SAT

RATES

Please message or email jasonbrodytutoring@gmail.com for current rates.

FORMAT

Season. You should begin SAT tutoring in the summer after sophomore year or in the beginning of your junior year of high school. This will vary by individual circumstance, of course.
Online Tutoring. I typically tutor using Google Meet. With screen sharing I can show you solutions and how to approach problems as if we were meeting face to face. In addition, I can send you a PDF of the annotated test after each session.
Scope. You will complete 20 practice tests. We work on all the sections (Reading/Writing/Math) every week. Because the questions repeat themselves, students will usually “get it” after 20 tests and hard work. By completing one test per week, SAT tutoring usually lasts 5-6 months.
Materials. We will use only REAL SAT tests administered from 2019-2022 that I will provide in PDF format. While other tests may superficially resemble the real SAT, upon closer inspection the questions are very different. You may use the strategies in SAT books such as Barron's and Princeton Review, but avoid the practice tests.
Schedule. Most meetings will last 1-2 hours, depending on individual students.
Personalization. Everyone has different needs and schedules can be adjusted. I have taught many students only the math sections, or only the reading and writing sections, for example.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Printing tests. I will supply tests in PDF format. If you are taking the paper version of the SAT, you should print out each test and work on it using pencil. Try to simulate real test conditions as best you can.
Weekly Preparation. Because we meet online only once a week, the majority of the work will be done on your own. To use your time wisely, you should do as much work as you can on your own, and ask me only about things you either cannot figure out or still have questions on. This takes a certain amount of self-motivation and ownership of your preparation.
- Test. You will prepare 1 practice test per week. If a meeting is cancelled, we should try to catch up in the following weeks, perhaps by meeting online twice in one week. Ideally, you will maintain a schedule of completing one test per week.
- Review. You must review the test, score it, and try to figure out your mistakes BEFORE our tutoring session.
  - Reading: REREAD the passages at least once (multiple times for difficult passages). Look up only important vocabulary words.
  - Math and Writing: Try to figure out the ones you got wrong, but do not spend too much time on the questions you omitted. Typically, for math and writing you either know it or you don’t.
  - By preparing thoroughly you will take full advantage of your meetings with me.
Studying from old Tests. After about 5 weeks, begin studying old tests. Studying old tests means something different for every section. Studying is essential to solidify what you learn throughout tutoring. Without studying from old tests, your scores will only improve minimally.
- Reading. REREAD difficult reading passages and review questions you got wrong.
- Writing. Review the questions you got wrong, and know how to correct them.
- Math. Do not simply review, but RE-DO all the problems you got wrong. There is a big difference between looking over a problem and doing it again. In the former, you fool yourself into thinking you understand, but in the latter you are actually testing yourself and exposing what you don't know.
Time Management. Expect to spend about 8-10 hours/week preparing for the SAT.
- Test: 3-4 hours. When you first begin, do at least 2 sections in a row. As time goes on increase the number. As you become more comfortable, try to simulate real test taking conditions. Waking up early on Saturdays and completing each test is ideal. Many students prefer going to the library or a coffee shop to do their SAT studying. I personally work better in public places than at home.
- Review: 2-3 hours
- Studying from old tests: 2-3 hours

LONG TERM

Remember, SAT preparation typically lasts 5-6 months. Work hard and prepare well each week, but also make sure not to burn yourself out. Consistency and endurance will pay off the most in the end.
The SAT does not test your intelligence or ability to do well in college. The SAT tests only your ability to take the SAT! For reading passages and word problems in the math sections, pay attention to the language that the SAT uses and how they analyze passages. Given enough time, you should be able to guess the types of questions they will ask. Notice patterns and similar questions across test.
For the math section, the SAT focuses on concepts. Always try to understand why something works. Often, this means revisiting very basic math that you have not learned properly in the first place. Participating on Math Team in your school and doing contests (AMC, AIME) always helps students on the SAT.
Repetition is key. In order to keep the SAT standardized, tests cannot deviate much from one another. Therefore, there is only a limited amount of content you must learn. The rest is practice.
Learn to face your failures. Our natural tendency is to avoid revisiting times and experiences that were difficult for us, including questions that we did not understand. Avoiding going over tests and learning from your mistakes is the easiest way to sabotage your SAT preparation.
Students who read often during their free time also do VERY well on the reading and writing sections, and even the math sections. Make it a habit to read for pleasure a set number of hours during the week.
BY FAR, teaching is the best way to learn. If you really want to improve, find someone who needs help, and tutor them according the same schedule we follow. Because you will have done the tests yourself, you are ready to teach them. You may even be able to make some money in the process, but be willing to tutor for free if you have to.