If you want to take the SAT, let’s just be honest…you can just find videos on the internet or cobble together some stuff from Khan Academy. There are even lots of “past papers” that you can download and work on until you think you know what you are doing. But is that the best way to prepare? Are Dubai SAT tutors worth it?
Obviously, we are biased. But, we think hiring an SAT tutor in Dubai is absolutely worth it. Here’s why:
1. You are also hiring an advisor.
The best tutors are absolutely itching to answer not only your SAT questions, but also your questions about admissions, colleges, and the university experience. That person can advise you informally on the process. Moreover, she can give feedback regarding your guidance counselors opinions about universities, deadlines, and more.
Often, our students ask us for university ideas, language tests like the IELTS, and GPAs. Any student who is not studying in the American system may not be familiar with the testing style of the SAT. Since we also do academic coaching, we know about many of the curricula in Dubai. That enables us to offer specific feedback based on the system a student is coming from.
Want to know more about how many extracurricular activities you should have? Don’t know if you should apply to schools in Canada and if you even need the SAT for that? Wondering how many schools to apply to?
A good tutor can answer all these questions and more.
2. The internet doesn’t talk back.
Khan Academy videos aren’t going to answer your specific question about counting problems. It’s not going to explain the same question in a different way. It’s not going to figure out that your problem with algebra is because you need a review of signed numbers.
Preparing for the SAT online using a prerecorded course is a one-way conversation. It can be helpful, but without a live person to ask questions, you’re shortchanging yourself on your prep.
Yes, you can Google the answers to your questions…
But which way is the best way? Your tutor knows.
One of the most frequent questions we are asked about the reading section, for example, is if a student should read the whole passage. How do we know the answer?
During the first reading lesson, we time how long it takes you to read the passage. We make our recommendation based upon our observation of you. The internet isn’t going to do that for you.
3. The internet doesn’t have an opinion.
Is Drexel better than Loyola? Are you really cut out for engineering or should you go into finance? What’s a good major for someone who likes theater but doesn’t want to be an actor?
You can Google all day but the internet isn’t going to learn your personality and answer give you a personalized answer. General answers, sure. One just for you? Nope.
4. Your tutor’s energy is important.
Preparing for the SAT is tiring. You have school, homework, extracurricular activities, family obligations, and more. You’re tired.
But…
Your tutor isn’t. She’s going to show up bright and excited about learning. She’s going to be well-prepared and happy to answer your questions. She will gently guide you when you have a “brain fart.”
Most importantly, she’s seen many students–just like you–go through this exact process and succeed. So many of her other students will have gotten their happy academic ending, so she knows that you can get yours. Want to see how it turned out for our students? Read our testimonials.
5. Your tutor will provide valuable accountability.
We cannot stress this enough–tutors provide accountability.
If you’re tired, you can just study tomorrow…
Unless you have to meet with your tutor.
Don’t feel like taking the December SAT? Maybe you can leave it until March…
Unless your tutor is expecting you to do it in December.
You don’t have to study, do homework, or sit for practice tests…
Unless your tutor is waiting for the results.
You get the point. Here’s what the makers of the SAT have to say about your testing strategy:
A good tutor will keep you on track to make sure you reach your education goals. Have the discipline to make it without one? Maybe, but you might not realize that you don’t until the SAT is next week and you haven’t studied enough. We wouldn’t take chances, though. So ask yourself: do you feel lucky?
Happy Students are Our Business
