Advancing STEM Pathways and College Readiness
We translate what actually works for learners
into academic excellence.
Founded by a mathematics educator with 15+ years of experience.
Our Approach to Learning Mathematics
Developing mathematical intuition is at the core of our approach. We believe it helps build meaningful connections with mathematics while creating a strong foundation for exploring new concepts.
We strive to bring math to life by connecting abstract concepts to real-world applications while also exploring the structure and elegance of mathematics.
Why College Factor
There is a bottleneck in the college-STEM pipeline: math. Years of experience and public engagement revealed why. Math learners struggle to recognize structure, to see the purpose and application behind the math.
College Factor helps learners uncover the math behind the math, understand the why, and see it applied, building the math intuition that lets them excel in STEM.
Instructional Solutions
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One-on-one or small group math tutoring for college or high school math courses, standardized tests (SAT, ACT and dual enrollment placement tests) or competition math (AMC, MATHCOUNTS)
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Diagnostic assessments to identify where a student's understanding of structure, efficiency, or application breaks down
Learning Solutions
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A digital math learning platform with animated math lessons converting abstract concepts into dynamic, code-driven visual sequences.
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Interactive modules with slider-driven, live-updating equations that allow users to manipulate variables in real time and with adaptive practice problems.
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Math competition practice problems with instant explanations and modeled on AMC/MATHCOUNTS problem structure.
Professional Solutions
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Curriculum design and development
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Faculty training and consulting
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Department-wide assessment audits and redesigns aligned to accreditation standards
About the Founder
Carl Cardenas is founder of College Factor, with over 15 years of experience teaching mathematics, including college-level teaching where his course evaluations surpassed departmental and university-wide benchmarks. He also worked as a math item writer and instructor for Kaplan's GRE, SAT, and ACT test-prep programs, where he maintained above-average ratings.
College Factor's approach to building math intuition is guided by a pattern he oftened observed as an instructor; students excelled in math when they learned to recognize structures, find efficient paths to solutions, and see the real-world application of math.
Carl's expertise also includes developing dual-enrollment math curricula, guiding transitions to open-source college course materials, and designing department-wide assessments for accreditation; assessments on which his students excelled.
He holds a master's degree from Johns Hopkins University. Carl has testified before the DC Council on Education and written an opinion piece for The Guardian addressing the barriers in STEM education.