2011-12 Courses

Updated on February 7.  Scroll down to view the Feb-May 2012 SAT/ACT workshop schedule.

I have redesigned my test-prep and enrichment courses for the 2011-12 academic year.  All test-prep courses will now operate on a "block" system of standalone workshops: each class will focus intensively on one or two subjects or skill areas, and students will be able to select the classes they would like to attend, thereby creating their own customized series of workshops.  I will assign specific homework to be completed for each class.

Classes for high-school students began on September 17.  Classes for younger students will begin in February; visit this page from time to time to view the most current information on upcoming courses.

For returning students, registration for the Intensive PSAT Prep course started on September 1 and ended on September 3.  Priority in enrollment went to students who had worked with me previously, demonstrating diligence and a serious desire to strengthen their skills, and whose parents submitted the online application form by the 10 PM deadline on September 3.  The Intensive PSAT Prep course sold out as of September 3.  Please contact me to be added to the waiting list for this course and the subsequent SAT/ACT workshops from now through May.

More information will be added to this page throughout the academic year.  Check back frequently for updated details on 2011-12 courses.

All information below is tentative and subject to change.  I will adjust the subject matter of the Feb-May 2012 SAT and ACT prep workshops to reflect the needs of the specific students who are enrolled in those classesl.

This page was last modified on 07 February 2012 11:33.

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Intensive PSAT Prep (Sept-Oct 2011) -- SOLD OUT

- 6 workshops total
- For students in grades 9-11; younger students who are advanced may be permitted to join the class
- Priority in enrollment went to students who are taking the PSAT in October (i.e., juniors and most sophomores) and have attended my classes for the longest period of time.
- Students who wish to enroll in this course must sign up for a minimum of four workshops, and they must commit to doing all of the assigned homework, even for classes they do not attend.

1. Saturday, September 17, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM: PSAT Math and Critical Reading
2. Sunday, September 18, 3-6 PM: PSAT Writing and Math
3. Sunday, September 25, 3-6 PM: PSAT Math and Critical Reading
4. Saturday, October 1, 8:00 - 11:30 AM: Practice PSAT & Review of Practice PSAT
5. Sunday, October 2, 6:00 - 8:30 PM: Further Review of Practice PSAT
6. Saturday, October 8, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM: PSAT Math, Critical Reading, and Writing

Note: We will spend 10-20 minutes on PSAT vocabulary at the beginning of every class except  the October 1 class.

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SAT and ACT Prep (Oct 2011-May 2012)

Applications for the Oct-Dec workshops were divided into three rounds:

1. Priority A round (Monday, October 10, through 7 PM on Tuesday, October 11) for the following students, who comprise Priority Group A:

• high-school juniors enrolled in the Intensive PSAT Prep course or on the waiting list for the Intensive PSAT Prep course and
  
• any other students enrolled in the Intensive PSAT Prep course who will take the SAT/ACT "for real" (i.e., with the intent of submitting those SAT/ACT scores in conjunction with applications) in the spring of 2012.

After the priority round ends, any spots remaining in the Oct-Dec workshops were offered to students in Priority Group B.

2.  Priority B round (Tuesday, October 11, starting at 9 PM; first-come, first-served) for the following students:

• students currently enrolled in the Intensive PSAT Prep course who do not plan to take the SAT/ACT "for real" in the spring of 2012 and
  
• currently waitlisted students in grade 10 or below. 

The online application went "live" on Tuesday, October 11, at 9:00 PM, and any spots remaining after the Priority A round were filled strictly on a first-come, first-served basis as soon as the online application site opened.

Any spots remaining in the Oct-Dec workshops after the Priority B round were offered to all other students in the regular round.

3. Regular round (October 12, starting at 9 PM; first-come, first-served) for all other students, also on a first-come, first-served basis.

The admissions process for the Feb-May workshops will be similar to the process described above for the Oct-Dec workshops.  Students currently enrolled in prep classes who wish to remain in Priority Groups A or B must come prepared to every class that they attend; they must bring all required books, handouts, and supplies to every class, and they must complete all homework assignments on time.  Otherwise, they will not be granted the privilege of priority status in applications for the next series of SAT/ACT classes.

I am maintaining a waiting list for returning students who could not be accommodated in the Intensive PSAT Prep course and for new students.  Please contact me to be added to the waiting list for 2012 SAT/ACT classes and/or the waiting list for 2012-2013 SAT/ACT classes.  Also, if you would like to be added to the waiting list for private or semiprivate appointments (the earliest available appointment right now is in February 2012), please let me know.

A note regarding the SAT vs. ACT:  I teach classes that combine SAT and ACT prep, since the core content of the two tests is essentially similar: preparation for the SAT boosts a student's ACT score, and vice versa.  Both tests require strong knowledge of grammar, similar math problem-solving skills, the ability to read rapidly and critically, knowledge of advanced vocabulary, and the ability to construct and support a clear argument in writing, under time pressure.

A note regarding vocabulary:  We will spend 10-20 minutes reviewing SAT and ACT vocabulary during every class, regardless of the subject matter of the class.  Knowledge of advanced vocabulary is required by both the SAT and ACT, and that knowledge can be gained and retained only through steady, consistent progress in vocabulary skills -- i.e., daily study and weekly quizzing and practice.

