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Do you need help with SSAT, ISEE, or HSPT?
Our test prep tutors are here to help your child stand out in the private school admissions process by submitting exceptional test scores. Our approach is individualized and our programs are tailored to meet your child’s needs. Beyond the academic skills that they need to develop, we also teach test-taking skills and various techniques for navigating the tests.
We use books and teaching materials developed by our very own CEO and his team of educational consultants, which are exclusive to our clients. The bespoke exercises and practice tests in these books are so effective that our students achieve the highest possible scores on every test and leverage their chances of getting into the most elite private schools in the country.
While many schools became test-optional during the pandemic, some have brought back standardized tests as part of their admissions criteria. For example, Harvard-Westlake now requires applicants to submit SSAT scores after being test-optional for several years. Chadwick School, Sage Hill School, Elite Open School, and St. Margaret’s Episcopal School require either SSAT or ISEE scores. Windward School, TVT Community Day School, applicants on the other hand must submit ISEE scores. Catholic schools like Loyola High School require HSPT scores
Located in Beverly Hills, Cardinal Education has a proven track record of success. Our test prep tutors are highly trained professionals who can provide the guidance your child needs to get the best test scores that admissions officers will notice.
Our test prep program is highly effective because our test prep tutors understand the nuances of the SSAT, ISEE, and HSPT extensively. Our approach is tailored to meet the individual needs of students and focus on the areas they need the most help with. We offer comprehensive practice tests that simulate the real exam environment, ensuring that students are well-prepared and confident on test day.
One of the biggest changes that the pandemic has brought in private school admissions is the testing policy. Travel restrictions hampered the ability of families to go to testing centers to take the tests. As a result, schools revised their admission process to accommodate these changes. Terminologies such as test-optional and test-blind came about causing confusion among applicants.
The test-optional policy gives students the option of whether to submit test scores or not. Schools with this policy claim that they will accept test scores but these will not affect their decision in any way. This means admission decisions will rely more heavily on other factors like transcripts, essays, parent statements, and virtual interviews. Many schools also replaced the tests with writing assessments done on Zoom and required students to answer questions in real-time while being proctored online by an administrator.
Test-blind means that schools will not accept test scores so there is no point in submitting. Schools with this policy claim to follow a holistic approach and assess students based on their overall impression.
Based on our experience, students who submit test scores get more admission advantage than those who do not. High test scores show academic achievement, readiness to take on a more challenging curriculum, and a student’s ambition and drive to succeed, qualities that private schools are looking for. Test scores differentiate one student from another who has the same grades, GPA, and extracurricular activities.
In our practice, if a school is test-optional, we treat standardized tests as part of the application requirements and encourage our students to take the tests.
If you’re applying to a private school in the Los Angeles Area, we recommend that you start SSAT, ISEE, or HSPT test prep about six months to a year before the actual test. This gives enough time to take practice tests, review materials, and understand the format of the test without feeling overwhelmed.
However, if you are not confident in your abilities and you have a packed schedule due to extracurricular activities, you might need more time to prepare. Also, if certain subjects are challenging for you, Math, for example, it would be beneficial to start earlier and engage in Math tutoring to refine skills and learn techniques.
Cardinal Education is regarded as the best in test prep for private school admissions in the Bay Area. We assess students and provide recommendations on what aspects of the application need more focus on. If it’s test prep, we will match you with a test prep tutor who will work closely with you in developing skills and test-taking strategies. Our practice test materials are very effective, and our students achieve the best test scores possible to get into their desired private schools.
Preparing for private school entrance exams can be challenging for both students and parents. Private schools in LA frequently have stringent admission standards, and entrance tests are an important part of the application process for most schools. These tests assess a student’s intellectual ability and potential and can determine whether or not they get admitted to their selected school.
Here are 3 Tips to Prepare for Private School Admissions Test
Most schools accept either SSAT or ISEE scores. Choose the test that is fit for your child and will highlight their skills. Here are some of the differences between the two standardized tests.