Private School Test Prep Tutors Bethesda

Get in Position to Excel with Our Private School Test Prep Tutoring Services

Good scores on private school admissions tests like the SSAT, ISEE or HSPT are not only important to students who aspire to schools that require them, but they also can help students who are still exploring different secondary schools to keep as many options open as possible. And good test preparation is equally important since many middle-school students may have taken some state or district wide standardized testing, but likely have never seen a test as challenging as these and certainly not one that actually mattered to them rather than their schools. Our online and Bethesda-based private school test prep tutors specialize in HSPT, ISEE and SSAT test tutoring.

For over two decades, we’ve been helping middle-school students overcome their first real standardized testing challenge, so we understand the unique needs these families have: younger students typically need more engaging and supportive lessons, and parents, who are typically more involved in the process, are helped by clear and consistent communication.

SSAT Tutoring

The Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) is a nearly three-hour long, grade-banded test with three levels: Elementary (completed grades 3-4), Lower Level (completed grades 5-7), and Upper Level (completed grades 8-11). Most students who take the test, however, tend to be 5th or 7th graders, meaning that the SSAT is designed to be challenging not only to them but to students two years older than they, which can translate into stressful and difficult testing experiences. We help our students understand the test and remember that they’ll only be compared to students in their own age group, so they can make good decisions not only about how to answer questions but also about which questions to skip and which to answer, an important component of tutoring the SSAT, one of the few tests to retain a “guessing penalty”.

We believe the tutor-student relationship is paramount when working with this age group, which is why we pair one student with one tutor who can help with each section of thee test:

The test itself is available in a traditional, paper-based format six times a year, in a computer-based format at a Prometric test center, or even (once a year) in computer-based format at home. We will work with you to understand your options and plan a testing schedule that makes sense.

All students have access to our proprietary 300-page SSAT Preparation Workbook that guides students through sets of exercises designed to help them master the content tested most. They will also be given our Vocabulary Workbook, which will help them master 300 high-frequency SSAT vocabulary words through over 100 pages of drills and exercises. We use officially released practice tests whenever possible and can advise you on other third-party materials and platforms that might be helpful.

ISEE Tutoring

The Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE) is also an almost three-hour grade long, grade-banded test with three levels: Lower Level (completed grades 4-5), Middle Level (completed grades 6-7), and Upper Level (completed grades 8-11). The ISEE is a product of Educational Records Bureau, the creators of the “ERBs” – the standardized tests many students have seen in school – so it often seems more straightforward to students than does the SSAT. The ISEE, however, is a more speeded test, so students have less time per question. We ensure our students have the content mastery they’ll need to be successful and equip them with strategies to manage the clock and themselves so they can do their best on test day

We match our ISEE students with a single tutor who can understand them more completely as learners and help with each section of the test:

Like the SSAT, the ISEE is also offered in both paper and computer-based formats, so we’ll work with you to plan a testing calendar that works with your schedule and your student’s needs.

All students have access to our proprietary 300-page ISEE Preparation Workbook that students use to hone their skills so that they can answer questions quickly enough to complete the sections and maximize their scores. They will also be given our Vocabulary Workbook, which will help them master 300 high-frequency ISEE vocabulary words through over 100 pages of drills and exercises. We use officially released practice tests whenever possible and can advise you on other third-party materials and platforms that might be helpful.

HSPT Test Tutoring

The High School Placement Test (HSPT) is a bit of an outlier compared to the SSAT and ISEE. While the SSAT and ISEE are accepted at a variety of independent schools, depending upon your local area, the HSPT is primarily used by Catholic school systems as entrance requirements. Students who wish to attend these schools should absolutely prepare for the HSPT before taking it, since it’s the most speeded test of the three, causing most students to run short on time before completing all the questions. We prepare our students for the format ant timing constraints as well as for the logical sequencing and spelling questions not typically seen on other tests at this level.

Our Private School Entrance Test Tutoring Can Help You Succeed

Personalized Tutoring

We’ve helped thousands of students prepare for and take graduate tests. Our students can expect an expert tutor to guide them through a comprehensive and effective tutoring process:

1. Learning Phase: Students learn the essential test-taking strategies, practicing with our comprehensive workbook while the tutor observes, noting strengths and opportunities for improvement.

