ORLANDO, Fla. – Bob Alexander knows the secret to better scores on SAT and ACT tests because the former biology teacher used to write the very SAT questions thousands of high school students faced for years.
"I don't raise scores, kids raise scores. I show them what to do," Alexander said.
The retired educator has devoted his time to hold group classes and one-on-one tutoring sessions, helping students achieve test score increases of an average of 300 points on the SAT and 7 points on the ACT.
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The average SAT score for incoming freshman at the University of Florida for 2013 was between 1780-2020. The ACT was 26-31.
Alexander's success has built a following of kids who affectionately call him the "Test Wizard."
Alexander's website Maxthetest.com refers to "wizardly" tricks to improve test scores, but Alexander makes it clear there is no mystical formulas to better results.
"There's some kids that don't go up at all," Alexander said. "They don't practice."
But practice and follow his strategy and chances are you will see those test scores go up.
"Just like a coach on a basketball court, I can tell you what you're doing wrong so we can adjust the way we play the game," he said.
Justin Martin, a senior at Lake Highland Prep in Orlando, was told his SAT scores were too low to get in to his dream school, New York University.
The 18-year-old is a top wrestling recruit. He said the NYU coach told him he needed to improve his scores.
After several test attempts, group classes and tutoring sessions the Orlando teen increased his original SAT score by 300 points.
He signed his letter of intent to NYU a few weeks ago.
"His class was really cool," Martinez said. "He just didn't reteach the stuff I already knew, he taught me how to take the test."
Alexander offers full access to his website's online lessons for a fee of $50 a month. He said there is a seven-day unconditional money back guarantee.
His tutoring fees are on a sliding scale of up to $250 an hour. Alexander said the fees are contributions to the Mary Alice Memorial Fund.