Classes

Test Prep Courses

In addition to individual tutoring, ABC Los Alamos offers two different types of class settings for the SAT/PSAT and the ACT. Please visit the Class Registration page for a current list of available classes.

Many students report higher scores after using these strategies on test day.  Class sizes will be limited to maximize engagement. If you are interested in individualized tutoring, please refer to our services page.

Classes will be held on Barranca Mesa.

1-Day, 4 Hour Courses

We offer a 1-day, 4-hour course that provides a brief review of specific strategies and techniques across all four sections of the test.  Classes will meet for 2-hours, then take a one hour break for lunch, and meet for another 2-hours.

3-Session Courses

We offer a 3-session course that occurs over the course of two weeks.  These courses allow students to learn specific strategies for all sections of the tests and then practice and review these strategies over the two weeks. The 3-session course includes a free 30-minute individual consultation session to be scheduled after completing the course.

PSAT/SAT Course - Register Now

Session 1: Reading

Session 2: Writing

Session 3: Math

 

ACT Course - Register Now

Session 1: English

Session 2: Math

Session 3: Reading & Science

 

ABC Los Alamos has tried to accommodate extracurricular schedules when determining the dates for these courses. However, if you have a conflict on one day, you can make arrangements to attend that session during a future class.  Because space is limited, please let us know in advance if you know you will have to miss a session, otherwise we cannot guarantee space in a future course.

*Please Note: Please contact ABCLosAlamos@gmail.com if you are interested in registering for a future class outside of the time window for the current registration period.

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Specific strategies we teach

Behavioral Strategies

In Betsy's experience working with diverse students, she has identified that almost all students can benefit from learning behavioral strategies. The goal is for students to be mentally prepared for the increased pressure associated with taking a high stakes test by providing strategies that will allow them to have more time and energy to concentrate on the test material. These strategies can be applied to a variety of settings, not just the SAT/ACT environment.  Specifically, these strategies can help students as they complete homework and take exams in both high school and college.

• Timing. One of the biggest challenges students encounter is how to complete the sections in the time given.  Betsy’s expertise as a school psychologist helps her teach students how to manage their time on the test, so that they can get to all of the questions.
• Test-taking anxiety. Many students are anxious to take these high-stakes tests.  As a trained school psychologist, Betsy is able to teach students breathing strategies and how to take breaks throughout the test, so that students do not become overwhelmed by the test.  Helping students have confidence and feel prepared going into the test is one of the best ways to minimize the stress associated with taking these tests
• Focus and Attention. It is difficult for anyone to sit down for 3-4 hours and focus their attention 100% of the time.  Betsy helps students learn how to build up their endurance, so that they can maintain their focus throughout the entirety of the test

Academic strategies

The purpose of these courses is not to teach all of the material that is on the test.  The goals of the course are to help students (1) review the academic material that occurs the most often within each section of the test, (2) know when implementing specific strategies can minimize the amount of time it takes to correctly answer a question, and (3) navigate the test. Given unlimited time to complete these tests, many students would be able to achieve extremely competitive scores. However, students benefit from knowing how to quickly and effectively apply their academic knowledge to the test.

• Grammar and rhetoric. Students will be taught specific grammar rules (such as punctuation rules). Students will also be taught what answer choices are typically correct/incorrect when answering rhetoric questions on the English/Writing sections of the tests
• Math.  Many of the concepts tested on the SAT/ACT are from algebra and geometry.  As such, students may have forgotten the most efficient way to answer these questions and a quick review tends to be extremely helpful in boosting their math scores.  In addition, there is Pre-Calculus material that some students may not have been taught. A brief introduction to these concepts will likely help students find the correct answer to these questions on test day.
• Reading. Students will be taught the order in which to answer the questions and how to effectively find the answers within each of the different passages.
• Science (for the ACT). Many students have not received formal instruction on how to interpret graphs and understand the scientific method. A quick review of these concepts has been shown to help students master this section of the test.
• Essay. An understanding of what is required by the Essay component of the test, so that students know how to prepare and write the SAT or ACT essay
  

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