The SAT I—or simply the SAT—is an exam that prepares juniors and seniors for college entrance. The SAT is often a requirement for many colleges and universities. Although it does not serve as the sole predictor of a student’s ability, it does serve as one of many indicators of how well a student performs in basic 9th and 10th grade quantitative and verbal skills. The SAT is divided into three parts: 1) Critical Reading; 2) Writing; and 3) Mathematics. The goal of the CERTA Prep Course for the SAT is two-fold: 1) To familiarize students with what they can expect on the SAT exam in terms of reading, writing, and quantitative skills; and 2) To strengthen and improve students’ test-taking skills. By achieving this goal, we help students increase their overall scores and improve their opportunities in the college selection process.

If you would like to register for the next CERTA SAT Prep Course, please click here.

Like the SAT I, the SAT II is an exam that prepares juniors and seniors for college entrance. However, the SAT II is a subject area test that students take in order to demonstrate their expertise and competence in a specific discipline of interest. These disciplines include: Literature, history, mathematics, a specific foreign language (e.g., Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish), chemistry, biology, and physics. A high score on one or more of the SAT subject area tests can serve as a positive component of a student’s application for college. In most cases, students do not need to take the SAT subject test if they performed well in an Advanced Placement course for that particular subject. By achieving this goal, we help students increase their overall scores and improve their opportunities in the college selection process.

If you would like to register for 1-on-1 instruction in any one of the SAT subject test areas, please click here.

The purpose for taking the PSAT exam is two-fold: 1) First, it prepares high school sophomores to identify what they need to know for the SAT I; 2) Second, a high score on the PSAT may make a student eligible for a merit scholarship for college. Like the SAT, the PSAT is divided into three parts: 1) Critical Reading; 2) Writing; and 3) Mathematics. However, students do not need to write an essay, and the exam in general is shorter in length. The goal of the CERTA Prep Course for the SAT is two-fold: 1) To familiarize students with what they can expect on the PSAT exam in terms of reading, writing, and quantitative skills; and 2) To strengthen and improve students’ test-taking skills. By achieving this goal, we help students increase their overall scores and improve their opportunities in the college selection process.

If you would like to register for the next CERTA PSAT Prep Course, please click here.

The ACT is an exam that prepares juniors and seniors for college entrance. The ACT is often a requirement for many colleges and universities. Some colleges and universities require students to take the ACT (i.e., and not the SAT), while others require a college entrance examination but the student has the option to take the ACT or SAT. Like the SAT, CERTA’s goals in preparing students for the ACT are to engage them in the content for the exam and to assist students in improving their test-taking strategies. By achieving this goal, we help students increase their overall scores and improve their opportunities in the college selection process.

If you would like to register for 1-on-1 instruction for ACT preparation, please click here.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is an exam that prepares college graduates who have earned a baccalaureate (i.e., Bachelor degree), and who wish to pursue graduate school. The GRE is often a requirement for most graduate programs in colleges and universities throughout the country—particularly programs in the arts and sciences. The GRE is used as one of many indicators of a student’s ability. The GRE is similar in content to the SAT, although the sections may appear more challenging. The SAT is divided into three parts: 1) Verbal; 2) Analytical; and 3) Quantitative. CERTA offers educational services for students who need to take a specified civil service exam in a particular area. By achieving this goal, we help students increase their overall scores and improve their opportunities in the college selection process.

If you would like to register for 1-on-1 instruction for GRE preparation, please click here.

The Catholic High School Entrance Exam is a standardized test that measures students’ verbal and quantitative abilities by the time they are in the 8th grade. CERTA offers tutoring services or classes for Catholic High School Entrance Exam preparation. Although the exam is not generally required for students to enter a catholic high school, it is required for students who wish to apply to competitive catholic high schools. The exam is divided into two areas—verbal and quantitative. The verbal component of the exam consists of four sections: critical reading, spelling and vocabulary, grammar, and writing. The grammar section is divided into four parts: capitalization, punctuation, usage, and sentence sense. The quantitative component is divided into two parts: arithmetic and problem solving. Like the other standardized tests, CERTA’s goals in preparing students for the Catholic High School Entrance Exam are to familiarize students with the actual content that they will find on the exam and to assist them in improving their test-taking strategies.

If you would like to register for the next CERTA Catholic High School Prep Course, please click here.

