Success on college entrance exams is heavily influenced by preparation.
College entrance exams can send a wave of anxiety through even the most assured student. But there’s no need to worry, according to Varun Tewari, the founder of Victory Step Test Prep, an educational service with branches in Dallas and Plano. “The ACT and SAT can be dull, so part of the challenge is simply getting through the exam,” Varun remarks with a smile.
Victory Step specializes in preparing students for the ACT and SAT, offers tutoring for grades 6 through 12, and assists college students in preparing for the GRE and GMAT exams. They provide personalized tutoring either at the student’s home or in small group sessions at one of Tewari’s centers. CBS News recognized Victory Step as one of the Top 5 Best Test Prep and Tutoring Services in the Dallas/Fort Worth region.
Tewari points out that Victory Step differentiates itself because of:
1. High-caliber tutors. Victory Step only employs individuals who achieved scores in the top 2% on the SAT or ACT.
2. Engaging teachers who make the learning process enjoyable.
3. A comprehensive, personalized curriculum designed to target weaknesses identified from an initial practice test.
4. Affordable instructional fees.
“Our goal is for students to be pleased with their outcomes. This can only be achieved through practice,” Tewari says, explaining that Victory Step prepares students by putting them into the ‘test zone’ to enhance their endurance. They need to be both mentally and physically ready to perform at their highest level, which involves adequate rest, a good breakfast on the day of the test, and a readiness to tackle the exam.
Generally, college admissions are based on 20% extracurricular involvement, 35% GPA, and 45% standardized test scores. However, the distribution of study time is not proportional. “Throughout high school, students invest about 400-500 hours in extracurricular activities, roughly 4000-5000 hours on their GPA, and only about 4 hours preparing for the ACT or SAT without any prep classes,” Tewari notes. To address this imbalance, Victory Step offers 50 hours of classroom instruction plus an additional 50 hours of homework.
Tewari evaluates his success by the satisfaction of his customers and the number of referrals. Sheree Rose, a mother from Plano, shares that her son’s ACT Composite score increased by 5 points after attending Victory Step. (The Composite score ranges from 1 [lowest] to 36 [highest] and is the average of the four ACT subject scores: English, Math, Reading, and Science.) “I wish I had enrolled all my children in Victory Step. They possess a talent for teaching and inspiring,” she says.
Tewari believes that summer is an ideal time to prepare for the ACT and SAT. “It’s an excellent opportunity to retain more information as it’s a steady and gradual process without the distractions of AP exams or the demands of extracurricular activities during the school year.”
“Summer is an excellent time to get ready for the ACT and SAT. It’s an ideal opportunity to retain more information… without the distractions of AP exams or school year activities.”
– Varun Tewari, founder of Victory Step Test Prep
