College Preparation Station’s mission is to help students and families throughout the entire college process: from freshman year of high school until freshman year of college when you are dropping your student off at their dorm!
While admission officers view applications holistically, an ACT/SAT score is the easiest portion of your student’s application to improve quickly. Your student’s GPA and transcript are created over the span of four years, making it harder to improve in a short amount of time. An ACT composite score is often increased two to four points each test that your student prepares for and takes. Over the course of two to four test dates, the majority of students can increase their ACT composite score a total of eight to twelve points, opening doors to selective colleges and large scholarships for your family. CPS aims to make college both affordable and accessible for families.
CPS has helped thousands of students increase their standardized collegiate testing scores through a blend of proprietary curriculum, live tutors, small classes, one-on-one attention, open access to studying during each enrolled session, and a staff that truly cares about our students.
Our ACT + SAT Process
Our ACT/SAT program begins with a complimentary diagnostic test and consultation. Students must either bring in prior ACT/SAT/PSAT/PreACT scores or take our diagnostic test before the beginning of the class session so that their tutor can assess a starting point for the student and formulate their personalized materials. Many students who have prior scores still decide to take the 1.5 hour diagnostic test for a more in depth look at their standardized testing performance. Our diagnostic test shows tutors, students, and families a student’s strengths and weaknesses; patterns in question types that the student misses; time management and pacing issues; whether the student is better suited for the ACT or the SAT; and more.
After students take the diagnostic test, families have the option to go over the results of the test with a live tutor online or in person. During this consultation, the tutor will discuss your student’s ACT/SAT goals, universities that the student is interested in and the requisite ACT/SAT scores and GPA needed for admission, potential need-based and merit scholarship opportunities, in addition to reviewing the student’s results. The tutor will also work with the student and family to create a plan for the student to follow during their class session to maximize both the student’s use of the course and their potential ACT/SAT composite score increase on their ACT/SAT test. This consultation gives family guidance on the ACT/SAT process, a plan to execute during the student’s class session, and often motivates students to work hard!
Classes have begun! During our introductory Phase 1 Class, students learn core strategies, test structures, and timing techniques to help them conquer the ACT/SAT. Under an expert tutor’s guidance, students gain confidence with test-taking through individualized instruction, practice tests, and worksheets. Your student’s learning experience will be tailored to their unique strengths and weaknesses as determined by their diagnostic test, ensuring that they receive personalized instruction across all four core subjects.
Building on the foundation laid in our introductory course, this advanced class is the next step in your journey. You'll pick up right where you left off in your previous class. In this course, you'll encounter more challenging and fresh material designed to build upon your prior successes, with tutors implementing new methods to highlight your student’s strengths and improve areas where they struggle. Your student’s new test scores will be the starting point for setting higher goals, and our experienced tutors will guide you through tailored strategies to help you achieve even greater heights.
Our introductory course is the first class that all prospective students must take. Classes are a set base three hours per week. Classes either meet once per week for a three hour long class or twice per week for 1.5 hours on Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday. For the first two weeks of class, students learn strategies on how to both tackle each test section and correctly answer each question type. The session begins with lessons taught in a small group setting to foster a collaborative learning environment. In conjunction with lesson plans and homework to help students memorize the new concepts that they are being taught, tutors incorporate educational games to help drive excitement and interest. Excitement and interest spur students to study more! After the first two weeks, a tutor will sit down with each student individually to create an individual plan on how to increase a student’s composite score. While all students will have a foundation in each test section, every student has different strengths and weaknesses. Tutors are trained to analyze a student’s starting point and class progress to find a student’s sweet spots (easiest areas for students to see the biggest jumps on their ACT/SAT scores). From there, the tutor will map out with the student their ACT/SAT section goals, how much to study for each subject, and specifically what to study for each section of the tests. For the next few weeks, the tutor will work with each student individually during classes, giving each student worksheets and practice tests curated to help the student reach and often surpass their set goals.
For returning students, classes are aimed towards increasing a student’s scores based on each student’s test results. Classes either meet once per week for a three hour long class or twice per week for 1.5 hours on Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday. At this point, students are building on the foundation of knowledge that they learned in the Phase 1 Class. In Phase 2&3 courses, students jump right in on the first day, picking up where they left off. A tutor will talk to students one-on-one to analyze their most recent ACT or SAT test that they took as an incoming assessment. Tutors will go over a student’s scores, time management, best test sections, worst test sections, and other factors to create a new study plan to help students reach their new goals. Tutors will also teach students new strategies based on what a student needs to improve, where they need to improve, and other determinants to improve their composite score. Tutors will choose worksheets, select passages, and practice tests to focus on areas a student needs to progress, while steadily challenging students with harder material. Until a student reaches a 36, there is always room for improvement. Returning students can take Phase 2&3 classes as many times as they need to until they reach their goal composite score. This class is offered as both a 3-Week and a 5-Week course. Deciding between the two option is dependent on each individual student’s previous scores, learning style, progression, and future test goals.
This short five day course is designed to provide an introduction to ACT/SAT test prep for the student with a busy schedule or those beginning the process early, particularly student athletes and rising juniors. In the span of five days, students will learn the structure of the ACT/SAT and strategies for each test section. This course is only offered the week prior to the June and July ACT test dates.
This course is designed for past students who have taken at least the Phase 1: Intro class who are looking for a quick brush up on their strategies. Small yet mighty, this five-day class will pick up with where a student left off, assessing previous scores to find the easiest area for each individual student to improve. Due to the short nature of the class, this bootcamp is best suited students looking to increase single subject scores to boost their superscore or minimally increase their composite score to reach their overall target ACT/SAT scores for college admittance and scholarships. This course is only offered the week prior to the June and July ACT test dates.
