FAQ
The number of tutoring sessions students need will vary depending on their baseline scores and score objectives. A student with a baseline of 1400 on the SAT, for example, may only end up doing 5-6 sessions to get to their desired score. Another student may require 16 sessions to get to their desired goal. Before you begin test prep, your tutor will discuss with you a test prep schedule that includes target test dates and suggested number of sessions.
Score increases will vary depending on baseline scores. For the class of 2023, our average score improvement was 5.8 points on the ACT and 150 points on the SAT. However, these are averages. Students starting with baseline SAT scores between 1060-1150, improved their scores by 187 points on average whereas students with baseline SAT scores of 1450 improved by 65 points on average. For more detailed information about score improvements, please check out our score improvement data here
Packages include 16 sessions of test prep tutoring and provide a discount of between $25-$50 per session. Please discuss with your tutor whether they think your child will benefit from 16 sessions of tutoring. If you are on the fence about whether you can use all 16 sessions, it’s worth remembering that you can use remaining package sessions for other services such as academic tutoring or AP Test prep.
All our senior tutors have been working with Marks Education for at least 4 years, but most have been with the company for 10 years or more and therefore have more experience tutoring. Nevertheless, all our tutors – professional and senior – have been through a rigorous training program to ensure top level instruction. As a company, we continually monitor changes in the standardized testing landscape and all tutors take the tests regularly to stay current with content tested.
The number of tests a student takes will depend on their baseline score, score objectives and schedule. Generally, we advise students to take an official test at least twice. Many students benefit from “superscoring” meaning their final test score is comprised of the highest section scores from different test dates. Although we encourage all students to do a practice proctored test before taking their official test, many students still benefit from the ‘real world’ experience of an official test and feel more relaxed the second time they take it when they know exactly what to expect. Your tutor will discuss with you how many tests they think you should target.
Superscoring allows students to combine the highest section scores from different test dates to create a new final score. Most colleges in the United States accept superscoring, and superscoring can be an important component of a successful test preparation strategy.
Baseline tests are taken before tutoring begins. Marks Education uses official tests released by the College Board or ACT as baseline tests. Baseline scores help tutors determine whether the ACT or SAT will be the better test for a student. They help tutors identify areas of strengths and challenges for students and thus pinpoint areas of focus for tutoring sessions. In addition, baseline scores help tutors assess realistic score objectives and test dates to target.
If you have already taken a baseline test or an official test before coming to Marks Education, please let your tutor know. We can use baseline tests from other companies and official test scores can always serve as baselines.
In addition to a baseline test, students should take at least one full proctored practice test before their official test. Many students will elect to take more than one practice test. We offer free proctored tests almost every weekend of the year.
On average, tutors will assign between 1-2 hours of homework per session. Homework will include pages in our workbooks as well as practice test sections.
