SAT & ACT Tutoring

After over 15 years helping students improve their scores on these exams, I believe that the process of preparing for the SAT and ACT yields benefits far beyond college admissions and securing scholarships. By testing for college readiness, these exams reveal what knowledge, skills, and creative thinking are needed to get the most out of secondary education, providing students with an opportunity to fill gaps in their learning. My own test scores earned me the funding to attend college and travel the world, and my study practice improved my reading abilities and concentration so that I could succeed with heavy course loads spanning a variety of subjects. It is my calling to help others actualize their potential to learn as much as possible.

My role:

Often, students don’t know where to look or what to do to grow in areas where they struggle, despite a wealth of books and online resources available. Even those motivated and equipped to track down the relevant materials may become frustrated by the time required to simply figure out the right plan for improvement. Knowing how to strategically prioritize certain topics over others further complicates the test prep process, and this can create or compound anxiety and frustration.

I help students isolate problem areas, resolve confusion, and locate the most useful additional practice.

Furthermore, the structure provided by scheduled appointments helps students stay accountable to their own goals and balance the big picture with the specific topics to be tackled.

The relationship:

For most students, I serve as a coach as much as a tutor. I look at their goals and current performance holistically, helping them capitalize on their strengths while identifying areas for improvement.

My approach is grounded in testing and retesting— work students do mostly outside of tutoring. During meetings, we round out the work with concept review, mini-lessons on new material, and targeted practice, reflecting on progress and hang-ups, and adjusting our methods to best serve the student’s unique needs and learning style. It is this metacognitive approach that most distinguishes me from other tutors. I help students better understand their own minds, equipping them with a custom toolbox for getting the most out of the academic opportunities that await.

Know the material.

Know the test.

Know yourself.

Consultations

To answer any questions you have about the tutoring process, and to make sure we are a good match, I am happy to provide a free 15-minute introductory meeting via phone or Zoom. To begin, I like to discuss current standing, goals, timelines, and special considerations with the student and a parent.

Please reach out via email to set up your consultation! natalie.a.conway@gmail.com

Scheduling

Currently, I conduct all meetings via Zoom*, using the Whiteboards app and a Wacom tablet to write and draw.

Clients sign up for sessions using Calendly (link provided after consultation), which automatically notifies me and creates Zoom invitations.

Most students follow one of two main study plans:

1. SUSTAINED — Weekly 1-hour meetings for students with at least a few months to prepare for an exam (recommended for sophomores and juniors)

2. INTENSIVE — 2-4 hours per week for students with less than a couple of months before exam day (recommended for seniors)

* In-person sessions are possible at my studio in the Bok building in South Philly, or elsewhere in the Philadelphia area with transportation billed at $30/hour.