Jana P.'s Blog at WyzAnt.com

Success Stories of Jana's Test Prep Students

posted by WyzAnt tutor: Jana P.

I would like to share with you, potential and current students, success stories of just a few of my Wyzant test prep students. As you can see, whether you start below or above the average exam score, these stats prove that "where there is a will, there's a way!" Way to go, Students!!

"A1" - ACT prep (18 hrs tutoring)
ACT composite increased from 19 to 28 (47%), up 17 points (189%) in English!

"A2" - ACT prep (20 hrs tutoring)
ACT composite increased from 27 to 30 (47%), up 4 points (15%) in English and 4 points (15%) in Science!

"F" - ACT prep (8 hrs tutoring)
ACT composite increased from 28 to 35 (25%), up 12 points (52%) in English!

"H" - ACT prep (10 hrs tutoring)
ACT composite increased from 22 to 28 (27%), up 12 points (60%) in Science!

"M1" - ACT prep (10 hrs tutoring)
ACT composite increased from 18 to 25 (39%), up 9 points (56%) in Math!

"M2" - ACT prep (8 hrs tutoring)
ACT composite increased from 29 to 32 (10%), up 6 points (21%) in English!

"S" - ACT prep (18 hrs tutoring)
ACT composite increased from 20 to 24 (20%), up 7 points (35%) in Reading!

"C" - GRE prep (7.5 hrs tutoring)
Math score increased from 680 to 740 (of 780 total), up 60 points (9%)!

"R" - GMAT prep (16 hrs tutoring)
GMAT composite score increased from 470 to 640 of 800 total), up 170 points (36%)!

"M4" - SSAT prep (14 hrs tutoring)
SSAT composite score increased from 2004 to 2205 (of 2400 total), up 201 points (10%)!

How to make the most of your ACT Test Prep sessions

posted by WyzAnt tutor: Jana P.

You've reserved the exam date, you've made room in your schedule for ACT Test Prep tutoring and focused study, and you've arranged your first tutoring session. So that we make the most of our time together, here are a few tips for a successful tutoring experience.

Bring all the recommended materials to each session, including the Real ACT Prep manual, a permitted calculator, and a completed (timed) practice exam (from the manual), as well as a completed (timed) essay. If you have previous exam scores, either from a school practice exam or from an actual ACT exam, bring them along so we can establish a baseline and gauge your progress throughout the program. Following each session, review recommended ACT content, take online practice sets, complete another practice exam and essay, and review exam errors carefully, which is key to improving your scores. Feel free to submit your completed essay to me prior to our next session for a thorough critique.

Typically, our tutoring program consists of five 2-hour sessions during which time we cover all four subjects plus essay-writing. Students often ask, how many points can I gain in this length of time? As your tutor, I am your guide towards effective time management and study planning. I'll help you implement study strategies, improve your pacing, and address weak areas in ACT content. The rest is entirely up to you. I have no control over whether or not you follow through with the study plan, implement suggestions for improvement, or stay out late the night before the exam. In other words, your success on the exam really is in your hand. I will say that my history with students has shown that the more ACT study time a student has available between sessions, the more likely s/he will see a score increase.

To see how my students have fared on the ACT exam, please visit my profile page, which documents improvements in students' ACT scores from program start to finish. No matter if a student has scored high or low on a previous exam, or has come to the program with a high or low GPA -- each student has the potential to significantly improve an ACT score. It really boils down to the level of dedication each student brings to, or develops for, the task.

In my 15 years as a tutor, 9 of which have been in ACT Test Prep, I have been privileged to have met so many dedicated students, and am especially awed when students have dug deep inside themselves to find the courage and discipline they didn't know was there to make a difference in their futures. And make no mistake about it -- how you do on the ACT can set the tone for your life for many years to come. I encourage you to make the most of this experience. Whether you have a few months or a few weeks to prepare, make ACT Test Prep a part of your plan!

GED Exam Prep Tutoring - The Reward is in the Journey

posted by WyzAnt tutor: Jana P.

