Academic Approach®

Academic Approach's methodology is grounded in the fact that the critical reasoning and problem solving skills we employ in our everyday lives—from college classrooms to corporate boardrooms—can be taught and refined through standardized tests. For example:

• We use the SAT and ACT grammar sections to help students develop rigorous proofreading skills
• We use the SAT and ACT math sections to emphasize both discipline and creativity in problem-solving
• We use the SAT and ACT essay writing sections to teach vital aspects of logic and rhetoric in argument construction
• We use the SAT and ACT reading sections to teach students to avoid fallacies and non sequiturs in critical reasoning

According to National Center for Education Statistics, the best scorers on the SAT are by and large—not surprisingly—students with the best high school grade point averages. This prompts the questions: "Why not teach students in such a way that their test scores and classroom performance improve? Why not effect positive change in both contexts given that they are obviously correlated?"

This is precisely what Academic Approach does: in "Teaching Beyond The Test^TM" we always have a broader view of the student's academic future.

Should I take the SAT or the ACT?

Most schools accept either test; however, be sure to inquire at the schools to which you are applying: each school will specify the test required for admission. Certainly, proclivities vary, so a student's aptitude for one or the other should be determined through diagnostic testing. A student should follow the path of least resistance, so if he or she shows a greater aptitude for ACT curriculum, then the program should target that test.

Although the SAT and ACT generally test the same skills, the reasoning required by each is slightly different. Although a diagnostic test is the best way to figure out which test you should take, following guide highlights a few important differences.

Consider the SAT if:

• You are strongly verbal and an avid reader. The SAT is 2/3 verbal (writing and critical reading), and both verbal sections require a fairly nuanced sense of language and rhetoric.
• You are a slow test-taker. The timing on the SAT is leisurely compared to that on the ACT. If you are a slow reader or take time to do math problems, the SAT might be a better test for you.
• You have not taken advanced math. The SAT only has a few problems per test that go beyond the curriculum taught in Algebra II. If you have not taken more advanced math courses or feel that your strength lies primarily in Algebra and Geometry, you may want to consider the SAT.
• You have a strong vocabulary. About 1/4 of the questions in the Critical Reading section on the SAT are vocabulary questions.

Consider the ACT if:

• You are more of a concrete and less of an analytical thinker. The ACT reading section relies much less on inference and implication and more on the factual information presented in the passage. ACT math is also more concretely based on the math you do in school, whereas the SAT relies less on knowledge and more on reasoning.
• You have taken or are taking advanced math courses. Although the ACT does rely heavily on Algebra and Geometry, it also includes a significant number of Trigonometry and Pre-Calculus questions.
• You are good at science. The ACT includes a science section that does not actually require much knowledge of science. This section does, however, require a strong grasp of such basic scientific principles as the scientific method.
• You are a good editor. The ACT English section requires you to make grammatical and rhetorical changes to essays. If you are good at editing, you may do well on the English section.

SAT

The SAT is an admissions test that measures critical reading, mathematical reasoning, and writing skills. Colleges and universities use the SAT as one measure among others—class rank, high school GPA, extracurricular activities, personal essays, and teacher recommendations—of a student's readiness to do college-level work.

Learn more about the SAT

SAT Subject Tests

The SAT Subject Tests are 1-hour exams that measure a student's knowledge of particular academic content and test a student's ability to apply that knowledge under time duress. Many colleges and universities require or recommend that a student take from 1 to as many as 3 subject tests.

Learn more about the SAT Subject Test

ACT

The ACT is an achievement test that measures grammar, reading comprehension, mathematical, and science skills. Colleges and universities use the ACT as one measure among others—class rank, high school GPA, extracurricular activities, personal essays, and teacher recommendations—of a student's readiness to do college-level work. At many colleges and universities, the ACT is accepted by admissions officers in lieu of the SAT and the SAT Subject Tests.

Learn more about the ACT

One-on-One Tutoring:

How to get started

We always begin with a phone consultation and an assessment of the student's capabilities. Get started now by contacting your nearest office.

step 1	Introductory phone consultation Cost: Complimentary The first step in arranging a program is to provide us with some pertinent information. Parents or guardians should contact their nearest office for a brief phone consultation to discuss the student's profile, needs and schedule.
step 2	Diagnostic test Cost: $50.00 Next, we administer the diagnostic test for the student in the relevant standardized test. A diagnostic provides an objective measure of the student's independent level of performance, which is necessary for assessing ability and mapping improvement.
step 3	Meeting with program administrator Cost: Complimentary After the diagnostic test, a student's parents or guardians meet for a complimentary consultation with the program administrator. The purpose of the meeting is to answer all questions, discuss the results of the diagnostic frankly, set goals for the student's improvement, and design a test preparation program specifically around the student's needs and interests. Finally, students are matched with the appropriate instructors and together they determine a meeting schedule. Students commit to a schedule of regular appointments, relevant homework assignments, and frequent practice test administrations to ensure the assimilation of relevant academic content and improve effective processing of this content under time constraint. To get started or learn more about our programs, contact one of our offices here.