Michael DiSalvo, our main tutor, graduated "magna cum laude" from the University of South Florida, Tampa, with a B.A. in Psychology, in which he averaged an A+. Later, Michael left his studies at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in Denton, Nebraska, with the equivalent of a Master's Degree, adding to 17 years of formal education. Michael, like others, did not achieve success easily. After struggling with higher-level mathematics in high school, he finally mastered college-level material through hard work and constant study. A test preparation course gave him the critical thinking skills he needed to compete with the elite, enabling him to score in the 90th percentile on the G.R.E. (what may be termed the "big brother" of the S.A.T.). Later, as he began to intensively study test preparation techniques, he found that his  study of vocabulary and foreign languages enabled him to master the verbal section on the SAT as well, improving his high school score of an 1180 to a 1390 on the Verbal + Quantitative portions of the test. Today, in addition to a strong Math, Verbal, and Writing background, Michael's degree in Psychology and experiences counseling have allowed him to tailor programs to meet high goals for students with different skill levels and various educational backgrounds.

 

Services Offered In the Greater Cincinnati Area

Our Course

With students raising their S.A.T. scores as much as 300 points in 2 weeks, A+ Tutoring/ Test Preparation continues to remain on par or superior to the most notable educational companies in the test preparation business. Superior pedagogy and a superior curriculum catered to the student's needs is what puts us above the rest. Our text, Gruber’s Complete Preparation for the S.A.T., boasts the potential of raising a student’s scores by 300 points per section. Though few students have the capability to raise their score in such a dramatic fashion through simply reading a test preparation book, time has shown that a skilled teacher can bring quite unexpected results out of students who doubt their own abilities. Our standard course runs between 6 to 10 weeks, depending on the number of sessions taken during the week and the sections focused on. However, some students in various situations have found even one-hour sessions to be the best solution for their goals. Rates and availability vary by location and time of year. Please call 513 939-9033 and mention that you saw our webpage for a free consultation and a brief on what is available.

Though we offer a wide variety of educational services, A+ Tutoring/Test Preparation focuses most particularly in the critical thinking skills that make up the PSAT, SAT and ACT prep courses significantly different from other tutoring experiences in the Greater Cincinnati area.  Of course, expertise in the Math, Verbal, and Grammar Skills does translate well into similar subjects, but we have a special emphasis and expertise in the core skills for the standardized tests listed above.

A tutor is usually available for the following:

The PSAT, SAT, and ACT 

The HSPT, SSAT (High School Entrance Exams)

The OAT

Algebra

Geometry

Grammar / Writing

Memorization / Study Skills / Speed Reading

Intro to Foreign Languages (Spanish, Italian, German, Latin)

Reading/Math Skills 1st - 12th Grade

Subject Tests including Mathematics and Foreign Languages

Our standard program in Reading and Mathematics includes a 1-2 hour diagnostic test to pinpoint deficiencies and to estimate time of program completion. Individual subject tutoring is based on the textbook, while S.A.T./ P.S.A.T. instruction includes periodic sample tests to evaluate progress. Free consultation is available to monitor the progress of your child and to advise on any other profitable interventions. Consultation is recommended every 20 hours. SAT classes are also offered at various intervals. Please consult the link below if you are currently investigating SAT preparation courses in Cincinnati. At present, our PSAT/SAT class location is in the Tri-County area in Mason, OH.

SAT and PSAT Classes

It is sometimes difficult to determine whether one-on-one tutoring or a traditional class preparation is better for getting ready for the SAT. We do, however, have an interesting dynamic set up in Mason, OH for those interested in classroom preparation. The following link is to our sister organization http://APlusAdvancedLearning.info. Not only do we have highly qualified Math and Verbal instructors who have been able to get very high results in each section of the test, but we also have some highly motivated students who encourage their fellow classmates to be as involved as they. Please give us a call at 513 939-9033 to find out what option is right for you.

 

Programs for Test Anxiety

While one-on-one tutoring is known to be one of the most effective ways for any student to maximize his potential, human nature is such that when we are under stress, it is difficult to use our critical thinking skills. This is why A+ Tutoring/Test Preparation has formed a partnership with The Heartmath Corporation to help students resolve issues of test anxiety and to maximize their performance. Helping students get the most out of their natural skills in the realms of academic achievement and critical thinking, the Freeze Framer (TM) technique has been proven to lessen students' stress and improve their test taking score in verbal areas by over 20% and in math areas by over 30%. As Mr. DiSalvo has been trained in modern and classical psychology, he has seen a synergistic improvement in his students' scores when test anxiety has been an obstacle in preventing them from seeing their best results. Please call for more information about how a test anxiety program can help improve your child's scores.

 

The S.A.T.

Why Did the SAT Change?

The SAT assesses student reasoning based on knowledge and skills developed by the student in school coursework. The new SAT will improve the alignment of the test with current curriculum and institutional practices in high school and college. By including a third measure of skills -- writing, the new SAT will help colleges make better admissions and placement decisions. In that way, the new SAT will reinforce the importance of writing throughout a student's education.

 

$$Big Scholarship Money$$

There are several reasons to get a good score on the S.A.T. Not only does it give more opportunities to be accepted to prestigious universities out-of-state, but it also allows  those who are looking for a good in-state value to find many scholarships worth thousands of dollars if they achieve the status of savvy test taker.

 

A typical state school's offering of scholarships:

http://admissions.onu.edu/scholarships/scholarships.shtml

 

The most prestigious award for a high school student is perhaps the designation of National Merit Scholar. This award is contingent on one's P.S.A.T. score in one's junior year. Preparing early for this very important test is crucial, as students are already given the test in their sophomore year. To become a finalist in this challenging competition is indeed a privilege. Not only is one eligible for the $2500 award every year after having attained this high level of academic achievement, but one is eligible for many other scholarship and commendations from private institutions and corporations.

 

More information on the National Merit Scholarship Program can be found here:

http://www.nationalmerit.org/nmsp.php#entryreq

 

 

Important Deadlines for the A.C.T.

* The September 2009 test date is offered only within the 50 United States and D.C.

** No test centers are scheduled in New York for the February test date.