UCF Test Prep Program Staff
With over 13 years of experience the UCF Test Prep staff contributes to the development and administration of the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, SAT, SOA Exams, and Teaching Certificate Preparation Course Reviews. As part of the University of Central Florida - Division of Continuing Education, we believe the UCF Creed of Integrity, scholarship, community, creativity and excellence are the core values that guide our conduct, performance, and decisions. Our goal is to make sure customers receive the help they need. We will provide each student with the best customer service available, always follow-up when needed to ensure students are satisfied and receive the information that they were seeking, set customer expectation based on what can be delivered and realistically met, and treat all customers with professionalism and courtesy, while expediting service request.
UCF Test Prep Program Staff
Austin Companion
Program Associate and Customer Support
Austin is involved in direct programmatic, customer and instructional support for the following programs: UCF-Test Prep, ROPES Programs, Insurance Adjuster Training, Home Inspection, as well as specific client-based corporate/on-site training initiatives. He offers the upmost in quality customer service to provide specific program details and course schedule information to potential and current students/participants. Austin is also responsible for maintaining daily enrollment management services, assisting with marketing efforts, and interacting as the instructional liaison for each program he supports, maintaining cohesion between instructor assignments, compensation and logistical support.
Pat Craft
Program Associate and Customer Support
Pat is involved with direct programmatic, customer and instructional support for the following programs: UCF Test Prep, Insurance Adjuster Training and specific client-based corporate/on-site training initiatives. She offers the upmost in quality customer service to provide specific program details and course schedule information to potential and current students/participants. Pat serves as the primary schedule-builder for Test Prep as well as maintaining daily enrollment management services, interacting as the instructional liaison for each program she supports and assists in maintaining cohesion between instructor assignments, compensation and logistical support.
Kim Malac
Coordinator and Customer Support
Kim is involved in direct programmatic, customer and instructional support for the following programs: UCF-Test Prep; UCF-Test Prep Tutoring Services, Insurance Adjuster Training, Financial and Retirement Strategy Series, Online Photonics Technician Certificate Program, Criminal Justice Seminars, SSP Leadership Program, and Certified Financial Planning Program, as well as specific client-based corporate/on-site training initiatives. She offers the upmost in quality customer service to provide specific program details and course schedule information to potential and current students/participants. Kim is also responsible for maintaining daily enrollment management services, data and report analysis as well as interacting as the instructional liaison for each program she supports, maintaining cohesion between instructor assignments, compensation and logistical support.
Chris Rose
Assistant Division Director
UCF Test Prep Program Director
Chris brings to the Central Florida business community 15 years of programmatic and business development experience focused on industry and professional development training. He started his career at UCF's Executive Development Center in the College of Business, and continued to build on his management and business relationship strengths at SCCorporate College, where he guided the Business and Industry Support Center as well as other Continuing Education programs. Chris joined UCF's Division of Continuing Education in 2003 and, through strategic partnerships and consultative relationships, has developed and expanded the areas of management/supervision, leadership, sales, marketing and organizational-based training. As part of his primary focus, Chris is responsible for the implementation of customized and corporate training programs designed specifically to meet a business' organizational needs and goals. He is also responsible for directing the following programs: UCF's Call Center Academy, the ROPES Challenge Course, UCF-Test Prep, Effective Management Training Series, Train-the-Trainer Series and the division's insurance training programs.
Instructor Bios
Betty Binford is a retired Aerospace and Defense Director and Advanced Mathematics and Chemistry Instructor. Since 2002, she has instructed GMAT, GRE, LSAT, and MCAT preparation classes as well as numerous private tutorial classes on the same topics. Betty graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry from Mississippi State University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Central Florida. (Instructs GRE and GMAT courses and Tutoring.)
