What are your hours of operation?

We have VERY flexible hours. During the school year, we typically meet with students after school, evenings, and on weekends.  During vacations and over the summer, we see students during the day as well. We also work with students via Zoom.


When should I begin prep?

Ideally, prep should begin approximately three months prior to the date that a student plans to take the SAT or ACT for the first time, a date we’ll help to determine. Factors we consider include: the level of Math that the student has completed, baseline and target scores, academic course load, and sports schedules and extra-curricular activities. Many students take advantage of slowdowns in their academic and extra-curricular schedule to get a jump-start on the process. Rising juniors who have high National Merit Selection Indexes – from their 10th grade PSAT and/or a recent diagnostic – may want to consider beginning prep during the summer before junior year to work on qualifying for a Letter of Commendation or a National Merit Scholarship.


When are the tests given?

PSAT

  • NEW DIGITAL PSAT DATE:  October 2023

Anticipated 2023–24 School Year Test Dates

SAT Test Date* Registration Deadline Deadline for Regular Cancellation
Aug 26, 2023 Domestic: Jul 28, 2023
International: Aug 11, 2023
Aug 15, 2023
Oct 7, 2023 Domestic: Sept 8, 2023
International: Sept 22, 2023
Sept 26, 2023
Nov 4, 2023 Domestic: Oct 6, 2023
International: Oct 20, 2023
Oct 24, 2023
Dec 2, 2023 Domestic: Nov 3, 2023
International: Nov 17, 2023
Nov 21, 2023
Mar 9, 2024 Feb 23, 2024 Feb 27, 2024**
May 4, 2024 Apr 19, 2024 Apr 23, 2024**
June 1, 2024 May 17, 2024 May 21, 2024**

 

ACT Test Dates and Deadlines 2022-2023

SAT Test Date

Registration Deadline

Late Fee Deadline

February 6, 2021

January 8

January 15

April 17, 2021

March 12

March 26

June 12, 2021

May 7

May 21

July 17, 2021*

June 18

June 25

Sept 11, 2021

Aug 6, 2021

Aug 20, 2021

Oct 23, 2021

Sept 19, 2021

Oct 3, 2021

Dec 11, 2021

Nov 5, 2021

Nov 19, 2021

Feb 5, 2022

Jan 7, 2022

Jan 14, 2022

Apr 9, 2022

Mar 4, 2022

Mar 18, 2022

June 11, 2022

May 6, 2022

May 20, 2022

July 16, 2022

June 10, 2022

June 24, 2022

ACT Test Dates and Deadlines 2023-2024
Test Date Regular Registration Deadline Late Registration Deadline
Late Fee Applies
Photo Upload and Standby Deadline
September 9, 2023 August 4 August 18 September 1
October 28, 2023 September 22 October 6 October 20
December 9, 2023 November 3 November 17 December 1
February 10, 2024 January 5 January 19 February 2
April 13, 2024 March 8 March 22 April 5
June 8, 2024 May 3 May 17 May 31
July 13, 2024* June 7 June 21 July 5

Do all colleges take the SAT and ACT?

Yes, the SAT and ACT are accepted by all colleges.


Do you do group tutoring?

No.  One-on-one tutoring is both our specialty and philosophy.


How many sessions?

Students typically require 12 verbal sessions and 12 math sessions. Since our program is customized, we tailor the number of sessions to the individual needs, aspirations, and circumstances of each student and family.


What’s your average improvement?

We average 100 points of improvement on the SAT verbal sections and 100 points on the SAT math sections.

Improvements on the ACT average 6 composite points.


What is a typical lesson like?

Every one-on-one lesson is one hour and fifteen minutes long. Each tutor starts with a curriculum specially designed for the test the student is prepping toward. Our extensive tutoring experience and expertise are reflected in the curriculum. In order to reinforce the lesson, homework is assigned, which consists of sections from authentic tests that are curated to address specific issues at the time. We provide feedback on the homework to correct and mitigate future errors. The parameters of the lessons are the same, but no two students’ lessons and homework are alike as they are highly individualized.


Do I need to take Subject Tests?

It is advisable to first check the requirements of the schools on your college list.

Some schools require one or two Subject Tests, while many don’t ask for them at all. Georgetown University and Johns Hopkins University are currently the only schools that require three Subject Tests.

Subject Tests assess your knowledge of subjects on a high school level and are the only national admission tests that allow you to select the tests that best highlight your strengths and interests. Even if Subject Tests are not required, you may want to take one or two to demonstrate your proficiency in a particular subject or potential college major.

Not all Subject Tests are given on all test dates, and you may not take Subject Tests on the same day as the SAT. You may take up to three Subject Tests in one day, and, except for Language with Listening, you can decide which Subject Tests to take right up until the day of the exam. Subject Tests are scored on the same 200–800 scale as the SAT.


What’s the difference between the ACT and SAT?

Since the recent redesign of the SAT, the two tests are more similar than before. The SAT is more abstract, while the ACT is more concrete and time-driven. The ACT has a separate Science section, whereas the SAT has table and graph questions incorporated throughout the test.

The SAT

Score Range:  400-1600

The SAT composite score is the sum of the Reading and Writing score (200-800), and the Math score (200-800). The Essay is scored separately from 6-24.

Length:

The SAT is 3 hours and 50 minutes long, including the essay.

The SAT Sections:

  • Two Verbal Sections
    • Reading: 65 minutes; 52 questions; five passages
    • Writing and Language: 35 minutes; 44 questions
  • Two Math Sections
    • No Calculator: 25 minutes; 20 questions
    • Math/With Calculator: 55 minutes; 38 questions

The ACT

Score Range: 1 – 36

Each section of the ACT is scored from 1-36. The ACT composite score is the rounded average of the four test scores. The Essay is not part of the ACT composite score and graded separately from 2-12.

Length:

The ACT is 3 hours and 35 minutes long, including the essay.

The ACT Sections

  • English – Grammar/Usage
    • 75 questions – 45 minutes
  • Mathematics
    • 60 questions – 60 minutes
  • Reading
    • 40 questions – 35 minutes
  • Science Reasoning
    • 40 questions – 35 minutes
  • Writing (Essay)
    • 40 minutes
    • “optional”
    • A score for the essay is given separately from the composite score.