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By admin, February 27, 2010 10:16 am

Susan Said What?! www.susansaidwhat.wordpress.com is a lifestyle blog created by Delaware-based freelance writer Susan McNeill. Recently, Susan enrolled her son at Back to Basics for test taking preparation. She recounted her experience on the blog, an excerpt of which follows.

“It’s hard for me to believe, but my son Matt will be entering high school in the fall. In Delaware, the choice-magnet-charter-private school competition is nothing short of fierce. He’s extremely bright and has top grades, so initially we weren’t concerned. He took the placement test for the Charter School of Wilmington (the state’s top academic public school) along with 800 other students for a chance at 225 freshman slots. When he didn’t make the 1st cut and was assigned to “interview status,” we were understandably worried (although after his interview he was accepted).

For his next placement test we targeted prestigious private prep school Archmere Academy (Vice President Joe Biden is an alum). This time we decided to take no chances – so we looked for some testing taking / test prep help, so that that he could do his best. Enter Back to Basics Learning Dynamics.

If you aren’t from Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania or New Jersey, you’re probably not yet familiar with this firm. Back to Basics is the area’s undisputed leader in one-on-one tutoring, homeschooling, testing like SAT prep and ESL instruction. For over 24 years Back to Basics has served the varied educational needs of over 11,500 children and adult students!

Matt was paired with an exceptional tutor who proved to be the perfect match — both in teaching style and personality. Sessions on test taking, timing, eliminating answers on multiple choice questions, and many, many practice tests later, we thought Matt was ready.

He took the placement test last week. Not only did he score well, he scored so well that he was eligible for several thousand dollars academic scholarship money. Not too shabby!

I can’t thank Back to Basics enough! Many of the firm’s policies and procures differentiate it from a Sylvan of Huntington – or really any of the big chain services you may see advertised. Although Back to Basics is small in comparison (just under 100 tutors) their careful matching of a student and tutor make a student’s success much, much more likely. In fact, Matt has made such dramatic strides in such a short time, that I think we will be continuing with weekly sessions to get him ready for the more challenging academics he’ll face in September.

If you want to learn more, you can visit them at www.backtobasicslearning.com. You’ll be glad you did!”

This excerpt was reprinted with permission by Susan McNeill, www.susansaidwhat.wordpress.com. For more information, please visit www.backtobasicslearning.com or call 302-594-0754.

For 25 years, Back to Basics has been recognized as the area’s undisputed leader in one-on-one tutoring. In addition, the firm offers a unique Delaware private school for all grades. Back to Basics is the 2010 Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics.

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By admin, August 26, 2009 6:47 pm

Chances are good that your child will be taking one form or another standardized test during the school year. Whether it be DSTP, Terra-Nova, SATs, or general placement tests, this situation is bound to arise at least once. Here are some tips to help your child get ready.

If your child seems nervous or anxious, ask the teacher for some relaxation tips or implement some that you already know.

Try not to plan any appointments on testing days and make sure your child is present. Having to deal with make up dates can be stressful.

Tell your child to listen carefully to the test-taking directions and ask any questions before testing begins.

Be sure that your child is well-rested and gets a good night’s sleep prior to test days.

See that your child eats his/her normal breakfast on test days. Hunger can cause poor performance. Brain and body need to re-fuel in the morning.

Be positive and encourage your child to do his/her best.

There are many more useful tips contained in the link below, including knowing how test results are used and interpreting differences in test performance and school grades.

Back to Basics has been recognized as the area’s undisputed leader in one-on-one tutoring. In addition, the firm offers a unique Delaware private school for all grades. Back to Basics is the 2010 Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics.