Introduction
At Marks Education, we believe that a well-structured tutoring session can significantly improve a student’s learning, academic performance, and test results. Whether it’s academic tutoring, test prep tutoring, or study skills, our approach is tailored to meet the unique needs and goals of each student.
Are you considering enlisting the help of a tutor but unsure how the time in a session is spent or how it could benefit you? Stick around for an inside look at what a typical test prep session entails at Marks Education. We offer in-person tutoring in McLean, Bethesda, and Washington DC, but our tutors also conduct virtual sessions for students across the country and the world.
Before Tutoring Begins
Before any test prep sessions occur, students take a baseline SAT and ACT® to determine which test is best for them. Marks Education offers free in-person and virtual proctoring every Sunday. Tutoring sessions begin after a tutor has reviewed the baseline scores with a student and discussed scoring goals as well as target test dates and a tutoring schedule.
Preparation Tips for Students
To maximize the effectiveness of each session, we advise students to come prepared. This includes completing and correcting homework, reviewing and attempting challenging questions, and identifying areas of difficulty. A student’s self-awareness and commitment to the tutoring process are critical factors in their overall success.
Now that we’ve talked about preparation, it’s time for a look inside a successful tutoring session.
Test Prep Tutoring Session
Test preparation will be unique for each student, but our tutors share some common best practices for their test preparation sessions. These six steps serve as a guide, with plenty of room for customization to meet the needs of every student.
1. Initial Check-In and Logistics
Every test prep session begins with a general check-in to assess the student’s progress and upcoming milestones. This includes discussing important details like test dates, registration status, and any updates on accommodations. This step ensures that both tutor and student are aligned with the same goals and timeline.
2. Homework Review
The next phase of our session involves going over the student’s test prep homework. This could mean going over practice test sections or workbook sections to review skills or content. We encourage students to review their homework independently using our provided answer keys before they come to their tutoring session, so that they can try to figure out why they made a particular error. Any problems they can’t figure out should be circled to review with their tutor. This approach enables students to become more self aware and to practice their learning strategies.
3. Identifying Patterns and Problem Areas
After reviewing the homework, we tend to focus on the errors or difficulties encountered by the student. In addition to self-identifying errors from checking their homework, Marks Education tutors help students learn to recognize patterns and identify areas that require more attention in our personalized tutoring sessions. We then work with the student to create an effective action plan moving forward. In this way, we are able to spend more time on targeted areas, efficiently using students’ test prep time.
4. Introducing New Strategies or Content
Depending on the student’s needs, the session may introduce new strategies or content areas. For example, we might present the best methods for tackling the ACT® science section, which includes annotating graphs and tables and extrapolating data presented in charts. In addition to strategies, we review content such as geometry problems from the math section or semicolon and comma rules tested on the English section. Our tutors are excellent educators who present material in a way that is easy to understand.
5. Practical Application and Observations
Another key component of our sessions can involve practical application. This portion of the session might include going through a timed reading or English passage with a Marks Education tutor, allowing them to observe the student’s application of the given strategies and provide immediate feedback.
6. Assigning Homework and Wrapping Up
Each session concludes with the assignment of homework and a brief recap of what was covered. This ensures that the student knows what to focus on for the next session.
Conclusion
Our personalized tutoring sessions at Marks Education are more than just a time to learn; they are an opportunity for students to develop self awareness, critical-thinking skills, and problem-solving strategies. By actively preparing for each session, students can make a significant difference in their test preparation. Remember, it’s the little ways that you spend your time that make a real difference.
Ready to schedule your baseline test so you get get started with your customized test prep tutoring? Contact Marks Education for tutoring in McLean, Bethesda, Washington DC, or anywhere in the world.
