Every student deserves the right support.

How do I know if your philosophy and approach are really best for me?

The SAT® is, first and foremost, a reading comprehension and critical thinking test, combining technical skills in math and in writing. This is the kind of intelligence/skills mix that can be taught — and this is exactly what we do best, unlike most other SAT tutors who concentrate on test-taking techniques with limited or no elevation of the student's fundamental competencies. In our experience, even many top students have significant gaps in knowledge and skills needed for the SAT®. Most need to understand and to practice taking control of the SAT® rather than letting the test questions push them around. Many need some help sharpening critical thinking skills and fine-tuning approaches. Most need a good, basic grammar review, to understand how to organize their thoughts, and to develop a thesis. Most students need refreshers on underlying mathematical skills. We fill in the gaps. We address every issue needed to succeed on the SAT® while we ready our students for excellence in the high places of academia.

• If you want a real shot at significant SAT or ACT score increases — greater than many believe are realistic — and are willing to work consistently to achieve great results, you want us as your partner.
• If you value the opportunity to hone your high-level academic skills so that you are a better reader, writer, better with math, and better at organizing your ideas — a better critical thinker at the same time as you prepare for outstanding SAT or ACT success — you'll feel great working with us.
• If you are not willing to settle for a "one size fits most" group approach, our custom one-on-one tutoring is for you.
• If you want more than a general overview and some test-taking tricks, you'll want to learn with us — learning every question type and the best approach to get quick and accurate answers.
• If you want the services of full-time professionals using a proven approach, we're for you.
• If you have test anxiety, learning or processing challenges, lack confidence, or have multiple issues impeding your success, you want a tutor dedicated to overcoming your challenges and to uncovering your full potential.
• If one-on-one meetings with your personal tutor will help motivate you, we are exactly what you need.

Why are the SAT and ACT so important? Isn't it enough to be a well-rounded student?

To top colleges, a "well-rounded student" is one who has done exceptionally well in all areas: grades, the SAT or ACT, and extra-curricular pursuits. Since the SAT or ACT is the only quantifiable standard common to all applicants, these tests are often given significant weight when making admissions or scholarship decisions. Score ranges are published in college guides and are commonly used by prospective students to select suitable college options and to eliminate others, so there is intense pressure on selective colleges and universities to maintain high reported average SAT and ACT scores — making an SAT and ACT score one of the most important numbers on a college application. Even many "test optional" colleges use test scores — for admissions, honors programs, scholarships, and other important opportunities.

What does it take to get the best SAT or ACT score?

Facility with high-level academic skills, combined with familiarity with the questions on the test and a confident approach to answering them, will result in top SAT/ACT scores. Through their work with us, students shore up all underlying skills in reading, math, writing, and critical thinking. Our students learn to change the ways in which they approach the tests — to take control of the test. We offer a comprehensive program, covering high-level academic skills, crucial formulas, test-taking skills, and a thorough review and familiarity with all of the material covered by the SAT and ACT. When students follow our program diligently, by the time they sit for the SAT or ACT, they are ready to succeed. Our methods have often resulted in significant score increases.

How much time will a student need to commit to this program?

Our program is goal-driven, and the goals are set by each individual client. Ambitious goals generally require more time than smaller goals. We do not have a canned curriculum, but gear our lessons to the unique needs and goals of each student. Some students come to us needing to fill knowledge or performance gaps in a few areas, while some need thorough reviews of most or all of the skills tested on the SAT or ACT. Most students need help with subject matter as well as test-taking skills. Almost all of our students need help understanding how to take control of the test, practice sharpening their critical thinking skills, and confidence to reach beyond their current levels of academic performance. Many, including high-achieving students, need help with reading comprehension and with building their vocabularies. Some students come, as is optimal, during sophomore year in high school or near the beginning of their junior year; some come only a few months before a fall-of-senior-year test. We work with the student and parents to establish individual goals and a realistic time budget. Most of our students study with us for at least five months, some many more. They finish their work with us when they have achieved their goal scores.

What about homework?

In order to get the most out of each session, outside assignments are recommended, and most students do 1½ to 2 hours of homework for each two hours of tutoring. The nature and extent of the homework will vary with the length of the program and the student's profile. We are a custom service and meet the exact needs of each student. We are demanding of the student, yet flexible — working around the times the student is particularly tired or over-committed.

How do you motivate students to do the work and to succeed?

Our tutors and students form dynamic personal relationships that energize and motivate; they enjoy each other's company, and our one-on-one format keeps students engaged. But probably the most significant motivator is the feeling of empowerment our students gain in dealing with high-level academic demands, both in SAT or ACT work and in school. Our students feel great when they become better readers and writers, when their math skills are finely honed, when their critical thinking abilities are greatly expanded, and when they understand how to easily organize their ideas. Even though students are working hard with us, they often report that their newfound skills alleviate the stress and time needed for school assignments. Students particularly appreciate that our lessons are geared to the exact needs of the student, each and every week. Our students never do busy work, but always get homework geared to exactly what will allow the student to grow. Because students see value in our homework, they usually do it rather willingly, sometimes eagerly. Each lesson provides the opportunity for our tutors to help students eliminate obstacles, motivating them to continue working toward ever greater milestones.

What are your average score increases?

You can expect much greater score increases from our service than, generally, from other test preparation services. We don't talk in averages, because our students come to us with very different base scores, goals, and abilities. A student scoring a 1450 on the SAT may work for a perfect or near-perfect score (and we've had many such successes); in this case, the score increase could be, at most, 150 points. Another student may come to us after achieving a far lower score — say, 1100 on the SAT — with the goal of 1450 in order to have a shot at a certain selective college, a 350-point increase (and we often get these kinds of results for our students). What we can say is this: students who engage fully with the program and bring consistent effort commonly see meaningful gains — in the range of 150 points over 24 hours of tutoring. Where you land naturally varies from student to student, depending on your starting point, your goals, and the effort you bring. There are no guarantees, but we will always work diligently toward the strongest possible result for you.