SAT/ACT Improvement

By Dr. Wayne Adams

More and more, parents I talk with each month are expressing this concern as we continue this educational year of on-line and hybrid courses in most public and private high schools.

Then invariably comes the question, “Can your SAT and ACT Courses help?”

My answer is, “Yes they do, and have since I started tutoring years ago.”

Many parents of my students have often said that what my students learn greatly helps them in their regular high school courses in multiple ways: critical thinking, speed reading, new strategies for quickly finding answers, detailed math review, and motivation.

Recently I have had several students who were very bright, but their parents were very concerned about their “very relaxed motivation” and not really applying themselves academically. About halfway through the course, they realized the value of “doing their best”, which always involves the question, “How hard are you willing to work?”

Many of you know that I do not give homework between classes, I give “suggestions”. One reason is because we never know what life will bring the next few days or weeks, so I never want a student to “not to want to come to class” because they haven’t done their homework. Another reason is because it gives me a quick indication

of their actual motivation, no matter what they may say. Yes, actions do speak louder than words.

When these two students saw how quickly they were learning, they started doing the “suggestions” and saw they were improving even more. They decided to see just “how high they could fly”, and their scores “took off”.

In our classes, we have an interesting psychological track which begins during the first half-hour of our first class. The first question is, “Who is this guy who is the tutor?” As we get to know each other, invariably students relax as they hear about the foundations of our classes and how we will be working together.

Second is, “Can you help me?” The answer comes very quickly within the first half of our first class … a resounding “Yes”.

Third is, “How much can you help me?” By the second or third class, their answer is “A lot!”

Almost all of my students then take the fourth step which is, “Let’s see just how well I can do!”

At the end of our first class, I always ask my student(s) what they found most surprising about the class.

Here are some answers. “I learned so much so fast.” “The time went by so quickly.” “That I really enjoyed it.” “You are not like any other teacher I have had.” “When you said we would be working interactively, we actually did!”

The spring and summer test exam dates are as follows: SAT on May 8th, June 5th, and August 28th; ACT on June 12th, and July 17th.

My seniors are focusing in increasing their scores to qualify for higher Bright Futures’ scholarships. They all understand that this is like having a job that pays them $50 to $100 an hour (tax free) to study and perform. The last exams they can take to qualify are the SAT on June 5th, and the ACT on June 12th. We laughingly call this, “Dialing for Dollars!”

My juniors are seeing if they can score at the level where they will not need to take time from their senior year to study for these exams. It is not unusual for them to want to take an exam in early June, or the ACT in mid-July. Studying over the summer is also attractive because they do not have the pressure of regular schoolwork and can focus more on getting their best exam scores.

My sophomores are preparing early for these exams, plus getting ready for their PSAT next October which is the only qualifying exam for National Merit Scholarships. To date, I have had three students qualify as National Merit Finalists.

If You Would Like To Talk More About Your Student … Please contact me at 727-253-0639 or send me an e mail at wwa0811@ mykolab.com.

Dr. Wayne Adams is one of the leading SAT and ACT tutors in the country. His students normally improve 200 – 350 points on the Writing, Reading, Writing and Essay, and Math, and 4 – 7 points on the ACT composite. They have been admitted to 8 of the top 10 universities in the country, 18 of the top 25, and many schools in Florida. These schools include Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Stanford, U Chicago, Duke, U Penn, Johns Hopkins, Cornell, Notre Dame, Emory, UC Berkley, UCLA, USC, UNC (Chapel Hill), NYU, Northeastern (Boston), Boston College, Georgia Tech, Naval - Air Force - Merchant Marine Service Academies, Penn State, LSU, Auburn, UF, U Miami, FSU, USF, UCF, Florida Atlantic, Florida Gulf Coast, FIU, New College of Florida, Stetson, and Julliard – Manhattan - New England - and Berkley Conservatories of Music. Many have received academic, athletic, or music scholarships. This year, he also tutored three juniors who scored at the national merit finalist/semi-finalist levels on the most recent PSAT. He is a former Dean of a Graduate School of Business and Full Professor, and began college teaching at the University of Maryland in 1968. He has degrees and advanced studies at Harvard, Yale, Vanderbilt, Columbia International, and Luther Rice.

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not do any better. The professionalism, customer service, follow up as well as helpfulness on the entire process was awesome. If you choose a different team, I feel sorry for you... Ownership should be truly proud of these team members!!”

Galley Kitchen update

Colleen M. 3 months ago:

“From beginning to completion of my galley kitchen, my experience with CMK has been phenomenal!!! Derrick the designer, Michael the project manager and Joe and Romy the contractors have conducted themselves in a courteous, professional manner and made me feel like my project was foremost. I couldn’t be happier with the personal attention I have received from Michael and Joe. I highly recommend CMK and will be using them on my future projects.”

