Brian McElroy's Tutoring Blog

What makes a great tutor?

Posted 2021-07-11

(Written in October 2008)Having tutored students privately since 1998, when I was a freshman at Harvard University (and full-time since 2002), I have seen many tutors come and go. Some tutors are very good at what they do, others not so good, and sometimes it's hard to tell exactly why this is so.Tutoring is a booming business, and every year more and more families hire private tutors. Tutoring allows naturally skilled teachers to hone their craft without having to earn a teaching certificate (w... Keep Reading

Fractions and Percentages

Posted 2021-07-11

For those of you who have problems with fractions and percentages on the SAT, GRE, or GMAT, or those who encounter them daily at work (especially those of you whose jobs help change the world for the better!), I present you with some tips:MEMORIZE THE FOLLOWING COMMONLY USED FRACTIONS (AND THEIR CORRESPONDING DECIMALS FOR CALCULATOR USERS):
1/3 = 33% ** .333 = 1/32/3 = 66% ** .667 = 2/31/4 = 25% ** .25 = 1/43/4 = 75% ** .75 = 3/4... Keep Reading

SAT / ACT Percentiles and Score Comparison Chart (Updated for 2017-18)

Posted 2021-07-11

Helpful Tools to compare your SAT and ACT scores. Keep Reading

Upcoming SAT/ACT Test Dates, 2017-18

Posted 2021-07-11

A full list of SAT and ACT Test Dates for the 2017-18 academic year. Keep Reading

A Perfect Score on the New PSAT is a...1520?

Posted 2021-07-11

The College Board had indicated that the new PSAT would be scored out of 1600 points, but it has recently reversed course and decided to make 1520 the highest score. It has also tinkered with the percentiles by scaling them upward, most likely in an effort to make the SAT a less intimidating test and to compete with the ACT, the College Board's rival exam. This is welcome news for those of you who are considering taking the new SAT! Keep Reading