FAQ
Service
What does Prep101 do?
Our service can be summarized in two words: customized prep.
Customized means our classroom prep sessions led by expert instructors are adapted to your course at your university. We only cover the key concepts and problem-solving skills you need to know to excel on your exam – nothing more, nothing less.
Prep means we sharpen your problem-solving skills and teach you how to apply course concepts to exam questions. We start by analyzing past exams from your course. We discover what concepts are being covered, the types of questions being asked and how difficult they are. Then we develop step-by-step methods to solve these questions and pass them on to you at our prep session.
Once you’ve taken a prep session, you’ll be able to handle any question your professors throw at you.
Customized means our classroom prep sessions led by expert instructors are adapted to your course at your university. We only cover the key concepts and problem-solving skills you need to know to excel on your exam – nothing more, nothing less.
Prep means we sharpen your problem-solving skills and teach you how to apply course concepts to exam questions. We start by analyzing past exams from your course. We discover what concepts are being covered, the types of questions being asked and how difficult they are. Then we develop step-by-step methods to solve these questions and pass them on to you at our prep session.
Once you’ve taken a prep session, you’ll be able to handle any question your professors throw at you.
What is a prep session?
Prep sessions are intensive workshops that sharpen your problem-solving skills. We know the types of questions that keep showing up on the exams for each course, and we help you to recognize them and to solve them. There’s no better way to prepare.
Our expert prep instructors have three teaching objectives:
1. Show you the types of question you can expect on your exams
2. Teach you step-by-step methods to solve those recurrent question types
3. Give you lots of exam-writing strategies and study tips
Taken separately, each of these prep methods is invaluable. Combine them, and they add up to higher marks than you ever thought possible.
Our expert prep instructors have three teaching objectives:
1. Show you the types of question you can expect on your exams
2. Teach you step-by-step methods to solve those recurrent question types
3. Give you lots of exam-writing strategies and study tips
Taken separately, each of these prep methods is invaluable. Combine them, and they add up to higher marks than you ever thought possible.
Is this customized to my course at my university?
Yes. We know that each course at each university in each academic term is unique.
We make sure our instructor knows everything there is to know about your course. You can be sure our instructor has thoroughly studied lecture notes, textbook readings, and past exams to determine the level of difficulty, topics and problem-solving skills emphasized, and recurrent question types.
Moreover, our instructor communicate with two of your classmates throughout the academic term to stay connected to the course.
In short, the prep session and course booklet will only cover key concepts and problem-solving skills you need to master to do well on the exam: nothing more, nothing less.
We make sure our instructor knows everything there is to know about your course. You can be sure our instructor has thoroughly studied lecture notes, textbook readings, and past exams to determine the level of difficulty, topics and problem-solving skills emphasized, and recurrent question types.
Moreover, our instructor communicate with two of your classmates throughout the academic term to stay connected to the course.
In short, the prep session and course booklet will only cover key concepts and problem-solving skills you need to master to do well on the exam: nothing more, nothing less.
Materials
What is a course booklet?
Written by our instructors and customized to each course at each university, course booklets include a comprehensive yet concise review of key concepts explained in plain, simple language.
They are also packed with practice questions that follow the exact format and are just as difficult as the ones written by your professors. Plus they come with detailed solutions that show you how to get full marks for every question. If you can master these questions, you’ll be in great shape when you write your exam.
You get lots of study tips and exam-writing strategies too.
And the best part? The course booklet is included in the price.
They are also packed with practice questions that follow the exact format and are just as difficult as the ones written by your professors. Plus they come with detailed solutions that show you how to get full marks for every question. If you can master these questions, you’ll be in great shape when you write your exam.
You get lots of study tips and exam-writing strategies too.
And the best part? The course booklet is included in the price.
What is a solutions package?
Solutions packages are written by our instructors and feature detailed step-by-step solutions with full explanations to every exam question from the past few years in courses where past exams are available.
Can I just buy the course booklet?
Sorry, no.
Course booklets are designed to be used as workbooks with an instructor as your guide during the prep session – not as independent study guides.
Course booklets are designed to be used as workbooks with an instructor as your guide during the prep session – not as independent study guides.
Should I buy someone else's course booklet?
We don’t recommend it.
Our course booklets are not intended for dissemination beyond registered students or resale under any circumstances. We cannot provide solutions to students who acquire a course booklet without registering for the prep session.
We also do not guarantee the relevance of course booklets from previous semesters and cannot provide solutions from previous semesters.
Our course booklets are not intended for dissemination beyond registered students or resale under any circumstances. We cannot provide solutions to students who acquire a course booklet without registering for the prep session.
We also do not guarantee the relevance of course booklets from previous semesters and cannot provide solutions from previous semesters.
When does access to digital course materials and recordings expire?
Access to digital course materials and recordings expire on January 15 for Fall prep sessions and May 15 for Winter prep sessions.
Instructors
How do I know the instructors can help me?
Our instructors are our competitive edge.
Each instructor scored top marks from an audience of students at competitive auditions. We can’t think of anyone better qualified than students to spot the best teachers so we let your peers decide who we hire. No other prep company goes to such lengths to find the best instructors.