I have been tutoring for over 12 years and have coached literally hundreds of students in diverse subjects. Even so, my most meaningful tutoring experience is the one I am enjoying right now, the first tutoring job I secured through WyzAnt.

It is my pleasure and good fortune to be tutoring five staff of a manufacturing firm in GED exam preparation. The company owner explained she wanted her staff to achieve their high school diplomas with the goal of enhanced productivity to the firm. However, upon meeting her and discussing a GED tutoring program, I found her to have a great heart for her staff. I sensed that she hoped to help them remove obstacles their circumstances had presented and empower them to achieve their dreams.

Each of my students has a unique and poignant story to tell. Four of the students are of the same family – a mother and her three sons, and the fifth a young single mom. They are among the most diligent, focused and goal-oriented students I have tutored, each with a distinct mission but all with a shared desire: to be a worthy example to their children. Their uplifting attitudes make tutoring such a positive experience and I am both honored and humbled to have been invited to share this remarkable journey with such endearing individuals.

How to get great grades without really trying (too hard)

posted by WyzAnt tutor: Jana P.

Do you study for endless hours and still get average grades, or just pass by the skin of your teeth? Or, do you just plain hate to study and can't get motivated no matter how hard you (or your parents) try?

Let me tell you, I've been there and I know how disheartening it can be. I routinely received C's, D's, even some F's in my bachelor's program; I hardly dared to plan or even hope for a bountiful future when my grades reflected less than my actual abilities.

Now it's so different. I graduated with a 3.9 GPA in my master's program and I just plain love to learn and love school ... now more than ever! I finally learned how to be successful in school, and the steps are really very simple.

You too can be on your way to TOP GRADES, so if that's what you're after, just follow these straightforward steps:

1. Diligently record all upcoming assignments, tests, and projects in your planner -- you should have your planner sitting on your desk along with other relevant materials for the class.

2. If you were not given a calendar by each teacher for the entire term's assignments, ask each teacher for one, or see if calendars are posted online, so you can record and prepare for assignments well in advance. You can also track your grades, online or in your notebook, to monitor your own performance.

3. For classes in which you use a textbook, read pages as soon as they are assigned, then bring your text and handouts to each class -- very likely the teacher's lecture will closely follow the student materials.

4. Read along in the text or handouts as the teacher lectures, highlighting points that are mentioned, and recording notes (as needed) directly on the handouts and in the text (if allowed). The teacher will lecture on points s/he wants to emphasize. Since you will have read the assigned material beforehand, the lecture will serve as a review. Depending solely on notes taken from the teacher's lecture is unwise, since even a minor distraction or a little daydreaming may result in a loss of important information. Taking this proactive approach to studying will help you become a self-sufficient learner. Your grades then will not suffer if your teacher's teaching style is less than adequate, or if you are out sick.

5. Every couple days, look over your text/handouts, paying close attention to the highlighted sections. You should have little need to put in more than your average study time before tests, as you will already have learned what you need to know with regular review of the material. If you're lucky enough to get extra credit assignments, do them! That one or two point bonus just might be the difference between a B and an A.

Before long, you will start expecting and receiving top scores since you will have studied all you need to achieve them. And experiencing success in school is a great motivator for excelling in all areas of life.

So, in summary ...

* Record all assignments in your planner, as far in advance as possible.
* Read assigned pages in text and materials before class, ideally as soon as they are assigned.
* Bring text and materials to each class, and highlight lecture points.
* Review highlighted areas and any notes every couple days.
* Be consistent -- study at the same time each day in a distraction-free study zone; take a short break each hour to check in with family or have a snack.
* Take a day off from studying every now and then as a reward, when no deadlines loom.
* And, an important lesson I learned ... if you truly want top grades, you need to prioritize your homework. Balance your social/sports activities with your schoolwork to keep your stress level to a minimum.

You will be amazed to find you can actually trim study time using this plan. Good luck ... but you won't need it, because now you've got the skills to succeed!