The Hidden Formula for SAT Score Gains
Discover the key components of ACT and SAT score improvement.
In my years as a test prep tutor, I've encountered numerous students, and parents, who are looking for shortcuts to improved SAT or ACT scores. The reality, however, is that shortcuts rarely work. Significant score improvements require a comprehensive approach based on a repeating cycle of the following three fundamental components:
Expert Feedback
Targeted Study
Deliberate Practice.
To illustrate this point, consider the following fictional email, which accurately reflects numerous real exchanges I've had with students:
Hi Dave,
I hope all is well. I've been trying the strategies you taught me in the two lessons we had the week before last. However, the strategies aren't working as well as I hoped. I'm struggling to find the correct answers, and I keep running out of time.
I feel like I'm putting in the effort, but my scores just aren't improving fast enough — I’m still scoring around 1350, and I really need to hit at least 1480 on the upcoming SAT!
Sorry - I know I need help, but I’m not even sure what questions to ask.
Thanks,
Jane Q. Student
Consistent Expert Feedback: An Indispensable Key to Substantial Score Improvement
Many actual test prep students, like the fictional one in the email above, are under the false impression that learning the basic contours of proper SAT strategy will lead to significant score improvements, as long as they practice enough on their own. However, as with any complex skill, attempting to perfect SAT Reading techniques without consistent expert guidance is unlikely to yield impressive results.
A Lesson from the Golf Course
Consider this analogy: Imagine you’ve taken one or two golf lessons and learned some basics about improving your swing. You now have a general idea of what a good golf swing should look like—how to grip the club, the stance, the backswing, and the follow-through.
But as that list of elements indicates, a golf swing is a complex, multi-faceted motion. Learning a little about each component is one thing, but figuring out how to consistently execute each of those components and make them work together seamlessly is another challenge entirely. Combine that with the pressures of a tournament (or sitting for an official SAT administration), and the difficulty is exponentially compounded.
Attempting to perfect a golf swing on your own after a just a couple of lessons, you’d likely find that your progress quickly stalls. Without the ongoing guidance of a golf pro who can (1) identify the specific habitual weaknesses in your swing, (2) demonstrate the proper technique concretely and in detail, and (3) provide immediate, targeted feedback on your attempts, it's unlikely you would see long-term significant improvement. The pro’s expertise helps ensure that you’re not only practicing but practicing correctly.
A Proactive Tutoring Approach
Over the years, I've found that significant improvement results from a repeating cycle of the three major components mentioned earlier: expert feedback, targeted study, and deliberate practice. If any one of these vital components is missing, significant improvement is unlikely.
That’s why my approach to ACT and SAT tutoring isn't just about reactively answering student questions or explaining the rationales for the correct answers. Instead, it's a proactive system that actively trains students in specific techniques through in-session reviews of missed questions from official tests.
Technique Versus Tactics
In addition to broad foundational strategies, such as Hyper-Literal Textual Analysis (HLTA), there are many specific question-type tactics and other "tips and tricks" applicable to various situations. These nuances often need to be pointed out and reviewed by a tutor as they arise on missed questions.
Even attentive students can find it challenging to retain every detail covered in a tutoring session, so the tutor needs to review and reinforce these elements repeatedly over multiple sessions. The longer the time between each session, the more information gets forgotten, and thus the more time the tutor and student will need to spend going “back to square one.”
The Value of Consistent Expert Guidance
Consistently receiving feedback on performance is an indispensable part of Walker Prep’s score improvement regimen. Without regular expert feedback, students are unlikely to fully grasp and retain the intricacies of the strategies and tactics or understand how to apply them effectively.
If you or your student is struggling with SAT or ACT test prep and not achieving the desired score improvements, consider trying a more comprehensive approach. Consistent expert feedback, targeted study, and deliberate practice are crucial components for success.
To learn more about how to ensure you have the complete support needed to achieve your test prep goals, get in touch!