We also treat our instructors like royalty so they stick around for many years and evolve into superstars. No other prep company can match the expertise and experience of our instructors.
Each instructor scored top marks from an audience of students at competitive auditions. We can’t think of anyone better qualified than students to spot the best teachers so we let your peers decide who we hire. No other prep company goes to such lengths to find the best instructors.
We also treat our instructors like royalty so they stick around for many years and evolve into superstars. No other prep company can match the expertise and experience of our instructors.
Cost
How much does it cost?
Prep101 is your most affordable tutoring option too. At $10 (or less) an hour, you get a lot of bang for your buck: classroom instruction from an expert prep instructor, a course booklet, detailed solutions to past exams, and follow-up email tutoring from the instructor. Do the math. It’s an unbeatable deal.
How do I know it is worth the money?
We’ve helped over 500,000 university students get better marks and higher test scores since 1999. But you don’t have to take our word for it. Check out what your peers think on the Success Stories page.
What if I can’t afford a prep session?
Prep101 offers a limited number of bursaries based on financial need. Bursary applicants are asked to write a one-page letter outlining why they would like to attend a prep session and for which course, and the circumstances of their financial situation. The letter should be emailed to info@prep101.com with the subject heading “Bursary Request.” Those students receiving bursaries will be contacted by email.
*Note: There is a limit of one bursary per academic term per student.
*Note: There is a limit of one bursary per academic term per student.
Registration and Payment
How do I register and pay?
We recommend you register online to reserve a spot at the prep session. For classroom and live online prep sessions, we cannot guarantee admission to students who do not register in advance.
You can pay online by credit or debit card, PayPal or Interac.
You can pay online by credit or debit card, PayPal or Interac.
What is the deadline to register?
There is no deadline but we strongly recommend you register at least three days prior to guarantee your spot and so we have plenty of time to print course materials for you.
Students who register in the last 24 hours may have to wait for course materials to be printed.
Students who register in the last 24 hours may have to wait for course materials to be printed.
How does the waiting list work for full prep sessions?
Students on the waiting list are notified by email and text if a spot opens up.
What is the refund policy?
To cancel your registration, email us at info@prep101.com.
For Classroom and Live Online Prep Sessions: Cancellations 48 hours before the start of the prep session are refundable. Cancellations within 48 hours, during or after a prep session are non-refundable.
For On-Demand Prep Sessions: On-demand prep sessions are non-refundable because upon registering you get access to all digitial materials and recordings.
For Classroom and Live Online Prep Sessions: Cancellations 48 hours before the start of the prep session are refundable. Cancellations within 48 hours, during or after a prep session are non-refundable.
For On-Demand Prep Sessions: On-demand prep sessions are non-refundable because upon registering you get access to all digitial materials and recordings.
What is the discount policy?
We grant a maximum of one discount per student. If you are eligible for multiple discounts, we will honour the discount with the highest dollar value.
Can I attend part of a prep session and pay less?
As a general rule, no.
We do, however, make exceptions if you can’t attend part of a prep session due to a schedule conflict with an exam or another prep session.
We do, however, make exceptions if you can’t attend part of a prep session due to a schedule conflict with an exam or another prep session.
Customer Service
Does Prep101 provide individual tutoring?
Sorry, no.
Does Prep101 offer help with homework assignments or essays?
Sorry, no.
Note that getting outside help with your homework assignments and essays may be an academic offence.
Note that getting outside help with your homework assignments and essays may be an academic offence.
Does Prep101 sell old exams?
Sorry, no.
Company
Why pick Prep101 over other prep companies?
Prep101 pioneered customized prep in 1999 and we’ve since perfected it.
Here are five good reasons to prep with us.
1. Customized Prep. Customized means our prep sessions are tailored to your course at your university. Prep means showing you step-by-step methods to solve recurrent exam question types.
2. Expert instructors. Our instructors have graduate degrees, extensive teaching experience, and are hired by audiences of university students at competitive auditions.
3. Proven study materials. Our Course Booklets and Solutions Packages cover everything you need to know – nothing more, nothing less.
4. Proven methods. We show you the types of questions to expect on your exams and how to solve them. There’s no better way to prepare.
5. Proven track record. We’ve helped over 500,000 students get better marks since 1999. We can help you too!
Here are five good reasons to prep with us.
1. Customized Prep. Customized means our prep sessions are tailored to your course at your university. Prep means showing you step-by-step methods to solve recurrent exam question types.
2. Expert instructors. Our instructors have graduate degrees, extensive teaching experience, and are hired by audiences of university students at competitive auditions.
3. Proven study materials. Our Course Booklets and Solutions Packages cover everything you need to know – nothing more, nothing less.
4. Proven methods. We show you the types of questions to expect on your exams and how to solve them. There’s no better way to prepare.
5. Proven track record. We’ve helped over 500,000 students get better marks since 1999. We can help you too!
How is Prep101 affiliated with my university?
We are NOT affiliated with your university or any academic department.
Prep101 is a private company started in 1999 by students at the University of Toronto and Queen’s University.
Prep101 is a private company started in 1999 by students at the University of Toronto and Queen’s University.