2. Practice Phase: Students begin to do more focused test sections to both identify further areas for content review and also sharpen the pacing and decision-making skills they’ll need to be successful.

3. Testing Phase: Regular, full-length practice testing make up a bulk of most students’ work in advance of the test. Importantly, students are encouraged to establish a reflective process of error logging or review to solidify the gains they’ve made and be fully prepared.

Online Tutoring

We’ve been tutoring online extensively since 2020. Our tutors work with students to choose a meeting platform that leverages the technology they have, be that a laptop, an iPad or a document camera (which we’re happy to provide!) Many students prefer the flexibility online tutoring provides, so they can take advantage of the fact that we have tutors working at most hours of the day, seven days a week.

Why Trust Our Private School Test Prep Tutors?

Experienced Tutors

All of our test-prep tutors work with SAT or ACT students, but not all of them work with SSAT, ISEE or HSPT students. Our private school tutors enjoy and are particularly experienced in working with middle-school students and understand how to bring out the best in that age group

Proven Results

While we cannot guarantee a score, we can guarantee we’ll be with your family every step of the way. Our tutors are experienced not only in math and reading but also help families construct their test prep plans and even choose exam dates to work towards. We provide notes after each session to keep the lines of communication open, our students motivated, and everyone focused on the big picture. We’ll also be there as exam day approaches, providing you both test-week and test-day tips and, more importantly, the grounding and perspective your student needs to do their best.

Flexible Scheduling

Our tutors understand the need to balance your student’s test preparation with their other academics and extracurriculars, not to mention parents’ work schedules. We’ll work with you to craft a meeting schedule helpful for everyone: We will be as flexible as possible but also well know the value of commitment and steady work, so will structure our sessions accordingly to provide the right balance of accountability, encouragement, and challenge for each student.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does private school test prep take?

Many students make a “summer project” of their high school test prep and complete the process in 2-3 months, especially since applications – and scores – need to be submitted in the fall. Individual situations vary greatly, however, depending upon student’s starting points and goals, so feel free to contact us so we can learn more about how we can help.

Is private school standardized test prep worth it?

We like to let our students make those decisions, which is why we don’t offer prepackaged deals and instead work hourly. If your time with us stops being “worth it”, you probably shouldn’t make more appointments!

What is the difference between SSAT, ISEE, and HSPT exams?

All three are tests of basic math and reading skills, though there are important differences: the SSAT is the most nuanced, the ISEE more speeded, and the HSPT includes grammar. Our tutors can help you choose the test that’s the best match for your child if you do have a choice. Many students, however, are constrained to take the test(s) required by the schools they are interested in.

Can I choose between in-person and online tutoring?

Scheduling is handled between tutors and students, with many choosing some hybrid of in-person and online tutoring that best fits everyone’s schedules.

Do you proctor private school standardized tests in your office?

We host proctored private school practice tests in our offices every weekend like we do for college admissions tests like the SAT and ACT. Full-length practice testing should be an important component of any student’s preparation, especially at this level, so be sure to take advantage of our practice tests, available to our students at no extra charge.

How do I choose the right private school test prep tutor for my child?

All of our test prep tutors are highly trained, experienced professionals. They are also different people. Our placement specialists will conduct an intake call with you to learn as much as possible about your student so that we can make a placement with a tutor that’s got a compatible teaching style.

Do you offer online and in-person private school test tutoring in Bethesda?

Yes, we have tutors available at our Bethesda location or we can work with you fully remote. Tests include the HSPT, SSAT and ISEE.

Find the Right Private School Test Tutor for You!

Start creating your test prep plan with our tutors. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation and discover how our expert private school test prep tutors can help you reach your goals. Whether you prefer your personalized one-on-one sessions at our Bethesda location or choose the convenience of online tutoring, we’ll find a tutor who understands your needs.

Take the first step towards your future success by getting in touch with us now.

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Top Rated Private School Test Prep Tutors in Bethesda