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March 2011 |
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March 2011 |
by Andrew Gerst, Summit Tutor
As a proud tutor for both verbal and math, I have the pleasure
of not only erasing any chance of a social life, but also watching students
tackle both sections of the SAT.
I’ve noticed that too often, however, students don’t always share my affinity for both sections. Many gravitate toward one section or the other. “I hate math,” say some. “I get bored during the reading passages,” say others. For students who feel a natural inclination toward one particular section, I find it helpful to view the other in terms of the section they feel most comfortable with: hence the yin and the yang. Even though some of these ideas may seem silly at first, they have helped many of my students as a new way to look at the SAT.
Finding the Math in Verbal:
- Students who favor math may want to approach the critical reading passages logically. Expository and persuasive essays often treat their arguments as two sides of an equation, with the opponents’ evidence on one side, and the author’s evidence on the other. Students who exhibit this mode of thinking could parse the passages into two labeled columns, with evidence from one side or the other respectively.
- Sentence completions can be treated like an equation. Certain key words have a positive or negative connotation. Indicating these affiliations with a + or – sign can shine a light on tricky vocabulary situations.
- The mathematical approach is not just helpful for writing a solid essay—it is essential. Standardized test essays are more about structure and argumentative logic than fancy prose. Students who are able to outline their arguments ahead of time using symbolic logic (e.g., if my opponent’s claim x is true, then y would happen, but y is bad because of z) will be in great shape when they sit down to write an essay. For example:
Finding the Verbal in Math:
- For students who gravitate toward the verbal section, it can be helpful to think of each math problem as a story. (Seriously!) I sometimes ask students to “map” a math problem just as if it were a critical reading passage. After reading through the problem, they should be able to summarize critical information, underline any important details, and tell me what type of problem it is (the “main idea”).
- When solving problems, students may want to think of their work in the same way: as telling a story. Students should be careful to write out all steps when solving an equation or any other problem. Doing so really is like writing an essay: we pick up on the next line right where we left off. It is important to make sure each new equation follows precisely from the old one, whether the number has been divided on both sides, variables have been rearranged, or anything else. It’s exactly the same principle with the essay - one does not want to throw off the reader by jumping around without any transitions.
- Finally, believe it or not, math is actually the most creative section of the SAT. There are often countless different ways to solve a problem. Each problem should be thought of as a chance to make creative choices: will I solve this problem using geometry? Sequences? Can I draw a picture to visualize every step of it? Students may even be able to find two different ways to solve the same problem on test day. It’s a great method for checking answers.
There are certainly many other ways to see verbal SAT questions through mathematical eyes and vice versa. The most important thing is for students to keep an open mind. Always look out for ways to see one section in the other, and there’s a good chance your scores will go up in both.
About Andrew: Andrew tutors Spanish and the verbal and math sections of the SAT and ACT. He also teaches classroom SAT programs around Massachusetts. He received his B.A. from Duke University. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, traveling in Latin America, eating Cheetos, and creative writing.
Is your child struggling with his or her workload
at school? Is he always stressed about tests, studying, and homework?
Then
join us at the Sudbury Education Resource Fund’s College Fair on
Saturday,
March 26th at 1pm. Steve Elefson, General Manager of Summit’s
One-on-One
Tutoring division will teach you practical strategies to help your child
deal
with time management, organization, and study skills, such as:
- Creating the best study space
- Finding the right organizational system
- Setting goals and prioritizing tasks
- Identifying the reading and note-taking strategy that works for individual needs!
By following some of the simple steps outlined in this presentation, you can help your child regain focus, mitigate outside distraction, and restore the sense of accomplishment that comes with a job well done!
"Our tutor was personable, reliable, professional, sincerely interested, challenging, articulate, friendly and a good role model. We hope that he can work with our other daughter, who will be a junior next year." -- Carol H., Summit Parent
Get to Know Summit:
Gary Levine
Every month we shine the spotl
ight on one of our
expert One-on-One, In-Home Tutors or Classroom Program Teachers. This month we
spoke with Massachusetts area tutor and teacher, Gary Levine. Gary tutors all sections of the SAT, ACT, and SSAT with great success. His students praise him as an "excellent" and "superb tutor."
How long have you been with Summit?
I have been with Summit for about 8 years. I started in the old days when the test only had two sections and looked the same as the test I took so many years ago.
What do you do outside of Summit?
I work as an IT project manager at Wells Fargo after spending nearly 30 years working for the phone company. My children are grown now and I have a grandson and another on the way. My family is my life. I don’t have a lot of time for any other hobbies. I do grow a small garden in the summer and try to take care of my house.