Brandy Christman has been working with The Burnett Honors College at UCF in both advising and admissions since 2001. She also has facilitated one-on-one and small group tutoring, as well as leading final exam review sessions, with the Student Academic Resource Center. Brandy currently works as the Program Assistant for Honors Student Services, helping prospective students through the Honors admissions process and training student Peer Ambassadors for the Honors College. She graduated with her BA in Sociology and Psychology with University Honors from UCF, and is working on her Master's in Educational Leadership- Higher Education/Student Personnel. (Instructs GRE and SAT courses and Tutoring.)
James Cowling is an adjunct professor for the University of Central Florida. He began teaching GMAT preparation courses for the UCF's Department of Continuing Education in the Spring of 2000. Since then, James has instructed 23 GMAT preparation classes. James graduated with a Bachelors of Electrical Engineering from Auburn University in 1986 and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Central Florida in 1999. He is also registered in the State of Florida as a Professional Engineer. (Instructs GMAT courses and Tutoring.)
Ruth Anne Johnson, Ph.D., is a Latinist with a flair for mathematical shortcuts, a penchant for clarity and precision, a gift of good-humored patience, and a call to teach. Ruth Anne has taught GMAT, GRE, and SAT preparation courses for several years in California. She has experience teaching different age levels, from kindergarten to graduate-level students, and in many different educational settings. Ruth Anne’s favorite teaching moments occur whenever a student “gets” a new concept or technique. Ruth Anne did her undergraduate work at Brown University, received her Master’s degree in Medieval Latin from The Catholic University of America, and earned her doctorate at UCLA. (Instructs GRE and GMAT courses and Tutoring.)
Mimi Longworth has been teaching LSAT Prep exclusively for 32 years. Ms. Longworth completed her Bachelor's and Master's degrees at Florida State University. She is the founder and director of Blackstone Prep, and she is also the creator of our renowned Law School Application Workshop and the nation's first Law School Prep Course. She leads the Blackstone's Curriculum Development Team, and with the permission of the LSAC, utilizes only actual published LSAT questions in its extensive and continuously updated materials package.
For the past 32 years Ms. Longworth has worked very closely with Central Florida's Pre-Law Societies and Phi Alpha Delta Chapters, supporting their efforts to inform and advise members. Due to her extensive expertise, and 97% success rate, Ms. Longworth was asked to serve as the official LSAT instructor for both the University of Central Florida and Stetson University's Department of Continuing Education. In order to maximize the success of her students, Ms. Longworth added a higly personalized Florida Bar Exam Preparation Program to Blackstone's curriculum. As a result Blackstone Prep is now the nation's most comprehensive and only non-profit organization devoted to educating and mentoring candidates through every phase of the process of becoming an attorney.
Ms. Longworth is a member of both the National and Southern Assocations of Pre-Law Advisors. During the past 32 years she has assisted over 10,000 students gain admission to law school, and she has taken, analyzed and taught every published LSAT Exam. As such, Ms. Longworth is one of the nation's most experienced and dedicated experts on the LSAT and law school application process. (Instructs LSAT Courses.)
Erin Mander is currently the president of a curriculum consulting company that services a number of private institutions in Orange County. She taught in the middle grades for eight years while earning her Masters degree from the University of Minnesota with an emphasis in Curriculum and Instruction. Beyond leading this company, she is in the process of writing her dissertation for her doctoral degree at the University of Central Florida. Her passion is equipping professionals with the tools needed to make a lasting impact on students. She is a state certified teacher in Florida and in Illinois. (Instructs FTCE General Knowledge, FTCE Professional and FTCE Comprehensive Courses.)
Irene Mojica is an adjunct faculty member and learning specialist at Daytona Beach Community College. She is currently pursuing her Master of Science degree in mathematics at the University of Central Florida. Irene earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics from the College of Staten Island, City University of New York. She has been teaching mathematics and computer classes at DBCC since 1994. Irene also worked for Sylvan Learning Centers as a tutor and Director of Education as well as taught at alternative educational programs at the high school and middle school levels. (Instructs GRE courses in Daytona and Tutoring.)
