Job Description of SAT or ACT College Test Preparation
- Help a high school student prepare to take PSAT, SAT, or ACT college aptitude tests.
- Offer coaching on test strategies.
- Give tutoring in math and verbal skills.
- Administer practice tests.
- Grade tests and interpret results to aid in further practice.
Why SAT or ACT College Test Preparation Need ?
For the majority of college-bound high school students, the first official step toward the doors of academia is taking one or more national assessment tests. The most common exam is the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and its practice test, the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT). Some students choose to take the ACT Assessment, which is more closely linked to high school curriculum than to raw aptitude.
Colleges and universities use the student’s score as a major component along with class rank, GPA, teacher recommendations, and extracurricular activities in their decisions to admit students and in doling out academic and merit scholarships.
Studies have shown that students who study skills and subject matter in advance of the test generally score 20 to 50 points higher (on a scale of 0 to 800) than those who do not prepare. For some students with particular strengths or weaknesses, preparation can add even more to their score and could make the difference in getting into the school of their choice or making it possible to afford going there.
In 2004, academic tutoring was a $4.5 billion business in the United States, according to Eduventures Inc., a Boston-based education market research and consultant.
SAT or ACT College Test Preparation Challenges
You have to know the subject matter and the tips and tricks to boost scores, and you have to be able to communicate that information to bored, terrified, needy, or uncooperative 16- and 17-year-olds. You may also have to deal with high and sometimes unrealistic expectations of parents. In other words, you’ll need a great deal of patience and understanding.
Some of the work can be spread out across the entire year; students can begin preparation as much as a year before taking preliminary or actual tests and may take the exams several times (colleges generally look at the highest scores achieved in each section across all test sessions). However, the bulk of tutoring is likely to be done in the spring of the student’s junior year and the summer before the senior year begins.
Don’t make promises about specific test results, and don’t raise unreasonable expectations for improvement. You can fairly say that almost every student receives higher scores as the result of coaching. Some tutors and commercial programs offer a money-back guarantee if the student does not receive a score at least 20 to 25 points higher than a previous reference test, which is not the same as a guarantee of improvement.
You will be competing against several major national college preparation companies that offer classroom lectures and testing; there are also a number of web sites that administer sample tests and analyze results. Your competitive pitch should emphasize personal attention and one-on-one tutoring. Do not make unauthorized copies of copyrighted materials for your students.
Know the Territory
The SAT is a three-hour test that measures verbal and mathematical aptitude. In 2005, the test was expanded to include a written essay component; a perfect score on the now three-part exam is 2,400. The revised test eliminated analogies and quantitative comparisons and added a short essay and grammar questions to the writing section.
The ACT consists of tests in English, math reading problems, and science, and it also includes an optional essay section. Some students get better results on one test or the other, and an advisor may assess a student’s performance and make a recommendation. Preparation usually begins with administration of a practice test that discloses strengths and weaknesses and provides a baseline to measure improvement.
Most students and their tutors prepare by using actual tests administered in previous years. Typical tutoring classes include a review of math and verbal skills and vocabulary, tips and strategies for reading and writing passages, and several actual SAT or ACT tests administered on a schedule and in an environment that closely matches the actual test setting.
This job may be most appropriate as a second job for a current or retired teacher or guidance counselor. Begin with your own preparation; get to know the tests inside and out. Many books and web sites offer practice tests and strategies. You can track your own improvement over time as an indication of the effect of practice and planning.
How to Get Started SAT or ACT College Test Preparation
Place flyers and ads on bulletin boards in community centers and schools. Place ads in the high school newspaper, in local newspapers, and in shopping guides. Meet with the high school guidance counselor. Present your references and resume and ask to be kept in mind if a student or parent requests a private tutor.
Up-front Expenses for SAT or ACT College Test Preparation
Build up a library of SAT and ACT preparation books. A capable PC with Internet access allows use of many online resources for testing and research. Other costs include advertising and promotion.
Charge for SAT or ACT College Test Preparation
Charge by the hour for tutoring and consultation. You can add the cost of any books or sample tests you provide to the student; you may be able to purchase materials at wholesale or discounted prices and resell them at retail prices.
The well-known SAT and ACT preparation companies typically charge from a few hundred dollars to as much as $1,000. A personal tutor is likely to bill somewhere between 20 and 100 hours. Charge by the hour for tutoring and consultation. You can add the cost of any books or sample tests you provide to the student; you may be able to purchase materials at wholesale or discounted prices and resell them at retail prices.
The well-known SAT and ACT preparation companies typically charge from a few hundred dollars to as much as $1,000. A personal tutor is likely to bill somewhere between 20 and 100 hours.