Isabel Andjell
+110 in Math
“I even found myself teaching techniques and concepts I learned to friends who were also preparing, demonstrating how effective the course had been.”
My name is Isabel Andjell, and I’m a junior at Downtown Doral Charter Upper School. I wanted to share my experience with Peace of Pi’s SAT Math tutoring service. Initially, I tried to self-study for the December SAT using Khan Academy and YouTube videos. However, I wasn’t retaining the information well, and I struggled to apply the strategies I learned.
Seeing other students preparing for the SAT over the summer made me realize I also needed to start preparing seriously. At first, I found it difficult to stay consistent and motivated studying on my own. I had scored 1250 on the December SAT, which was below my target for the universities I aimed to apply to. FSU, UMich, and UF, typically expected scores in the 1300s to 1500s.
I’ve always been better at reading than math. While I’m not terrible at math, I tend to forget concepts like algebra and geometry if I don’t use them regularly. Realizing I needed a thorough review and more practice, I turned to Peace of Pi after hearing positive reviews from friends who had taken the course.
Before starting, I expected the virtual group environment to be a lecture-style format. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how interactive and hands-on the classes were. The teachers were engaging and attentive, calling us out if we slacked off and offering immediate help if we seemed confused. This level of engagement was far better than my experience during COVID remote learning, where I could often zone out without consequences.
The service requires a strong dedication, as I often told my friends. It’s a commitment, but the effort truly pays off. By the end of the course, I felt well-prepared for the March SAT. I even found myself teaching techniques and concepts I learned to friends who were also preparing, demonstrating how effective the course had been.
In my final SAT attempt, I improved a significant 110-points from my initial score. I felt incredibly proud and accomplished with this improvement. Seeing my score increase to 580 from 690 was a significant milestone.Peace of Pi showed me that all the hard work and dedication I put into the program was worthwhile. This experience gave me confidence in my abilities and reaffirmed that with the right support and effort, I could achieve my academic goals.
Managing the workload was challenging, involving many late nights and long study sessions, but the results were worth it. I highly recommend Peace of Pi to anyone serious about improving their SAT scores. It’s tough, but if you’re willing to put in the work, the improvement is significant and rewarding.
