this is working?

I think it was in my first round of classes, and I took a practice test and I saw how much my score improved. I started getting into the 30s, and I think that was the moment I realized, like, my hard work is paying off, the classes are paying off, and I'm really learning.

And did that motivate you to work even harder?

For sure. If I could see that I'm starting to go forward, how much more forward can I go?

How about for you?

Same, saying what you would come out like, I'm in the 30s, I'm getting in there. That was really exciting. You know your kid's potential. I think she's a rock star. I think she's really smart. But to actually see her have that belief, and just see it, like you mentioned, having that numerical number reflected in the work, I was proud of her.

Proud of her. Well, and if we circle around to the beginning, about what you felt scared about, and what you as a parent feel scared about, because for you, you're being judged on things you haven't done before and it feels like there's a lot of weight on it. And then as a parent, it's even harder in some ways, because your kid is being judged, but you can't step in there and do it for them.

Not at all. And you can't save them. You can't take the test for them. All you can do is be their cheerleader. And you know they're smart enough and capable enough. You just want them to have a good shot.

Right. And then eventually have a score that reflects the effort.

What they're capable of, and that shows them in the right light.

Yeah. How did the class help you to overcome those challenges and then achieve your specific goals?

Yeah, I think the tutors and teachers I was with, they were really great when it came to the practice. And so they would really help me, if I were to go through a set of questions on my own during the class, they'd be able to come back to each question that I missed. And that was really key in identifying which concepts I really needed the most help on. And then once I got over the errors that I was making in those concepts, then that just built up my confidence.

And then for you as the parent, what were your goals you were hoping to achieve, even though it's your daughter's path and her journey? Where do those two things...

Well, I knew she was capable of scoring higher than a 26. I knew that was her baseline, being raw. And so anything kind of in the low 30s, I would have been ecstatic. Super. That's a great score. I mean, when I reflect back, honestly, I just wanted her to beat me, and I was a 32. But unlike you and I, I had nothing. I had no study guide. I just walked in one day and took the test. And so I knew she could beat me, and I'm proud that she did. But I just wanted her to go in as confidently as she could, because it's fair to say she's an overthinker. She can, you know, ruminate about those things. Am I going to score high enough? And so I just wanted her to walk in that day, or any test day, and just be confident, like, I've done the work, and whatever happens. So that's actually been... we've told her, like, just try your best, you know. We really do try to tell the kids try their best. And yeah, she did it.

Yeah. And going through everything you might see on the test builds that confidence, because now you know what you're up against. And it's not something unfamiliar that has all this weight on it. And then I think you mentioned the overthinking things. If you're not sure what you're up against, it's easy to overthink stuff. Whereas once you know exactly what you're dealing with, how to navigate it, you're able to quickly take action on what you want to do and knock those problems out one after another. Is that accurate?

Yeah, absolutely. And I think with every single class, I got more familiar with the test, because all the questions that you practice with are very similar to what you see on the test. So that definitely was really key to also building my confidence, just getting familiar with what the test is going to ask you, how to really navigate the different questions.

Okay. So then after that, you decided to come back and do some supplemental one-on-one work. What happened after that, and how was that different than the class?

So the class focused on all areas of the ACT. So I worked on the math, the science, the reading, and the English. But after I got my results back, I needed to focus more on the math and science portion. And so for my one-on-one sessions, I worked specifically with Erica, and we worked on the math and the science. And that was really, I think, key for me to getting a higher score for the next test.

And same question to you. What was your thinking process and feelings that are going on when you're making that decision on, should we add this one-on-one work? And because with a 32, she's in a great spot.

Right. She exceeded what my goal was for her. Like, okay, we're at where I was. But I saw the scores, and I saw she was very strong in both tests on one area. I'm like, okay, I think she's solid in two parts of the test. It looks like there's areas where she's improved and made great gains in the other two areas. So why don't we give it some more attention and see what can happen with more one-on-one focusing on those two areas? And that was the goal. Let's see if we could get her past a 32.

Right. And then what happened when she took the test again in April?

So I took the test, and then I was actually surprised. I wasn't expecting to get the score I got, but I'm really happy I did. I think it just really goes to show the hard work, how that really pays off, and also just how effective it was to learn the different strategies and test techniques, because they really cemented in my brain. I was really able to use them while I was taking the test.

