Introduction:
This interview was conducted with Ross Blankenship, President and Founder of Top Test Prep.
Top Test Prep's Start:
Top Test Prep was developed one night in my Cornell University dorm room. Staying up late that night, I contemplated the teaching job I had with a large test prep company. My passion had always been teaching, but I was dismayed to learn that this other company was focusing too much on profit, and not enough on improving scores. Thus, I formed Top Test Prep and set out on a mission to positively change the test prep industry.
I began tutoring several local students and found that each student needed individualized and customized test prep plans. After working with hundreds of students, I began writing PSAT, SAT and ACT practice problems and hiring only top 1% instructors to help teach these programs.
Top Test Prep grew quickly as parents saw our unique approach to test prep and private tutoring. My approach merged both high quality instructors with personalized and customized strategies. We expanded from our SAT and ACT programs to help students prepare for many more tests.
Our “Fear No Test” philosophy also began as a result of seeing many students with major test anxiety. Our test prep program implements this philosophy to alleviate test taking fears and anxieties. I admit that a good part of test prep is building confidence, above anything else. With solid strategies and working on a student’s confidence levels, we can help a student’s scores go up substantially.
Test Prep Available:
TopTestPrep.com helps students prepare for 11 different tests including the SSAT, ISEE, PSAT, SAT, ACT, LSAT, GMAT, MCAT, GRE, HSPT, and TOEFL exams.
Top Test Prep also prepares students for private school entrance exams, college admissions, and graduate admissions tests.
Study Courses Offered:
We offer private tutoring (in-home), courses in schools, and online live tutoring options for students.
Choosing the Right Top Test Prep Program:
Before any program, we consult with the family to get a sense of what kind of student their son or daughter is in school. Further, we look at previous test scores and then customize a plan that includes several practice tests throughout the program. As many tutoring and test prep companies just try to improve weaknesses, i.e. math or verbal, we actually focus time in private tutoring to enhancing their existing strengths. For example, if a student is already strong in math, we’ll make sure they can absolutely master the section before moving forward. If a student is better in verbal, we’ll make sure they’ve got the verbal section mastered. Admissions offices absolutely love seeing a student shine in one area because it allows them to know which school major is best suited for them.
Throughout Top Test Prep’s programs, our diagnostic exams see if the tutoring or courses are actually working, and we’ll make adjustments immediately if they’re not.
How The Test Prep Program Works:
All of our private tutoring and test prep courses are based on previously administered tests. It’s my firm belief that a student does better the more familiar they are with the actual test. For example, if we’re preparing a student for the SAT exam, we use our database that includes every single SAT that has been administered. We use these actual practice tests and merge them with our “Top Test Prep Strategies” handbook. And if we’re preparing a student for the LSAT or GMAT, we use practice LSAT tests and practice GMAT tests from the test makers.
Top Test Prep’s core is based on actual test problems, as we believe there’s a reason why we test makers calls these exams, “standardized tests.” After having researched hundreds of old exams, we’ve found patterns and standards within them. We simplify these patterns for students and give innovative strategies for taking these tests.
Top Test Prep's Affordability:
For our private tutoring programs, we beat Kaplan and Princeton Review’s pricing. We’re price competitive with every company out there. We understand that not every one can afford private tutoring, but we’ll do what it takes cost-wise to make sure a family can experience our programs.
For our courses in middle schools and high schools, we have a model that allows any financial aid student to take a Top Test Prep course at a reduced rate. Additionally, for every 10 students in our SAT and ACT high school courses, we give one free spot to college counselors. College counselors can then give this spot to one of their students who are unable to pay for a test prep course.
Top Test Prep's Advantages:
There are three advantages we have over these companies.
Instructors. We have the highest quality instructors. We’re the only test prep company in the country who sets a top 1% score standard for any tutor we hire. This means that every Top Test Prep instructor has scored in the 1% percentile for any tests they teach.
- Face-to-Face Tutoring. Second, some companies are shifting to “online models.” The reality of test taking is that you still go to a room, fill out a bubble sheet and take notes in your test book. We believe it’s crucial that every student in our program experience the test, as it will be taken. To use an analogy – imagine if you were training to run a marathon and you only trained on a treadmill. I doubt you would be prepared for the real marathon. Thus, our in-person model is more personalized and simulates the actual test-taking environment. This is crucial for improving scores. As these companies shift away from core in-person programs, we’ll gladly fill the gap they leave behind.
- Customization. Third, we customize every program. These other companies use templates and pre-built models, without knowing exactly what a student needs.
Top Test Prep's Guarantee:
If a student isn’t impressed with their score improvement, we’ll continue tutoring them at no cost until they’re happy. Students can call us anytime and tell us if they aren’t satisfied. We will do what it takes to make sure every student sees his or her score go up.
