SAT & PSAT

I have tutored over a thousand high school students in the last 14 years. I have also written SAT and PSAT test prep materials for publication by a major test prep company. I know these tests inside and out! I have studied and analyzed all released digital SAT and PSAT material. My greatest joy is helping students overcome their fear of these tests, seeing them as games with rules, learning how to play, and even occasionally enjoying the game.

    1. Tailored Learning
      Tutors can personalize study plans based on your strengths and weaknesses, maximizing your study time.

    2. Test Insights
      Experienced tutors know the SAT/PSAT inside out, offering strategies for tackling challenging sections.

    3. Targeted Practice
      Working with a tutor means focusing on high-impact areas and learning to manage time effectively for each section.

    4. Confidence Boost
      A good tutor helps reduce test anxiety, allowing you to approach the test more like a game with straightforward strategies.

    5. Adaptive Techniques
      Tutors familiar with the digital SAT/PSAT offer specific tips that make these newer tests more manageable.

    6. Expert Test Prep Materials
      Tutors with experience in writing or contributing to test prep materials often have access to specialized resources.

    7. Mastering the Rules
      Tutors teach you to approach questions as “puzzles,” showing you how to break them down effectively.

    8. Familiarity with Digital Format
      Tutors who have studied released digital SAT/PSAT material provide insight into the format’s unique aspects.

    9. More Accessible Verbal Sections
      With more manageable verbal sections on the new test, your tutor can help efficiently refine reading comprehension and grammar.

    10. Accountability and Motivation
      Regular sessions with a tutor keep you on track and motivated, making it easier to stay committed to your study goals.

    1. Proven Expertise
      Ph.D. tutors bring years of academic experience, providing a strong foundation in test prep and effective study methods.

    2. Specialized Knowledge
      Ph.D. tutors often have a deeper understanding of test psychology and strategies, having studied and contributed to prep materials.

    3. Personalized Approach
      A Ph.D. tutor can tailor their methods to match your child’s learning style, helping them grasp challenging concepts with ease.

    4. Confidence-Building for Students
      Ph.D. tutors are skilled at breaking down test anxieties and helping students see the SAT/PSAT as manageable, even enjoyable.

    5. Cutting-edge preparation for New Formats
      Ph.D. tutors who are up-to-date on changes, like the digital SAT, ensure your child is well-prepared for current test formats.

NOTE:

I hope that the lists above emphasize the benefits of working with a knowledgeable, experienced tutor and highlight how a specialized tutor — particularly one with a Ph.D. — offers an edge in preparation for these important exams.

If you would like to know more about my educational background and experience, please review the ABOUT section.

Want to help your kid get ready for the Fall 2025 SAT?

Me too!

What does an example session look like?

  • A student took a official College Board practice test and got 1,300 (650 RW / 650 M).

  • The student took another official College Board practice test and got 1,380 (670 RW / 710 M). Of course we love seeing a 60-point jump in Math after just one session, but after 15 seconds of celebration, we got back to work! :-)

The session

What does an example session look like?

Images and video coming soon!

The session depicted above is for literally one single student at one single moment. For every student, there will be a somewhat different pathway. That's the beauty of working one-on-one with an experienced tutor like me, since test preparation (at least when it's done well) is very far from a mechanical set of one-size-fits-all guidelines. Your son or daughter is not a cake to be baked! They are a person with individual quirks, strengths, weaknesses, and ways of learning.

How many sessions are needed?

Great question, because there is no standard answer. As I mentioned in the FAQ, in my experience, most students' needs can be addressed by some version of one of the three pathways listed below. It all depends on the student's starting score and their willingness and ability to work independently between sessions. While every individual student's path is different (which is precisely the point of private tutoring!), the following three pathways can give you a sense of how things might unfold.

THREE PATHWAYS

(1) STANDARD MODEL

STARTING SCORE: 1,100—1,300

6 meetings (9 hours) recommended

(2) THOROUGH MODEL

STARTING SCORE: 900—1,100

8 meetings (12 hours) recommended

(3) ACCELERATED MODEL

STARTING SCORE: 1,300—1,500

4 meetings (6 hours) recommended