• What is PREPSKILLS^®?
• How can PREPSKILLS^® help my child?
• Why choose PREPSKILLS^® over other commercial products and tutoring services?
• How long are the courses?
• What materials and support will my child receive?
• Will my child be assigned homework?
• What are class sizes?
• What are the teacher qualifications?
• What is the COMPUTEST™?
• When do classes run?
• What else do we offer?
• How do I register my child for PREPSKILLS^®?
• How can Parents help?
  
  
  

What is an entrance test?	back to top
Most independent and private schools in Ontario require an entrance test. Exams vary and test results are weighted differently. Standardized tests supposedly measure a student’s verbal and math ability. They are also supposed to predict how a student will perform in school. In our experience, the entrance exams are to some extent a measure of how well students take the test.

What is the Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT*)?	back to top
The SSAT* is used by many private schools as part of the admission process. It is a test that assesses the academic abilities of the students. The student's math and language skills are evaluated. To register for the test please call (609) 683-4440 or visit www.ssat.org/ontario.

Do all Ontario private schools require the SSAT* entrance examination?	back to top
There are many private schools in Ontario that utilize the SSAT* for admission purposes. Other private schools administer their own test. PREPSKILLS® can help your child prepare and benefit from the knowledge and strategies acquired to write any test. Ontario Consortium schools use the SSAT* as a component of their admission and/or scholarship process. For a complete list of schools, please refer to our SSAT* Information page on our website. Parents should confer with the schools of their choice to discuss the importance and interpretation given to score results.

What is the format of the SSAT*?	back to top
There are two levels of the SSAT*. The Lower Level is for students in grades 5 through 7 while the Upper Level applies to students in grades 8 through 11. Children are not expected to answer all questions, but to answer to the best of their abilities. Some subject matter may not have yet been covered at their particular grade level. Please refer to the SSAT* Information page on our web site for further information about the test or visit www.ssat.org/ontario.

How is the SSAT* scored?	back to top
RAW Score score is broken down into 3 categories: reading, verbal and math one point is given for each correct answer, 1/4 point subtracted for each incorrect answer no points are added or subtracted for questions omitted essay is not scored, but sent directly to the private school's admission department SCALED Score raw score is converted to a scaled score Lower Level Range (Grades 5 – 7 ) : 440-710 for Verbal/Math/Reading (1320-2130 Total) Upper Level Range (Grades 8 – 11): 500-800 for Verbal/Math/Reading (1500-2400 Total) PERCENTILE Score SSAT percentile is a score between 1 and 99 compares student performance on test to other students of the same grade and gender who have taken the SSAT* within the past 3 years

When can the SSAT* be written?	back to top
The SSAT* is administered at various private schools throughout the GTA, beginning in September through to April. Please visit www.ssat.org/ontario for more test date information or call the school of your choice. Should you wish, tests are also administered at independent test centres in Toronto. Visit our SSAT* Information page on our web site for information on test-taking options at independent test centres.

How many times can the SSAT* be written	back to top
A student may apply to write the entrance test at any of the participating Ontario Consortium school locations on any ONE date per academic year.

What if my child is writing an admission test other than the SSAT*?	back to top
PREPSKILLS® is renowned for its outstanding ability to inspire children to reach their full potential. There are fundamental skills and facts that students need to master in order to do well on standardized tests. The basic areas covered on most standardized tests are reading comprehension, math, vocabulary and essay writing. PREPSKILLS® teaches test-taking strategies and skills that will benefit students writing any admission test. The PREPSKILLS® team is well-versed with many entrance examinations offered throughout the GTA.

How do PSAT (The Preliminary SAT®) scores compare to SAT scores?	back to top
Without any additional preparation, PSAT scores are a good indication of how the student will perform on the SAT. Students normally take this in October of Grade 11.

How do I register for the Official SAT exam?	back to top
Visit www.collegeboard.com for registration and information regarding testing dates and locations.

Generally how many times do students typically take the SAT? When should they take the test?	back to top
Students will usually take the SAT once in the spring of their junior year (Gr. 11), and once in the fall of their senior year (Gr. 12). We advise our students to take the SAT seriously and prepare to write it only ONCE. Statistically, students who take the test again do not improve their scores significantly, and scores may be lower.

What kind of score increases can I expect? What are the score increases like from people who attend our program?	back to top
Our proven score increases on the SAT are 180 to 400 points. Score increases are of course dependent upon the student attending all the sessions and completing all the homework. On average, a 200 point increase is typical.

