
Cole
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: University of Alabama - Bachelor in Arts, Philosophy (minor: Economics)
Graduate Degree: University of Arizona - PHD, Philosophy
LSAT: 177
Music, Czech, History, Comedy
Ethics
GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment
GMAT Integrated Reasoning
GMAT Quantitative
GMAT Verbal
Medical Ethics
Other
Quantitative Reasoning
Social Sciences
Summer
What is your teaching philosophy?
I find it helpful to give a high-level overview of what needs to be learned, then take a very careful step-by-step walk through it, and finally sum up of the main points worth remembering. Some students will be quick enough to get it right away and I can speed up the walk-through, but it's useful for everyone to go through things properly and methodically.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
For standardized tests, I begin by seeing what sections are giving the most trouble. Then I focus on a section, and go through the different types/formats of questions that can be expected. Then, for most of the session, we talk about strategies and shortcuts to get correct answers quickly.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
We go back to basics. These skills are always built on something more fundamental. So if we practice the fundamentals, we not only reinforce those skills for easier questions, but we build a bridge to more difficult questions. It's not as if the student is utterly incapable of learning the skill/concept; it's just that we've found an area that requires additional practice and discussion.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
I find that an overview of the entire test is useful so that the student has a rough idea of what to expect. Then we can zero in on any sections that can be expected to present a special challenge.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
Sometimes it is useful to see a test or a subject as a game. If all you're trying to do is learn the rules of the game and get more points, there is less stress in learning. And once you improve your skills, it's natural to take an interest in the goals of the game for their own sake, and appreciate why the subject is worthwhile.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
Practice makes perfect. If a student sees the same type of problem again and again, and begins to go through the steps on their own, they are halfway there. If they can walk me through a problem on their own, as if I were their student, then they have achieved understanding.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I typically use practice materials from the testmakers themselves and from test prep companies. Of course, it's always good to be able to explain the material in a different way if necessary, but usually there is no substitute for the actual questions the test tends to ask.