HOW WE CAN HELP
Three things come to mind:
- Prep strategy. We'll make sure expectations and directions for homework are as clear as possible, and use reminders proactively. We chunk homework into more manageable pieces.
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Test strategy. Working with all different kinds of students over many years has given us a deep database of strategies and tactics. It makes it easier for us to figure out effective ways to explain this tricky test to people who learn differently and to help people stay in the moment during the test.
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Patience and respect. Mastering the SAT is a process, and it's vital that tutors can not only explain the material well but also that they can be kind and encouraging along the way.
We also offer ACT tutoring for LD/ADHD students.
Meet SAT tutor Blake Jensen
Blake: I’m a native San Diegan, father, and an aficionado of basketball, vintage video games, pitchy karaoke, and lecturing my son on how much better Star Wars was "back in the day." I played college basketball at St. Mary’s College and Whittier College, where I earned my B.A. in Psychology in 2002.
Having been a full-time test prep coach for nearly 20 years, I have seen just about every type of student and tutoring situation. This allows me to give my students exactly what they need to reach their goals.
My years of experience have also led me to coach my students a little differently than most. A lot of test prep revolves around how to answer a question. While that is a necessary component, identifying what is needed to answer a question is at least as important, especially for timed tests like the SAT and ACT. I show my students how to look at the test the way I do, to the patterns and tendencies of the tests to make them faster and more accurate.
Though I still work with students of all types, these days I tend to specialize in students with ambitious score goals.
SAT / ACT tutoring with Blake is $380 for a single hour, or booked in packages: $2,250 for 6 hours, $4,200 for 12 hours, or $8,700 for 24 hours.
He meets clients in his Carmel Valley office or online via Zoom.
One-on-one SAT tutoring for students with ADHD or other learning disorders
SAT ACCOMMODATIONS
Some students with diagnosed disabilities, of all sorts, are eligible for accommodations on the SAT. Disabilities are not limited to cognitive or physical impairments, and can be a wide range of diagnoses. Only disabilities that will impact performance on an SAT-style test should be considered, meaning those that result in functional limitations in reading, mathematics, writing, or sitting with attention for extended periods of time. A student’s request for accommodations needs to be approved by the College Board’s Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD).
WHEN TO REQUEST SAT ACCOMMODATIONS?
In a word: early! To be specific, the College Board will take up to 7 weeks to come to a decision. This means you need to submit your complete request, including all supporting documents, at least 7 weeks before the deadline to register for your SAT.
Check the College Board’s SSD Calendar for a complete list of deadlines to submit your request and documentation for accommodation. Always check this calendar, because just back-calculating seven weeks often doesn’t take into account holidays.
SAT Tutoring FAQ
One-on-one tutoring, with us, is completely customized to your learning style, personality, and needs. We have extensive experience working with students with learning disabilities.
Talking through the nuances of SAT practice questions not only allows us to explain, in detail, the strategies that work, but that conversation also allows us to see what a student is thinking, ask the right questions to test understanding, and adjust our instruction minute-by-minute.
- Instruction tailored to your child's learning style, motivation level, and personality
- The opportunity to talk through the nuances of questions with someone with several years of experience with the test
- Homework adjusted to your specific needs
- Accountability and encouragement :)