How do you identify a good MCAT VR tutor?

[Gauss44]

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1. Do you believe that a good MCAT VR tutor has to be able to read MCAT passages and do the questions all under 8 minutes, and do a good job? What if your tutor took over 10 minutes and got most of the questions wrong on the one and only passage you did together?

2. Would you trust a tutor who specializes in ACT/SAT prep, if s/he told you to read MCAT questions before reading MCAT passages? (I think that's routine for ACT/SAT but doesn't work for MCAT. Feel free to differ with me about this.) The tutor I have in mind always talks about the ACT/SAT but rarely mentions the MCAT. I'm concerned that she knows too little about the MCAT to help me. Any thoughts about whether or not this could be a good tutor anyway?

3. Would you trust a tutor who insists that you need to pass all of the end of chapter tests in Warriners Grammar (a grammar school book, up to chapter 22) before preparing for MCAT VR? I actually tolerated that from a tutor, possibly being too trusting, and then I quit because I didn't feel we were getting anywhere. Later I found out that his next step was to start EK 101. I dunno, maybe I should give him another chance?

I just wish it were easier to find a good tutor. Please provide relevant advice about finding a good MCAT VR tutor. Thanks.

 

[Jepstein30]

1. Do you believe that a good MCAT VR tutor has to be able to read MCAT passages and do the questions all under 8 minutes, and do a good job? What if your tutor took over 10 minutes and got most of the questions wrong on the one and only passage you did together?

2. Would you trust a tutor who specializes in ACT/SAT prep, if s/he told you to read MCAT questions before reading MCAT passages? (I think that's routine for ACT/SAT but doesn't work for MCAT. Feel free to differ with me about this.) The tutor I have in mind always talks about the ACT/SAT but rarely mentions the MCAT. I'm concerned that she knows too little about the MCAT to help me. Any thoughts about whether or not this could be a good tutor anyway?

3. Would you trust a tutor who insists that you need to pass all of the end of chapter tests in Warriners Grammar (a grammar school book, up to chapter 22) before preparing for MCAT VR? I actually tolerated that from a tutor, possibly being too trusting, and then I quit because I didn't feel we were getting anywhere. Later I found out that his next step was to start EK 101. I dunno, maybe I should give him another chance?

I just wish it were easier to find a good tutor. Please provide relevant advice about finding a good MCAT VR tutor. Thanks.

Go to your other post and read my opinion on using an SAT/ACT tutor for MCAT prep. It's a wholly terrible idea as at its basis, the two tests require two entirely different skill sets (reading comprehension vs. critical thinking).

1) Yes. For sciences, there's leeway as there's just so much content out there that no tutor will bat 1.000. But for the verbal section, it's all strategy and critical thinking skills. If you can't demonstrate those skills, how are you supposed to teach those skills? Adding in failing in the timing component (one of the hardest parts of the test, for most) doesn't help. No tutor needs to get every question right but they should 1) generally know how to attack each question 2) get most right and 3) when they get it wrong, be able to quickly identify what went wrong. They shouldn't take ten minutes and get more wrong than right. Not to mention, it sounds like this is your tutor's first experience with MCAT verbal prep because almost any other tutor with experience would have seen the same passages countless times already.. and at the very least, a tolerable tutor would have done his homework. No excuse in this regard IMO.

There's a reason almost every single prep company requires a minimum score to teach. A high score doesn't equate to a good teacher, but you'd bet on a good teacher having a high score. The bigger reason here though is that they have experience with the test, its nuances and at least some insight onto which strategies work.

2) No, no, no, no, no. This works for the ACT/SAT BECAUSE those tests are about reading comprehension. Everything is in the passage.. almost word for word with just some translation needed. So a good strategy is to figure out WHAT the questions will ask you about ahead of time (and it's still not a strategy that works for everyone). On the MCAT, that doesn't work because the questions are never detail orientated, typically ask about the main idea of the passage and/or involve critical thinking (applying passage info to new situation, applying new info to passage, inferences, assumptions, etc.). Wasting time to figure out that the questions will ask you about the main idea is pointless.. given you should always be reading for the main idea anyways.

Open up a SAT book and compare the questions to the MCAT. They are drastically different. Obviously they are harder, but that's not my point. It's the TYPE of question that differs and that's why an entirely different skillset/strategy is required. Generally, students who succeed on one, excel at the other.. but that's not because the skills overlap extensively.

3) What? No, no, no, no, no. Is this the same SAT tutor? because this sounds like something that would be done for the writing section (and even then, it's a pretty poor way to prep for that section). In what world is grammar needed to succeed on the MCAT?

It sounds like to me that you found a SAT/ACT verbal tutor who has no clue what they're talking about when it comes to the MCAT, failed on the MCAT-like passage himself and for this and many of the above reasons, should be avoided. If you can't find a good MCAT VR tutor, look into LSAT/GRE. Those tests are also focused on critical thinking rather than reading comprehension, so at least you'll be developing the same skillset required of you on the MCAT from someone who is qualified in teaching those strategies/skills.

