SAT Tutoring

The SAT is an approximately two-hour digital college admissions exam. 

Our SAT Tutoring Program

Our educational approach to SAT preparation teaches the core concepts in critical reading, writing, grammar, and math required for solving the types of problems that recur on the test. We believe that preparing for standardized tests should not only improve scores but also equip students with the tools for enhanced performance across all their academic work.

Through rigorous, long-term preparation, we emphasize learning the material thoroughly and thinking critically about every question. Weekly meetings, assignments, and full-length, proctored practice tests help our students develop a deeper understanding of concepts and refine their problem-solving techniques.

Contact us to speak to a program consultant to discuss your goals and set up a diagnostic SAT.

Program Length

The precise length of our SAT program is tailored to the individual student based on multiple factors, including:

  • the student's tutoring needs
  • when the student begins working with us
  • the student's goals
  • the number of meetings the student has with the tutor each week
  • the date the student plans to take the official test

We strongly recommend that a student plan to work with a tutor for an academic year or more to cover the material at a reasonable pace.

Reading and Writing

Our Reading materials help students learn to extract essential information from a given text. We have developed a series of vocabulary-in-context word lists representing the high-utility academic words and phrases that are specifically tested on the SAT. Students become more attuned to the significance of word choice and more adept at discerning an author's meaning—essential skills that remain useful as students continue their academic and professional careers.

Students master fundamental principles of grammar while developing a critical eye for spotting errors. They acquire skills that help them improve their accuracy on the SAT grammar questions and also identify and correct errors in their own writing.

Math

Our Math materials identify the mathematical terms and recurring math question types in algebra, problem solving and data analysis, and other math topics. Students will practice these concepts in targeted math worksheets, problem sets, and summary reviews.

 

Should students take the SAT or the ACT?

All major colleges accept the SAT and the ACT with equal preference. When deciding whether to take the SAT or the ACT, students should not speculate. Diagnostic testing and routine practice will dictate which test is best suited for the individual student.

We generally recommend that students complete a few months of tutoring before selecting to prepare for either the SAT or ACT. During this period, each student should take an SAT and an ACT diagnostic test. The results of the diagnostics in addition to the student’s preferences and goals will help us advise an appropriate test regimen.

In the first few months of the program, our tutors focus on imparting the core material—including math concepts, grammar rules, and reading skills—relevant to both the SAT and the ACT. After deciding which test better suits each student’s goals and abilities, our tutors will incorporate materials specific to the student's chosen test and develop a rigorous practice test schedule.

What are the differences between the SAT and the ACT?

The ACT and the SAT are both prominent college admissions tests. Both assess the educational development of high school students and the ability to perform college level work. However, the ACT and the SAT are different educational instruments with different emphases.

 

SAT

ACT

Scoring

400–1600 composite scale

1–36 composite scale

Test Length

Approximately 2 hours

Approximately 3 hours (not including the optional essay)

Verbal

54 questions, in two 27-question, 32-minute modules

Informational graphics included

40 reading questions in 35 minutes
Passage-based reading comprehension

75 English questions in 45 minutes
Passage-based testing of grammar, usage, syntax, rhetoric, and punctuation

Math

44 questions, in two 22-question, 35-minute modules

Can use an approved calculator

Approximately 75% multiple choice and 25% student-produced responses

Trigonometry, radians, volumes, complex numbers, congruence and similarity, simple rational expressions, higher order equations, circle-related topics

60 questions in 60 minutes

Can use an approved calculator

All multiple choice

Arithmetic, algebra I and II, planar and coordinate geometry, trigonometry and precalculus including functions, conic sections, combinations and permutations, logarithms, and matrices

Science

No science section

Science questions throughout the Reading and Writing and Math Sections

40 questions in 35 minutes

Interpretation and application of scientific data presented in tables, pie charts, bar graphs, scatter plots, etc.

Essay

No essay

40 minutes

Optional

Writing and composition, analysis and development of an argument

4 scores:

  • Ideas and Analysis
  • Development and Support
  • Organization
  • Language Use and Conventions

Other

No penalty for incorrect answers

No penalty for incorrect answers

 

How do SAT and ACT scores compare?

Concordance tools and tables are provided on the official SAT website.

Section

Number of Questions

Minutes per Section

Content

Reading and Writing

54 questions, in two 27-question modules

64 minutes, in two 32-minute modules

Reading comprehension across a range of subject matter
Grammatical and syntactical principles and idiomatic expression

Math

44 questions, in two 22-question modules

70 minutes, in two 35-minute modules

Emphasis on algebra, problem-solving and data analysis, and certain advanced math topics

 

Download SAT Format and Timing as a PDF.

How is the SAT Scored?

  • One Total Score, scaled from 400–1600, reflecting the student’s overall performance
  • Two Section Scores, scaled from 200–800:
    • Reading and Writing
    • Math

When is the SAT Taken?

Most of our students take the SAT in the spring of their junior year and retake it in the fall of their senior year.

The SAT is offered seven times per academic year, usually in August, October, November, December, March, May, and June. International test dates may vary.

Upcoming SAT Dates and Registration Deadlines

Test Date Registration Deadline Late Registration Deadline Accommodations Request Deadline
March 9, 2024  February 23, 2024 February 27, 2024 January 19, 2024
May 4, 2024 April 19, 2024 April 23, 2024 March 17, 2024
June 1, 2024 May 16, 2024 May 21, 2024 April 12, 2024

 

To download this information as a PDF, click here.

For information about international testing, click here.

Tutors in Washington DC

Joshua Kaplan

Joshua Kaplan

Tutor of: SAT, ACT, LSAT, GMAT, GRE, SSAT, ISEE

J.D. from Yale Law School.
M.F.A. from the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts.
B.A./B.S., summa cum laude, in English and Film & Television from Boston University.
Mary Pickford Scholar; Phi Beta Kappa; Boston University Trustee Scholar; Kodak Film Scholar.

Tony Manela

Tony Manela

Tutor of: SAT, LSAT, GRE

Ph.D. in Philosophy from Georgetown University.
B.A. in Philosophy from Duke University.
Philosophy Professor at Siena College.

David Sommers

David Sommers

Tutor of: SAT, ACT, GMAT, GRE, SSAT, ISEE

M.Ed. in Secondary Education from The George Washington University.
B.A., magna cum laude, in English and French from Vanderbilt University.
Dean’s List; National French Honor Society; National Merit Letter of Commendation; ETS Recognition of Excellence for Outstanding Score on Praxis II: English Language.

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