Our Services
College Admissions Testing
The ACT and SAT dominate the field of college admissions testing, even in a test-optional/test-free environment. The rival tests have numerous similarities in content but enough important differences that it becomes critical for students to discern which is the better test for them.
The ACT has a reputation as a relatively straightforward assessment of what students learn in school. The ACT demands a breadth of knowledge and recall across a wider subject range, including science and some advanced precalculus math topics. This test requires that students work efficiently: students who take the ACT must be comfortable answering questions under significant time pressure.
The SAT offers other challenges, easing the time crunch and top-end difficulty of the material (and no science section) but altering the nature of the questions. The verbal and math questions on the SAT differ from what students often encounter in school: the test feels less straightforward than a typical assessment.
Two things that a student can do to determine which test might be better are to chat with one of our experts and take a free practice test with us. A little bit of diagnostic work and some clear guidance from one of our tutors will enable you to move forward with confidence.
Graduate Admissions Testing
If you think that standardized testing ends once you are in college, think again. No worries, though, because we can help you negotiate the challenges posed by the LSAT, GMAT, and GRE General Test.
The LSAT is the most famous (and infamous) admissions test for law school. The test does not probe knowledge about the law, but rather tests students’ understanding of logical reasoning, analytical reasoning (known as “the games”), and reading comprehension. Our tutors can help you understand the “test behind the test” so that you can set clear goals and manage an otherwise intimidating process.
The GMAT is still the go-to test for the majority of business and management graduate programs. It digs deep into verbal and quantitative skills in ways sometimes unexpected. We give our students the guidance and tools they will need to excel when they need to perform at their best.
The GRE General Test has gained a wider acceptance in other realms recently, such as at some law programs and business programs, but it is still mainly used for admissions to Ph.D. and Master’s programs. We help students refresh and hone their skills to score their best on this exam (but please start studying your vocabulary).
High School Admissions Testing
The SSAT (Secondary School Admissions Test) is a 3-hour multiple choice exam, testing middle and high school students in vocabulary, reading comprehension, and mathematics (including pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, and other topics such as functions and probability). An unscored writing sample is also required.
We offer tutoring for the Middle (students grade 5 - 7) and Upper (students grade 8 - 11) Level SSAT. We do not tutor students for the Elementary Level SSAT.
The HSPT (High School Placement Test) is a test offered to 8th graders seeking admission to Catholic schools. The test’s questions are generally less difficult than are those on the SSAT, but the test questions comprise a wide array of topics within narrow time windows.
At Stumptown Test Prep, we work to strengthen core knowledge and sharpen strategic test-taking skills that help our students confident on their next big test and in high school.
Academic Tutoring
Grades are more important than ever in our hyper-competitive admissions market. Not only are grades paramount, but students today are taking increasingly advanced classes.
We work with students across a variety of academic disciplines. Our work runs the gamut of academic work, from reinforcing fundamental skills and strengthening foundations in an era of COVID learning loss to challenging students to excel in their AP and IB classes.
From pre-algebra to calculus, from biology and physics to advanced chemistry, and from the nuts and bolts of grammar and vocabulary to the most polished of essays, we are here to help you improve your skills and master your discipline.
Essay and Writing Guidance
Students are steeped in the written word today, from texting to Instagram to emailing, but all that writing does little to refine the raw material that a student produces. Mere practice with the written word does not necessarily create excellent writers.
Our tutors offer insights and perspectives that strengthen writing skills and improve communication. We appreciate the importance of shoring up a writer’s foundation of grammar and vocabulary, yet we also value the critical authenticity of every student’s voice. It takes a lot of work to refine that voice into lapidary brilliance, but we welcome those willing to try.
College Major and Career Advice
It is natural to invest time and money to ensure admission to the right colleges, but equally important is to understand what to study and how best to prepare for a career. Stumptown Test Prep is pleased to offer the expertise of college major and career advisor, Carolyn Gazeley. Most recently a college counselor at St. Mary's Academy, prior to her work at St. Mary's, Carolyn worked with adults of all ages, advising and guiding them to identify careers and college majors that fit.
This work, completed in three sessions, starts with surveys and conversations that reveal personal values, interests, personality, and strengths, all of which students can use to identify career paths where they are most likely to find success and enjoyment. By considering the content of specific college majors and the careers most often associated with them, they develop an informed perspective and can identify majors of interest. Finally, students gain tools for thinking about earning power and the kinds of experiences that impact career success and earnings.