SAT/ACT Improvement

By Dr. Wayne Adams

As we move into December, all SAT and ACT Exams have been completed for fall, all of us are so happy we live in Florida during the winter … and we are getting ready for life after Christmas holidays!

SENIORS are finalizing applications, wondering what happens next, and many are starting to work on bringing up their exam scores to qualify for the 75% Bright Futures Scholarship (about $18,000) or the 100% Bright Futures Scholarship (about $25,000).

Many schools such as FSU, USF, and UCF, use “rolling admissions”, meaning you can apply and send your applications in the spring for consideration for the next fall freshman class. This is also true for many schools outside of Florida.

For these SENIORS, I can help with a full prep course, or selected “skill strenghening” classes such as in math, the verbal sections, or (for the ACT) science. A current student working on SAT math told me at the end of our first class, “I am really surprised there are so many tricks to solve problems much faster and get them right!” Yes, there really are!

For JUNIORS preparing further ahead usually like to work with the full prep course, and many opt to prepare for both the SAT and the ACT with me. My students will usually score 15 percentiles higher one one exam or the other, but it is hard to know which until they have prepared for both.

For SOPHOMORES, you would be surprised at how many calls I receive about starting early to be ready for the next PSAT. Often these students are aiming for “Top 25” schools, and for UF (now ranked #5 in the country for public universities according to US News and World Report). Some are also aiming for National Merit Scholarships, which bring additional scholarship funding plus schools love to have this level of student to enhance the school’s reputation.

The next two exams are the ACT on Saturday, February 12, and the SAT on Saturday, March 5.

SAT PREP USUALLY STARTS in early January with once a week classes, and if we start in early February with twice a week.

ACT PREP USUALLY STARTS in late December or early January with twice a week classes.

MY COMBINATION ACT AND SAT CLASSES also usually start in late December or early January with twice a week classes.

In closing, I would like to share several surprise emails I received from my students and their parents.

RECENTLY RECEIVED FROM PARENTS AND STUDENTS

“When our daughter came home after your first class, she was so excited about all she learned. This is high-praise from her.”

“Your helping with my reading and grammar really made the difference. Now I am well within the SAT range for admission to my dream school.”

“Thank you so much for the four books/guides you sent us. I had no idea you could negotiate with colleges and reduce their costs so much. Your Negotiating with Colleges was eye-opening.”

“Dr. Adams, we have just finished your course and I wanted to thank you for all you have done. Our student greatlly improved SAT scores. Plus you helped with so many life-lessons, insights into future career possibilities, and how to get a really good start in college. You are more than a tutor, you are a great community asset.”

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+ points on the Writing, Reading, and Math, and 4 – 7 points on the ACT composite. They have been admitted to 9 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. Three of his students have qualified as national merit finalists on the 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.