eTextPrep's most frequently asked questions... Answered!

The texts are sent Monday through Friday only. No vocabulary review words are deployed on the weekend, when receipt of the texts might go less noticed than during the school week.
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2. How reliable is the text message delivery?

eTextPrep is proud to partner with the best-in-class mobile messaging system in the country, ensuring the utmost in reliability. Our text messaging deployment is virtually instantaneous.
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3. Are there any other learning tools included when I subscribe to eTextPrep?

Yes - in addition to the Weekly Word Review email, each eTextPrep subscription includes a weekly "Test Tip." These test tips are texted out once each week to student subscribers, Friday afternoon, free of charge. Some tips are geared to the specific learning program you subscribe to while others are designed to help with overall performance on standard college admissions tests. The eTextPrep website also hosts a Community of Educators, allowing educators from all over the country to offer their own tips for improved performance on the increasingly important SAT and ACT college admissions tests. We welcome and encourage all educators' advice - the mission is to improve student performance!
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4. Are there options for how many words are received in one day?

There are two different tiers of learning-pace, depending on the learning program ordered. eTextPrep's SAT/ACT College Prep subscription and the Middle School Challenge send out 2 words/day, Monday - Friday. All of eTextPrep's Advanced Placement (AP) learning programs - including AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP U.S. Government & Politics, AP Psychology, AP Language, AP Literature & Composition and AP Spanish Language - text out 3 words/day, Monday - Friday. The total number of weeks students receive their vocabulary words depends on which eTextPrep subscription is ordered. eTextPrep Learning Programs range in size from 250- to 500-words or terms.
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5. As an educator, how will eTextPrep help my students?

In addition to the high frequency vocabulary words (with parts of speech and definitions) available through eTextPrep, both the Middle School Challenge and the College Prep Learning Programs teach principal prefixes, suffixes and the roots of words. This etymology allows for a much greater understanding of language. Not only do students receive key vocabulary words via text message and emails, they also gain an understanding of how to decode and decipher words or terms they may not immediately recognize.
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6. Can I receive more than one subscription at a time?

Absolutely! And each text is sent separately. For example, a student may want to supplement their learning in both AP Psychology and AP Biology, therefore, desiring two subscriptions, one for each Learning Program. Even with multiple subscriptions, eTextPrep is one of the most economical study tools available. Some parents have even ordered their own subscription to aid in their son or daughter's studying and often to enhance their own vocabularies.
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7. How are the AP vocabulary words of eTextPrep selected?

All of the applications are exactingly created to AP course standards. The vocabulary words are sequentially taught - and follow the basic order of each respective Advanced Placement course, chapter by chapter. Keep in mind these vocabulary reviews were prepared by Advanced Placement teachers who actively teach, tutor, and grade and proctor these exams. Some of our educators have even written some of the most widely used AP textbooks.
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8. How can eTextPrep assist in studying for the SAT or ACT exam?

Two-thirds of the SAT exam (a full 1600 points) measures critical reading, vocabulary and language-based skills. Because the SAT is a reason-based test, eTextPrep's vocabulary tutelage specifically improves both comprehension and expressive language. The SAT also includes an essay portion, which comprises one-third of the entire test score. Substantive vocabulary mastery can be crucial to having a high SAT essay score. The ACT is a curriculum-focused test featuring multiple-choice questions. More than half of those questions - two of the four sections - are English and Reading; and the ACT features a Writing portion as well.
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9. How much is a subscription, and how is it billed?

eTextPrep is not only the fastest, most student-friendly study tool available; it is also one of the most affordable. Subscriptions cost only $7.99/month - the price of a burger and fries - and are conveniently billed directly to your cell phone bill. No extra credit card charges, no remembering to reorder each month. eTextPrep is also satisfaction guaranteed and can be cancelled at any time. The cost is literally pennies a day. Messaging and data rates may apply.
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10. I am a high school teacher. Why should I recommend eTextPrep?

eTextPrep is one more tool in your teaching arsenal. Because the curricula of our learning programs are derived directly from the AP courses and have been designed solely by AP teachers and consultants, they will complement what is being learned in the classroom. Many teachers have worked with their schools, offering eTextPrep to all students in their class. Interested educators may contact eTextPrep directly for information on customized content via our cutting-edge, mobile messaging technology for their class, school, or school district.
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11. I'm a student. Do I have to do anything more than look at my text?

