“With A+, I managed to improve not only my SAT scores, but my overall academic abilities. I can’t thank my tutors enough for their endless support and encouragement, I would definitely recommend A+ to any and all students taking the SAT/ACT!” – Patrick McKeown
With his junior year at Archbishop Wood High School at an end, Patrick McKeown is proud of what he accomplished last year and excited about what comes next. One of Patrick’s achievements was to improve his SAT score after months preparing for the May exam. Working with math tutor Zena Abdelwahab and verbal tutor Elizabeth Bantley from A+ Test Prep and Tutoring, Patrick was able to boost his score by an impressive 160 points! We recently caught up with Patrick and his tutors to learn more about what made this success story possible.
A+: First of all, congratulations on increasing your SAT score! Was there anything in particular that inspired you or helped you the most?
PATRICK: My tutors made this experience a great one; they were patient and encouraging with me the whole time. It is because of their guidance that I did as well as I did.
Returning the compliment, Patrick’s math tutor, Zena Abdelwahab, says she had a “great experience working with Patrick” and characterizes him as “delightful,” while his verbal tutor, Elizabeth Bantley, describes him as an “absolute pleasure to work with.” In trying to identify the specific reasons for Patrick’s progress on the SAT, Abdelwahab and Bantley offer different, yet equally positive, assessments of Patrick’s strengths as a student.
For Abdelwahab, it was Patrick’s diligence and focus that impressed most. “Patrick was always prepared for our sessions and completed his homework. He seemed to enjoy our sessions and was never discouraged if he made a mistake on the exercises. He always took initiative to try out problems and apply what he learned in our sessions.” Abdelwahab believes that “because Patrick took initiative, was attentive, and completed his work, he was able to make significant progress.” According to her, “Patrick was always very attentive during sessions, so he was able to retain information quickly. He was also aware of which topics he felt least confident in, so he was able to focus on those problems for improvement.” Patrick also took full advantage of the practice offered. “The in-session exercises were very helpful in instilling concepts, ” says Abdelwahab, and so was the homework. “Patrick always completed his homework and would let me know immediately if he had any questions.”
Meanwhile, Bantley singles out Patrick’s curiosity and drive as keys to his success. “Patrick was motivated to score better on his SAT. He wanted to not only learn strategies but also the how and why of the process.” This attitude is especially important for improving on the Reading section of the SAT. As Bantley explains, “Patrick is a strong reader but not a particularly quick one, so we worked on timing using a stopwatch so he could internalize the pace.” She adds that Patrick was able to improve as much as he did because he “worked hard at managing the quick pace of the reading passages and practiced using close reading techniques.”
A+: Looking back, what challenges did you face, and what advice did you receive from your tutors that helped you overcome those challenges?
PATRICK: One of my biggest challenges was getting used to the new ways I was being taught to approach the test materials. For example, one of the pieces of advice that made a big difference to me was learning that there are no lost points for wrong answers. So, if you don’t know the answer to a question, just guess. You’ll have a 25 percent chance of getting the question right, and no chance of losing points.
A+: That’s a great piece of advice! What about you? Do you have any advice for students who are just beginning the test prep process?
PATRICK: Be patient, listen to your tutors, and make sure to sign up for one of the proctored practice exams.
A+: Since you’ve finished tutoring and taking the test, what’s next? What are your future goals?
PATRICK: I plan on going to college for mechanical engineering, and pursuing a career in that once I graduate.
With his success preparing for the SAT, Patrick has already demonstrated he has the ability to achieve his goals with an inspiring mix of hard work and determination. So, we at A+ wish him all the best as he pursues his academic and career dreams. Congratulations, Patrick!
At A+ Test Prep and Tutoring, our practices are based on the latest developments in educational theory and research. We have an excellent team of tutors who can help you with standardized testing, executive functioning, or achievement in any other school subject. If you want to find out more about our services, our Client Service Directors Joelle Faucette and Michelle Giagnacovo can be reached at 215-886-9188.
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