Tommy Poletti, a former Test Prep Gurus student, drops in for a conversation with, Nick Standlea, CEO of Test Prep Gurus, to discuss how the unique strategies and learning principles taught during Tommy’s test prep program continue to influence his success today.

Tommy recounts his significant score improvement, from a 17 to a 27 on the ACT—a rare 10-point increase—thanks to Test Prep Gurus' unique approach. Rather than relying on rote memorization or traditional methods, the program focused on developing a growth mindset, self-testing, and using feedback as a tool for improvement. These strategies not only helped Tommy achieve his immediate goal of a 27 on the ACT to make him a more competitive applicant to Santa Clara University but became key elements in his success in college and now at USC Law School.

Prospective parents and students considering Test Prep Gurus should note the lasting impact of this approach. The learning techniques instilled in Tommy have carried him through academic challenges far beyond test prep, proving that Test Prep Gurus doesn’t only boost standardized test scores—they teach life skills that set students up for success well into the future.

Quotes from the Interview:

1. Growth Mindset: "Success isn’t about how smart you are; it’s about how hard you work... Anyone can reach any goal that they want to reach if they work for it."

2. Tell Yourself the Right Story: "Whether you think you can do it, or if you think you can’t, that will become a self-fulfilling prophecy."

3. Lean into Desirable Difficulties: "Struggle is key to long-term retention of concepts. If something comes easily, you're actually less likely to remember it long-term."

Timestamps:

0:00 – Introduction: How Tommy ended up at Test Prep Gurus

1:00 – Early struggles with the ACT

1:50 – Learning about the self-fulfilling prophecy

2:30 – Tommy’s ACT score improvement: From 17 to 27

3:45 – Overcoming frustration and learning the hard way

5:00 – Getting into Santa Clara University

6:00 – Applying lessons from Test Prep Gurus to law school

7:30 – The importance of a growth mindset and hard work

9:30 – Struggle as the key to long-term retention

11:45 – Self-testing and continuous improvement in learning

16:00 – Study strategies and staying organized in law school

20:00 – Feedback loops and learning from testing

27:30 – How standardized tests help build life skills

32:00 – Comparing law school to real-world law practice

35:00 – Incremental improvement: The 1% rule

39:00 – The importance of long-term goals and motivation

46:00 – Setting personal goals: Football and USC as motivation

53:00 – Tommy’s reflection on Test Prep Gurus and its lasting impact

58:00 – Encouraging young students: Enjoy the process and stay motivated

1:03:00 – College admissions: Subjectivity and luck