What sort of guarantee does PREPSKILLS® have?	back to top
While we do not offer a guaranteed score increase, we are committed to working with our families to help students achieve their goals. The starting score, the student's motivation and the amount of work put in all affect the results. If a student attends every session and completes all assigned homework and practice tests and does not realize an increase in his or her combined score following the completion of the program, please speak to one of our Directors to arrange a meeting to review results and set up a review program.

How much homework is assigned each class? How important is it?	back to top
Students are assigned approximately 2-3 hours of homework per week. We feel that completing the outside homework is an essential part of the course.

What if my son or daughter is unable to complete all of the homework?	back to top
Homework is a crucial part of the program as it allows the student to practice what is covered in each session. Your expectations for a score improvement should be less if all of the homework is not completed.

What makes PREPSKILLS' materials so unique?	back to top
We understand that each student learns differently. Books are designed with the intent of being used between an instructor and a student to cater to each student’s individual needs. Books are broken down into chapters and units that cover every aspect of a test in great detail. An abundance of practice problems and questions allow the instructor to tailor the quantity and difficulty level of homework so that each student is challenged appropriately. The exercises in the books are written to match every type of question and varying difficulty used in the actual tests.

Should my student take the ACT or the SAT?	back to top
Students should find out which test is preferred by the colleges to which they are applying. If the college accepts both, students should take the test which suits their own strengths. See www.actstudent.org for information regarding the ACT.

What is the difference between the ACT and the SAT?	back to top
The ACT is thought to be more aligned with what is taught in the classroom and includes science and other reading-based sections not included on the SAT. The SAT is thought to be more of an aptitude test and is intended to predict performance in college level courses.

If my student takes the ACT, does he need to take any SAT Subject Tests?	back to top
Colleges that accept the ACT tend not to require SAT Subject Tests, or at least not as many. You should contact the college's admissions office to find out their policy.

Is there an essay on the ACT?	back to top
Yes, the ACT offers an optional essay.

Who are your instructors?	back to top
Generally, our SAT instructors are graduate students, business professionals and full-time teachers. Our instructors receive intensive training to give them all the tools they need to bring our test-taking expertise to PREPSKILLS® students. They also have experience writing the SAT and/or other standardized tests. For one-on-one instruction, tutors specialize their instruction based on the needs of the individual to help the student build confidence, reduce anxiety, and learn strategies crucial to test-taking. Our instructors are adept at connecting with high school students and they strive to focus on the needs of each individual student, even in the context of the class.

SAT class vs. Private SAT Sessions?	back to top
The average number of students in a class is 10. Students may also do the program one-on-one in the comfort of their home. This decision really comes down to scheduling and cost. Students have been successful regardless of whether they have prepared in a class or private setting.

When should we start the program?	back to top
We recommend that sessions be held weekly and that the student’s program end as close to the test date as possible to maximize the success of the program. For our 8-Session Program, you should expect to start approximately 12 weeks prior to the student’s test date. This allows some flexibility to compensate for unexpected schedule changes.

Can I do more than eight sessions?	back to top
Generally, we find that eight 3 hour sessions are the optimum for most students. However, some students may require additional skill building work. In this case, we can set up a long-term preparation program or additional tutoring sessions following the regular program. Areas of concentration and number of sessions depend on what the individual student's needs are.

Can you provide references?	back to top
\Yes, we can. We can send you contact names and phone numbers of some local parents, teachers or schools who have been pleased with our programs.

How is PREPSKILLS® different from other test prep companies?	back to top
The PREPSKILLS® program is more personalized. PREPSKILLS® is committed to the entire admission process so we ensure you have the right tools and support to help you complete admission applications, find scholarship opportunities and find information about the college/universities. PREPSKILLS® instructors are enthusiastic, patient and effective communicators. SAT course book contains varying levels of homework and in-class practice problems so that assignments can be tailored to the ability level and needs of each individual student. Each student receives individual computerized test analyses for all practice tests taken as part of the course. Instructors complete progress reports that detail students’ attendance, homework completion, practice test scores and progress in each subject area of the test. The PREPSKILLS® Client Services Team makes follow-up calls to parents early on in the program to see if parents have questions about the course. PREPSKILLS' focus on translating preparation into opportunity™ leads to success.

What is PREPSKILLS®?	back to top
The PREPSKILLS® mission is to translate preparation into opportunityTM. At PREPSKILLS®, we provide the highest quality preparatory learning experiences that serve to maximize individual potential, impart skills for leadership and inspire lessons in life long learning.

