The IHL Approach to Test Preparation
Highly personalized, one-on-one tutoring sessions are IHL's hallmark. This approach allows us to focus on individual strengths and weaknesses and tailor our curriculum to the needs of each student. Unlike mass-market test preparation companies that develop general programs aimed at the so-called "average student," and unlike our small boutique firm competitors that offer smart "study-buddies" but no real curriculum, IHL offers proven curricula for each of its service offerings and customizes all tutoring sessions to meet your individual needs. Our goal is to maximize each student's potential.
As a selective boutique firm, we work with only a small number of students. As one of our students, you become part of the IHL family and benefit from the support of our entire staff. Our students benefit from IHL's team-based approach: Mayssoun Bydon (IHL's Founder and Managing Partner) and Chad Biggert (IHL's Executive Director) take great care in matching students with tutors; Chad also oversees each student's file on an ongoing basis and tracks progress regularly. Getting to know each individual student enables us to customize our approach to best suit each student's strengths and weaknesses.
The vast majority of our tutoring is done one-on-one, with many students working with multiple tutors who specialize in various sections. We also offer group tutoring and occasional workshops as we believe that it is sometimes helpful to learn in a group setting. Ultimately, whatever the setting, we seek to develop a strong mentor/mentee bond between tutor and student.
Another unique aspect of our offering is our practice exam department, which has been a core element of our programs since inception. We have found that it is essential for students to practice taking exams in a real-life setting with other students around, ambient noise, the pressure of time, etc. For that reason, we regularly facilitate practice exams for students near our offices and to those working with us via video-conferencing. Exam results are provided to the students' tutors, which allows them to analyze and dissect performance. This ensures that progress is effectively being tracked and areas that need further improvement are continuously being identified.
Our Tutors
IHL's success as a test preparation firm is largely because of our best-in-class tutors. We are proud to boast the finest test preparation staff in the industry. We are incredibly selective in our hiring decisions, with each candidate subjected to a rigorous interview process and required to have top academic credentials. While all IHL tutors are fluent in our proven teaching methodologies, they are also flexible, dynamic educators who are able to adapt to a wide variety of individual learning styles.
Most of our instructors have test scores in the 99th percentile. Aside from a couple of exceptional undergraduate students, most of our instructors attend or have attended the most prestigious graduate academic programs in the country. Our tutors are highly knowledgeable on relevant content and skilled in test-taking strategies. Most importantly, they are passionate, experienced and dedicated mentors who are committed to helping students succeed.
IHL tutors are tiered according to the amount of time they have spent with us. With some minor exceptions, junior tutors have started with us in the last year, and senior tutors have at least one year of experience with us. Certain departments also have Chairs who have been with us for many years.
All of our tutors are top-notch with impeccable academic, professional and personal credentials. Lower seniority does not indicate a weaker instructor; rather, it is simply a function of a tutor's track record and experience with IHL. Some of our rising stars are junior tutors.
Tutoring Format
It doesn't matter where you live, IHL students come from all over the country. We offer in-person tutoring sessions in our New York City and Ann Arbor offices, and conduct sessions remotely via Skype, WizIQ, and other video-conferencing platforms. We have found remote tutoring to be just as effective as in-person tutoring. Many of our students never meet with us in person as they do not live in close proximity to one of our offices.
If you are interested in learning more about our test preparation programs, or any of our other services, please do not hesitate to reach out to us by phone at (212) 889-8378 or (734) 623-8378. To enroll, please click here.
