The SAT tests verbal, math and writing skills.  The verbal sections consist of  sentence-completion and high level reading comprehension questions.  The math sections consist of algebra 1 & 2 and geometry problems, many of which involve logic and reasoning.  The writing portion consists of both an essay section and multiple-choice grammar and rhetoric sections. The PSAT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) does not have the essay section.

We were once led to believe that students could not prepare for their college entrance tests.  College entrance tests are not intelligence or aptitude tests.  They are assessment tests for which students can prepare, just as college students for years have been preparing for the GRE, CPA, LSAT, MCAT, etc.  The preparation that helps is thorough and intense.  There are no short cuts, quick fixes or tricks.  Valid preparation takes time and effort.  Quick fix instruction that occurs in a day or a weekend cannot be considered valid preparation for measurement purposes.

Be aware of the significance of the junior year PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test).  This test, given only once per year (Oct. 13, 2010), is the first step in the National Merit Scholar selection process.  That fact is the reason many academically talented juniors who have the potential to be National Merit Scholars or Commended Students prepare for their junior year PSAT.  Since the PSAT is merely a shortened version of the SAT, the student who prepares for the PSAT is also prepared for the SAT.

Furthermore, preparation for the PSAT/SAT may help students perform better on other tests, such as AP exams or college tests in general.  The reason for this is that a valid PSAT/SAT prep course is designed to promote whole-brain thinking, a useful methodology on tests that require higher order thinking skills.

What distinguishes my preparation classes from others is that in addition to dealing with the academic substance of tests, I also deal with the perception of tests.  My students are taught test-taking techniques that help them be in a focused and relaxed mental state, the best state for peak performance.

Schedule

2010 - 2011 PSAT/SAT

PSAT, SAT Session and Location