What kind of tutor are you?
For individual tutoring I try to make a connection with the student and get them to understand that they don’t need to be perfect. I try to give them the confidence to do well on the test.
What was your favorite subject in school?
Math. I tend to be logical and careful in my nature which comes in handy in working on math problems.
Where did you go to college and what did you study?
I attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. I majored in Math, because that was what I did best.
What is your favorite movie?
One of my favorites is The Man Who Would Be King because it felt like Rudyard Kipling came back to tell the tale himself. The acting was great and the story was exciting. It is hard for me to pick one movie.
What do you love most about tutoring for Summit?
I love being there when a student “gets it” and achieves what they want on the test.
What is your greatest Summit tutoring success story?
I remember one particular student who was not as naturally gifted as some others and I was not sure how she would do on the test, particularly in the Critical Reading portion. But she was dedicated and we worked hard together. When she got her scores back she scored in the mid 500s on the Critical Reading section. She was ecstatic. I was too, and I knew it was because she was willing to put in the work that was necessary.
Why did you become a Summit tutor?
I felt I had the skills that would fit this type of job. I still could do the problems in Math and English that are part of the job, and I have a lot of patience. I have always been the person in our family that my kids would come to ask questions. I read a lot and have an eclectic taste in subjects. I love history, science, sports and many other topics. These are all useful in this field.
What advice do you have for any family considering test prep?
Make sure that your child is invested in the program. They will only go as far as they care to. The more they want to succeed, the more they will put into the program, which will help them go further.
What have you learned from your students?
Never underestimate what a student can achieve if they care and are willing to do the work.
Gary has helped countless students maximize their scoring potential, but he is only one of our expert tutors.
Call us today at 1-800-MYTUTOR
(800-698-8867) to speak with a Program Director to learn more about One-on-One,
In-Home Tutoring and Classroom
Programs in your area.
14th Annual Andover Spelling Bee
Summit is pleased to support the 14th Annual Andover Spelling Bee, sponsored by the Andover Fund for Education. Participants in the bee support innovative and creative programs in the Andover school systems by competing in the competition and sponsoring the bee.
“We’re glad to have this opportunity to be a sponsor of the Andover Spelling Bee”, says Charlie O’Hearn, CEO of Summit Educational Group. “Summit enthusiastically supports organizations like the Andover Fund for Education because, through their efforts, they enrich the educational experience for students in the communities that we serve.”
The Andover Spelling Bee takes place on Friday, April 8. It has been an annual tradition since 1998. Teams of four adults compete in a friendly and challenging competition, all in support of the Andover Fund for Education. Winners receive trophies and one lucky team will receive the “Spirit Award”, given to the team with the best costume. For additional information about the Andover Spelling Bee, please visit www.andoverfundforeducation.org.
Meet Summit at North Andover High
Our newest Program Director, Zach Klurfeld will be representing Summit Educational Group at the 3rd
Annual College Test Prep Fair at North Andover High School on Wednesday, March
9, 2011. The event takes place from 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm in the lobby of the NAHS
Auditorium. If you are a North Andover student or parent, please stop by
to meet Zach and pick up a copy of our new “College Admissions Testing Guide.”
FREE Practice Tests
Summit is now offering practice SATs in Fairfield County, Connecticut! Scroll down to find a practice test location near you.
Summit Practice Tests offer students a great opportunity to take a standardized test under simulated proctored and timed conditions. These practice tests are a free service we offer as part of Summit's commitment to helping students maximize their test preparation. Students will receive a diagnostic analysis of their results in the mail.
Massachusetts
Saturday,
March 19, 2011
Tests Offered: SAT or ACT
Time: 9am-1pm
Location: Brandeis University
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Tests Offered: SAT or ACT
Time: 9am-1pm
Location: Brandeis University
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Tests Offered: SAT, ACT, or SAT Extended Time
Time: 9am-1pm (9am-3pm Extended Time)
Locations: Brandeis University
Connecticut
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Tests Offered: SAT
Time: 9am-1pm
Location: Farmington Homewood Suites
Saturday,
March 19, 2011
Tests Offered: SAT
Time: 9am-1pm
Location: Stamford Hilton
Saturday,
April 9, 2011
Tests Offered: SAT
Time: 9am-1pm
Location: Stamford Hilton
Space is limited, so make sure to register soon!
Call 1-800-MYTUTOR (800-698-8867) or click here to
register.
SAT Word of the Month
benevolent: (adj) kindly, charitable (benevolence n)---Related Words: generous, philanthropic, munificent
March 2011, VOL. 9, ED. 3
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