Bathroom remodel

Bernardo C. 3 months ago:

“Our experience was excellent. This was directly due to the Project Manager Dillon and the incredible crew of Scotty and Joe that did the work from demo to finish. Very meticulous workers and Dillon was very hands on in supporting his crew.”

These are not only ringing endorsements for the quality of work performed by CMK Construction, but proof of the professionalism of its in-house staff, from the sales agent to the designer of your project to the project manager and installation workers. Separating themselves from the competition, CMK maintains two accredited designer professionals whose services they provide without charge to their customers. It is just one more way, CMK goes the extra mile for you!

With a 5 out 5 ratings based on 59 reviews, their customers have given CMK Construction their unqualified approval, which explains their BBB accredited business rating of A+, 2020 People’s Choice Best of the Best Bathroom and Kitchen (Tampa Bay Times) and 2019 Angie’s List 2019 Super Service Award. Additional awards and accreditations have come from Home Advisor and Thumbtack. Manny explained CMK is under consideration for additional awards this year.

Known for their quality and committed to providing exceptional customer service, CMK offers you, their customers, a range of outstanding products for all your remodeling needs. They are especially proud of their Schluter certification. Schluter is a German company that has developed a waterproofing system that, when installed as part of your bathroom remodel, carries a

lifetime guarantee. CMK continuously trains all its installation employees yearly on Schluter’s latest techniques.

Manufacturers like Elysium, Delta, and Moen provide state-of-the-art faucets and hardware while industry leaders like Brizo, MSI, Cambria, Radianz beautify their kitchen counters. Matched with beautiful cabinets from Fabuwood, Wellborn, and R. D. Henry, an ordinary kitchen becomes extraordinary, your dream one.

As the CMK website notes, “CMK Construction also sets itself apart as a kitchen remodeling company with multiple certifications. As a statedcertified general contractor that is Lead Safe Certified with the EPA, you can trust that your project is in the hands of a highly knowledgeable group.”

Offering a full range of quality products for all your remodeling needs including kitchen and bath fixtures, countertops and kitchen cabinets, backsplashes, flooring and even under and over counter accent lighting incorporated into your design, your choices are many.

It is obvious from my interview with co-owner Manny that he came by his love of remodeling and working with his hands naturally. When his father came to this country from Greece, he began a painting business. Manny said that for him remodeling was a three-step process: consult, design, and build, with each an integral part of the finished product.

During the consultation phase, customers meet with the team’s designers to decide what elements should be part of their design. They can choose to work with their designer’s suggestions or provide their own blueprint designs. CMK is perfectly willing to work with either.

During the pre-construction meeting, they complete all plans, order materials that may not be in stock, and schedule the remodel for construction when they receive the material. To aid in the open communications process between their client and CMK Construction, they go one step further and assign an experienced individual Project Manager to each remodel.

He is the contact person for each customer and is available to answer questions throughout the course of the project. This and a one-year workmanship warranty, besides individual manufacturer’s hardware ones, make up what Manny called CMK’s unique “peace of mind warranty.”

The CMK Construction website explains why Tampa Bay consistently picks CMK Constructions for their remodeling needs: “That’s not the only reason that customers continue to hire our kitchen and bathroom remodeling company. We are a consistently top pick among Tampa homeowners because we offer a wide range of products and services. Whether you want a complete bathroom makeover or just a standalone service, you can expect beautiful and long-lasting results. We have all the knowledge, skills, and resources that we need to complete any of your renovation goals.”

With so many competitors out there, it is sometimes difficult to know who to choose. Anyone can place an ad saying they are a bath and kitchen remodeling contractor but ask yourself if they have 17 years of proven satisfied customer experience, at workforce of at least 70 skilled employees, have won multiple customer service awards, earned several certifications, and offer the Shluter’s lifetime leakproof guarantee, to name just a few of the many advantages of working with the CMK Construction professionals.

If you can’t say yes to each of those questions, you need to call CMK Construction today, your state certified general contractor, and enjoy your professionally installed remodel tomorrow.

As Manny notes in the introduction to his website: “Your Tampa home is more than your refuge from the worldit is also one of your most important investments. That is why, when you are ready to invest in a bathroom remodel or a kitchen remodel, you need a remodeling contractor with a proven reputation for exceptional results.” Think CMK Construction.

CMK Construction is moving to a new location at 13329 W. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, FL 33635 (813) 767 0646, but the showroom is still temporarily at 440 Roberts Rd, Ste #4, Oldsmar, FL 34677 (727) 513 3185. Call or visit today. Just a short drive from anywhere in the Tampa Bay area.