For Students

Please check here for the 2012 NMRP Class Schedules.
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2012 Alvin ISD NMRP Schedule Will Be Posted Soon
The SAT portion of the class will be in 2012. Information about the date, time, and location will be posted here when it is available.
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2012 Friendswood ISD - NMRP Class Schedule Will Be Posted Soon.
The 2011 NMRP is complete. The SAT portion of this class will be conducted in the Spring of 2012. Please check here frequently for updated information.
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2012 NMRP - Ft. Bend ISD Schedule Will Be Posted Soon.
The SAT portion of the 2011 NMRP is scheduled as follows:
Group A - February 27, 5:30 - 8:30 PM, Rms. 119-121, QVMS
Group B - February 28 - Same As Above.
Group C- February 29 - Same As Above.
Please Note: Your SAT class will meet only one time as shown above. The class will be 3 hours in length for that one evening only. Upon completing the PSAT portion of the NMRP, you have covered all the SAT contains with the exception of the Written Essay. We will spend a lot of time on it after we review the tactics.  We will cover the ACT basics as well.
For those who call us...if you do not leave a phone number, we obviously cannot call you back! :D
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2012 Katy ISD NMRP Schedule Will Be Posted Soon.
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Northside ISD - 2011 NMRP Schedule Will Be Posted Soon
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2012 Pasadena ISD NMRP Schedule Will Be Posted Soon
The SAT portion of this course will be conducted in early 2012. Information concerning the SAT class will be posted in January 2012.
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ACT or SAT?

Student often ask us, "Which test, ACT or SAT, should I take?" The answer, of course, is not as simple as one or the other. Here are some things to think about before selecting one or both tests:

1. Which test is required by the colleges you've selected?

Most colleges now will take both, but it's a good idea to ask if they have a preference or will they take either or both test results. Call the admissions office of your selected colleges.

2. What score(s) do I have to make?

Again, it depends on the requirements of the colleges you are interested in attending. Ask!

3. Is the ACT easier than the SAT?

Not really. Both tests are challenging; especially to students who are not adequately prepared. Some students will prefer the ACT because its written essay is optional and the math accounts for only one-fourth of the composite score. The SAT has a mandatory written essay. Math on the SAT counts for one-third of the total score.

4. How do I decide which test, if not both, to take?

Call or email us, we'll ask a few questions and then give you the advice you need, free of charge.

5. I've heard about courses that guarantee score increases, do you?

Nope! There are no real guarantees in the world of standardized testing. "Guaranteed" score increases are proffered as a come-on to desperate students or parents. Any "guarantees" will be qualified. Selection of a prep course should be based on cost, instructor experience, and the time it takes to complete the course. Superior SAT or ACT prep courses should cost less than $200, be conducted by highly qualified instructors, and be about 12 hours in length. Questions? Ask us, we are the experts.
Practicing on the Internet or on a computer for the SAT or ACT is like practicing for an athletic event by playing that game on a computer or on the Internet: It is a waste of time! Pencil and paper practice on timed sections is the only valid practice

BEST ACT or SAT Review Books?

There are only two books that are useful for students when they wish to review for the ACT or SAT. These are:

1. The Official SAT Study Guide
2. The Real ACT Prep Guide

These books may be ordered from the SAT or ACT testing company via their web sites or bought at most major book stores.
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Perfect SAT Scores
When the SAT changed to the latest form that is 3 hours 45 minutes in length and includes a mandatory written essay that is subjectively graded, the number of perfect scores dropped by 67%.   However, the point being missed is that students are NOT supposed to make the perfect score on the SAT. Do some student make the perfect score? Of course,  but these students are rare and always have been.
Think about it for a minute. What is the purpose of the SAT?
The College Board clearly states that the purpose of the SAT is to provide Colleges and Universities a way to assess the readiness of students, from differing academic backgrounds, for college level work. The SAT does not predict success in college but it does provide a nationally administered evaluation tool for colleges and universities.
So, rather than be concerned about making a perfect score, students should be concerned about making the score(s) required by the College or University to which they seek admission.
Here is a little known "inside secret" about SAT scores. A student who answers 50% of the questions correct and leaves the other 50% blank would make the mean score of 1500 on the SAT. Currently, here in Texas, the state average is about 1467. So, students wishing to beat the state average only need to answer 50% of the SAT questions correct. Since the questions are "powered" by degree of difficulty (except for Critical Reading Passage questions), most Texas students would do very well on the SAT if they just answered a few more than one-half the questions correct and left the harder questions blank.
Our courses teach students tactics and strategies for the SAT. Without understanding how the test really works, students are at a disadvantage.
Questions? Email us.

Top 5 SAT Written Essay Tips
1.  Take a position on the topic. Use a strong "topic" sentence in your first paragraph.
2. Support your position with specific examples from literature, research, historical reference, or with a personal anecdote.
3. Include "higher level" words that show you have an expanded vocabulary.
4. Clearly indent your parargraphs.
5. Be absolutely sure you end your essay with a summary paragraph. You can restate your thesis statement or topic sentence in a reworded manner.
There are many other things you should include or exclude in your SAT written essay. These are extensively covered in one of our SAT courses. Please check with your school or district to see if our courses are available.