Dr. Gavin Putzer, MD, PhD, MPH, has spent the last decade assisting aspiring pre-medical students prepare for the MCAT, PCAT, OAT and DAT. Dr. Putzer is an Adjunct Professor of Medicine at the University of Central Florida. He also is a professor of Health Policy and Management at Saint Leo University. Formerly, he was the Chair of the Department of Business Administration and a Professor of Healthcare Management at Albany State University in Georgia. (Instructs MCAT, PCAT, OAT and DAT Courses.)
Cary Ragsdale brings a very eclectic instructional background to the program. He has many years of experience in both the public and private sectors and more than six years in SAT preparation specifically. For the last four years, he has been instructing many of the inmates at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility in Seminole County in a broad range of computer skills, English grammar, basic math, ethics, business plan development, resume writing, and personal responsibility. He also clings tenaciously to the belief that learning opportunities should never be serial because life isn’t.
Rex Roberts has been teaching SAT prep courses since 2000. He enjoys teaching his classes very much and challenging his students to improve their scores. He says that the key to improving SAT scores is arriving to every class on time, asking lots of questions, and doing the assigned homework. Rex has his BS degree in psychology and an MA degree in Liberal Studies. In addition to teaching SAT classes, Rex works as the Director of Advising for the Burnett Honors College at UCF. (Instructs SAT and ACT courses and Tutoring.)
Ione Riquelme Esq. is a graduate of Rice University and Columbia University School of Law. She is known as an entertaining speaker who captivates her audience whether the subject is SAT, GRE, LSAT, or GMAT preparation, or simply stand-up comedy. The National Platform Association awarded her Second Place at their annual Stand-up Comedy Competition for professional speakers. The Department of Defense, Boeing, and other Fortune 100 Companies have retained Ms. Riquelme to train their employees, recognizing her unique ability to connect with her audience and convey information in an easily understandable version. Her students have particularly commented upon her ability to simplify mathematics to make the problem solving methods easy to remember and apply. In vocabulary and critical reasoning, she has also been praised for making the material easy to comprehend and retain. Ms Riquelme has a natural gift for communication/teaching and enjoys using that talent to help students score the highest possible result. (Instructs GRE and GMAT courses and Tutoring.)
Dean Rudolph is a graduate of the University of Chicago School of Law. He is a member of the Florida Bar, the United States Supreme Court Bar, and numerous additional federal and state bars. Mr. Rudolph has been a tenured professor at several law schools, and has served as the Dean of two law schools. He has published extensively and is included in Who's Who and Who's Who in American Law. He is one of only 2,000 lawyers to be honored as a life member of the America Law Institute.
Dean Rudolph is currently an arbitrator, and has served as a Judge of the Court of Industrial Relations for the State of Nebraska, and as a Hearing Officer for the State of Washington. He is a member of the AALS, and served as Chairman of its Committee on Legislation. In addition, Mr. Rudolph has served as JAGC for the U.S. Army, a member of the Nebraska Parole Board, a Commissioner of the Uniform State Laws, and Associate Editor for the Journal of the American Judicature Society.
We are honored to have a distinguished and nationally recognized legal scholar as an instructor and Dean at Blackstone Prep. (Instructs LSAT Courses.)
Eric Sachon received his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Clemson University in 1986 and received a MBA from the University of Central Florida in 2006. He has worked in the electric utility industry since graduating from Clemson. Opportunities with two Investor-owned utilities and a municipal electric utility have provided Eric with an extensive background related to the electric distribution system and business management skills. He is currently employed as a Distribution Asset Engineering Supervisor with Progress Energy Corporation, located in Lake Mary, Florida. Eric has been working as a UCF Test Prep instructor since 2006. (Instructs GMAT courses and Tutoring.)
