Most students just take standardized tests, get into their desired college, and move on. For alum Nelson Garcia, the SAT isn’t just a test; it’s the bane of his study and career. With his tutoring center, Just Pass It, Garcia and hired tutors connect students to efficient testing strategies. But, like any existing mentor, he, too, had his beginnings.
Garcia graduated from PPCHS in 2007. “I actually only attended Charter during my senior year,” says the alum.
One of his main extracurricular activities was playing for the basketball team. When he was not in front of a hoop, he was in front of a kiln, watching his pottery stand.
“My favorite class was Art with. We worked on 3D models and learned pottery, which I really enjoyed” he reminisces.
In his year on campus, he not only made lifelong friends, but a longstanding relationship with his wife. “I still maintain friendships from the people I met there, but more importantly, Charter is where I met my wife,” he adds.
But when he left charter, that’s when his career-related passion flourished. Shortly after, he attended Florida International University (FIU.) Before graduating in 2011, Garcia decided to secure his degree, eventually majoring in Mathematics. He remained interested in helping students since the age of 18. Tutoring has been a passion of Garcia. For that reason, he decided to hold on to that love of learning and build a business out of it.
The tutors at Just Pass It work with students all over Florida, but mostly local students. They connect via zoom reviewing test banks and other crucial skills that would appear on the actual SAT. The main focus is not to show what students got wrong, but how they got it wrong and how they can improve.
That being said, Garcia doesn’t only teach students at the Just Pass It tutoring center. His devotion to education reaches through to students at Somerset Academy. He focuses on coaching students through AP Precalculus and Algebra 2 Honors. With this, teaching at a school allows Garcia to know the ropes when it comes to working with all different kinds of students.
“Typically, the goal is to figure out who the student is.” says Garcia. “Not everyone is a great test taker, so the score that we [tutors at Just Pass It] are looking at may not reflect who the student is.”
Everyone is different. A certain technique used to study for one student might not work for the other. As an educator, understanding the type of student someone is can help to find the right learning methods for them specifically. Having a set method will build the confidence within the student, allowing them to flow through the exam with ease.
The SAT is one of the primary exams scholars study for. Near junior and senior year, it’s the season to put in the effort in order to get a good score. That’s why Garcia does what he does, to ensure students can pass and make it into their desired universities.
Of course, nothing about the SAT is consistent, considering the board of psychologists CollegeBoard revise the tests each year. Nonetheless, Garcia puts his effort into keeping up, ensuring students keep up as well.
