Gemm Test Prep FAQ

What is a typical Gemm Test Prep program?
Our goal is to find each student’s weaknesses, their best opportunity for improvement in the shortest possible time. We start with an assessment, and a Behavioral Survey, and then develop a protocol that covers these areas:

• Fast ForWord Literacy, cognitive training software that builds processing speed, working memory, reading speed and comprehension skills.
• Reading programs that fill in reading skill gaps and undo bad reading habits, building reading efficiency for test day.
• For ACT and SAT students, Daily Prep Questions, six per day that work on test content and strategy in a slow and steady format, helpful to all students, but particularly suited to students who struggle in high pressure environments.

For most students this a three month program, using a 30 minute a day, five days a week, protocol. Most students see a grade or two of reading gain, and a sizeable test score boost in just a few months.

For ACT and SAT prep students, we offer the Daily Questions component also. For ISEE, TACHS and other high stakes test, our Test Prep program is items #1 and #2 above only.
ACT and SAT Prep Program Online

Why does your program work so quickly?
The missing ingredient for most teenagers, particularly in reading, is automaticity -- they need to concentrate a little when they decode, which slows down reading down AND interferes with comprehension since the brain has to multi-task, decode and derive meaning. The process of automating decoding takes about two months, leading to immediate gains in reading speed and comprehension skills.

The program also builds important working memory skills, so important in test taking. Our program develops working memory capacity over three months, leading directly to better understanding of questions, and improved performance in multiple choice questions.
Test taking skills targeted

How does Gemm Learning compare to traditional test prep?
While the Daily Questions aspect of our ACT and SAT prep programs are similar to traditional prep in that they are strategy focused, the cognitive part of our program is very different.
More here

For students who are in the average to below average range our program can be a powerful boost, because there are likely a number of cognitive skills that it can impact that will help scores. But in fact all students are capable of improving their cognitive performance which will translate into better performance on test day.

How does the Guarantee work?
Gemm Learning guarantees a 200 SAT point gain, or a 4 point ACT point gain. If, after meeting our compliance minimums, your child does not see a gain from a prior test before our program started, Gemm Learning will provide three months of added programming for no additional charge.

To qualify for our guarantee, compliance minimums are:

• Fast ForWord: on average 4.5 days a week attendance for at least 30 minutes a day, over a consecutive three month period
• Daily Questions: at least 60 quiz questions over three consecutive months

To qualify for the guarantee we require a submitted ACT/SAT report dated prior to starting with Gemm Learning, and a subsequent report after completing the three month Gemm course. We do not guarantee score increases to students with diagnostic scores of 1800 or above on the SAT or 27 or above on the ACT. Guaranteed SAT point increase is based on composite scores. Guaranteed ACT point increase is based on cumulative section score increases.

How does Gemm’s service work?
You work on our software on your home computer. We monitor progress remotely via Internet upload. Each client is assigned a dedicated program manager who is there to answer questions and guide you through the program. We are in touch regularly and send weekly progress reports by email.
Details on our service

Daily ACT and SAT questions are sent by email and are also available in an online console. Compliance is monitored by staff at Wilson Daily Prep, our partners for this aspect of the ACT or SAT Prep Program.

When do I start seeing results?
Many teenagers will start to see changes within a month or so. Gains in vocabulary, listening comprehension, following multi-step directions are language related skills that are impacted first. In the second month, many teenagers notice that reading is easier and therefore faster -- our program automates decoding and other background reading work that was requiring conscious effort.

Improved reading comprehension also starts to improve at this time, although learning to see inferences and thinking critically about the text takes some practice, leading to gains that continue beyond the completion of the program.

How do I get started?
You start with a free phone consult. If, after the consult, we think your child is a good candidate for our program, and you are ready to start, we can take your details and payment information over the phone. Then a program manager will call to introduce themselves, send you the software links, and help you get started.

Do I need to commit up-front? What packages do you offer?
No up front commitment required. While we do offer pre-paid packages from time to time, you can pay month to month with the ability to cancel at the end of any calendar month. We also offer a two-week test drive option to all new clients -- a new client can cancel for a full refund except for the modest registration fee.
Request test prep promo package details

Can my child fit this in?
The recommended protocol is 30 minutes a day five times a week. Weekends are OK, as is doing two shorter sessions in a day as time permits. This is an important program. While it will help test scores near term, it will also make a big difference to the college experience. Your child can find the time!

How do you know your programs really work?
There are no formal studies on the test prep population, but bear this in mind:

---- The Brain Fitness Program is a memory program mainly for the 65+ generation that uses the same technology, and their results in this age group are very strong. This experience shows that cognitive training can be successful at any age.

---- There have been hundreds of studies covering K-12 children, with the teenagers seeing the most immediate gains – Fast ForWord automates reading skills that are already known, freeing up the brain immediately for more reading stamina and better comprehension.

---- Gemm Learning has had a number of test prep students, and most have reported substantial gains.

Can the Gemm Learning program help GMAT, GSAT and other tests?
GMAT, GSAT and a number of other high stakes tests are much more content driven than the SAT. We do only offer ACT and SAT daily lessons by email, and not for these other tests. However, if you are taking the GMAT or some other test and have concerns about reading comprehension or test-taking skills, contact us. We may be able to help.

What is Fast ForWord software?
The Fast ForWord program is a suite of 80 or so exercises, in several different program formats, that work on a number of fundamental cognitive skills and essential reading skills from the most basic through abstract thinking and reasoning. Fast ForWord takes advantage of the brain's plasticity, its natural ability to improve if exercised appropriately.
How brain fitness programs work

Isn't Fast ForWord for younger, remedial children only?

This is completely untrue. Our student testimonials focus almost exclusively on teenagers, who tend to have the most dramatic short term gains as Fast ForWord is able to automate and improve the efficiency of what is already learned. As regards remedial vs advanced, Fast ForWord has been proven to help children at all academic levels as these studies show, as this chart shows. We have more trial results in our Fast ForWord results.

Will the gains endure?
Yes, because the new cognitive skills are used and exercised daily.