Which college applicants submitted ACT or SAT scores?

Reporting was “far higher … among applicants living in more affluent communities, as defined by local median household income in applicants’ local ZIP codes.”

Which test should my son or daughter take: ACT or SAT?

This is (by far) the most frequently asked question, even though it has a relatively simple answer: have your daughter or son take practice tests and then we can help you make the decision. Ideally, students should take both practice tests within a 2-3 week period. If your student is a junior, you might be able to compare an ACT practice test score to his or her PSAT score. At Lafayette Academy, practice tests are ALWAYS FREE.

When should my daughter or son take the actual ACT or SAT?

Most students take their first ACT or SAT during the spring of their junior years. Advanced juniors can take a fall test (the beginning of their junior year). In all cases, you should consider extracurricular activities and how your student is scoring on practice tests when choosing a test date.

How many times can a student take a test?

Many students take the ACT or SAT test twice; some take each test once and then take one of the tests a second time. You should NOT take any of the tests more than three times.

What are the major differences between the ACT and SAT?

The math on the ACT covers more topics, ranging from Algebra 1 to Pre-Calc. The math on the SAT tests fewer topics, stopping at Algebra 2, but more in depth. The ACT has a science section while the SAT includes a few reading passages that focus on science topics. Time management is a big challenge on the ACT, especially in reading and science. The content on the SAT reading section is more challenging, even though you have more time. Again, taking practice tests is the best way to pick a test.

“What about the PSAT?” (for some reason, people often phrase PSAT questions like this example)

The PSAT is a good opportunity to get your son or daughter to take a practice test because most students take the PSAT. If you happen to have a genius living under your roof, the PSAT could be hugely beneficial because of the National Merit program. For most students, PSAT scores don’t matter so you should not spend money preparing your son or daughter for this test.

How can I be a great test prep parent?

In the interest of full disclosure, this is not a FAQ. If it were a FAQ, this would be my answer: challenge your children to embrace the preparation challenge on their own by promising to leave them alone (after you enroll them in one of our programs). We all mean well, but we fail to realize how much added stress we place on our children by micro-managing their test prep experience.

Does my son or daughter really need to take either test?

This has become a frequently asked frequently asked question because the University of California schools will no longer consider ACT or SAT scores in their evaluations, and other schools have followed their lead. There are many schools that still require or consider ACT or SAT scores in their evaluations or for scholarship purposes. Unless you are certain that your son or daughter will only apply to schools that won’t consider ACT or SAT scores, your child should still take one of these tests. Give us a call if you want to hear our more detailed thoughts.

Final  Exam Crams - Lafayette Academy

Final Exam Crams

Final Exam Crams® are hugely popular two-hour review sessions that have prepared over 20,000 local students for finals. We offer school and subject-specific classes for Lamorinda high schools. Our experienced instructors review the most important concepts for each subject and provide one of our coveted study packets for follow-up prep.

Over 1,000 students attend Exam Crams each year, most of whom are repeat attendees!

$99/Cram (includes a 2-hour review session & follow-up study packet
Expert tutors who have shadowed classes all year.
Our instructors review and explain the most important topics from the whole year.
The best way to begin finals prep: identify/close knowledge gaps, get follow-up study materials.
In our Lafayette location & Online
Not sure? Scroll down for real testimonials.

Only $89/Cram if you enroll by May 10th

Click on the schedules & registration link above or Call today

Lafayette Academy has mastered the art and science of finals preparation. We cover the right topics for the proper amount of time, with take-home study packets to fill in the gaps.

We even include test-taking tips in each packet to help students take ownership of their tests.

Final Exams matter! Your GPA is the number one factor in college admissions … by far!

Because some colleges have removed ACT and SAT scores from their admissions criteria, your GPA is more important than ever. Final Exam Cram is the best way to start and organize finals prep.

What is Final Exam Cram®?

Final Exam Cram features school and subject-specific 2-hour review sessions that help students prepare for finals. Our experienced, knowledgeable instructors review and explain relevant course material, highlighting the most important topics from the semester. Each student also receives a comprehensive study packet that complements and supplements the Cram (click on “study packet” to see a few sample pages).

Lafayette Academy has offered Final Exam Crams for over 20 years, and we have helped well over 20,000 students get higher grades. This is a no-brainer opportunity to help your son or daughter.

Final Exam Cram is Friday, May 24 – Tuesday, May 28 for Acalanes, Campo, Las Lomas, and Miramonte. Final Exam Crams will be in our Lafayette location and Online.

Top 5 Reasons to Enroll Today

1: Final Exam Cram students get higher grades!
2: Experienced instructors review and explain the most important topics, including material from earlier in the year.
3: Crams include a comprehensive review packet for follow-up study the days before your test.
4: Only $89 for the 2-hour session and study packet if you enroll by May 10 ($99 reg. fee).
5: Final Exam Cram is the best way (by far) to begin finals prep.

Lafayette Academy has mastered the art and science of Final Exam preparation. Each year, we talk to our students before and after our Cram sessions to ensure that we are covering the right topics for the right amount of time. Between our two-hour tutoring test prep sessions and the take-home packets, most students have everything they need to ace their finals. We even include test-taking tips in each of our packets to ensure that students take ownership of their tests.

Our final exam preparation tutoring always takes place the weekend before finals. This gives students plenty of time to identify their skill gaps and plan their finals week studies. We try not to leave anything to chance. Occasionally, we get something wrong (e.g. a new class or teacher), but we always do whatever we can to provide a FREE Cram session before the test to cover whatever topics we may have overlooked.

Final Exam Crams are ideal for students with an A, B, or C in a class heading into the final exam. If your son or daughter has a D or an F in a particular class, we strongly recommend scheduling tutoring sessions as soon as possible. It will take several sessions to bring your daughter or son up to an acceptable grade, and that assumes that the final counts enough to make a big difference. Please don’t call us at the last minute hoping for a miracle. We’re really good at what we do, but Rome wasn’t built overnight and neither are high-grade point averages.

Final exams for high school juniors are, of course, particularly critical. Being local to you and being one of the best tutoring centers in the country – that’s the ideal situation you could ask for in the highest quality exam help. Online final exam preparation help Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, San Ramon, Danville, Walnut Creek and all SF Bay Area towns – we also offer this option for you.

Successful final exam preparation help for local high school students is being used right now by parents across the East Bay who are signing up for our Final Exam Cram sessions.

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Final Exams matter! Your GPA is the number one factor in college admissions … by far!

What is Final Exam Cram®?

Top 5 Reasons to Enroll Today

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