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1. Will this course help my son/daughter do better on the SAT or PSAT?
2. What is the difference between the PSAT and the SAT?
3. Does this course prepare my student for the PSAT or just the SAT, or are there separate courses to prepare for each of these tests?
4. Do you recommend a group course or private tutoring?
5. What is the difference between the SAT (Reasoning) and SAT (Subject Tests)?
6. How will I know which exams my student has to take?
7. Does this course prepare my student for the SAT (Subject Tests)?
8. Do you recommend group classes or private tutoring for students with disabilities?
9. What is the difference between the SAT (Reasoning) and the ACT?
10. Does this course prepare my student for the ACT?
11. When should my student take the PSAT? SAT (Reasoning)?
12. May my son or daughter take just the Critical Reading part or just the math part of the course?
13. How does your course compare to other courses?
14. Do you guarantee score gains?
1. QUESTION: Will this course help my son/daughter do better on the SAT or PSAT?
ANSWER: That depends. Certainly, it is designed to improve scores, however, the student must put forth some effort doing follow-up practice. It's logical to assume that in most cases, if a student practices a little after the course is over, then the scores should improve a little. Similarly, if a student practices a moderate amount, scores should moderately improve. Likewise, if a student practices a lot, the scores could improve a lot, depending upon the original scores.
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2. QUESTION: What is the difference between the PSAT and the SAT?
ANSWER: The PSAT is the practice exam designed to help students become acquainted with most of the types of questions included on the SAT. It is used by the National Merit Corporation as the qualifying exam for their national scholarship. The organization that offers the PSAT does not send PSAT scores to colleges, so this test offers students a safe way to practice for the actual SAT which may later be sent to colleges as part of the application process.
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3. QUESTION: Does this course prepare my student for the PSAT or just the SAT (Reasoning), or are there separate courses to prepare for each of these tests?
ANSWER: The course prepares students for both examinations. One course does it all.
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4. QUESTION: Do you recommend a group course or private tutoring?
ANSWER: Most students begin with the group course and supplement with semi-private or private tutoring for the types of questions that give them the most difficulty. Students with moderate to severe learning disabilities may benefit more from private tutoring.
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5. QUESTION: What is the difference between the SAT (Reasoning) and SAT (Subject Tests)?
ANSWER: The SAT (Reasoning) is an admission test required by many colleges as part of the application process. Currently it measures Critical Reading and quantitative reasoning skills. As of March, 2005 it will measure critical reading, quantitative reasoning skills, plus writing skills. The SAT (Subject Tests) consists of a variety of one-hour achievement tests in specific subjects such as writing, literature, foreign languages, sciences, social studies and mathematics. Some colleges use one or more of these exams for admission or placement. Some do not require the SAT (Subject Tests) subject exams.
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6. QUESTION: How will I know which exams my student has to take?
ANSWER: Ask someone in the admissions office at the colleges to which your son or daughter plans to apply. Possibly check the colleges' web sites, but confirm the policy by speaking with someone directly.
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7. QUESTION: Does this course prepare my student for the SAT (Subject Tests)?
ANSWER: No, but private tutoring classes are available for this.
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8. QUESTION: Do you recommend group classes or private tutoring for students with disabilities?
ANSWER: That depends on the type and extent of the disability. Students with mild learning disabilities should benefit from the group class (possibly supplemented with some private tutoring).
Students with more pronounced learning disabilities should consider private tutoring.
Dr. Gagnon has been teaching students with many types of physical and learning disabilities for over 18 years. If your student has a special concern, please call Dr. Gagnon to discuss your options.
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9. QUESTION: What is the difference between the SAT (Reasoning) and the ACT?
ANSWER: Each is an admission test that may be required or accepted by colleges as part of the admissions process.
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10. QUESTION: Does this course prepare my student for the ACT?
ANSWER: No
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11. QUESTION: When should my student take the PSAT? SAT?
ANSWER: Your high school counselor will clarify the school's policy. If not, consider this traditional schedule: High school sophomores and juniors take the PSAT (Reasoning)n October. Juniors take the SAT (Reasoning) in the spring and again in the fall of their senior year. There is no limit to the number of times a student may take the SAT (Reasoning). All previous scores are reported to colleges designated by the student. College admissions officers may consider the best subscores or may evaluate the total. Check with each college's admission office for the policy.
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12. QUESTION: May my son or daughter take just the Critical Reading part or just the math part of the course?
ANSWER: Yes. The tuition is half but you still pay the full fee for materials.
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13. QUESTION: How does your course compare to other courses?
ANSWER: You must be the judge of this. Become an informed consumer by considering the following when selecting a course or tutor for your student: the credentials of the instructor(s), the length of time instructors have been teaching SAT prep, whether the instructors teach SAT prep full-time or part-time, recommendations of others who have used the instructor's services, the learning style of your student, amount of money you are willing to pay, the amount of time your student has available to attend a course or tutoring session.
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14. QUESTION: Do you guarantee score gains?
ANSWER: No tutor or course can guarantee score gains, although some say they do. Why not? The teacher cannot guarantee that a student will absorb material taught. He or she cannot guarantee that the student will complete practice tests. Also, instructors cannot guarantee that they can overcome student phobias or severe test anxiety. Dr. Gagnon can guarantee to deliver the best instruction possible, based on the latest information about the PSAT and SAT. She guarantees that she and her associates make every attempt to motivate each student and to instill confidence in each student.
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