Don't worry about HOW the tutor plans to teach you (EK101 vs. TPRH, as long as its obviously MCAT-level passages) but focus on the WHAT. PM me if you want to talk more about how to find a better tutor.

 

[gettheleadout]

I have a feeling you can rule out your current tutor option(s) by simply looking only amongst double-digit VR scorers (on real MCAT's).

 

[inycepoo]

I have a feeling you can rule out your current tutor option(s) by simply looking only amongst double-digit VR scorers (on real MCAT's).

I would go higher – ≥11 within the past 3 years or bust.

 

[kreme]

Two things you need to look for in a tutor.
1. Evidence that they have shown mastery in whatever it is that they're tutoring
2. An ability to convey their mastery to you.

Finding a good tutor is hard, but the first step is confirming they have a high score in verbal. Finding out their teaching ability is best done through previous reviews or you taking the chance to sit through a couple of sessions.

 

[gettheleadout]

I would go higher – ≥11 within the past 3 years or bust.

Yeah I'd agree.

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

A good score seems like a top priority for a good tutor, but there are other important factors. Just because someone scores a 13 or higher in a section doesn't mean they automatically know how to help you get to that same score. They have to be a good one-on-one teacher and able to recognize where your are struggling when you don't see it. Does your tutor listen to you and adapt to your needs (are they flexible in their methods and do they have a way to assess your skills and weaknesses)? Do you understand what they are telling you? There are many people who are excellent at a given section that can't explain what it is they do.

If I were to seek out a tutor, I'd start by having them help with a passage I found particularly difficult. I'd cover up the answers so they had to take it blindly like I did at first. If they get anything less than 6 out of 7, then I'd be leery. They have to know the exam to be able to help you know the exam. When they talk about their thought process out loud, does it give you fresh ideas and strategies and are they getting the question right? Are they insightful and systematic? Many tutors end up reciting an answer to you, which in the long run really doesn't do much. You need someone who engages you to find the answer given what you know rather than feed you the answer with hints.

Second, I would see how much they talk versus listen. It took me a while to learn how to best conduct office hours. I often would speak too much and listen too little. I'd push students on a path to an answer rather than pose intermediate questions about their reasoning as they went through their explanation. Over time I discovered that what helped people the most was to ask them a basic question at the points they felt like they had hit their end. After they worked through the problem, I'd immediately write a similar question and have them explain the logic behind what I was writing (i.e., make them think like the test writer of the previous question). Then I'd have them verbally write an answer explanation. It took a while to learn how to do this. So I would also recommend you see how good a tutor is at writing questions off the top of their head.

Third, I'd trust my gut feeling. I'd actually be worried if the only thing they were telling me about themselves was their good MCAT score or reciting their resume. That matters to some extent, but they should be telling you far more than just their score and degrees. I'd really worry if they started rationalizing their cost and asking you to sign up for a package before proving their ability to connect with you. I'd trust someone who focused on how previous tutees mastered their section. The more people they've tutored in the past, the better they'll be at recognizing typical traps and challenges (which will save you loads of time). I'd trust the person who offered a sample session or suggested you start with a single hour of tutoring before moving on. This will save you time (and money). Make sure it works before putting down a chunk of money.

Tutoring is insanely expensive. There are people I see putting up flyers on campus asking for as much as $40 to $60 per hour. If they work for a company, then you are going to pay even more (their salary plus the company's overhead and staff expenses). I'd look for private tutors working independently, such as a medical student or someone in a gap year. In the long run, it'll be much cheaper and better to audition five different independent tutors at $60/hour and pay $300 to decide on the best one for you than to buy a tutoring package from a company for 16 hours for somewhere between$1500 and $2000.

And by all means, I'd only meet with a tutor in person. I've tried Skype and email office hours before and they waste so much time and lose the critical facial expressions and realtime feedback. An occasional email explanation works out fine, but tutoring must be done in person!

There are plenty of excellent tutors out there. If you really need one, take the time to find a good one.

 

[Jepstein30]

All great advice from BerkReviewTeach.

Tutoring is definitely more than a score. I wouldn't say a score qualifies your teaching ability either way (good or bad) but most of the time, a good tutor will score well on the portion of the exam they are qualified to teach. Tutoring, especially, is more about being able to read your student's expressions in search of misunderstanding and then knowing exactly what you need to say so they get it. Sounds easy but it's not.. at all. Every student is different, learns different and responds differently so it's a constantly evolving relationship that really requires perception over all.

Definitely ask them to showcase themselves in a free session. Most tutors confident in their abilities will do this. For verbal especially, you want someone who can run you through the thought process. As BerkReview said, screw the answer.. it's not as important. Key there is also they should run YOU through the thought process. A good tutor can elicit from YOU the process, rather than just state it themselves and then try to have you replicate it. They should know the questions to ask, when to challenge you and when to shut up and let you keep going down the wrong path. I agree that they should listen as much/more as they should be tlak.. after all, it's your test you are preparing for. We know the tutor can do well, that's not the point.