And what was that final score?

It was a 34.

Yeah, there we go. Out of, on a 36 point scale, just to make sure everybody knows. So we're really up in the higher echelon there with a 34. And as you know, that's often the cut off at top schools. They want to see 34, 35, 36 to really put you in the running. And so that's great news. What schools are you looking at applying to now?

Looking forward into my senior year, I'm really thinking about the Claremont Colleges. That's actually where my mom went to. She went to CMC.

Oh, no way.

My husband and I, that's where we met. So, a little biased.

She inspired me to go for maybe a Claremont College. And in terms of out of state schools or dream schools, I'd say one of my dream schools would be University of Michigan, because of the research there. I'm really interested in research. And also Emory University out in Georgia, and also my dream dream school, Johns Hopkins University.

Okay, lovely choices. What are you thinking of studying?

I'm definitely thinking about premed.

Okay. I didn't want to assume, but you said Johns Hopkins. And I met my wife at Pitzer College, so...

No way.

Yeah. My older sister went to Pitzer, my younger sister went to Scripps, so we're...

Oh, you're all in.

All in. It's a little biased.

Yeah. I was just there for an alumni weekend, and every campus just gets more and more amazing. CMC is building a gargantuan science center.

Science center. It is amazing.

It looks like it will be amazing. And I'm just continually blown away by how those schools just get better and better each time. I mean, on the podcast coming up, so Pitzer started a program several years ago, but it's just now really bearing fruit, where they started working online with some incarcerated individuals and giving them access to higher education. And this one gentleman, he and his whole family were top shot callers with the Crips. I think his grandfather, I haven't interviewed him yet so I don't know all the details, but I think his grandfather was a founding member. I mean, they were deep within gang life, and he was sent, he was a life sentence, no chance of parole, but had access to some of this online education, and then really got excited about this and started studying some of the law surrounding his case. Got in touch with a lawyer, realized it was not a fair prosecution, gets a second trial, the DA recognizes that it probably wasn't him, in light of the new information that they uncovered because of the errors, and said, hey, if you don't sue us, you could just walk free now and we'll just make a settlement on that and shake hands and that'll be that.

Yeah.

So he gets out, and now he just graduated from Pitzer.

So, actually began attending in person.

Earned a Fulbright to study prison reform in America. And so he went all over the world to study prison reform, and he's now working on his PhD. And I'm really excited to talk to him. I think just meeting him, he's an incredible individual, and did, I think, close to 20 years of this sentence, but is just filled with gratitude for what he has now. There's no looking backwards, and he doesn't think of himself as a victim. He just says, hey, I did get out, and now I'm going to go make the world a better place. And I'm biased, of course, but I'm like, only at the Claremont Colleges would you see this going down.

Right. Exactly. I think I'd take... Well, we did do a college visit to CMC, and the research opportunities, and it's small, you know, and that connection to your professors.

Yeah. We'll see if we can talk you into it. Okay. How is, first for the student, then for the parent, how is life different now that you've solved this problem? You went through the process, you came out successful. How are things different for you now?

I think I'm definitely more confident, especially when it comes to the college admissions process. Just knowing I have the score, it's almost like a relief going into the admissions process. Like, I have the strength of part of my application. And also I feel like I can apply what I learned by taking the ACT to other aspects of my life in general. Like, just knowing that if I work hard at something, then I will see the results when I put in the time and I put in the effort. And I think I can definitely apply that to other things that may be a little bit scary, like personal statements or a college essay. Like, just knowing that if I put in the time and effort I will see progress, and that I can do it. I can do hard things.

Yeah. And does it feel like those lessons can apply? I mean, it sounds like you're saying in school and with the college application process, but even beyond that, when you're in college, when you're out of college, what lessons would you take from this that you might apply?

Yeah, for sure. I think time management was a big one, because even though I took the classes in the summer, I also did my one-on-one during the school year, and just having to balance out everything, balance out the ACT homework that I would receive every week, balance out my actual school work, sports, volunteering. It's a big time commitment, really, just to put in the work for this specific test. Just knowing how to manage my time and manage my schedule will be a really important tool in college, especially if I have to study for something in college as well.

Yeah. And as a mom, how is life different as she's come out of this and conquered that obstacle in front of her?

