Achieve Your Dreams Through Education
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about Our Services
What kind of expertise do your teachers have?
All of our instructors hold at least a bachelor's degree and have strong academic backgrounds in the subjects they teach. We look for tutors who combine subject expertise with strong communication skills and a genuine commitment to helping students learn. Our instructors bring years of tutoring or teaching experience, and several have been part of the Mill Creek Education team for more than five years.
Do you use your own curriculum?
We don't use a one-size-fits-all curriculum. Instead, our instructors identify key concepts and areas for improvement, then customize instruction based on each student's needs. Depending on the student, we may use their school curriculum, Washington State learning standards, test-prep materials, and additional resources selected by the instructor.
How do you assess student progress?
Assessment is an ongoing part of every tutoring session. Our instructors regularly ask students to explain concepts, work through problems, and demonstrate what they've learned. This allows tutors to identify areas of confusion, adjust instruction as needed, and make sure students have a strong understanding before moving on.
We also use students' homework, quizzes, and tests to identify strengths and areas that need additional attention. For younger students, we can administer standardized grade-level assessments in math and English when a broader evaluation is helpful. For high school students, assessment is typically based on their coursework, current performance, and the specific goals of tutoring.
Do you offer group classes? How large are they?
Our SAT Summer Program classes are typically 8-12 students.
Subject-related group classes during the school year (e.g. algebra, calculus, AP history, etc.) are typically 3-5 students. These classes are formed by request when we can match students with compatible coursework and schedules, such as students taking the same course with the same teacher.
How do you charge for lessons?
What happens if I need to cancel a lesson?
What materials do you use to teach subject classes such as Algebra 2 or AP Literature?
Whenever possible, our goal is to prepare students ahead of what they're learning in class so they encounter new concepts with some familiarity and confidence. Because schools and teachers may cover the same subject in different ways and in different orders, we ask students to bring their syllabus, textbook, homework, exams, and other course materials to their first lesson.
Our instructors use these materials as a roadmap for individualized lessons throughout the school year. Because textbooks and class materials don't always provide enough practice with every concept or problem type, instructors also draw from additional books, practice problems, and online resources as needed.
Questions about Middle and High School
Do you offer SSAT and ISEE prep for private school entrance exams?
Yes. We've helped students prepare for the SSAT and ISEE when applying to private schools throughout the Pacific Northwest.
What should my student do if they scored very poorly in a class and want to increase their GPA?
Retaking the course may be an option for improving the student's academic record. Because school districts have their own policies for accepting outside coursework and determining how repeated courses appear on a student's transcript and GPA, students should speak with their school counselor and obtain written approval before enrolling in an outside course. Washington's Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) specifically recommends obtaining written pre-approval to ensure that an online course and its credits will be accepted by the student's school.
When appropriate, we often recommend BYU Independent Study or APEX for course retakes. They self-paced online courses allow students to work through the material on a flexible schedule, and we can provide tutoring throughout the course.
Do students receive college credit for AP classes?
Students may be able to earn college credit or advanced placement by earning a qualifying score on an AP exam. Each college establishes its own AP credit policy, including which exams it accepts, the scores required, and whether an exam earns course credit, placement, or both.
Because policies vary considerably by college and program, students should check the AP credit policies of the colleges they're considering.
Questions about College Applications
How many essays will I have to write for college applications?
The number varies considerably depending on the student's college list, but a student applying to 10 colleges might reasonably expect to write about 8–15 different essays or short responses. Students typically write one main Common App personal statement, while individual colleges may require additional supplemental essays. Some selective colleges have recently reduced or eliminated their supplemental essays, while certain universities and degree programs still require several.
Essays are also only one part of presenting a student's story. The activities list is an important part of the application and should be developed just as thoughtfully, highlighting the student's interests, accomplishments, responsibilities, leadership, and impact.
Requirements vary by application system and program. For example, University of California applicants answer four of eight Personal Insight Questions. For 2026–27, the University of Washington requires the Common App personal statement but no general UW supplemental essay, although programs such as UW Honors require additional writing. Requirements can change from year to year, so students should always check the current requirements for each college and program.
