home Frequently asked questions
about mr corn


students Where do the tutoring sessions take place? Tutoring sessions take place in your home or in your neighborhood library. Tutoring may also take place over the Internet.
faq How are often are sessions scheduled and how long are they? Tutoring sessions are usually scheduled once per week, but can be more or less often depending on the situation. A session can run any length, depending on what is needed and how much the student can absorb. The typical session is one hour.
rates How many sessions will be needed? Sessions will typically run through the end of the semester, or until a major exam is completed.
contact How long will it be until I see some results? Some students respond quickly to tutoring while others take longer. After a few sessions, Mr. Corn will know what you can reasonably expect, and he will discuss this with the student and parents. Although there are many factors, the most important factor is how much time and effort the student is willing to give.
How will I know how my student is doing? Parents receive a written report every month. For coursework students, the report contains a summary of grades received on quizes and exams, a recent quarter grade (if available), a description of any issues or concerns, and an itemized account of tutoring sessions. For SAT students, the report contains results of practice tests over time plus an itemized account of tutoring sessions.
book What makes you different from other tutors for math coursework? Other tutors mostly help students do their math homework. What makes Mr. Corn’s approach different is his extensive preparation and customization to the specific class and student. If he doesn't have it already, Mr. Corn gets your textbook and studies the approach that the authors have chosen to follow. This is done so that the way he presents the material to you is consistent with the classroom presentation. When a weak area is discovered, Mr. Corn will supply additional study material and problems for you to do. But it is not just about learning the math. For many students it is equally important to learn how to study math, organize the material, and figure out the best way to prepare for a test.

What makes you different from other SAT tutors? Mr. Corn only tutors the math sections of the SAT. His approach consists of two parts. First, he reviews the math you will need to know for the SAT, starting with pre-algebra (middle school math).   Next he gives you a series of practice tests to take. For questions that you answer incorrectly or do not answer, he reviews the cause (did you understand the question, do you know the math, did you run out of time, etc.). As patterns emerge, he may do additional math review, demonstrate test taking techniques, and give you additional questions of that type to do. This is a very individualized approach, unique to each student.
Why shouldn't I attend one of the commercial SAT classes? The commercial SAT classes usually run 2-3 months and will have 5-15 students in a class. There is nothing "wrong" with attending if you do not need individual attention or more lead time. However, many students will get higher scores if they start preparing sooner and get one-on-one attention from a tutor.