3R's: Recharge, Refresh, Review
By Rosanna Llenado
Contributor

Though College Admission Test (CAT) season does not start until August, it is not too early to start reviewing as soon as school is out.

The CAT is one of the most important tests in a student’s life if the target destination is a major university in the country.

Board and bar examinations may be taken a few times, giving a person a better chance of passing after the first try. But a CAT given by any of the top colleges and universities may be taken only once. There are no second chances.

Of the 100,000 who apply every year for admission to the top three universities- Ateneo de Manila University, De la Salle University and the University of the Philippines (in alphabetical order) – only 10 percent pass. The remaining 90 percent compete with 400,000 other students to get into other colleges.

Parents may want to tutor their college-bound children for two reasons: they can closely monitor their kid’s progress, and it will save them money. But many of them soon realize they are not knowledgeable enough in all subjects (e.g., algebra. Physics). Also, not all parents have flexible work schedules, so their downtime does not coincide with their kid’s free time.

Entrance exams cover a wide range of topics – mathematics (arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry); science (natural science, chemistry, physics); languages (English 1-4, reading comprehension, and grammar); and other subjects such as history, geography, current events, arts, abstract, and logical reasoning, and essay-writing.

Students who try to review on their own may not cover all subjects in two months. They can read all relevant books and notes and still end up ill-prepared. They can surely use some help.

In shopping for a CAT review center, there are 10 questions you should ask t help you make the right choice.

1.     Does the review center have a solid foundation and a proven track record? How long a review center has been operating and its reputation are important.

The review center should also have a passer’s list every year that shows how many students it tutored made it to the top three universities that give very difficult entrance exams.

2.    Does it have a test-based review program? A test-based review program is patterned after specific college entrance tests and designed to give students appropriate preparation for a certain exam. It allows students to focus on the things that will be taken up in the exam, reducing waste of time and effort studying irrelevant topics.

3.    Does the review program develop learning by doing? This is based on Edgar Dale’s Cone of Experience Theory: “Research shows that people retain 10 percent of what they read, 20 percent of what they hear, 30 percent of what they see, and 90 percent of what they do.”

4.      Does the review center give specialized diagnostic tests? A well-designed diagnostic test lets students know where they stand at the start of the review and what they need to do to improve their standing.

5.    Does it give simulated tests? Simulated tests are the closest experience a student will get to the actual exams. These are designed based on the topics, questions, levels of difficulty, and the time limits of real entrance tests.

6.      Does it use well-researched materials? Quality educational materials are the result of years of research and planning. They ensure that students have access to the best references.

7.     Does it employ high caliber teachers and lecturers who finished at the top one percent of their classes? They must be young, dynamic, and able to relate well to students.

8.     Does it employ review assistants? Current market research shows there is only one review center with review assistants. Being former students of the review center, they understand the pressures and difficulties of reviewing for college entrance tests. They can motivate and discipline students.

9.      Does it hold special orientation seminars for parents and students? The orientation must provide a greater understanding of the importance of college entrance exams, a deeper insight on the top universities, and tips before, during, and after the review.

10.  Does it offer a refresher course? The refresher course not only “refreshes” the students’ minds, or helps them recall topics taken up in their review classes; it should also boost their confidence and inspire them.

The author is managing director of Ahead Tutorial & Review Center that offers tutorial and review services for all ages with branches in Katipunan, Greenhills, Robinsons Galleria, Makati, Alabang, and Dagupan. Visit www.aheadph.com, or call 4260034-36.