By simply interacting with your text - clicking, viewing and reading your vocabulary word - learning improves measurably. But we also recommend using your words in conversation, on papers and homework and finally, reviewing the Weekly Word Review study guide of College Prep or AP vocabulary words sent at the end of each week. Not only do you have a downloadable, printable back up of material, eTextPrep emails also include example sentences and/or enhanced definitions. In short, eTextPrep was designed to add yet another layer of learning to give students like you an edge across curriculums in high school and on upcoming college admissions standardized tests and Advanced Placement exams. You literally have a mini-review in the palm of your hand, available with the push of a button, whenever you want it!
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12. Are there any safety concerns regarding the use of texting?

Absolutely not. We adhere to the industry's Carrier Mandated Content Standards, so you can rest assured that no questionable content can be distributed. Further, we do not sell or market to third parties, and privacy is completely protected. While a text message may be delivered when a student is otherwise engaged, the text can be viewed anytime. And there is no reply mechanism. Students quite simply can look and learn wherever and whenever they want.
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13. Is the learning reinforced in any way, other than by text messages?

Yes! For added reinforcement, each eTextPrep subscription includes a Weekly Word Review emailed directly to your student. This is both downloadable and printable. An additional weekly summary may be sent to the parents' email as well, at no additional cost. This review recaps the vocabulary words texted that week, provides their definitions and part of speech, and features an example sentence or an enhanced definition for more in-depth understanding. Students can use this study guide for additional course review and parents can monitor their student's progress.
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14. Isn't it disruptive to have texts received during the school day?

All eTextPrep vocabulary text messages are sent before or after school hours only and are customized by time zone.
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15. What age is appropriate to begin using eTextPrep?

eTextPrep has great programs for kids starting as young as 11 or 12. The 260-word Middle School Challenge for grades 5 through 8 includes language arts vocabulary words (approximately 130) - plus 130 more definitions and need-to-know terms in science, social studies and even math. Middle Schoolers enjoy the novelty of texting and, since studies show that most kids and teens get their first cell phone within this age group, they are a highly receptive audience. Middle School is the perfect time to boost vocabulary mastery and get ready for future success in high school!
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16. What credentials do the educators within each eTextPrep program have?

Top veterans in education were selected to drive the curriculum of eTextPrep. All have either masters' degrees or graduate level studies in the courses they teach. Many are published. Several chair their respective departments. All of them have experience with or actively consult with College Board or MCREL. These educators are themselves teachers, proctors and graders of SAT and ACT tests and/or are AP teachers. Rest assured, the eTextPrep learning programs are highly specific.
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17. What if my kid isn't planning on a college, is eTextPrep a good idea?

Yes - eTextPrep Courses benefit any high school student. eTextPrep's language-based curriculum can greatly improve a student's entire high school experience - and beyond in the "real-world." Any career path will be enhanced with an improved mastery of both the spoken and written word.
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18. What types of learning programs are available through eTextPrep?

The 500-word SAT/ACT College Prep subscription; the 260-word Middle School Challenge for students in grades 5-8; and a number of Advanced Placement course subscriptions, with more in the works. We're constantly working on ways to expand eTextPrep and improve middle and high school student performance. Additionally, the AP subscriptions are a great way to assist your college freshmen in his or her 100-level classes, especially if they didn't take the AP course in high school. Check on the website homepage for a current list of available eTextPrep subscriptions.
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19. Why does eTextPrep rely on text messages as its mode of instruction?

For high school-aged students, and even middle schoolers, the unanimously preferred method of communication is texting. In fact, the latest research estimates 88% of the time a teen spends on the cell phone is spent text messaging and those numbers continue to increase. More than 2.9 billion messages are sent each day. eTextPrep uses the medium that kids know and love and transforms it into an exciting teaching tool! And the best part? Texting is a tactile activity; kids learn not only visually, they actually interact with the medium allowing learning to take place through multiple modalities!
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20. Will I really notice a difference if my students subscribe to eTextPrep?

It's true that the failure rate of students who take Advanced Placement tests has, unfortunately, hit a record high. While exam performance is relative to each student and their individual study habits, eTextPrep has been shown to increase vocabulary comprehension that directly and positively affects test scores. The quality of content offered in our AP study guide subscriptions is unparalleled - students will need to know these words and terms to do well on their upcoming exams. In addition to being an effective tool, it's fast, easy and speaks to the students on a medium they know and love.
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