Question 1

How will my child be matched with the right tutor?

Accepted Answer

Each student is matched with an experienced instructor based on the subject, the student's current level and goals, instructional needs, scheduling requirements, and other preferences. For all tutoring packages, Solomon also offers a Tutor-Fit Guarantee: if the first tutor is not the right fit, the student can be rematched, and the first session is complimentary.

Question 2

Can I add more tutoring hours later?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Families can add tutoring hours. The hourly rate for additional hours depends on the number of hours being added and the package originally purchased.

Question 3

How will I know whether my child is making progress?

Accepted Answer

Progress tracking depends on the program, but all tutorials include session notes. Tutors submit these written notes after each session, describing what was covered, whether assigned practice was completed, and what comes next.

SAT and ACT students can track progress through official College Board and ACT.org practice tests as well as complete additional practice tests and targeted drills that provide detailed analytics through the Solomon Test Prep Portal.

AP students take scheduled full-length practice tests and receive personalized feedback about their essays and free-response questions from their tutors. Academic Writing students complete baseline, benchmark, and final assessments.

Question 4

Ivy League Scores

Accepted Answer

There's a lot of nuance to this, but the bottom line is that you need to score a 1560+ average SAT score and/or 35+ average ACT score to be competitive for the Ivy League. Read more here:
https://www.solomonadmissions.com/post/what-is-a-good-sat-score-for-ivy-league/

Question 5

Will my child be expected to complete work between tutoring sessions?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Students are generally assigned targeted practice between sessions to reinforce the material and strategies covered with the tutor. The type and amount of practice are adjusted to course demands, available time, current performance, and how close the student is to the exam (if applicable).

Question 6

How do I decide whether the SAT or ACT is right for my child?

Accepted Answer

During the initial intake, Solomon reviews the student's academic background, testing history, strengths, and goals to establish which exam the student should take. In some cases, students may be encouraged to take a full-length practice ACT and SAT in order to determine the better fit. Once an exam is selected, tutoring is tailored to that test's content, strategy, and practice requirements.

Question 7

How far in advance should my child begin SAT or ACT tutoring?

Accepted Answer

Solomon recommends beginning at least two to three months before the planned test date, though the ideal timeline depends on each student’s circumstances and preferences. Some students prefer to spread their prep over several months, while others may only be able to begin a couple of months before their test. In either case, sufficient time should be allocated to identify weaknesses, learn strategies, complete targeted practice, and adjust instruction as the student progresses. Students starting about one month before the exam can often be accommodated, depending on availability and their needs.

Question 8

What does Solomon SkillBuilder add to one-on-one SAT tutoring?

Accepted Answer

Solomon Skillbuilder is an app that contains SAT drills created by Solomon’s test prep experts. It gives students focused practice between tutoring sessions. Instead of requiring students to complete an entire practice test, it organizes SAT questions into 24 targeted drills covering individual topics and skill areas. Students can review detailed explanations, revisit completed questions, and repeat drills as often as needed. This allows tutors and students to concentrate practice on specific weaknesses, while the Solomon Test Prep Portal provides full-length tests, study plans, and broader performance analytics.

Question 9

What kind of SAT or ACT score improvement can we expect?

Accepted Answer

Solomon does not guarantee a specific score increase because students start from different points. Results can depend on the initial scores, available preparation time, attendance, completion of assigned practice, and effort between sessions.

Tutors use diagnostic results and ongoing performance data to identify areas with the greatest opportunity for improvement and adjust instruction accordingly. Tutors submit session notes within 48 hours of each lesson to keep families updated on student progress.

Question 10

Can AP tutoring help with both my child’s AP class and the AP exam?

Accepted Answer

Yes. AP tutoring can be tailored to support your child’s current coursework, preparation for the AP exam, or both. The instructor considers the student’s present performance, course requirements, testing timeline, and goals when developing the tutoring plan. Sessions may combine subject instruction with practice using AP-style multiple-choice, free-response, and essay questions.

Question 11

Does AP tutoring focus on subject knowledge or test-taking strategy?

Accepted Answer

Both. Sessions strengthen students’ understanding of course material and familiarize them with the structure and demands of the AP exam. Depending on need, instruction can include content review, exam strategy, time management, and practice with AP-style multiple-choice, free-response, and essay questions.

Question 12

Is Academic Writing instruction only for students who are struggling?

Accepted Answer

No. The program is designed for students in grades 6 through 12 at a range of writing levels. It can help students who are struggling with writing-intensive coursework, as well as capable writers who want to communicate more clearly, prepare for advanced high school or AP courses, and develop the independent writing skills they will need in college.

Question 13

Does the Academic Writing tutoring help with current school assignments?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Instructors review current assignments and can use the student's own writing as the basis for instruction, feedback, and guided revision. The goal is not simply to edit or complete the assignment for the student. Instead, tutors help students develop into stronger, more confident writers. A session can cover an array of tasks, including interpreting prompts, forming arguments, organizing ideas, using evidence, and revising work independently.

Question 14

What happens during an Academic Writing session?

Accepted Answer

Students work with their instructor in a shared document, where they receive direct feedback, examine possible revisions, and practice applying new skills. When students submit their independent writing assignments within the timeframe agreed upon with their instructor, the instructor reviews them before the session so that time together can focus on instruction, discussion, and guided revision. Work submitted after that deadline may be reviewed together during the session, or feedback may be provided in a subsequent session.

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