Test Prep for Students with Learning Differences
What to Expect
I tailor each session of test prep for students with learning differences to the student's individual needs. This includes how we practice, how we communicate, and the social expectations for the session.
Based on your study plan and timetable, we’ll meet regularly and work through the curriculum I have prepared for you. I prefer to meet weekly for 1-hour-45-minute sessions ($260), but my recommendations may vary.
There is no contract and no commitment, so we can meet as often as you’d like. However, students should understand that consistency is key to getting good results.
We’ll have your student take practice exams throughout your program. I am very data-driven, and I prefer to adjust my approach at least once a month with practice test data.
After your first test, we’ll re-evaluate your study plan and decide if and when you should test again. We’ll revisit your goals, make any adjustments we need to make, and take it from there.
Test prep for students with learning differences requires a special approach. Many students (and their parents) are surprised to find that they aren’t scoring as high as they thought they would on standardized tests. Maybe they thought the test went well and were surprised by the results. Maybe their grades are good, so they figured the test would be easy. It’s frustrating to sacrifice a weekend for a test you don’t do well on.
For many students with learning disabilities, test prep isn’t as easy as buying a prep book and working through it. Many tutors aren’t trained to work with kids with learning differences, and the speed-based strategies they teach don’t work for everyone.
My Approach to Test Prep for Students with Learning Differences
My background in disability studies and my decade of experience working with students who don’t fit a traditional mold gives me an advantage here. I use every tool at my disposal (cognitive assessment, past test scores, IEPs, parent interviews, and close observation, to name a few) to better understand the student. This deep and personal understanding of how the student thinks and feels allows me to meet them where they are and only focus on what works for them.
I also think that my cynical attitude towards these tests is an advantage. I don’t think very highly of these standardized tests, especially the ACT and the SAT. They’re just hoops students have to jump through to get into college. They’re not very fair hoops, either. I can’t wait until they go away for good. But until that happens, I think every student should do their best to secure a high score on the test.
My Test-Taking Bias
That means I have a bias I like to disclose to everyone I work with: I don’t think there’s anything worth learning on these tests. Learning is for the classroom and my homework help sessions. During test prep time, all I care about is moving scores.
That’s not the right approach for everyone, so I like to be transparent about it. If that sounds good to you, though, then you’re in the right place. Read about what’s included in the free consultation on the left and then pick a time to schedule yours below.
Free 30-minute consultation includes:
I’ll ask some questions to get to know you, learn about your goals and your obstacles, and start coming up with a study plan.
We’ll decide when the best time for you to test is, have you register for the test, and plan backward from there. We’ll also decide how many tests you should schedule.
I like to hit the ground running by learning and practicing the best strategies for each student, so I gather information ahead of time in the form of an hour-long cognitive assessment. This tool helps me understand each student’s strengths and weaknesses so I can craft the best study plan for them. I use MindPrint Learning to assess my students’ strengths and needs.
Based on the information you provided me and what I learned from the assessment, I’ll craft a study plan. This is my recommendation for the practice I think you should do before your first test date. If you like, you take this study plan and work through it on your own. If you’d like additional guidance or one-on-one instruction, we’ll talk about signing up for private sessions.
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