Tutoring Solutions Group (TSG) provides tutoring for the new digital SAT. Our students come from both private and public schools and attend the top Ivy League and liberal arts colleges as well as public universities in the United States.
The SAT emphasizes subject material covered in high school classes. Still, students may struggle with certain types of questions not covered in class. In addition to performing well in school, review of SAT specific material is essential for students at all levels. After an initial meeting with your child, we propose a customized syllabus, which aims to fill in any missing gaps.
Curriculum Overview-The SAT
SAT Math Test
Covering topics from Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Trigonometry, Statistics, and Arithmetic, the SAT Math Test more closely aligns with the data analysis skills that students need for college courses. The essential data analysis skills include a full understanding of slope, lines of best fit, and basic regression analysis. In addition to graphs, students will analyze data displayed in charts and encounter more practically based math questions like those concerning exchange rates.
The SAT Math Test is split into 2 modules. Calculators are allowed for both modules. Since the test is taken on a computer, the digital exam generates individualized questions for each student on Module 2 based on their answers and performance on Module 1. This math test will place a strong emphasis on assessing each student’s readiness for college and career mathematics.
TSG places a strong emphasis both on problem recognition and flawless computation skills. We encourage our top students to attempt many problem sets sans-calculator. This methodology builds confidence and ability. Beyond computation, we expose students to the many types of graphs and charts that they will be required to analyze on the SAT test.
SAT Reading & Writing Test
The new digital SAT has condensed the old Reading and Writing & Language sections into one new section called Reading & Writing. The reading passages will be shorter and clearer and the questions will be more direct and concise. Since the test will be digital, the Reading & Writing Test will be split into two modules; each student’s responses on Module 1 will generate personalized questions on Module 2.
The Reading & Writing section will have reading passages from primary and secondary sources followed by one multiple choice question. The questions will test reading comprehension, analysis, and reasoning skills. They will also measure your ability to interpret graphical information, use advanced vocabulary words in context, and make connections between texts. Finally, the questions will ask you to revise texts to improve the rhetorical effectiveness and to edit sentences to improve sentence structure, grammar, and punctuation.
TSG trains and prepares students to master each question type on the Reading & Writing Test. 80% of accuracy on reading comprehension questions comes from the student’s first read. Consequently, we begin with a comprehensive tutorial in reading for meaning, tone, and theme. We then introduce students to passages that may appear on their actual SAT test. We encourage students to underline and annotate the passages before beginning the test questions. On the test day, there are no surprises. TSG students know exactly what to expect both in terms of passage difficulty, type, and questions.
