Frequently Asked Questions
You have questions.
We have answers.
You have questions. We have answers.
General
There is no commitment to big packages, so you’ll never pay for test prep tutoring your child doesn’t need. All payment is automatically billed at the end of each session.
College Admissions Consulting – $225 per hour
Founder-Rate Instruction – $275 per hour + Applicable One-Time Materials Fee
Associate Test Prep – $195 per hour + Applicable One-Time Materials Fee
ISEE/SSAT/HSPT Test Prep – $195 per hour
Academic Instruction – $125 per hour + Applicable One-Time Materials Fee
Session Frequency
During the school year, most students meet with their tutors once per week. In cases where time is more limited or goals are more ambitious, students can meet more frequently. During the summer, many students meet twice per week.
Session Times
When sessions are scheduled is dependent on student-tutor availability, but tutors typically meet with students after school on weekday afternoons and evenings. Our doors are closed on Sundays to give our tutors a day of rest and the option to worship if they choose.
Our tutoring offices are located at 230 Sugartown Road, Suite 20, Wayne, PA. We provide tutoring to any student able to travel to our office or able to meet virtually through our video-conferencing platform.
We offer our College Consulting, Academic Tutoring, and Test Prep tutoring at our offices in Wayne, PA, and virtual instruction around the world. We have virtually coached many students to success, and we fully believe it is just as effective as in-person instruction.
Perspective is important. When you compare the investment in college prep to the investment in a chicken sandwich, it is expensive indeed! However, a chicken sandwich will not get your child into Swarthmore with a $100,000 scholarship. All joking aside, maximizing your child’s test scores and application will increase the scope of colleges they are admitted to and increase their merit awards, the value of which can range from $10,000- $200,000.
We take immense pride in the success of our students. While the success rate can vary based on various factors, a significant percentage of our students secure admissions to their top-choice colleges. We attribute this to our personalized approach and dedicated guidance.
Test Prep
Great question! The short answer is, if your child is taking the SAT before March of 2024, they will be unaffected by this change. For an in-depth article on what we know so far about the new SAT, give this a read.
The short answer is that the QAS is the more useful of the two, and you should always order it when possible. For a more detailed answer, check out the blog post we wrote answering this question.
The differences between the SAT and ACT have been stark in the past, but over the past 5 years, the tests have become very similar. The ACT is a faster-paced test. However, there are some other more nuanced distinctions between the two. We wrote a nice blog article about it.
Every student is different and some students perform better on the SAT, while others excel on the ACT. Before recommending a program to any student, we always have them take SAT and ACT diagnostic tests. Contact us to find out the next available diagnostic test dates and reserve your student’s spot.
Our President’s first test prep job was working for a big-box national chain teaching classes of 15 students. That experience both inspired his love of test prep, and left him with the conviction that group classes would never be as effective as individualized test prep tutoring. Since then, we have stayed true to our mission of only offering 1-on-1 SAT and ACT prep.
If a student is dedicated to their SAT or ACT prep program and puts in the work, her scores will improve. Exactly how much they will improve depends on the student’s baseline scores, ability, and effort. A 50 point increase from a 1550 to a 1600 seems impressive to some, while a 200 point increase from 900 to 1100 might seem unimpressive to others. No matter what your student is capable of achieving, our instructors goal is to help them reach their greatest potential.
College Consulting
The earlier, the better! While we can assist students at any stage of their high school career, starting early allows us to guide you through course selections, extracurricular choices, and other preparatory steps, ensuring a strong foundation for your college applications.
Critical Point is committed to a personalized and holistic approach. We understand that every student’s journey is unique, and our services are tailored to individual needs. Our team is dedicated to providing the best possible guidance, ensuring that each student feels supported and confident in their college application journey.
The Common Application (Common App) is a widely used college application platform accepted by over 900 colleges and universities. At Critical Point, we offer step-by-step guidance to navigate the Common App, ensuring all sections are accurately completed and presenting you in the best possible light.
Our team of experienced consultants will guide you through brainstorming topics, outlining your essay, and refining your drafts. We ensure your essay is compelling, authentic, and showcases your unique story, increasing your chances of standing out in the application pool.
At Critical Point, we adopt a personalized approach. We assess your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, interests, and career goals. With this information, we help you curate a list of colleges that not only align with your aspirations but also enhance your chances of admission.
Critical Point offers comprehensive college consulting services. We specialize in college list building, essay writing guidance, and assistance with filling out the Common App. Our goal is to ensure every student we work with is well-prepared and confident throughout the college application process.
Not exactly. The latest research on test optional policies suggests that most students who do not submit scores are disadvantaged compared to those who do. Students submitting scores within or above a college’s 50th percentile score range give themselves a competitive advantage. Who are the real winners by colleges going test-optional? Colleges. More information about this here.
We eat, sleep, and breathe test prep.
That’s why our tutors sit for the official tests at least once a year. That means they show up at a high school on a Saturday morning, and take the SAT and ACT along with hundreds of teenage students.
Our standards are higher than the competition’s.
