Effective preparation is the key to excelling in college entrance exams.
The mere mention of college entrance exams can send chills down the spine of even the most assured students. But there’s no need to worry, assures Varun Tewari, the owner of Victory Step Test Prep, which has branches in Dallas and Plano. “The ACT and SAT can be quite dull; getting through them is already half the challenge,” Varun remarks with a laugh.
Victory Step specializes in preparing students for the ACT and SAT, along with offering academic tutoring for grades 6 through 12. Additionally, they assist college students in preparing for the GRE and GMAT. The company offers personalized tutoring sessions in students’ homes or in small classroom settings at various locations. CBS News has recognized Victory Step as one of the Top 5 Best Test Prep and Tutoring Companies in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
Tewari believes that Victory Step distinguishes itself from competitors for several reasons:
1. Exceptional tutors. Victory Step selects only those individuals who have scored in the top 2% on the SAT or ACT.
2. Dynamic instructors who make learning enjoyable.
3. A comprehensive and tailored curriculum designed to address specific weaknesses identified through an initial practice test.
4. Affordable tutoring options.
“Our goal is to ensure students are satisfied with their results, which can only be achieved through practice,” Tewari explains. Victory Step aims to immerse students in a ‘test zone’ to enhance their endurance. It’s crucial for students to be mentally and physically ready to excel, which includes getting ample sleep, eating a nutritious breakfast on the test day, and being fully prepared for the exam.
In general, college admissions are influenced by about 20% extracurricular involvement, 35% GPA, and 45% standardized test scores. However, the distribution of study time is often unbalanced. “During their high school years, students typically dedicate around 400-500 hours to extracurriculars, about 4000-5000 hours to maintain their GPA, and merely 4 hours for the ACT or SAT prep without guidance,” Tewari notes. To address this imbalance, Victory Step offers 50 hours of class instruction alongside 50 hours of homework.
Tewari measures his success through customer satisfaction and referrals. For instance, Plano resident Sheree Rose reports that her son’s ACT Composite score increased by 5 points after attending Victory Step (the Composite score, which averages the four ACT test scores: English, Math, Reading, and Science, ranges from 1 [lowest] to 36 [highest]). “I wish I had known about Victory Step for all my children. They have a remarkable talent for teaching and inspiring students,” she says.
Tewari emphasizes that summer is an ideal period for ACT and SAT preparation. “This time allows students to absorb more material without the distractions of AP exams or school year activities,” he explains.
“This time allows students to absorb more material without distractions like AP exams or school year activities.” –
– Varun Tewari, owner of Victory Step Test Prep
