On intuition and the quadratic equation
"Dr. Po-Shen Loh has discovered a new way to solve quadratics." Well, yes and no. Dr. Loh is a great coach, educator, and evangelist, and I admire and respect him. If he says he was "dumbfounded," then there's something there. The thing is, though, that the press is...
Dear Wes
We wanted to share some great news. (My son) presented 3 posters at the (large conference) in (major city) last week. One of his posters on (interesting math topic) got selected as one of the top posters and he was invited to present it formally at the Abstract...
I’m just venting.
It really bums me out when the New Yorker piece on someone in our industry covers someone so... ugh, where do I even start? Peppermint is not "nature's adderall," and even if it were, the only stimulants that are good ideas here are the prescriptions you have for your...
Excellence in balance
My sister-in-law recently wrote this piece on modern work and its relationship to family and community. So I'm taking this opportunity to thank Adam, Aidan, Amy, Audrey, Debbie, James, John, Michael, Michael, Owen, Ollin, Rora, and Stephanie: you past-or-present...
ACT & SAT: are they winners’ games?
I didn't expect Farnam Street to relate so directly to college admissions, but it does, and in a way that is as important as it is deep. According to the post linked above, the outcome of a "winner's game" is determined mostly by the actions of the winner; the outcome...
Test anxiety
Students suffering from test anxiety often make things worse by misunderstanding the nature of successful preparation work. They think: "my goal is to have new knowledge and new techniques." But that's wrong. The right goal is to have new habits. Under pressure, all...
“Test day jitters”
"Test day jitters" manifests as "the problems were hard!" when what's really going on is "I'm not quite as capable when I'm nervous / amped up / in the spotlight." The biggest barrier to addressing this issue is misunderstanding what's really going on.
2019 admissions scandal
"There is a front door, there is a back door, and I've created a side door." William Singer may have been thinking outside the box, but I suspect he's soon going to be in a different (and much less metaphorical) sort of box -- one well-suited for lots and lots of...
Learn more about...
Wes Carroll
Math, Physics & AMC Tutor
(415) 937-1729 / [email protected]
Available worldwide via videoconference
Math Competition Coaching
Experience the joys of elegant solutions and personal expertise even before you learn to drive.
(Math competitions also provide students with unique avenues for entrance into some of the best schools in the country.)
Online Video Courses
Get in-depth preparation, everywhere and anytime (SAT Math 2 only, for the moment).
Academic Assistance
Get more out of of tough homework and exams, even in advanced courses like APs and IBs.
SAT Subject Test Prep
Let us help your student get perfect scores on the Math 2 and Physics Subject Tests.
AP STEM Support
Work ahead of the rest of the class. Learn for life. Earn your "5".