Well, a relief, to be quite honest with you. You know, I knew she could do it. And my husband and I, when we saw the second score, it really did change what we thought. Okay, where are we going to apply now? It kind of changes the landscape a little bit, if I'm being very honest. Wow. You know, so it changed what we were thinking of where she could apply. I mean, it still is still so much out of our control, but we felt very proud and confident that with this score, it's going to change her chances at some of these schools. And she's not done yet. She wants to go again. So she's going to sit in two weeks again, and she's going to try even more. So we're like, okay, that's how she wants to spend her first two weeks of summer.

Well, keep us posted on how that goes. And it's funny, when you get to the upper end of the scale, the difference, say, between a 20 and a 22 is something, right, those two points there, but it's not really moving the needle. When you're down further, you need these bigger jumps. But when you get to the upper end of the scale, that jump from 32 to 34 is a really big deal, right? It does change the landscape of schools. With the 34, it's like, okay, now I can apply anywhere.

Yes. I immediately, to be honest, we jumped on Google. What does a 34 score? And going like this to my husband. This changes where she's going to apply, and the schools that we can encourage her and talk about, you know, what's on the table now.

Right.

The AI was like, you could apply wherever you want. Why are you asking?

Would you recommend this service to others?

Oh, absolutely. And I do. I do. You know, she's got friends who are one year behind her, and I'm nicely but encouraging them, like, now is the summer, now is the time. And if they want to take a test prep course, I know exactly where to go, what worked for us, I think would work for them, because you offer the in person and the online. I think Asha can do the online, but I know it's not for everybody, but it's great that you offer both. So I have been...

And how about you, Asha?

Yeah, like absolutely I would 100% recommend it. I think I have recommended it as well to some of my friends, especially underclassmen who asked me what to expect, because junior year is such a big important year of high school. Like, what do you do? How do you prepare? And I said, you know what, Test Prep Gurus really helped me, and I think it's such a great experience, and the tutoring you get and the one-on-one time, the teachers really help you, and that's really great. They really help every kid and their individual needs.

Fantastic. Well, I'm going to show this to my daughter, who's a year behind you, because she doesn't want to hear from me, but if she hears it from someone her age, oh yeah, that sounds like a good idea. Anything else you'd like to add?

Well, I'd also like to commend your staff. They've been always so responsive. I literally have them on by text, and that's crazy. You know, other companies, I think you would send an email and wait, and the ability to have access to your staff and they're so responsive, I think it's amazing, and I think people should know that.

Yeah, they really care. I mean, that's always what we're looking for, is someone who wants to not just work a shift and go home and shut everything off. Like, people who care so much that they don't mind it, because if you need the help at an inconvenient time, they care enough about student success that they will take the time to reply to that text message and give you the information you need at the time you need it. But I think it all comes back not to somebody cracking the whip or pushing them to do that. We just want to find people that are motivated to do that, that will go the extra mile. And it's easy when you have people that love to teach and love to see students be successful, because I know the classroom teachers were really excited when they saw the result that you initially achieved. And then the one-on-one, when you have two teachers working with you one-on-one, I mean, they're really invested, because it's all right there and they really know your story intimately. And I know they were really thrilled with the 34, and they're going to be excited when I tell them you're going to take it again. See what happens. Can't lose now.

Yeah, absolutely. And I think just to add on, the organization of the program was really great, and I think that really made the process so much easier to digest, like having this big test in front of you. The organization, like being able to every week know exactly what my homework is, what I'm going to go through for that lesson. It made it very easy for me to just kind of go through and take it in small steps, and then just to overall achieve this big thing. And also the staff was awesome. I mean, I really felt like I really got the help that I needed. I was always comfortable asking questions. I think it was great, just them always being there, and I really am really happy that they were there for me.

Excellent. Well, thank you so much for coming down, and it was a pleasure doing this, and I can't wait to hear what happens next.

Let's see.

Maybe we'll have a Claremont College in our... That's right. Or if it's Michigan or Johns Hopkins. I mean, or wherever it is, a school that we haven't named yet. We want to know where you end up going, and even beyond that, how things are there and what you end up doing. Now that we've been doing this for so long, it's incredible to see what happens to students 10 years later, and they are out there trying to change the world in the ways that they think would be positive and good. I have a feeling you're going to do that.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Watch more student stories on the Test Prep Gurus YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TestPrepGurusNewportBeach