This first way of learning, that babies do intuitively, is still the best way. It's how you learned to walk. It's how you learned to talk. And nobody ever gave you a manual for either of those complicated tasks.

Like most things in life, there is more than one way to solve a standardized test problem. But not all methods are created equal. You can use scissors to cut your lawn, or you can use a riding lawnmower. Both get the job done, but I know which one I'd choose.

I keep things simple, because simple tools are better than complex ones. They are easier to learn, easier to use, and (because they are general-purpose) more broadly applicable.

No two students are alike, so why prescribe the same program for everyone? That approach will only lead to boredom, frustration, or both…I respect that, having gone through it myself, so I will always take a "most bang for your buck" approach to tutoring. I won't waste your time.

My goal is to demonstrate that although there may be 50, 60, even 70 questions in a section, they aren't all different problems. This builds confidence and helps avoid "paralysis by analysis" - the bane of every decision-maker.

Intensity of effort, not volume of effort, is what gets results. Focused practice is what helps you break things into components, spot subtle differences, discern patterns, and sharpen your attention to detail. It helps you form new habits.

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When a student can both see the path and calculate the steps, then she has a realistic blueprint for how to get there, and increased motivation to get moving. It's no longer about if we get there; it's about when.

These aren't just test-taking skills. They are life skills - I teach students how to solve problems. And what part of life isn't about problem-solving?