HOW ARE WE DIFFERENT FROM OTHER TUTORING SERVICES?
Most tutoring services and classes focus on repeated practice test-taking and reading procedural explanations of each problem. This does not instill understanding of concepts nor does it enhance retention. In short, this is at best a temporary quick fix which may raise scores slightly, but does not ultimately enhance learning.
Our approach detects areas of weakness by analyzing a series of diagnostic questions. We then address these issues with instruction and customized syllabi for independent study. We do not require students to sit in a classroom for hours taking practice tests together with other students. Our tutoring time focuses on analysis, conceptual instruction and general study habits and guidelines. Motivation and focus are cultivated.
The major problems with self-help books and systems include, but is not limited to, procrastination by students to actually read and work on the manuals, inability to understand the material due to lack of fundamental knowledge and concepts, lack of adequate conceptual foundation in the explanations to problems, absence of direction, and distractions. We try to eliminate, or at least mitigate, these obstacles.
Commercial and school classes for SAT/ACT studies use the same approach for all students. Individual needs and abilities are not considered. The syllabi are not personalized. To be fair, we must acknowledge that the hours spent taking practice tests will at least give students the experience in taking these tests and that it will most certainly be of at least limited benefit to the students and improve scores. They will be sharing the hours of experience with other students.
Our approach will take fewer hours as students will not be wasting 4+ hours of tutoring time merely taking practice tests. We recommend 3 hours weekly (split into 3 60-minute sessions or 2 90-minute sessions. We do require that students actually perform the assignments and undertake the assigned tests independently for homework, as directed. If the student does not possess the necessary study habits to do independent work with focus, our approach will not be advisable.
Please feel free to contact us for more information.
David K. Yoshinaga, Ph.D.,
Ph.D., Sc.D.
Director
ADDITIONAL
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