Jill Schmidlkofer's most memorable teaching experience was at the US Air Force Academy, where she was assigned to teach advanced calculus. Jill has a BA in Psychology and an MS in Statistics, so she naturally fills the bill for test prep, being talented in both verbal and math areas. Her teaching style is informal and personal, and she gets her points across in an enthusiastic and totally understandable way. She is a retired Reserve Lieutenant Colonel with many years' experience in tutoring for SAT and GRE, as well as having taught at the University of Colorado, the University of Maryland, and several community colleges. (Instructs GRE, GMAT, SAT courses in Brevard and Tutoring.)
Ben Taylor is a full-time professor in the Information Technology department and teaches in the Physical Science department at Seminole Community College. He received his Master of Science in Physics from the University of Washington, his MBA/MIS from Pacific Lutheran University and is currently completing his EdD in Educational Leadership from the University of Central Florida (December, 2007). He has over 20 years of experience in the private sector and higher education and has taught certification preparation courses for over ten years at Seminole, Barry University, and Florida Technical College. (Instructs GRE and GMAT courses and Tutoring.)
Dr.Craig Tidwell is a professor at Seminole State College. Prior to this position he was a program manager for UCF Regional Campuses and a faculty member in the Management Information Systems Department in the College of Business at UCF. He has taught at the college level for over20 years in Florida and in North Carolina. He holds a B.S. degree in Business Administration from California State University, an M.S. degree in Business from the University of North Carolina, an M.S. degree in Management Information Systems from UCF, and a Ph.D. in Modeling and Simulation from the College of Engineering and Computer Science at UCF. He has taught test preparation courses in technical subject matters for many years. His experience includes over 10years working on National Science Foundation grants and as a grant reviewer for both the NSF and HED in Washington, DC. (Instructs GRE and GMAT courses.)
Joseph Virgin has taught SAT classes for UCF Test Prep since 2008. With a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education from UCF, he is setting out to create interactive educational games that appeal to the technologically driven youth. He has created several educational games for Plainvue Software, a company whose mission is to utilize the iPhone as a medium for education. Currently, Joe is working toward a Master of Arts in Interactive Entertainment at UCF's prestigious Interactive Entertainment Academy. Joe encourages his students to be actively engaged in lectures by being prepared for each session and asking questions. (Instructs GRE and SAT courses and Tutoring.)
Dr. Joylene Hall Ware is currently the Associate Dean/Professor of Engineering/Informational Sciences/Media Arts & Technology/Keller Graduate School of Management at DeVry University. Joylene was formerly a Professor and Course Director at Full Sail University, where she taught Usability Engineering course for the Game Design Department. She received a PhD in Industrial Engineering and Management Systems with a specialization in Human Factors and Ergonomics from the University of Central Florida. Dr. Ware also graduated Cum Laude from Florida A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and from Florida State University with a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering with a concentration in Engineering Management. Since 1998, Dr. Ware worked for NASA, including positions at Marshall Space Flight Center and Kennedy Space Center. While at NASA, she was a Human Factors Integration Manager, Industrial Engineer, Environmental Engineer, and a Logistics Engineer. Joylene was honored in KSC Spaceport News as a Top NASA Engineer. Joylene was the first African American Female to received a PhD in the NASA/Kennedy Space Center Operations Directorate. In addition, Dr. Ware was an Adjunct Professor and Facilitator at Valencia Community College, Florida Institute of Technology, and University of Central Florida. Joylene’s philosophy in life is “Attitude will determine your Altitude." Joylene jioned the insructional team in UCF Continuing Education to teach GRE and SAT Prep courses in September 2006.
(Instructs GRE and SAT courses and Tutoring.)
DeeDee Williams is an educator with a diverse background. She received her Bachelors and Masters Degrees from the University of Florida with a focus in Specific Learning Disabilities and Mental Retardation supported by a minor in Psychology and Elementary Education. She is state certified in both Severe Learning Disabilities and K-12 Math. Beyond her education, she taught for almost ten years followed by 15 years in the Educational Sales industry. Currently, she is a private tutor with a commitment to helping students and teachers reach their full potential. (Instructs FTCE General Knowledge, FTCE Professional and FTCE Comprehensive Courses.)
