<p>I will be shortly starting to tutor math for SAT Math 1 and 2 and I wanted to get some input from folks on this board. I have a graduate degree in engineering with extensive exposure to math. I love math, and I have been brushing up for these exams for about few weeks. I feel like I will need to score close to 99 percentile on Math 1 and 2, to be considered by any tutoring agency. Based on the diagnostic tests, I am doing well so far. To me it seems, that SAT II Math is more like a puzzle. They are not hard, but there are all kinds of traps. </p>
<p>My question is, do many students seek tutoring help for SAT Math subject tests? Would I be able to find enough students to tutor, or most students who take SAT II are bright enough for self study. I did not get a sense from Kaplan or Princeton Review that they have steady stream of students asking for help in SAT Math 1 and 2. </p>
<p>Personally, I would prefer to stay away from these test companies because they seem to make things rigid for tutors. However, without a good base of referrals I am in a difficult situaton. That is why thought I would start by taking the October test, so that I can at least show prospective students and parents that I am scored 800, and even that may not be enough because 99 percentile may require just one mistake. In addition, I need to be able to teach students to solve and attack these problems from different angles. </p>
<p>What other things should keep in mind as I plunge into tutoring? What would be good ways of building a reputation? How about starting with a smaller local tutoring firm?</p>
<p>I would appreciate any feedback from some of the veterans on this board. </p>
<p>dabral, it would make sense to do a market research in your area before undertaking a major preparation. Visit or call schools and ask college counselors whether there are many students taking SAT II math.
Try to find out how many of them use or have used a private tutor.
You may discover that the numbers are very small.</p>
<p>First, relatively small % of students takes SAT II math.
Second, as you suspected, most of those who take it are pretty strong to begin with and either do fine with some self-study or without it altogether.</p>
<p>As far as I know, in the past Kaplan practically did not offer SAT II math classes, and PR had very few of them. You got a right impression about that too.</p>
<p>Also, big companies would never assign you as a tutor without slaving you for at least a couple of years as a low payed class instructor.</p>
<p>On this forum there is very little talk about tutoring, especially for the SAT II math. Must be an indicator.</p>
<p>In my opinion, in order to get into the SAT tutoring field, the most practical thing would be mastering all three parts of the regular SAT and offering a "package service", preferably with a mid-size reputable company.
Sorry if I discouraged you.</p>
<p>Thanks gcf. I really appreciate your input. I suspected that there may not be many students needing tutoring for SAT II Math. I am in the Berkeley area, and I am pretty certain that a lot of incoming students take SAT II Math. But these students are from all of over California, and I will have to find out how many are locals. </p>
<p>I have never taken the regular SAT, and the ads I have seen for smaller tutoring agencies seem to ask for a high score on SAT Math IIs. At least 800 on SAT Math 2 and 780 on SAT Math 1 subject tests. Because I have not tutored high school students preparing for SATs, I thought a good score might be a way to get in the door of these companies. </p>
<p>I like your suggestion of packaging all three math sections of the SATs. I also plan on adding AP Calculus, but I will put the preparation on hold until I have a better sense of the number of students seeking tutoring in this area. </p>
<p>It does seem that the basic SAT I Math is the bread and butter of the tutoring companies like Princeton and Kaplan. Personally, I would prefer not to get inolved with them. </p>
<p>Interestingly, going through the archives in this forum I get a sense that a lot of students could use help in SAT Math II tests, based on their questions and responses. But needing help and seeking help are two different things. </p>
<p>I will just have to find out for myself. Thanks for your time and input.</p>