Achieving high scores on college entrance exams is primarily about effective preparation.
The thought of college entrance exams can strike fear into the hearts of even the most assured students. However, Varun Tewari, founder of Victory Step Test Prep with branches in Dallas and Plano, reassures students, stating, “Both the ACT and SAT can be quite mundane, so a significant part of success is simply enduring the test,” he quips.
Victory Step specializes in providing preparation for the ACT and SAT, offering academic tutoring for students in grades 6 through 12, as well as coaching for college-level exams like the GRE and GMAT. Instruction is available through personalized tutoring sessions at students’ homes or in intimate groups at one of Tewari’s facilities. CBS News has recognized Victory Step as one of the Top 5 Best Test Prep and Tutoring Services in the Dallas/Fort Worth region.
Tewari attributes Victory Step’s excellence to several key factors:
1. Exceptional tutors. The company only recruits individuals who have achieved scores in the top 2% on the SAT or ACT.
2. Dynamic instructors who make learning enjoyable and engaging.
3. A detailed, customized curriculum designed to address individual weaknesses identified through an initial practice examination.
4. Affordable tutoring options.
“Our aim is to ensure that students are pleased with their outcomes. This is primarily achieved through practice,” Tewari notes. He emphasizes that Victory Step prepares students mentally and physically for testing, helping them to build endurance. This preparation includes ensuring they get adequate sleep, eat a nutritious breakfast on exam day, and are ready to face the test head-on.
Typically, college admissions criteria are determined by 20% extracurricular activities, 35% GPA, and 45% standardized test scores; however, the time allocated for each component is often disproportionate. “During their high school years, students typically invest about 400-500 hours in extracurricular activities, approximately 4000-5000 hours on their GPA, and just around 4 hours for the ACT or SAT, excluding preparatory work,” Tewari explains. To address the lack of sufficient preparation for standardized tests, Victory Step offers 50 hours of classroom instruction alongside 50 hours of homework assignments.
Tewari gauges his success by the satisfaction of his clients and the referrals that follow. For instance, Plano resident Sheree Rose recounts how her son’s ACT Composite score improved by 5 points after lessons with Victory Step. (The Composite score, which can range from 1 to 36, is the average of four ACT sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science.) “I wish I had found Victory Step for all my children. They excel at teaching and inspiring students,” she shares.
Tewari highlights that summer is an ideal time to prepare for the ACT and SAT. “This period allows for a better retention of material, providing a consistent approach without interruptions from AP exams or other school-year commitments.”
“Summer is an ideal season for ACT and SAT preparation. It’s an excellent time for material retention… free from distractions like AP exams or school-year commitments.” –
– Varun Tewari, founder of Victory Step Test Prep
