By: Ben Sexton
Parents often debate whether a class or one-on-one tutoring is the best way to help their child prepare for an upcoming SAT or ACT. These dos and don’ts can help you decide whether you fit well into a class.
DO: Complete the homework.
Instructors can see, or will ask, whether students are doing the work. But, since it’s not a school class, there is no “punishment” for not doing the homework, so it can be tempting to glide by sometimes and not do the homework.
Avoid the temptation. Homework completion – under timed conditions – correlates with improved scores.
DO: Participate.
Unless you’re getting 800s on both sections – in which case you probably don’t need our help! – you’ll have some questions about the homework or the material in class. Ask them! The class definitely has time for student questions, and even some banter. If all you do is listen, it may be easy to zone out.
DON’T: Lean on the Answer Key
Some students – more than you’d think – submit homework that has been copied from the answer key. It’s an easy corner to cut because it’s not a school grade. And instructors don’t want to accuse students of “cheating” on their SAT homework, because it’s awkward.
Looking up answers to learn is fine, but if you don’t have time to all of the homework, just do some of it, and if you don’t want to do any homework… well, perhaps now is not the best time to be preparing for SAT/ACT!
DON’T: Hesitate to Email
When I teach classes, I always tell students to email with questions about homework or anything else they think of. I beg them to, actually, because they usually never do.
Your instructor wants you to do well and is willing to answer any questions outside of class.
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All in all, the more active you are in using the class resources, the better you’re likely to do. As with most things in life. If you participate actively in the class and the homework, you are much more likely to gain the improvement you seek.
Still not sure if your student should try a class? Give us a call or email.