The ability to craft questions that demonstrate comprehension of a question type or content is also really important. As in, stopping after solving a question btu being challenge by a tutor to answer "What if the question had said this..". This is the sort of thing you want to get in the habit of doing yourself but it's hard to know what a good twist to put on the question is. A tutor who can do this has a good understanding of how a topic is tested.

and yea, don't do anything over Skype. As a tutor, so much of it comes down to reading body language and facial expressions that Skype really doesn't capture as well.

 

[MCATFoxHiring]

finding a good MCAT VR tutor. Thanks.

Call me biased, but I think finding a good company is the first place to start. Companies have precise methods and procedures, and they usually have extensive training for the tutors. At MCAT Fox, we hire smart people, but we train them to be MCAT experts. When a tutor says she, "only got a 32 on the MCAT," we say, "if you make it through training and graduate, you'll help students get 38's and 39's". Not all of our tutors scored 35 or above on the MCAT, but ALL of our current tutors have gotten students 35 or above in 2013. Anyway, here's an example of why you shoul d focus on the company, not the tutor:

MCAT Fox, Int'l
The MCAT Verbal Reasoning is certainly a Reading Comprehension test, but you must treat it like a math test as well, with rules. There are certain "equations" that are always true on the MCAT Verbal section. Here's an example of a set of rules, use this as a template for your MCAT practice and analysis:

16% of all VR Passages are "Prediction" main idea passages.
14% of all VR Questions are Global (Main Idea) questions
Prediction passages must establish a certain future event, not a possible one.
Predictions are never implied.
Predictions can be identified by reading the first paragraph and the last three lines of the last paragraph.
The author might not agree with the prediction, but someone does (e.g. "The president believes that <something> will take place...")

With this set of rules in mind, you should be able to quickly identify whether the passage is a "Prediction" passage or not. Then, on the global question(s), you can quickly eliminate the non-prediction ones. For example:

Which of the following correctly identifies the main idea?

A) "We should invest in natural fibers."
(((That's a RECOMMENDATION, not a PREDICTION, so it's wrong!)))

B) "This trend will continue if Israel purifies water at a consistent rate."
(((That's a CONDITIONAL, not a PREDICTION, so it's wrong!)))

C) "Iran is a more beautiful country than India."
(((That's a COMPARISON, not a PREDICTION, so it's wrong!)))

D) "Syria will produce more exports next year."
(((That's a PREDICTION, so it the only possible right answer. Process of elimination!)))

 

[Happy_Puppy5000]

Call me biased, but I think finding a good company is the first place to start. Companies have precise methods and procedures, and they usually have extensive training for the tutors. At MCAT Fox, we hire smart people, but we train them to be MCAT experts. When a tutor says she, "only got a 32 on the MCAT," we say, "if you make it through training and graduate, you'll help students get 38's and 39's". Not all of our tutors scored 35 or above on the MCAT, but ALL of our current tutors have gotten students 35 or above in 2013. Anyway, here's an example of why you shoul d focus on the company, not the tutor:

MCAT Fox, Int'l
The MCAT Verbal Reasoning is certainly a Reading Comprehension test, but you must treat it like a math test as well, with rules. There are certain "equations" that are always true on the MCAT Verbal section. Here's an example of a set of rules, use this as a template for your MCAT practice and analysis:

16% of all VR Passages are "Prediction" main idea passages.
14% of all VR Questions are Global (Main Idea) questions
Prediction passages must establish a certain future event, not a possible one.
Predictions are never implied.
Predictions can be identified by reading the first paragraph and the last three lines of the last paragraph.
The author might not agree with the prediction, but someone does (e.g. "The president believes that <something> will take place...")

With this set of rules in mind, you should be able to quickly identify whether the passage is a "Prediction" passage or not. Then, on the global question(s), you can quickly eliminate the non-prediction ones. For example:

Which of the following correctly identifies the main idea?

A) "We should invest in natural fibers."
(((That's a RECOMMENDATION, not a PREDICTION, so it's wrong!)))

B) "This trend will continue if Israel purifies water at a consistent rate."
(((That's a CONDITIONAL, not a PREDICTION, so it's wrong!)))

C) "Iran is a more beautiful country than India."
(((That's a COMPARISON, not a PREDICTION, so it's wrong!)))

D) "Syria will produce more exports next year."
(((That's a PREDICTION, so it the only possible right answer. Process of elimination!)))

It is possible that your company is as good as you suggest. However, unfortunately you guys do not have the best reputation.

http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/MCAT-...ng-llc-Jeffrey-Rosenspan-Dr-Ross-Jeff-1108561

So taking that into consider, along with your very high cost, I personally shall stay away.

 

[aspiring20]

i got a 15 on the VR, but i'll make an absolutely terrible tutor. i simply have no strategy, and sometimes, luck and confidence can have major impacts on your score.

 

[Jepstein30]

The MCAT Verbal Reasoning is certainly a Reading Comprehension test, but you must treat it like a math test as well, with rules. There are certain "equations" that are always true on the MCAT Verbal section. Here's an example of a set of rules, use this as a template for your MCAT practice and analysis:

VR is far from a reading comprehension test.

I agree with you that an elite score is not a necessary requirement to teach but in all my experience, I've never even heard of this prediction stuff. Not sure how applicable that really is.