Frequently Asked Questions



Standardized Testing Questions

Test-Specific Questions

Academic Tutoring Questions

Miscellaneous

Standardized Testing

    How much tutoring is recommended for standardized tests like the PSAT, SAT, and ACT?

    Some students practice for years prior to taking the SAT or ACT, and others practice just weeks before. The amount of tutoring needed is relative to the student's score goals and how much work the student is willing to do on his own. We recommend at minimum beginning about 3-4 months prior to the test date, and strongly urge students to take six to eight practice tests at our office prior to the test date. It is important to note that the SAT and the ACT are not IQ tests but are instead tests that cover concepts that students have been working on throughout their academic careers. We have had students' scores increase by as much as 600+ points on the SAT and 10 points on the ACT.

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    Specifically, how much tutoring per week is necessary for standardized testing?

    For the ACT and SAT tests, we recommend a double session (which is 1 hour and 45 minutes long) once a week. If the student does not have a block of time of that length available, we can break it up into two single sessions, each of which is 50 minutes long.

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    How many times do I need to take the SAT/ACT?

    You may take the SAT or ACT as many times as you may like and send which ever score you wish the college to see.  We recommend on planning to take either test twice during a student's junior year and once, if needed, at the beginning of their senior year. Some colleges even superscore the tests, meaning they take the best section scores of different tests and combine them into one superscore. You will need to individually contact the colleges' admission offices to see if they offer this option.

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    How do I get extended time testing?

    In order to get extended time testing, the student needs to have doctor’s records that document a learning disability, and the school board must approve the request. It the student does not have a history of accommodations, then there is a lower likelihood of receiving accommodations such as extended time, especially for the ACT. For more information, see the relevant FAQs for the PSAT, SAT, or ACT.

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Academic Tutoring

    Which academic subjects does Choice Tutoring cover?

    Generally speaking, we cover all of the common high school subjects which include the sciences (Biology, Physics, Chemistry), mathematics (Algebra I and II, Geometry, Precal, Trig, Calculus, Statistics), English, History, and foreign languages. If there is a subject that is not listed here, please call us and we will do our best to meet your needs.

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    How much tutoring do we need?

    Initially, it may take more than one tutoring session per week to get a student up to speed. Although cramming before a big test can be of some help, it is a much more effective strategy to keep up with the material by scheduling a weekly session well in advance of any tests. Our goal with the weekly sessions is to get the student ahead of the class so that when the teacher covers the material, it is more like review for them. Consequently, the student is absorbing the material during class time and is able to ask important questions during the teacher's lecture rather than having to go home and waste valuable time trying to figure out the material before starting any homework assignments. We find that by keeping the students ahead of the class, there is often improvement by at least one letter grade.

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    Can the tutor work on more than one subject?

    Yes, in most cases the tutor will be able to work on a variety of subjects. However, we strongly advise that the tutor focus on subject per session; otherwise, what tends to happen is that a number of questions for different subject areas do get answered, but there is relatively little understanding of the concepts involved which is later reflected in quiz and test grades.

Miscellaneous

    How do I cancel a lesson?

    We have a 30-hour cancellation policy. If a student fails to give us this 30-hour notice, he or she WILL still be charged for the lesson. Given that students are not available till after 3pm, the intent of this policy is to give the tutor enough time to reschedule another student for that block of time. Of course, if there is an extenuating circumstance which could not have been foreseen, an exception can be made.

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    What paperwork is required before tutoring begins?

    In order to begin tutoring, all forms must be turned in. We need two forms:

    • The Tutoring Agreement Form, which covers the cost of tutoring and requests a credit card number for security purposes.
    • The Student Information Sheet

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    Why does Choice Tutoring require a credit card?

    We request a credit card number because we provide the service prior to any billing (invoices for billing are sent out at the end of every month). You will have 15 days to pay your invoice by check or credit card, after which the card on file will be charged automatically.

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    What is the cost of tutoring?

    For Academic tutoring, it is $55-$95 per 50 minute session. For Standardized Testing tutoring, it is $75-$145 per 50 minute session. The rate depends on the tutor's level of experience; regardless of which tutor you may work with, you can be assured of working with someone who is highly proficient in your particular subject area and will do an excellent job. For at home tutoring, there is a $6.00 fee per meeting that goes straight to the tutor for gas and driving.

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    Does Choice Tutoring do Group Tutoring sessions?

    Group sessions are done per clients' request, i.e. the client has one or two friends that wish to work on the same material. For group tutoring, the tutoring fees are divided up among those present at the session. If a member of the group does not show up, then those present are responsible for the costs.

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