To be hired, every tutor on our team has to receive scores of 1550+ on the SAT and 34+ on the ACT. Once hired, tutors undergo a rigorous 8-week training process which ensures that each instructor is equipped with the tools they need to maximize student success.
If a student is dedicated to their SAT or ACT prep program and puts in the work, her scores will improve. Exactly how much they will improve depends on the student’s baseline scores, ability, and effort. A 50 point increase from a 1550 to a 1600 seems impressive to some, while a 200 point increase from 900 to 1100 might seem unimpressive to others. No matter what your student is capable of achieving, our instructors goal is to help them reach their greatest potential.
Nothing in life is a guarantee! We know that’s not a satisfying answer, but it’s an honest one. If your child puts in the work, his or her score will increase. Our promise to you is that our instructors will provide your child with all of the tools necessary to raise his or her SAT scores.
Our President’s first test prep job was working for a big-box national chain teaching classes of 15 students. That experience both inspired his love of test prep, and left him with the conviction that group classes would never be as effective as individualized test prep tutoring. Since then, we have stayed true to our mission of only offering 1-on-1 SAT and ACT prep.
Perspective is important. When you compare the investment in college prep to the investment in a chicken sandwich, it is expensive indeed! However, a chicken sandwich will not get your child into Swarthmore with a $100,000 scholarship. All joking aside, maximizing your child’s test scores and application will increase the scope of colleges they are admitted to and increase their merit awards, the value of which can range from $10,000- $200,000.
We offer our College Consulting, Academic Tutoring, and Test Prep tutoring at our offices in Wayne, PA, and virtual instruction around the world. We have virtually coached many students to success, and we fully believe it is just as effective as in-person instruction.
We’re not just the highest-rated ACT and SAT tutoring company in Wayne and on the Main Line. We also offer expert Math, Physics, and STEM tutoring.
Our tutoring offices are located at 230 Sugartown Road, Suite 20, Wayne, PA. We provide tutoring to any student able to travel to our office or able to meet virtually through our video-conferencing platform.
The differences between the SAT and ACT have been stark in the past, but over the past 5 years, the tests have become very similar. The ACT is a faster-paced test. However, there are some other more nuanced distinctions between the two. We wrote a nice blog article about it.
Every student is different and some students perform better on the SAT, while others excel on the ACT. Before recommending a program to any student, we always have them take SAT and ACT diagnostic tests. Contact us to find out the next available diagnostic test dates and reserve your student’s spot.
Session Frequency
During the school year, most students meet with their tutors once per week. In cases where time is more limited or goals are more ambitious, students can meet more frequently. During the summer, many students meet twice per week.
Session Times
When sessions are scheduled is dependent on student-tutor availability, but tutors typically meet with students after school on weekday afternoons and evenings. Our doors are closed on Sundays to give our tutors a day of rest and the option to worship if they choose.
The short answer is that the QAS is the more useful of the two, and you should always order it when possible. For a more detailed answer, check out the blog post we wrote answering this question.
There is no commitment to big packages, so you’ll never pay for test prep tutoring your child doesn’t need. All payment is automatically billed at the end of each session.
College Admissions Consulting – $225 per hour
Founder-Rate Instruction – $275 per hour + Applicable One-Time Materials Fee
Associate Test Prep – $195 per hour + Applicable One-Time Materials Fee
ISEE/SSAT/HSPT Test Prep – $195 per hour
Academic Instruction – $125 per hour + Applicable One-Time Materials Fee
Great question! The short answer is, if your child is taking the SAT before March of 2024, they will be unaffected by this change. For an in-depth article on what we know so far about the new SAT, give this a read.
Critical Point offers comprehensive college consulting services. We specialize in college list building, essay writing guidance, and assistance with filling out the Common App. Our goal is to ensure every student we work with is well-prepared and confident throughout the college application process.
At Critical Point, we adopt a personalized approach. We assess your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, interests, and career goals. With this information, we help you curate a list of colleges that not only align with your aspirations but also enhance your chances of admission.
Our team of experienced consultants will guide you through brainstorming topics, outlining your essay, and refining your drafts. We ensure your essay is compelling, authentic, and showcases your unique story, increasing your chances of standing out in the application pool.
The Common Application (Common App) is a widely used college application platform accepted by over 900 colleges and universities. At Critical Point, we offer step-by-step guidance to navigate the Common App, ensuring all sections are accurately completed and presenting you in the best possible light.
Critical Point is committed to a personalized and holistic approach. We understand that every student’s journey is unique, and our services are tailored to individual needs. Our team is dedicated to providing the best possible guidance, ensuring that each student feels supported and confident in their college application journey.
The earlier, the better! While we can assist students at any stage of their high school career, starting early allows us to guide you through course selections, extracurricular choices, and other preparatory steps, ensuring a strong foundation for your college applications.
We take immense pride in the success of our students. While the success rate can vary based on various factors, a significant percentage of our students secure admissions to their top-choice colleges. We attribute this to our personalized approach and dedicated guidance.
