Test Preparation

It is true that many colleges remain test optional, but an increasing number are returning to test recommended or test required policies. Even at test optional schools, submitting strong test scores can strengthen an application and improve a student’s overall positioning.

In addition, many state universities and competitive majors prefer to see test scores as part of the academic profile. For these reasons, we encourage families to think of going test optional as an application strategy rather than a testing strategy. Having scores available gives students more flexibility when deciding where and how to apply.

While the two exams have different structures, they measure similar skills

• Reading comprehension
• Grammar and writing skills
• Algebra and advanced math concepts
• Data interpretation and analytical reasoning

They differ in format, pacing, and scoring structure.

This is one of the most common questions families ask. All colleges in the United States accept the SAT and ACT equally, so there is no advantage to choosing one test over the other based on admissions preferences.

We strongly recommend that students take a baseline assessment for both tests before beginning preparation. This allows us to determine which exam better aligns with a student’s strengths, testing style, and goals, and ensures that preparation time is used strategically and effectively.

Yes. We provide targeted preparation for the SAT, ACT, and PSAT courses. Test prep is integrated into each student’s overall academic and college plan. Read more about test prep.

No. We do not offer score improvement guarantees. What we do guarantee is that your student will work with an experienced instructor who provides the level of preparation, strategy, and feedback they need based on their individual starting point and goals.

Historically, our students see meaningful gains. On the SAT, students often improve by 100 to 200 points, and on the ACT, we typically see 3 to 7 point score improvements. Individual results vary based on starting scores, engagement, and timing.

Most students begin test preparation in 10th or early 11th grade, but timing varies. We assess readiness, academic foundation, and goals before recommending a plan so preparation is strategic rather than rushed.

Our test preparation is not one-size-fits-all. We pay close attention to a student’s starting scores, their academic readiness and use that to come up with their individualized test prep plan. We focus on skill gaps, strategy, confidence, and timing within the broader college plan. Test prep works best when coordinated with academics and long-term goals.

We offer small group SAT preparation classes as well as one-to-one private instruction for both the SAT and ACT. Small group classes provide structure and peer motivation, while private instruction allows for fully personalized pacing and targeted strategy based on a student’s strengths and needs. We help families choose the right option based on a student’s goals, learning style, timeline, and prior testing experience.

Our group classes are dynamic and interactive, with strong student engagement and consistently positive feedback. Every student is encouraged to participate, ask questions, and contribute to discussion, creating an active learning environment rather than a lecture-style class.

In addition to group instruction, each student receives four individual review sessions. These sessions provide personalized feedback on practice tests, including full-length exams taken under realistic testing conditions. Students also have access to recordings of live sessions for review and reinforcement.

This combination of group learning and individualized feedback helps students build confidence, refine strategy, and make measurable progress on their scores. Check out our upcoming class schedule

Private test preparation is available at our North Hills and South Hills offices. Small group SAT classes are offered exclusively at our South Hills office in Pittsburgh. We also work with students virtually, and remote test preparation is just as effective for students who prefer flexibility or are located outside the area.

As part of registering for the SAT/ ACT test, Collegeboard and ACT allow you to be able to send your test scores directly to four colleges at no additional charge. Collegeboard even extends a nine-day grace period after the test day to send scores at no additional fee. Unless you are a senior with final list of colleges in hand, we do not recommend sending scores too early to colleges. Read more on our blog.

When working towards SAT or ACT test, taking full length actual conditions test is one of the most important part of preparation. These practice tests not only provide you with a score but they also highlight your test taking tendencies. Check out our calendar of upcoming practice test dates

Yes. In every test cycle, we work with students who are already scoring in the 90th percentile and above. Students at this level have very specific needs and benefit from instructors who can quickly identify subtle gaps, pinpoint where they are getting stuck, and challenge them to think more flexibly in order to move into the next score range.

Our test prep tutors are experienced educators who specialize in standardized test preparation. They have strong mastery of the SAT and ACT and understand how to teach both the academic content and the strategic thinking required for these exams. Beyond subject knowledge, our tutors focus on helping students build confidence, recognize patterns in the test, and develop effective problem-solving approaches so they can perform at their best on test day.

In most cases, we do not recommend preparing specifically for the PSAT. We do strongly encourage students to take the PSAT in both 10th and 11th grade, as it provides useful insight into readiness for the SAT and helps students become comfortable with the testing format.

Unless a student is aiming for National Merit Scholarship qualifying scores (NMSQT), we typically recommend focusing preparation on the SAT instead. SAT preparation builds the same skills tested on the PSAT while also supporting the exam that colleges ultimately consider in the admissions process.