A common question we hear at Mindfish is, “how much will my score improve with tutoring?”. While we’d love to be able to give a definitive answer, there are many factors that play into score improvement. Let’s dive in.
Average Score Improvement
Based on experience, Mindfish has compiled a table of “expected” score improvement based on hours of tutoring. These numbers are a general average of Mindfish students – remember that each student is different.
What Else Affects SAT and ACT Score Improvement?
Many factors affect student performance on both tests. Tutors often remind parents that tutoring is different for each student, and it really is. Here are a few of the factors that impact how much a student’s score will improve.
Starting Score
The higher you start, the less room you have to improve. A student starting at a 1440 on the SAT can only improve 180 points, and a student starting at a 31 on the ACT can improve only 5 points. Additionally, the higher the score, the harder it is to get those extra points – students have to start targeting perfection on each section instead of just improvement.
Student Engagement
Students that show up to lessons feeling interested and motivated will gain more than students who don’t want to be there. Identifying a student’s motivation (dream school, scholarship cutoffs, etc.) can help the student engage with tutoring and retain the information they learn there.
Homework / Study Habits
Successful test prep involves 2-3+ hours of homework and studying outside of tutoring lessons each week. Students who complete 20-30 minutes of homework every day, instead of lumping it all together at once or skipping it entirely, are more likely to see bigger improvements. Mindfish tutors strategically plan homework assignments to maximize improvement and content retention – when homework is skipped, the plans become less effective.
Testing Anxiety
Some students experience crushing text anxiety, whether they have an anxiety disorder, feel a lot of pressure to succeed, or have been told in the past that they’re “bad at testing”. Mindfish tutors can help provide techniques for dealing with test anxiety, but these need to be practiced regularly, and sometimes they don’t solve the whole problem.
Practice Test Frequency
When it comes to practice tests, think like Goldilocks: not too many and not too few. Too few practice tests means that a student doesn’t have enough practice with the test timing, using strategies from their tutor, or applying knowledge during a test setting. Too many practice tests can burn a student out and leave them feeling drained on test day. Mindfish recommends 3-4 practice tests during a typical test prep program.
How Do I Maximize Improvement from Tutoring?
Despite all of these factors, there are several things you can do to maximize your improvement and get the most out of tutoring.
Show up ready to learn
Take a few minutes before each session to review your homework, what you remember from the previous week, and any questions you have for your tutor. Make sure to schedule lessons at a time that you’ll have energy to focus on tutoring (so, not right after a 3 hour soccer practice before you’ve been able to eat).
Do your homework!
Carve out 30 minutes a day for test prep homework. After each session, chunk your homework into 30 minute groups so that you’ll have a clear task each day.
Make time for practice tests
Plan out your practice tests with your tutor. Avoid taking a practice test the week before the official test (unless your tutor instructs you to do otherwise) and make sure you aim for 3-4 practice tests.
Follow your tutor’s instructions!
Mindfish tutors are experienced, skilled, and experts on the SAT and ACT. Sometimes, they may ask a student to use a strategy or do an exercise that might not make sense to the student – that’s okay! Trust that your tutor has a plan and trust the process. Your tutor knows what they’re doing!
Maintain a growth mindset
Try not to get stuck with your thinking. Thoughts like “my score is fine”, “I’m just bad at tests”, or “I’m bad at math” can keep you stuck – it’s hard to improve if you continue thinking you’re bad at something! It’s important to maintain a growth mindset: you’re always learning and always improving – nothing is set in stone.
Keep an error log
Often, students will track the number of errors they make but forget to figure out why they made those errors. It’s not just about understanding how to answer the question, it’s about understanding what went wrong in the first place. An error log is a great way of keeping track of the “why”, finding trends in the types of errors, and tracking progress over time!
Learn test structure and content
Sometimes we understand the math content or are good at reading but still struggle with the tests. That’s because the tests are designed to trick you – work with your tutor to understand the way the tests are built and the tricks that are in there.
Make sure you’re taking the right test
Some students excel on one test but struggle on the other, so it’s important to make sure you’re taking the test that works best for you. Mindfish’s Practice Test Program is a great way to determine whether the SAT or ACT is best for you. Additionally, it’s important to consider whether you want to take a test online or on paper.
Remember, stay focused, study regularly, and trust your tutor to guide you to success. Also, don’t forget to check out the rest of our FAQ series here!
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you’re just beginning the process or ready to map out a personalized prep plan, we’re here to help. Our Practice Test Program is a great place to start—it allows students to experience official-style SAT and ACT exams in a realistic setting and provides detailed score reports that highlight strengths and growth areas.
Contact Mindfish today to ask questions, schedule a diagnostic test, or enroll in our Practice Test Program. We’ll help your student build a clear, confident path toward their best score.
Interested in learning more about Test Prep at Mindfish?
Contact us today to find out what our dedicated tutors can help you achieve.
