On game day, athletes occasionally struggle to perform as well as they do in practice. Similarly, students who have prepared on their own for the SAT sometimes struggle to maximize their potential on test day.

Chance is a 17 year-old high school senior who has taken the SAT three times. "The first time, I did not prepare and my scores did not match my academic potential. I received a 1400. The second time, I had enrolled in Sylvan Learning's SAT Prep program to better prepare myself and I scored a 1440, even though I did not complete the required homework for the program," says Chance. "On my third attempt, I achieved a perfect SAT score because I listened to Sylvan's advice."

Because Chance agrees that the SAT is a pivotal aspect in the college admission process and a determining factor for scholarships, in September 2008, he began working at the Sylvan Learning in Bastrop, TX, to pay for his Sylvan SAT Prep class. "I wanted a distinguished prep course that offered structured programs and I knew that Sylvan would do it right," he comments. "Because I applied the teachings of Sylvan's prep class and scored well on the SAT, my likelihood of receiving a full scholarship at the University of Arkansas, my father's alma mater, has grown exponentially. But, I am also considering Harvard and the University of Texas."

Although Chance is ranked first in his class and had a solid foundation in math and English, he sought enrichment opportunities that would provide him with a better test-taking approach. He adds, "My parents instilled in me that you have to work hard and complete your homework in order to reap your reward. But, I needed help understanding how to approach studying for the big test. And, I also needed a small group setting to ensure the learning was personalized just for me."

Individualized instruction is an aspect of Sylvan's academic program that makes it unique from other SAT prep classes. "Sylvan's SAT Prep course was tailored exactly to my personal needs and helped me devise strategies that better allowed me to choose from lesser answers," adds Chance. It is this personalized setting that allows Sylvan instructors to quickly identify students' weak areas and help build improvement and test-taking confidence. It is also the reason that three out of four Sylvan students increase their SAT scores by 160 points or ACT^® score by 5 points.

Students of all test-taking abilities benefit from Sylvan's highly personalized and targeted approach that focuses on the exact skills needed to successfully answer test questions. For many, skills can be mastered to raise test scores in as little as five to eight weeks.

"I believe the most valuable gift a parent can bestow on a child is the gift of education by providing a child with a program that offers the study skills and habits needed for lifelong success. I was lucky to participate in a personalized prep program that offers those executive skills," explains Chance. "Enrolling in Sylvan's SAT Prep program was the best investment of my young life. It was worth every penny and I'll see those benefits for years to come."

To obtain proven test-taking strategies that give students the confidence to raise their test scores, visit the "SAT* and ACT^® Prep" section of www.SylvanLearning.com or contact your local Sylvan Learning to participate in a free, "Test Stress: A Parent's Guide to College Test Prep" parent seminar.