SAT prep: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What sat prep is

SAT prep teaches strategies and content for a college admissions exam, with practice questions, timed sections and feedback on weak areas. Students and parents book it when the test is a few months away, when practice scores are flat, or when a student needs a plan for the reading and writing and the math sections.

Signs you need it

  • Practice test scores stay about the same, even after the student studies on their own
  • The student runs out of time on the reading or math sections
  • The student misses easy questions because of careless errors or unclear wording
  • The student has a test date coming up and no plan for the weeks before it
  • The student has gaps in algebra or grammar that show up across many questions

What the pro does

  • Takes a diagnostic practice test with the student and reviews where time and points were lost
  • Teaches the question types for reading and math, with the strategies that work for each
  • Builds timing practice with timed sections and a plan for the questions to skip
  • Covers the content gaps the diagnostic shows, such as algebra, grammar or data questions
  • Reviews each practice test with the student and sets the next focus for the following session

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Length of each session and how many sessions are in a series
  • Whether the course is a short workshop or a longer program over several months
  • Whether sessions are in person or online
  • Private tutoring versus a small group class
  • Whether practice tests and score reports are included
  • How much content review the student needs before strategy work

What a written quote should spell out

  • Number of sessions, session length and the start date
  • Whether practice tests, answer reviews and progress reports are included
  • Whether sessions are in person or online, and what materials are used
  • Cancellation and make-up policy
  • Whether the tutor will share progress with the parent and the student

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How do you start, and what does the first diagnostic practice test tell us?
  • How do you teach timing, and what do you do when the student runs out of time?
  • Which question types do you cover in reading and writing and in math, and how do you teach each one?
  • Do you use official practice tests, and how do you get them?
  • How many full practice tests will the student complete, and when?
  • Have you passed a background check, and do all of your tutors pass one?
  • What score change is realistic for my child, and how will we measure it?

Red flags

  • Promises a set score or a specific jump in points
  • Uses unofficial practice questions and claims they are the real test
  • Teaches tricks for guessing without teaching the content the student is missing
  • Pushes a long package of sessions before a diagnostic test

What you can do yourself

A student can take a full timed practice test on a set day, review each wrong answer, and keep a log of the mistake types. Use the test maker's official practice materials, which are often free, to build a study plan. Hire a tutor when practice scores are flat, when timing is the main problem, or when the student needs help with a content gap that is holding back every section.

Licenses and permits

No license is usually required to tutor for a standardized test privately. Ask whether the tutor has teaching experience or a degree in the subject, and check with your state or local licensing agency only if the program or school has its own rules for test prep services.

SAT prep questions

How long before the test should my child start?

It depends on the starting point and the target. Ask the tutor to run a diagnostic test first, then build a plan with a test date and steady practice between sessions.

Does my child need a tutor if they study alone?

Some students study well alone with official practice tests. A tutor helps when practice scores are flat, when timing is the main issue, or when the student needs feedback on each mistake.

Does my child need a background check for a test prep tutor?

Many parents and programs ask for one when the tutor works with a minor. Ask for proof of a background check before the first session, and ask about the rules for pickup and supervision.

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