“What is this asking?”
The wording hides the familiar math underneath.
My Method for Success
A Clear Process That Works for Any Student.
I teach students to recognize what a problem is asking, choose an efficient strategy, and solve with confidence—even under time pressure.
The bucket method
Official test questions become recognizable patterns.
After tutoring hundreds of students, I grouped questions from official practice tests and officially administered tests into a small number of teachable problem types—our buckets.
1
Recognize
Identify the problem type.
2
Match
Pull the right strategy from its bucket.
3
Solve
Work accurately and efficiently.
The process
From unfamiliar question to confident answer.
- 01
Find the clues
Learn which words, numbers, diagrams, and answer choices reveal the problem type.
- 02
Name the bucket
Replace “I have never seen this” with “I know what kind of problem this is.”
- 03
Compare valid methods
Understand the pros and cons of algebra, calculator, visual, and answer-choice strategies.
- 04
Choose the best test-day approach
Select the fastest reliable method for that student and that question.
- 05
Practice until it is automatic
Build recognition, speed, accuracy, and confidence through steady practice.
The timed-test advantage
Save time where you can. Spend it where it matters.
School tests often reward writing every step. Timed standardized tests require a different mindset. Saving even a little time on each question creates more time for challenging problems—and for checking work to catch careless mistakes.
The result
Any student can learn a repeatable path to success.
Recognition+Strategy+Practice=Confidence & More Points
I coach students until they can say: I know what this is. I know how to start. I can do this.
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