Should I apply for ED or EA?
Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA) both allow students to apply earlier than the regular admission deadline, but there is an important difference: Early Decision is binding, while Early Action generally is not.
If a student is accepted through ED, they are expected to attend that college and withdraw their other applications. Because of this commitment, ED is generally best suited to students who have a clear first-choice school and whose families are comfortable with the financial considerations.
EA allows students to receive an earlier admission decision without making the same binding commitment. Students can generally keep their other applications open and compare admission and financial aid offers before making a final decision.
Early application policies and deadlines vary by college, so students should carefully review the rules for each school they're considering.
General Questions about the SAT or ACT
What options do you have available for SAT / ACT prep?
We offer summer SAT group classes as well as one-on-one SAT and ACT preparation. Check our SAT page or contact us for current class dates and availability.
For one-on-one SAT preparation, students typically work with an English instructor for Reading and Writing and a math instructor for Math. We generally recommend 1–2 hours per subject per week, depending on the student's goals and timeline. We can also administer individual SAT practice tests in our office or provide them for students to complete at home.
When should students take the SAT?
The SAT tests skills in algebra, advanced math, problem-solving and data analysis, geometry and trigonometry, along with reading, writing, and language skills. Many students choose to take the SAT after Algebra 2 and English 2. In our experience, students often benefit from the additional depth and practice they gain in Precalculus and upper-level English courses.
We generally recommend taking the SAT when students have a strong foundation in these areas and the material is still fresh—often in 10th grade for advanced students and 11th grade for others. The SAT is offered multiple times each year at testing locations throughout Western Washington.
Some universities are test-optional or test-blind. Is it still necessary to take the SAT?
While many colleges remain test-optional, a growing number of highly selective universities have reinstated SAT or ACT requirements, and other colleges are starting to follow that trend. Although the UC system is currently test-blind (or test-free), they are formally reconsidering their policy following calls from faculty members.
We generally recommend taking the SAT or ACT to keep their options open because many students do not know where they will apply when they begin test preparation. Additionally, a strong score can enhance a student's application and, at some universities, qualify students for merit scholarships even when scores are optional for admission.
How do your students score on the SAT after group class or 1-on-1 lessons?
What If My Student Already Knows the Material?
SAT score improvement varies from student to student and depends on several factors, including the student's starting score, academic foundation, attendance, and the time and effort they put into practice outside of class.
Students who participate consistently in our summer program commonly see substantial improvement. Based on our program results, practice Superscore increases of 100–300 points are common, with an average improvement of more than 200 points among students who participate fully in the program and complete sufficient practice testing. Some students improve even more, while students who begin with very high scores naturally have less room for large point increases.
We don't guarantee a particular score or point increase. Our goal is to help each student identify where they are losing points, strengthen the underlying skills they need, and become more accurate, efficient, and confident on the SAT.
Knowing the underlying math or English concepts is only part of performing well on the SAT. Students must also recognize which concepts a question is testing and apply them accurately in unfamiliar or sometimes deliberately challenging contexts.
For academically strong students, preparation can focus less on relearning content and more on accuracy, efficiency, recognizing question patterns, and identifying the specific types of problems that are costing them points.
Questions about the SAT Summer Program
What will students learn in the Summer SAT Program?
Each week focuses on different SAT content and skills, allowing students to build their knowledge throughout the summer rather than repeating the same curriculum.
In Math, students work through the four major SAT content domains: Algebra, Advanced Math, Problem-Solving and Data Analysis, and Geometry and Trigonometry. Instruction combines content review with practice recognizing what a question is asking, selecting an appropriate approach, and applying mathematical concepts efficiently.
In Reading & Writing, students work through Information and Ideas, Craft and Structure, Expression of Ideas, and Standard English Conventions. Students develop skills in reading comprehension, analysis, grammar, organization, and effective use of language while learning how these concepts are tested on the SAT.
