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.

Tutoring Walnut Creek Students in Lafayette Since 2004.

We’re still here, and now we’re also ONLINE.

Tutoring Walnut Creek Students Since 2004, and Online Since 2020

Lafayette Academy has been tutoring Walnut Creek students since the last century! That makes us sound really old, doesn’t it? We have many Walnut Creek residents attending Acalanes High School and Stanley Intermediate, two of the top schools in Lamorinda. Our tutoring helps students ace tests, earn higher grades, and develop higher academic self-esteem. Our Lafayette location is close to Las Lomas, WCI, and Parkmead. Plus, you can always book one of our online tutors.

Our tutors know the Las Lomascurriculum because it’s part of the Acalanes Union High School District. We also utilize a variety of resources that our tutors have compiled based on their experiences with local students and teachers. We know the problems that students typically encounter in most classes, and we’re ready for them!

Lafayette Academy tutors have collectively helped hundreds of students at Las Lomas, Northgate, and WCI, including Final Exam Crams.

Our tutors use flexible approaches based on each student’s learning style and familiarity with the material. We are not a cookie-cutter operation. We also give you the flexibility to choose a schedule that works best for you and your child, in one of our learning centers or online. There are also many tutors to choose from, which means there will (almost) always be a great match available to help your son or daughter.

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Online Shadow Classes

Shadow Classes® are weekly, small-group tutoring sessions that shadow specific subjects at Acalanes or Las Lomas. Subject-specific classes meet online and are led by one of our expert tutors, most of whom are intimately familiar with each school’s curriculum. Two students can start a new Shadow Class by contacting Lafayette Academy and letting us know the days of the week and times that you prefer. We will take it from there. Here are some of the features that make our Shadow Classes unlike the traditional services offered by other companies tutoring Walnut Creek students:

Our instructors collaborate with each other to ensure that we’re teaching “best of breed” strategies in each class. We use Slack because it’s arguably the best communications platform online!

We sometimes add FREE Shadow Classes if there’s an upcoming test that doesn’t coincide with one of our existing class times.

Our instructors explain the difficult concepts that the Shadow Class students need help with.

We preview upcoming material when our instructors realize that students may need a head start.

Lafayette Academy always personalizes instruction.

Shadow Classes^TM are online, and in our Lafayette location.

$196/month ($49/week per class).
Only $40/week if you pre-pay for the semester.
We would love to add Las Lomas Shadow Classes to our schedule, so please call us.
You can drop at any time and get a pro-rated refund based on the regular class fee.
The last time we surveyed our Shadow Class students, 91% said that their grades were one or two letters higher thanks to our classes!

A Few Tutors

These are just a few people who are tutoring in Danville for Lafayette Academy. We are very particular about who we hire, and everyone has to ace a rigorous placement test before he or she can become one of our tutors.

: Lafayette & Moraga Tutor

: Spanish Guru

: Lafayette Tutor & Genius

Learn More

Enroll Today!

Tutoring Walnut Creek Students in Lafayette Since 2004.

Tutoring Walnut Creek Students Since 2004, and Online Since 2020

Request Tutoring

Contact Us Today

Online Shadow Classes

A Few Tutors

These are just a few people who are tutoring in Danville for Lafayette Academy. We are very particular about who we hire, and everyone has to ace a rigorous placement test before he or she can become one of our tutors.

A Few Tutors

Connect With Us

Contact Information

Email Us

The Inside Story

Tutoring Walnut Creek Students in Lafayette Since 2004.

Tutoring Walnut Creek Students Since 2004, and Online Since 2020

Request Tutoring

Contact Us Today

Online Shadow Classes

A Few Tutors These are just a few people who are tutoring in Danville for Lafayette Academy. We are very particular about who we hire, and everyone has to ace a rigorous placement test before he or she can become one of our tutors.

A Few Tutors

A Few Tutors

These are just a few people who are tutoring in Danville for Lafayette Academy. We are very particular about who we hire, and everyone has to ace a rigorous placement test before he or she can become one of our tutors.