Our mA+h Plus program prepares young students for the increasingly "high-stakes" testing environment in schools today. The goal of the course is to improve your child’s mathematical skills for the ever-important high-stakes mathematics achievement tests. mA+h Plus Level 1 is designed for grades 3 and 4. mA+h Plus Level 2 is designed for grades 5 and 6. We incorporate test-taking strategies, yet at the same time, our experienced teachers provide a stimulating environment that is essential for all students to do well in math. The many features of each course make it one of the most comprehensive available.

If you would like to register for the next CERTA mA+h Plus Course, please click here.

The specialized high school preparation tests are given to students to assess their verbal and quantitative abilities by the time they are in the 8th grade. There are several specialized high school preparation tests that are used as criteria for high school entrance. These tests include the Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT), the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE), and the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT). CERTA offers tutoring services or classes in all of these tests. Although these tests are not generally required for students to enter certain high schools, they often are required for students who wish to apply to competitive high schools. The exam is divided into two areas—verbal and quantitative. The verbal component of the exam consists of four sections: critical reading, spelling and vocabulary, grammar, and writing. The grammar section is divided into four parts: capitalization, punctuation, usage, and sentence sense. The quantitative component is divided into two parts: arithmetic and problem solving. Like the other standardized tests, CERTA’s goals in preparing students for each of the specialized high school preparation tests are to familiarize students with the actual content that they will find on the exam and to assist them in improving their test-taking strategies.

If you would like to register for 1-on-1 instruction for any one of the Specialized High School Entrance Exams, please click here.

Certain tests are mandatory for specific occupations. These occupations include those related to secretarial and clerical work, air traffic control operations, law enforcement, and for various entry level jobs that require technological skill. Most, but not all, government positions are filled based on an examination relating to the background of the occupation. CERTA offers educational services for students who need to take a specified civil service exam in a particular area.

If you would like to register for 1-on-1 instruction for any one of the Civil Service Exams, please click here.

The Content Specialty Tests (CSTs) are exams that measure teacher candidates’ content knowledge in specific knowledge domains. The Content Specialty Tests that assess knowledge in specific areas are required for teacher candidates who wish to teach at the secondary school level. There are Content Specialty Tests in the following areas: English language arts, mathematics, science and technology, social studies, the fine arts, health and fitness, family and consumer science and career development, and reading. There is also the multi-subject Content Specialty Test, which is required for teacher candidates who wish to teach at the elementary school level. CERTA offers educational services for pre-service and in-service teachers who need to prepare for one or more of the Content Specialty Tests.

If you would like to register for 1-on-1 instruction for any one of the Content Specialty Tests, please click here.

The Liberal Arts and Science Test (LAST) is an exam required for teacher candidates who wish to become certified. It is a general content test that measures a student’s high-school level knowledge in five broad areas: English, mathematics, science, history and social studies, and arts and humanities. The LAST also contains an essay component. CERTA offers educational services for pre-service teachers who need to prepare for the LAST.

If you would like to register for 1-on-1 instruction for LAST preparation, please click here.

The Secondary Assessment of Teaching Skills (ATS-W) is an exam required for teacher candidates who wish to become certified. It is a test that measures a student’s general knowledge of education and issues related to teaching and learning. The ATS-W also contains an essay component. CERTA offers educational services for pre-service teachers who need to prepare for the ATS-W.

If you would like to register for 1-on-1 instruction for ATS-W preparation, please click here.

The General Educational Development (GED) Exam, which is also referred to as the General Equivalency Diploma, is an examination which certifies that a student has the equivalent content knowledge of a high-school graduate. The test generally measures a student’s academic ability in the areas of English, mathematics, science, and social studies. CERTA offers educational services for students who wish to prepare for the GED.

If you would like to register for 1-on-1 instruction for GED preparation, please click here.

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is an exam that is used to measure someone’s qualifications for enlistment into one of the United States Armed Forces. There are nine subtests in all. They are: general science, arithmetic reasoning, word knowledge, paragraph comprehension, mathematics knowledge, electronics information, mechanical comprehension, auto and shop information, and assembling objects. CERTA offers educational services for students who wish to prepare for the ASVAB or any other test that is administered by the United States Military Entrance Processing Command.

If you would like to register for 1-on-1 instruction for ASVAB preparation, please click here.