The Verbal section of the SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test), ISEE, HSPT, SHSAT assess a student's verbal reasoning and understanding of parts of speech, word roots and affixes, nuance and word meaning, and on the SSAT analogies. It is designed to evaluate skills that are essential for success in high school and university. Key components: 

I place a strong emphasis on improving vocabulary. Students may encounter questions that require them to choose the correct 1st or alternate definition of a word or identify synonyms and antonyms. Students are also presented with a word and must select a word that has a similar but not exact meaning. This helps assess their understanding of nuanced language and vocabulary.

I teach how to define difficult words using context, cause and effect, and Latin derivations.

Students are given a foundation of the 12+ relationships of analogies. Students must complete analogies by selecting the correct word that maintains the relationship established in the first pair.

The next section is how to answer reading comprehension questions on sophisticated literature including learning how to identify the main idea, credible supporting details, author’s point of view, theme and analysis of characters. By sharing excerpts we learn together how to read critically, which I model. 

Students are taught how to recognize the structure of texts in various formats: narrative, expository, technical, and persuasive. We practice making educated guesses (inference) drawn from reasoning, evidence, and logic. I teach how to recognize the author’s intent, attitude, and tone. Students will learn to identify rhetorical devices like: alliteration, irony, metaphor, simile, hyperbole, allegories, imagery, onomatopoeia, and personification.

This test preparation class also includes: 
1. Test-Taking Strategies
Time Management: Tutor teaches student how to manage their time effectively during the test, which is crucial for completing all sections within the given time limits.
Question Approaches: Tutor helps student learn strategies for tackling different types of questions, guessing intelligently, and avoiding common pitfalls.

2. Practice and Feedback
Regular Practice Tests: Tutor often administers practice tests to simulate the test environment, helping students build confidence and reduce anxiety.
Detailed Feedback: After practice tests, tutor provides detailed feedback, highlighting areas for improvement and reinforcing successful strategies.

3. Building Confidence
Positive Reinforcement: Regular tutoring sessions and positive reinforcement help boost the student's confidence, reducing test anxiety and improving overall performance.

4. Motivation and Accountability
Goal Setting: Tutor helps student set realistic and achievable goals, keeping them motivated throughout the preparation process.
Consistency: Regular tutoring sessions create a structured study schedule, ensuring consistent progress.

5. Insights into the Admissions Process
Application Support: Tutor provides valuable insights into the application process, including essay writing and interview preparation.

Involvement in student learning is a priority; sharing personal challenges with difficult questions fosters a collaborative learning environment. Humor often enhances the learning experience, and personal background knowledge is shared when relevant to create emotional connections.