Breakthrough Test Prep

03/18/2022

Registration Open for this summer's Small Group Efficient Reading Training Program

his six-session, small group program - geared especially for ninth and tenth graders - is a recommended precursor to the (P)SAT and/or ACT prep programs.

The goal of the program is to train students to develop a reading range from 300 wpm to 1000 wpm. Ideally, once students have pushed themselves to high ‘practice’ speeds, their ‘habit’ reading rate will rise as well. Ultimately, students will become flexible readers in that they will learn how to adapt their reading speed based upon purpose and content.

Study skills and note-taking will also be addressed. Additionally, students will learn how to approach reading standardized test passages, newspapers, periodicals, reviews, novels, and textbooks.

CLASS SIZE: 2-4 maximum
LESSON DATES:
SECTION 1: Wednesdays, June 22 – July 27
SECTION 2: Thursdays, July 28 – September 1
TIME: 5:00-6:30 pm, lesson 1 ONLY; 5:00-6:00 pm remaining lessons
LOCATION: 11700 Charen Lane, Potomac, MD (2 blocks from Churchill HS)
TUITION: $750 (includes all materials)

Latest Blog Posts:

01/11/2022

Check out this excellent article on developing a growth mindset -

Written by Tchiki Davis, Ph.D., originally posted on Psychology Today “The hand you are dealt is just the starting point for development.” —Carol Dweck Why Growth Mindset Matters Only 10 years ago, I stood behind an old brown cash register at a local retail store, sliding customers' purchases ...

01/06/2022

In this post we make a few concrete suggestions that can help make it easier for your high-schooler to prioritize, set goals, and focus on the next steps. What else should be on this list?

It's no secret that as they progress through High School, teens are often overwhelmed with the many challenges and responsibilities required of them: Freshman year is full of dramatic transitions and adaptations Sophomores start taking more rigorous classes Juniors are hit with the most challenges ....

12/20/2021

Breakthrough Newsletter 12.20.21 -

Just about everyone experiences some level of anxiety when it comes to standardized testing. In the weeks or months before test day, this can be useful – feeling nervous can give us the motivation to study harder and make sure we’re prepared. As we get closer to test day however, studying more i...

12/04/2021

Breakthrough Newsletter 12.4.21 - https://mailchi.mp/breakthroughtestprep/breakthrough-newsletter-8207782

10/26/2021

Breakthrough Newsletter October 26 - https://mailchi.mp/breakthroughtestprep/newslettteroctober26

10/15/2021

Attention parents of accelerated students!

New small group option for Dec 4 SAT

If you have a junior who is taking at least three APs, has a GPA over 3:5, and/or has already scored 680 or higher on a prior PSAT or SAT (real or mock), heads up!

We at Breakthrough also specialize on helping potentially very high scoring students achieve their goal of 750+. Last year, though many students chose not to take the SAT, the scores on the test rose. Why did that happen? The high scoring students were the preponderance of the test takers. They understood that admissions officers at the most selective schools prefer to see them. (We have learned that most scores that purport to be 'test optional' are really test preferred.)

That said, if you have such a student who merely needs his or her scores tweaked in the math and/or reading/writing, check out this class for the December 4 SAT administration:

Reading/writing:
Six Mondays, October 25-November 29, 5:00-6:00
(first and last lessons will be 5:00-6:30)

Math: Six Tuesdays, October 26- November 30, 5:00:6:00
(first and last lessons will be 5:00-6:30)

Download the brochure here: https://bit.ly/3FQGuPO

10/13/2021

Just some last-minute off-the-cuff advice, suggestions, and reminder that your mindset really matters.

Some last minute friendly advice on the night before the PSAT. A breathing exercise, a visualization, advice from your grandparents.

10/02/2021

The PSAT is coming up in less than two weeks! Give your teen some extra prep at our half-day workshop coming up October 10th!

10/02/2021

09/27/2021

In this week's blog post, we'll try to debunk some common myths about the SAT and ACT exams. It may be no surprise but our recommendation is to avoid trying to trick the college board, and stick with what works.

Once parents and students realize what standardized tests are truly about and how they are used, it becomes much easier for students to put them into their proper perspective and ultimately prepare for them more successfully. So with that as our goal, lets tackle 5 of the most pervasive myths surrou...

09/14/2021

Good news for the Montgomery School district!

The goal is to keep kids in class and out of quarantine.