Customer Support
Contact Us | Frequently Asked Questions | Transfer and Refund Policy | Special Notes
Contact Us
407-882-TEST (8378)
testprep@ucf.edu
University of Central Florida
Division of Continuing Education
12565 Research Parkway, Suite 390
Orlando, FL 32826
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the size of the class?
The maximum class size is 25 students.
- Is the textbook included in the fee?
No, the textbook needs to be purchased separately. Please make sure the CD-Rom is included with the GMAT, GRE, and FTCE textbook. All other textbooks do not require a CD-Rom. All textbooks can be purchased at most national or local bookstores or online suppliers.
- Do I have to be a UCF Student to take the course?
No, the UCF Test Prep Review is available to anyone.
- Who is qualified for the UCF Alumni Discount?
Students who have graduated and received a degree from UCF qualify for the alumni discount. The discount is also extended to those about to graduate from UCF within the same term as the review course and current UCF Staff and Faculty members. For ACT/SAT only, the discount can be extended to children of UCF Alumni.
- What is the success rate of students after taking the test preparation classes?
We do not have statistics on the test scores because, most students take the test right after they complete the test preparation course and there is no requirement for them to report their scores to UCF Continuing Education. What we do have are extremely high indications of instructional satisfaction through documented feedback from test preparation students listed on our website.
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Do you offer Tutoring?
Yes, Tutors are available to prepare students for the GRE, GMAT, and SAT tests. Please call (407)882-0260 or email testprep@ucf.edu for instructor availability and pricing.
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Do you have payment plans?
Full payment is due before the class begins. If you decide to set up a payment plan, you must fill out a Deferred Payment Plan Form. Contact our office for more information and for approval.
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Why is your test preparation class so much cheaper than other test preparation classes I have found?
Our goal is to offer a quality service at an affordable price and ultimately assist potential undergraduate, graduate, and professional level students with enrollment into a degree program.
Exam Information
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Can I register for my exam with you?
We do not manage any of the actual exams. Students need to go to the selected exam's website to sign up for a test date. The links below will provide students with the most up to date details on the actual exam, testing site locations, dates, and exam fee.
Click here for each Exam Administration Website
ACT www.actstudent.org
FTCE www.fl.nesinc.com
GMAT www.mba.com/mba
GRE www.ets.org
LSAT www.lsac.org
MCAT www.aamc.org/students/mcat
PCAT www.pearsonassessments.com/haiweb/Cultures/en-US/Site/Community/PostSecondary/Products/PCAT/PCATHome.htm
SAT www.collegeboard.com
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Should I take the GMAT or GRE review?
The GMAT exam is required for the MBA programs and most business graduate schools. Non-business graduate schools usually require the GRE exam. Students are advised to consult with their school department to see which test scores are required.
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Is the test included in the class?
Students will be given practice tests, quizzes, testing strategies, and homework assignments to prepare them for the exam. We do not administer the actual exam. The test must be arranged separately with a testing facility.
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Do you offer a free practice exam?
We provide free practice exam links on each of our test preparation review pages. UCF Test Prep is not affiliated with these sites. These are references from the official testing organizations that administer each exam. We feel each will be beneficial in providing core concepts to students.
On the "Resources Tab" we have helpful tutorials to familiarize you with core mathematical concepts. These exercises are designed to explain concepts that you may have not seen for some time. There is an answer key to use with each exercise so you can check your answers.
Registration/Refund/Transfer
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I tried to register and make payment but the page timed out and I can't log back in. What do I do?
If you are having trouble making payment or logging in, please contact either Pat Craft 407-882-2166 pcraft@ucf.edu or Kim Malac 407-882-0251 kmalac@ucf.edu to complete payment.
