Meet Evan

Meet Evan

We are excited to introduce Evan, one of our 2021 scholars. Through dedication and hard work, Evan achieved a 98th percentile on the SSAT!

Evan is an avid athlete who has played hockey since kindergarten and more recently picked up tennis. In addition to training for his athletic endeavors, he enjoys golfing with his family, reading, and gaming. Evan is currently learning how to drive and is looking forward to getting his license. He strives to work hard in all of his pursuits and to be courteous and helpful to others.

In school, Evan is especially drawn to mathematics. He finds the way concepts build on each other year after year fascinating. He also has developed an interest in Latin, a language he hopes to continue studying through 12th grade, and biology. In fact, his biology class last year inspired him to research career options in the field.

Preparation

When Evan first took the SSAT, he encountered some material that had not yet been covered in school. The scoring analysis on the Test Innovators platform helped him identify the specific content areas that needed improvement. Evan then studied the answer explanations for questions he missed on the practice tests to understand where he was making mistakes and how to avoid making the same mistakes next time. Through targeted practice, Even was able to improve these weaker areas, master concepts that he had not yet learned in school, and improve his scores dramatically.

Evan found that Test Innovators allowed him to simulate the real conditions of the SSAT and prepare mentally for test day. He built up his endurance by taking full-length practice tests in one sitting. He was also able to improve his time management significantly. He said that by the end of his preparation, “I did a lot better on being able to look over a problem and immediately recognize if I was going to do it right then or if I was going to set it aside for later so that I could first finish those problems that I knew I could get done.”

If he were to prepare again, Evan would spend more time focusing on what he did well in order to reinforce and build upon his skills and good habits. He said, “I think when you’re trying to improve, it’s really easy to say, ‘Here’s what I did wrong; I need to go fix that,’ but in the process you kind of lose some of what helped you succeed on the ones you got right.”

Advice for Students

Evan’s advice for other students is to try not to feel stressed and rushed when taking the test, because “that’s what makes mistakes.” He said that while it is important to move along at a good pace, “you need to make sure… you’re not feeling rushed, that you’re not getting something done purely to get it done. You want to be doing something right.” He advised students not to let the time pressure of the test distract them from the test itself.

Advice for Parents

Evan’s parents advised families to “stick with the Test Innovators program.” They explained, “The sample tests are rigorous and will help to clearly identify your child’s strengths and weaknesses. While it can be tough for your son or daughter to see those weaknesses, the program provides a clear explanation of the correct answer for each question and will help to put your child on the right track. Consistent use of the program leading up to the test paid off for our son.”

New School

Evan is currently in 10th grade at Salisbury School, an all-boys boarding school in Connecticut. He ultimately selected Salisbury because of its close sense of community and strong athletic program. Evan hopes to continue competing in mountain biking, hockey, and tennis.

Test Innovators is Here to Help

Test Innovators is committed to helping students get into their top-choice schools. We help students prepare for the ISEE and SSAT, so that they can put their best foot forward on test day. Our online platform provides each student with the most impactful practice, teaching them test-taking skills and helping them build confidence.

Test Innovators also helps students and families prepare for other aspects of the admissions process to independent schools. Our online Admissions Prep course includes interactive videos and exercises to help families understand how schools evaluate prospective students, prepare for the student and parent interviews, and craft excellent essays.