Test Prep FAQ

Your process is your own! It could take anywhere from 3-7 months, depending on several factors: the difference between where you start and your target, whether you are anxious about the process, and how regularly we can meet. (Spoiler alert: If your schedule does not allow for least 3 sessions per month, this probably is not the tutoring option for you.)

No. Locking people into a certain number of sessions seems a bit manipulative to me. While a large percentage of students take 4-6 months, to assume that I know the exact trajectory of your process before it happens would be dishonest.

The office is at 7 Towpath Ln, Avon, CT. It is part of Old Avon Village. For those who are not local, I offer virtual sessions.

Yes. Catalyze Test Prep wouldn't exist otherwise :-) Some people have concerns because of difficult experiences with virtual education during COVID-19, which is understandable. The difference in our case is that the student is connecting one-on-one with a person who holds them accountable: me. They do not get lost in the "back row" of a virtual classroom, which is a risk when working with a group of students.

Catalyze Test Prep & LD Coaching provides individualized preparation for the SAT, ACT, SSAT, ISEE, college entrance exams, and high school tests. Each plan is designed around the student’s current skills, target score, learning style, and testing goals.

Yes. Our test prep for students with ADHD program combines academic instruction with strategies for time management, organization, task initiation, sustained attention, and test anxiety. Sessions are structured to help students stay engaged and approach preparation with greater confidence.

Test prep for students with dyslexia may include reading comprehension strategies, passage organization, question analysis, active reading techniques, pacing support, and practice with test-taking strategies. Instruction is adapted to help students process information in a way that works for them.

Support services for LD are individualized academic and coaching services for students with learning differences. Support may include help with studying, essays, research papers, organization, memorization, time management, and preparing for tests.

LD coaching may benefit students with dyslexia, ADHD, executive functioning differences, processing delays, working memory challenges, anxiety, autism, or other learning differences. Students do not need to qualify for special education services to benefit from personalized coaching.

The recommended schedule depends on the student’s goals and the type of support needed. Test preparation often involves regular sessions over several months, while LD coaching may continue weekly throughout the school year or until the student feels comfortable working more independently.

A consultation can help determine whether traditional test prep, test prep for students with ADHD or dyslexia, LD coaching, or a combination of services is the best fit. Contact Catalyze Test Prep & LD Coaching to discuss your child’s needs and goals.

Yes. Test preparation can be adapted to help students understand and practice strategies appropriate for their approved accommodations. Families should also work with their school or testing organization to confirm eligibility and arrange accommodations.

Parents are kept informed about the student’s progress and areas of focus. However, students are encouraged to take ownership of scheduling, completing assignments, and practicing strategies so they can become more independent learners.

Students may be asked to complete practice problems, review materials, or use specific strategies between sessions. Consistent effort outside of instruction is an important part of making progress in test prep and LD coaching.