How can PREPSKILLS® help my child?	back to top
THE BEST WAY TO PREPARE YOUR CHILD IS TO START WITH PREPSKILLS®. PREPSKILLS® prepares students for the admission test, focusing on test-taking strategies, essay writing, and skill building exercises in math and language. We offer a unique and challenging program in which we strive to develop not only test-taking skills but also to build each child's self esteem and confidence, thus enabling the child to reach his or her full potential. The program is designed to help students entering private/independent schools or American universities. Essay writing enrichment programs are designed for academic enhancement.

Why choose PREPSKILLS® over other commercial products and tutoring services?	back to top
Others try to teach the content, instead of teaching test-taking skills. Knowing geometry or vocabulary words isn’t good enough for most admission tests; you have to know how to apply the knowledge. Our Certified Teachers for SSAT programs and Expert Instructors for SAT will help students make the critical connection between the material learned and how to apply it on the test.

How long are the courses?	back to top
Program length varies. Please contact the PREPSKILLS® office for details.

What materials and support will my child receive?	back to top
Students receive the full compliment of test preparation material. Materials include a course book, exercise books, practice tests, flashcards containing the most frequently used words on admission tests, and the COMPUTEST™ diagnostic. Students have access to on-line math and language resources. In addition, parents will receive progress reports after the diagnostic test and the PREPSKILLS®-simulation test. Upon completion of the course, PREPSKILLS® offers a simulated test; administered under "real test" conditions. The students find this experience to be the highlight of the course as strategies learned are reinforced and test-taking fears dispelled. Unique to PREPSKILLS® is a résumé and interview skills seminar for our SSAT students or University Admission information seminar for SAT students.

Will my child be assigned homework?	back to top
Homework is designed to reinforce the content while improving the students' application of strategies. Repeated practice is the key to success in order to reap the benefits of the course. PREPSKILLS® is primarily a training program, not a course of study. It is strongly advised that students complete all homework assignments prior to the next lesson. The commitment of both parent and student is essential. Remember, you only get out what you put in.

What are class sizes?	back to top
The pupil-teacher ratio is a maximum of 6 students per class for our SSAT program and up to 12 students for our SAT program. This allows our teachers to provide individualized attention and tailor the curriculum to the student’s needs. Private tutoring is also available. Upon request, one of our Program Directors will be happy to provide more details.

What are the teacher qualifications?	back to top
Our teachers are hand picked and Ontario certified. They are dedicated and understand the needs of the students they teach. All teachers must attend PREPSKILLS® seminars and workshops. They are well versed in the PREPSKILLS® philosophy, curriculum, methodology and strategies.

What is the COMPUTEST™?	back to top
The COMPUTEST™ is exclusive to and developed by PREPSKILLS®. Upon registration, a login ID is provided and the test completed online. The purpose of the diagnostic is to help identify student strengths and weaknesses. Parents are provided with a detailed report. Teachers use the diagnostic to devise a course of study that will maximize the child’s scoring potential.

When do classes run?	back to top
Please call 416-200-7728 or refer to our SCHEDULE on the website for times, dates and locations.

What else do we offer?	back to top
PREPSKILLS® not only provides test preparation skills, but is also dedicated to ensuring that both parents and students feel comfortable with the admission process. We are renowned for our personal service and are happy to assist you through this journey. Parent Information seminars are offered at no additional charge.

How do I register my child for PREPSKILLS®?	back to top
Parents can register their child using our online Registration. One of our Program Directors will be in contact with you immediately upon receiving the registration form.

How can Parents help?	back to top
PREPSKILLS® welcomes the opportunity of working cooperatively with parents. Communication is vital! We encourage parents to monitor their child’s homework and progress. Feel free to communicate with your child’s teacher about any concerns. Together with you, PREPSKILLS® is committed to helping your child reach his or her goal!

* SSAT and SECONDARY SCHOOL ADMISSION TEST are registered trademarks owned by Secondary School Admission Test Board, Inc. PREPSKILLS INC. is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Secondary School Admission Test Board, Inc.

* *SAT is a registered trademark owned by The College Board. SSAT and SECONDARY SCHOOL ADMISSION TEST are trademarks owned by Secondary School Admission Test Board, Inc. PREPSKILLS INC. is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Secondary School Admissionn Test Board, Inc or The College Board.