Why Smart Kids Need Standardized Test Tutoring

By: Anastasia Mayer,

Every few months during the school year, students bring home progress reports that give parents a snapshot of their academic performance. These reports often serve as the main way parents and students gauge not just grades but work ethic, curriculum mastery, and overall classroom success. It frequently follows suit that students displaying areas for improvement seek tutoring and extra help both in and out of the class environment; meanwhile, students with impressive progress reports keep doing what they’re doing because “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” While this system often works for the regular subject areas and can vastly improve classroom success, it may lead students and parents into a false sense of security later on. When standardized tests become part of the equation, they change the playing field entirely.

It is important to recognize and understand the elements of major standardized exams that separate them from your everyday class exams. Tests created for the classroom are meant to test what the students have already learned, and they are summative assessments of skills and concepts covered in the class. However, standardized tests are categorized into two main groups: achievement and aptitude tests. Achievement tests are the most similar to the classroom assessments that parents and students are used to seeing. These tests measure knowledge and skills in specific subject areas, such as mathematics, English, science, etc. Examples include AP tests, the SAT subject tests (as opposed to the SAT itself), the ACT, the GRE, and the ITBS test.

Meanwhile, aptitude tests measure general knowledge, learning skills, problem-solving, and logical reasoning. Common aptitude tests are the TACHS exam, the SHSAT, the PSAT, and the SAT. A pattern you may have noticed in these examples is that all of these aptitude exams are used as high school and college entrance exams. This implies specialized high schools, catholic schools, and colleges are not only looking at students’ levels of achievement but also at the predictions these tests are making about their overall potential to advance and learn. Simply put, good grades aren’t enough.

Generally, students with good grades tend to perform better on standardized exams, but realistically, that is not always the case. Aptitude exams like the SHSAT typically test students on topics not yet covered in their classes, mainly because the SHSAT can contain questions for grades 2-3 levels higher than those being tested. Even straight-A students cannot be expected to know the answers to questions about things they were never taught. So, how do parents and students overcome this obstacle and give students their best chance at success? The same way students who don’t achieve highly do – tutoring.

Tutoring for aptitude exams works differently than tutoring for achievement exams. Since achievement tests measure knowledge and skills, the tutoring for these exams focuses on practicing the relevant skills. With aptitude tests, students must be taught problem-solving and logical reasoning skills on top of subject knowledge. In addition, the timed element of these exams adds extra pressure that can interfere with students’ chances for success if they do not practice. Aptitude test tutoring preps students for these exams by showing them what to expect on test day, equipping them with the skill-based knowledge needed to accurately answer the numerous questions, and providing them with tips and helpful hints to immediately rule out the trick answers meant to slow them down. By the time students get to the test, they are mentally prepared for the long-winded marathon, and their brains are trained to find the right answers faster than their peers who did not seek tutoring.

About the Author:

I am a passionate educator with a deep commitment to nurturing a lifelong love of learning in my students. My academic journey began at a NYC Specialized High School, where I laid the foundation for my strong academic pursuits. I further developed my skills and knowledge at the College of Staten Island, where I earned my degree through the prestigious Macaulay Honors Program. During my time there, I was honored to receive the College of Staten Island’s English Department Literature Award for Outstanding Work in the Major, along with several other prestigious recognitions, including the Student Government Summit Award, the Rising Star Award, the Andrew J. Lanza Good Citizen Award, and the Thomas P. DiNapoli New York Staten Comptroller Achievement Award.

In addition to my academic achievements, I have dedicated myself to tutoring students at “Tutoring by Christine,” where I specialize in preparing students for the SHSAT and Tachs exams, as well as offering reading instruction for students in grades 4-12. I am passionate about providing personalized, effective tutoring that helps students not only succeed but also enjoy the process of learning. Whether it’s improving reading comprehension, writing skills, or test-taking strategies, my goal is to help each student reach their full potential and discover the joy of learning.