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What do I do if I am going to miss a class session?
Please contact us if you know in advance that you will be missing a class or if you have already missed a class after the course has started and we will notify the instructor. We will work with the student based on the conditions of the absence.
Test Preparation Transfer and Refund Policy
This transfer policy applies only to the Test Prep review courses in the subject areas of GRE, GMAT, FTCE and ACT/SAT courses. For transfers related to MCAT/PCAT/OAT/DAT or LSAT courses contact our office at 407.882.TEST (8378) as all MCAT/PCAT/OAT/DAT and LSAT course transfers will need to be handled on a case-by-case basis.
All refund requests will be required to follow the Division of Continuing Education refund policy.
UCF Test Prep Administration will approve all transfer requests, and notify the student of the decision and any pertinent information. Instructors do not have the authority to make decisions on this policy. Notification to instructors does not constitute transfer from the class. The required UCF Test Prep Transfer Request Form must be completed and submitted for review.
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Transfer Process
1. Complete the transfer form: You, the student, will need to notify the Division of Continuing Education that you wish to transfer from the course that you are registered in. You will need to download the transfer form from the UCF Test Prep website. This is the first step in the process and the most essential. We will consider your transfer request active the day and time that we physically receive the signed form. Any transfer forms received outside of our regular business hours of Monday thru Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM will be considered “received” on our next regular business day.
2. Payment: There will be a payment required for transferring to another course. A percentage of your registration fee will be applied as a credit to the course that you want to transfer into. The credit will be determined based on how much of the course is remaining, and not on how many classes that you have attended or missed.
We will determine the remaining time for the course from the point in time we receive the transfer form, not from the time it is dated and signed. Only class times that meet after we receive the transfer form will count as remaining course time.
This credit will be applied to the current registration fee of the course being transferred to, and any resulting remaining balance will need to be paid by the student. There will also be an additional transfer fee of $50.00 (fifty dollars) that will be added to your registration fee. The $50.00 transfer fee is required to be paid regardless of how much the credit is calculated as.
Registration Fee Clarification: If you transfer to another course you will be in the same fee category as the class you are transferring from. For example, you may not transfer and switch from the regular Registration rate to the Alumni rate (unless you have graduated prior to taking the new course).
Example of How the Credit is Determined: The amount of your credit is determined by how much of the course is remaining.
- We take the number of hours for your course (ex. 24 review hour course)
- And then subtract the number of hours the course has met (ex. 2 class meeting at 4 hours each equals 8 hours that have met).
- This will give us the remaining number of hours the course has NOT met (ex. 24-8 = 16 hours).
- The remaining amount of class will then be divided by the total number of hours for the course (ex. 16/24 = 66.7%). This is the percentage of your fee that will be applied to the registration fee transfer course.
Sample: Orlando was taking the 16-hour review course, but after two class meetings Orlando decided that he wants to transfer to the 24 review hour course. Orlando paid $549 for the 16-hour review course, and the 24-hour review course fee is $700. How much will the credit be and how much will he need to pay?
Orlando’s class meets for 4 hours each session and there have already been 2 class meetings, so 8 hours of the course have already met, and 8 hours or 50% of the course remains. Orlando will receive a credit for 50% of his $549 registration fee that will be applied toward the $700 registration fee for the transfer course.
After the $274.50 credit is applied, Orlando is left with a $425.50 registration fee. Once the $50.00 transfer fee is applied to the remaining registration fee of $425.50, Orlando will need to pay $475.50 for transferring into the 24-hour review course.
Special Notes:
Transfers for LSAT and MCAT/PCAT/OAT/DAT will be handled on a case-by-case basis, please contact our office at 407.882.TEST (8378).
No portion of your registration fee can be applied to another DCE program or transferred to another person.
UCF Test Prep will not refund textbook purchases, nor will we supply the textbook for the transfer course.