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October-December 2011 Workshop Schedule

October workshops:

Sunday, October 16, 3-6 PM: SAT and ACT Math

Saturday, October 22, 2-5 PM: SAT Writing and ACT English (Essay and Grammar)

Saturday, October 29, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM: SAT Critical Reading and ACT Reading

Sunday, October 30, 3-6 PM: SAT Critical Reading and ACT Reading


November workshops:

Saturday, November 19, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM: SAT and ACT Math

Sunday, November 20, 3-6 PM: SAT and ACT Math


December workshops:

Saturday, December 3, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM: SAT Writing and ACT English (Essay and Grammar)

Saturday, December 10, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM: SAT Critical Reading and ACT Reading

Sunday, December 11, 3:30-6:30 PM: SAT Critical Reading and ACT Reading

Saturday, December 17, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM: SAT and ACT Math

Sunday, December 18, 3-6 PM: SAT and ACT Math

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February-May 2012 Workshop Schedule

Please note that dates and times below are subject to change.  Each workshop from February through May 2012 will focus on two subjects or skill areas.

February workshops (3 Saturdays, 3 Sundays):

Saturday, February 4, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM (time to be confirmed): Complete SAT Practice Test for students who have not yet taken a complete practice SAT at my location

(Saturday, February 11: The ACT will be administered; register at www.actstudent.org if this is an appropriate and advisable test date for you.  Standby registration is still available.)

Saturday, February 11, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM: SAT/ACT Math; SAT Writing (Essay and Grammar)

Sunday, February 12, 3-6 PM: SAT/ACT Math; SAT Writing (Essay and Grammar)

(Monday, February 13, is a Chicago Public Schools holiday; I may offer a practice test or class on this day.)

Saturday, February 18, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM: SAT Critical Reading and ACT Reading; SAT/ACT Math

Sunday, February 19, 3:30-6:30 PM: SAT Critical Reading and ACT Reading; SAT/ACT Math

Saturday, February 25, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM: SAT/ACT Math; ACT English (Grammar and Writing Test)

Sunday, February 26, 3-6 PM: SAT/ACT Math; ACT English (Grammar and Writing Test)


March workshops (5 Saturdays, 1 Sunday):

Saturday, March 3, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM: SAT/ACT Math; SAT Critical Reading and ACT Reading

(Saturday, March 10: The College Board will administer SAT (but not SAT Subject Tests).  Register at http://sat.collegeboard.org/home if this is an appropriate and advisable test date for you.)

Saturday, March 10, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM: SAT/ACT Math; SAT Writing (Essay and Grammar)

Sunday, March 11, 3-6 PM: SAT/ACT Math; SAT Writing (Essay and Grammar)

Saturday, March 17, 2-5 PM (note afternoon time): SAT Critical Reading; ACT Reading and Science; SAT/ACT Math

Saturday, March 24, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM (tentative): SAT/ACT Math; ACT English (Grammar and Writing Test)

Saturday, March 31, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM (tentative): SAT Critical Reading; ACT Reading and Science; SAT/ACT Math


April workshops (3 Saturdays, 2 Sundays):

(Saturday, April 14: The ACT will be administered; register at www.actstudent.org if this is an appropriate and advisable test date for you.)

Saturday, April 14, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM: SAT/ACT Math; SAT Writing (Essay and Grammar); ACT English (Grammar)

Sunday, April 15, 3-6 PM: SAT/ACT Math; SAT Writing (Essay and Grammar); ACT English (Grammar)

Saturday, April 21, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM: SAT Critical Reading and ACT Reading; SAT/ACT Math

Sunday, April 22, 3-6 PM: SAT Critical Reading and ACT Reading; SAT/ACT Math

(Juniors at public high schools in Illinois will take the ACT as part of the PSAE in late April.)

Saturday, April 28, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM: SAT/ACT Math; SAT Writing (Essay and Grammar)


May workshops (3 Saturdays, 3 Sundays):

(Saturday, May 5: The College Board will administer SAT and SAT Subject Tests.  Register at http://sat.collegeboard.org/home if this is an appropriate and advisable test date for you.)

Saturday, May 12, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM: All sections of the SAT and ACT

Sunday, May 13, 3-6 PM: All sections of the SAT and ACT

Saturday, May 19, 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Complete Practice SAT & Review of Practice SAT

Sunday, May 20, 3-6 PM: Continued Review of Complete Practice SAT

Saturday, May 26, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM (Memorial Day weekend, tentative): SAT or ACT (TBD, depending on students' needs) (all sections/subjects)

Sunday, May 27, 3-6 PM (Memorial Day weekend, tentative): SAT or ACT (TBD, depending on students' needs) (all sections/subjects)

Note: The SAT will be offered on June 2, and the ACT will be offered on June 9.  Make sure to register early on the College Board or ACT websites if you plan to take the SAT or ACT in June; these test dates are popular, and desirable test sites fill up early.

If you would like to discuss the best test dates for you, given the specifics of your situation, please stay after your next class and we can spend a few minutes discussing your test-taking timeline.