Does my child really have to do a test a week?

• Since the early 2000s, we have been evaluating what practices increase student performance the most. The results have been extremely consistent: Score increases are highly correlated with the number of real practice tests taken under test-like conditions. 

• In light of this, we designed the curriculum where students take one full practice test a week under timed conditions. Except in unusual circumstances (a student never took algebra, for example), there is no other homework. Students with accommodations typically do half a test a week -- either at 1.5x time or 2x time given their particular accommodation. In session, we then review the assigned test and identify and close strategic and curricular gaps.

What are ‘test-like’ conditions? Does the test need to be taken at the MightyPrep office to be reliable?

• Most students take their tests at home. As long as students take the test sections in given order (no mixing of sections), under timed conditions (no going over time or skipping ahead), all at once (no spreading sections out over multiple days or taking generous 'breaks"), and sitting upright at a hard surface in a semi-public space (i.e. not working in their bedroom), the resulting scores are generally very reliable. 

• However, many Los Angeles-based students elect to take their tests in office. Experience suggests that parents typically know best regarding how much structure their child needs. Some parents say "Oh, he'll never do it unless he's at the office," etc; other students get wonderful, predictive results working on their own.
  

Why do you recommend 12 weeks of prep? Must they be consecutive?

• For most students, 10 tests taken and reviewed -- 2,150 ACT questions or 1,540 SAT questions -- tends to be the threshold for mastery before the first administration. Since it's test-a-week method, we plan out 10 weeks of sessions plus the first session (where we spend 90 minutes on overall strategy and procedures) plus a 'bonus' scheduled week for the inevitable break / illness / surprise. That gives us a 12 week runway before the first real-deal test (which is called an administration).

• Consistency is also key: 10 sessions in 10 weeks is more effective than 10 sessions in 20 weeks. Part of our job is conditioning the student to settle and focus with meaningful intensity for three hours. This is physical as much mental work and, like training for a 5K or marathon, week-on-week progress is key

Location. Parking. Tell me everything.

• Address: 11350 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604. ("The Entertainment Building"). It’s a blue building on the south side of Ventura, one block west of the world-famous Benning’s Violins.

• The best place to park is on Tropical, the cross-street closest to the office. 2 hours of free parking! There are also metered spaces on both sides of Ventura Blvd.

• We are located in Suite 200 on the building’s second floor.