Throughout the program, students also learn how to recognize common question structures, avoid predictable mistakes, manage their time, and use the tools available on the digital SAT effectively.
Will students learn something different each week?
Yes. The program is designed so that each week focuses on different content and skills. Students who attend for more of the summer receive broader coverage of the material tested on the SAT.
At the same time, the program is designed to accommodate real summer schedules. Students can miss planned weeks for vacations or other activities and return to the program afterward without having to wait for another session to begin.
Will students take practice tests?
Practice tests are an important part of the program. Each student receives access to 12 digital SAT practice exams.
Students begin with a baseline exam, which helps instructors identify individual strengths and areas for improvement. Additional practice exams give students opportunities to apply what they have learned, become comfortable with the digital testing environment, and track their progress throughout the summer.
Students who participate throughout the full summer will have opportunities to complete up to nine of the included exams as part of the program, leaving three additional exams for independent practice.
How Much Work Is Required Outside of Class?
How Much Work Is Required Outside of Class?Students should plan for approximately 1–2 hours of practice outside of class on class days. Homework reinforces the skills covered during instruction and gives students additional opportunities to identify areas that need more attention.Consistent practice is strongly encouraged. The amount of improvement a student sees will depend in part on how consistently they engage with both class instruction and independent practice.
Questions about the SAT vs ACT
Which Test Is a Better Fit?
The SAT and ACT have more in common than they have differences. Both are widely accepted by colleges and assess many of the same core skills in algebra, advanced math, geometry, data analysis, reading comprehension, grammar, and effective use of language. Because of this substantial overlap, preparing for one exam builds many of the skills needed for the other. The biggest differences are generally pacing, test structure, and some of the specific content tested.
SAT
Digital Only
Adaptive by module
More time per question
Reading & Writing combined
Short passage for each question
2 hr. 14 min.
No separate science section
ACT
Paper or digital options
Linear, non-adaptive format
Faster overall pacing
Separate English & Reading
Longer passages with questions
2 hr. 5 min. for core test
Optional science section
Why might a student prefer the SAT?
The SAT generally gives students more time per question and uses shorter, self-contained Reading & Writing passages and questions. Its adaptive structure means the second module changes in difficulty based on performance in the first. Students who prefer a little more processing time or who are comfortable with a digital test may prefer the SAT.
Why might a student prefer the ACT?
The ACT is linear rather than adaptive, so every student works through the test without the difficulty changing midway through a section. It moves at a faster pace overall and separates English from Reading. Students can also choose the optional Science section if it is useful for their goals.hey fill a few important content gaps.
Is the SAT Summer Program helpful for ACT Prep
Yes. Because the SAT and ACT test many of the same underlying Math and English skills, the SAT Summer Program can provide a strong foundation for either exam.
Students planning to take the ACT may need some additional preparation for ACT-specific math content, faster pacing, and differences in question format. Individual ACT tutoring can be used to address those differences before the student's test date.
What should a student do if they are switching tests or planning to take both?
Much of your preparation will transfer between the SAT and ACT. Both exams test a strong foundation in algebra, functions, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, reading comprehension, grammar, and effective use of language. However, students switching tests—or preparing for both—should make sure they fill a few important content gaps.
SAT to ACT
-
Complex numbers
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Vectors
-
Matrices
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Logarithmic functions
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Piecewise functions
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Function composition
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Conic sections
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Additional trig identities
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Graphs of trig functions
ACT to SAT
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Margin of error
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Statistical inference
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Random sampling
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Observational studies vs. experiments
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Random assignment and causation
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Conditional probability
What about English and Reading differences?
Students generally do not need to learn a new body of English or Reading content when switching tests. Both assess comprehension, inference, evidence, vocabulary in context, grammar, punctuation, transitions, and effective expression. The bigger adjustment is how those skills are tested—particularly the SAT's short, self-contained Reading & Writing questions versus the ACT's longer passage-based Reading and English sections.