General
Facts
SAT, SAT Subject Test & PSAT Program Questions
ACT Program Questions
SSAT/ISEE Program Questions
General
Facts
How long has Summit been around?
Since 1988. We work with thousands of students per year in the
Southern New England and Washington, DC Metro areas.
What standardized tests do you help
kids prepare for?
We offer programs for the
SAT,
ACT, SAT Subject Tests, PSAT, SSAT, ISEE and MCAS.
How do you compare to
your competitors?
We specialize in One-on-One tutoring, so you get all of the
benefits of individual attention. We tailor the program to the student’s
needs and provide the convenience of in-home tutoring with flexible scheduling.
Students pay more attention and are more apt to do homework with an individual
tutor than they are in a classroom setting.
Who are your tutors?
Simply put, our tutors are test
preparation experts. They are skilled and
enthusiastic educators with personal
standardized test scores in the 95th percentile
or better. They are authorities on how to assess
a student’s needs and customize a strategy for
success.
How would you
describe your typical tutor?
Our tutors are teachers, graduate
students, and professionals with various
backgrounds. They receive extensive training on
Summit's curriculum and test-taking approach.
Each tutor specializes their instruction based
on the needs of the individual to help the
student build confidence, reduce anxiety, and
learn strategies crucial to test-taking.
How do you choose the "right" tutor?
We maintain a diverse tutor pool
in order to make the best possible tutor-student
matches. We believe that every student learns
differently and therefore will benefit most from
a tutor that fits his or her needs. We consider
your student’s personality, learning style,
and unique needs and goals to provide not only
the most qualified tutor, but to match the
individual who is right for your student.
Describe your programs. How will
Summit work for my child?
We succeed because we tailor the program to each individual
student. That’s our philosophy. We start all of our courses with a
Diagnostic Test. The results of this test are computer-analyzed and provided to
the tutor, who is then able to structure a program that will take into account
the strengths and weaknesses of each student.
Do you focus on strategy or do you focus more on academic skills?
It depends on the student: some need more work on strategy, while
others need to build basic skills. With One-on-One tutoring, we can tailor our
program to the needs of the students.
What do you use for materials?
We’ve developed specialized course books for each of our
programs. Our materials are supplemented with Flashcards and official practice
tests, giving students additional opportunities to practice the skills and
strategies they’re learning in the course.
When should we start the program?
We recommend that sessions be held weekly and that the
student’s program end as close to the test date as possible to maximize
the success of the program. For our
15-Session Program, you should
expect to start approximately seventeen weeks prior to the student’s test
date. This allows some flexibility to compensate for unexpected schedule
changes.
Can I do more than
fifteen sessions?
Generally, we find that
fifteen sessions are the optimum for most
students. However, some students may require additional skill building work. In
this case, we can set up a long-term preparation program. Areas of
concentration and number of sessions depend on what the individual student's
needs are.
Should my child take the test with
special conditions?
Students that have clinically documented disabilities may qualify
for accommodations on certain standardized tests. Eligibility and specific
accommodations for test takers are determined by either the Educational Testing
Service (SAT, SAT Subject Tests, PSAT and
SSAT) or the Educational Records Bureau (ISEE).
You should contact these organizations directly for information on how to apply
for special testing conditions for your child.
How do colleges view tests taken in
a non-standard administration?
Generally, only tests that are taken under extended or untimed
conditions will be marked as a ‘non-standard’ administration.
Colleges should not treat these scores any differently than scores from
students in the ‘standard’ administrations.
What if my son or daughter is
unable to complete all of the homework?
Homework is a crucial part of the
program as it allows the student to
practice what is covered in each session. Your expectations for a score
improvement should be less if all of the homework is not completed.
When do I have to pay?
We bill you after the
first session of the program.
Do you have a guarantee?
No, we do not have a guarantee. The starting score, the
student’s motivation and the amount of work put in all affect the results.
If the student is dissatisfied with a particular test result, he or she can
contact the office and we can talk about setting up a review program.
Can you provide references?
Yes, we can. We can send you a list of names and phone numbers of
some local parents who have been pleased with our programs.
SAT, SAT Subject Test & PSAT Program Questions
Should I sign up for the PSAT or
SAT program? What are the differences between your two programs?
Generally students who are in the fall of their junior year will sign up for a
PSAT program. PSAT scores are used to determine whether a student will be
eligible for National Merit Scholarship Program. Skills learned for the PSAT
are also be applicable for the SATs. Students in the spring of their junior
year or in the fall of their senior year should sign up for our SAT program. In
both programs, students use real tests for practice and homework. If you take
a PSAT program with Summit, you may be entitled to a discount on
one of our SAT programs.
How do PSAT scores
compare to SAT scores?
Without any additional preparation, PSAT scores are a good
indication of how the student will perform on the SAT.
Generally how many times do
students typically take the SAT?
When should they take the test?
Students will usually take the SAT once in the spring of their
junior year, and once in the fall of their senior year.
Do you prepare students for the SAT
Subject Tests?
We have materials for the Math
Level One Subject test and we can also
provide preparation for other Subject
tests such as Math Level Two, Literature, History,
Biology, Chemistry, French, Spanish and Physics, depending on tutor
availability.
When are the test dates for the
season, and how can I register?
Go to the College Board website
www.collegeboard.com.
You can find all test dates and registration information
there.
ACT
Program Questions
Should
my student take the ACT or the SAT?
Students
should find
out which test is preferred by the colleges to
which they are applying. If the college
accepts both, students should take the test which
suits their own strengths.
What
is the difference between the ACT and the SAT?
The ACT is thought to be more aligned
with what is taught in the classroom and includes
science and other reading-based sections not
included on the SAT. The SAT
is thought to be more of an aptitude test and
is intended to predict performance in college
level courses.
If
my student takes the ACT, does he need to take any
SAT Subject Tests?
Colleges
that accept the ACT tend not to require SAT
Subject Tests, or at least not as many. You
should contact the college's admissions office to
find out their policy.
Is
there an essay on the ACT?
Yes, the ACT offers
an optional essay.
SSAT/ISEE
Program Questions
What are these tests for?
Many independent schools require students to take and report scores
for either the ISEE (Independent School Entrance Examination) or the SSAT
(Secondary Schools Admissions Test) as part of the application process.
How do I know which test my child
should take?
That depends on where the student is applying. You should check
with the admissions office directly.
Can I take these tests in private
administrations?
Both the SSAT and the ISEE can be taken in private administrations.
The fees are higher, but allow the student to take the test in a small group or
individual setting.
Where do I go to find out testing
dates and sites?
Go to the Educational Records Bureau website
www.erbtest.org for information regarding the ISEE
and to the Educational Testing Service Website
www.ssat.org for more information regarding the
SSAT.