We have been preparing students since 1997. We have seen our best results after switching to an online format in March 2020.

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Testimonials

“High school students have exceptional scholastic abilities that often go underutilized. My expertise facilitates the full and timely expression of these abilities. What I have seen confident and motivated teenagers accomplish is remarkable and has convinced me of their great potential. This conviction is perhaps my strongest asset as a mentor, a coach, an educator and a friend.”

Michael Romano – Mr. Test Prep

The Mr. Test Prep Approach

Free Trial Session

In order to give prospective students an opportunity to try out the Mr. Test Prep approach before making any kind of financial investment, I offer a two-hour trial session, free of charge.

During this Zoom session, the student and I spend some time getting to know each other, and the student works through a diagnostic test. Not only will the trial session give me a better idea of the student’s testing profile but it will also provide the student with a feel for my test prep style and format.

After the Free Trial Session, I have a Zoom call with both parent and student to discuss our session and to recommend a test prep plan. We will cover diagnostic results, which tests to take and when, test prep frequency, target scores, etc. Soon after, I will email my test prep proposal with all the particulars.

Methodology

Most test prep programs use a one-size-fits-all approach. Students work their way through simplified content, which is designed so relatively inexperienced tutors can teach the broadest set of subjects to the broadest set of high school kids. These programs are about coverage rather than depth.

A good tutor will pick and choose which subjects to focus on, but still, a lot of time gets wasted either going over things the student already understands or attempting to explain subjects that the student isn’t ready for yet, just because that’s the next chapter in the book. For a high school student, this uneven approach to test prep can be alternately boring and exceptionally frustrating, with moments of genuine learning in between.

After years teaching the SAT just like everyone else, I decided to abandon convention and try a radical approach. Instead of doing what parents expected me to do—lots of homework and long one-on-one tutoring sessions—I decided do what was best for my students and their test scores.

No Homework

When I started out as an SAT tutor over 26 years ago, I worked for one of the big chain companies, and I learned something that very few tutors will admit: since students almost never apply themselves to test prep homework, it’s almost always a complete waste of time and energy.

When homework gets done—if it gets done—there’s actually very little A) that I can tell from their performance and B) that the students get from the experience. This is because almost no one does the homework in a way that replicates the conditions of the test. Some do a rush job in the 10 minutes before the lesson. Others make a halfhearted attempt while watching TV or intermittently scrolling through Instagram. Even the most dedicated students shoot themselves in the foot by going WAY over the time limits because they “don’t want to get a bad grade.”

 

Score Satisfaction Guarantee

I stand behind the fact that the Mr. Test Prep program can help almost any student achieve the score increase he or she is looking for. I am so confident that I offer my students a score satisfaction guarantee, which allows them to continue to attend Mr. Test Prep, free of charge, if they aren’t fully satisfied with the results. How does the Score Satisfaction Guarantee work?

Sign Up For Free Trial Session

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Our Testimonials : 187 to Date

I take this job personally. For more than 26 years, I’ve done everything I can to make a genuine connection with each student that “walks through the doors “of Mr. Test Prep Headquarters. Seeking to leave a lasting impact, beyond an increased test score, I have poured my heart and soul into the business, so I am humbled and grateful for the kind words both students and their parents have been willing to share on my behalf. Michael Romano Mr. Test Prep
Maria Ayala
Many people are good at what they do, less are great and then there are those rare few who were born to do what they do; Michael Romano was born to help students. His enigmatic, vibrant and intellectual personality iexudes positivity and comfort. I discovered Michael’s SAT Prep last summer as I continuously banged my head on my desk while drowning in a pile of SAT books filled with questions that made no sense to me. I never thought myself capable of excelling on standardized tests or of even attending a top university but upon meeting Michael my whole life changed. Michael is so much more than a tutor, he’s an inspiration, an unsung hero, a friend who’s there to bring out the best in you, to introduce you to your uncapped potential, which you were so blindly unaware of. It is with no exaggeration that I can say that each and every one of the 40 sessions that I attended with Michael were both a blend of academic triumph and hysterical laughter, for he is the only person that can make any SAT problem into the funniest joke you’ve ever heard. With time, his inspirational jargon will resonate with you wherever you go, to the point that “Dazzle me, don’t frazzle me” will become a common melody in your ear. In the short time I’ve known Michael, I’ve grown equally as a person as I have as an SAT test taker and I owe him much more than just a thank you for helping increase my score by 300 points! I owe him my sincerest and most genuine gratitude for giving me a future, for encouraging the highest of excellence and for proving to me as well as every single student that has ever walked through his doors, that absolutely anything is possible if one is willing to work hard enough for it. Despite my effort this testimonial still doesn’t even come close to the magic, the music, the jokes, the charisma of the greatest tutor you’ll ever meet. Choosing to work with Michael Romano was the best decision I’ve ever made and I can guarantee that it will be yours too. So to all reading this, I wish you good luck with your academic endeavors and to Michael, I applaud you on all you have done for me and every other student you’ve ever met. You truly are one of a kind : )

Maria Avalya
Middle College 2014
UCLA 2018
Julia López
Mr. Romano is the best tutor I have ever worked with… EVER!! I had gone to previous SAT prep centers, but none of them gave me the help and results that Mr. Romano did! One thing that was different with Mr. Romano, was that I actually enjoyed attending his test preps, and would even look forward to them!! As a busy student, with multiple extra curricular activities, his flexible schedule and no homework policy made prepping for the SAT less stressful! Mr. Test Prep’s one-on-one assistance helped me to not only identify my mistakes, but understand, and correct them as well. Also, Mr. Romano’s relaxed demeanor and constant positive attitude created a wonderful learning environment, which helped me improve my score by 500+ points! I also scored in the 700s on my SAT Subject Tests too! Mr. Romano totally prepared me for these exams, and I know I would not have been able to do as well as I did without him! Because of Mr. Romano, I am more confident in my test taking and academic abilities! Mr. Test Prep is more than a tutor! He is a mentor, and a pretty incredible one at that! It is safe to say that Mr. Romano is the one of the reasons why I was accepted to UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Cornell University, and Georgetown University, where I will be attending in the fall!! THANK YOU SO MUCH MR. TEST PREP!! YOU’RE THE BEST!!!

Julia López
Lincoln High School (San José) ‘13
Georgetown University ‘17
HOYA SAXA!
Guillermo Lopez
Mr. Romano is simply the best. Upon entering Mr. Romano’s test prep, I knew little about the SAT. The knowledge and wisdom that I inherited from Michael is truly priceless. While at Mr. Test Prep’s, Michael helped me zone in and conquer the areas in which I was struggling. Mr. Romano was very encouraging and supportive to me every time I was in his presence. Mr. Romano would carefully evaluate my progress and generously give me tips on any of my consistent confidence shortcomings. Michael’s years of experience and great social skills has enabled him to express his knowledge in ways that would help me better understand any given material. My scores, in all sections of the SAT, had climbed very significantly. Along with my growth in confidence, the appreciation I have for Mr. Romano and all his hard work grew even more. For anyone who has worked with Mr. Romano, it is clear that MICHAEL ROMANO IS THE “GO TO” GUY FOR ANYTHING RELATING TO THE SAT. Mr. Romano goes far beyond that of a SAT prep teacher. Michael has become to me more of a mentor and good friend. Other than being a great teacher, Mr. Romano is also a great person; a likable person. Michael Romano ranks among the highest all around great individuals I have had the honor of knowing. It meant all the more to me that Mr. Romano was always someone I can turn to for valuable insight on things that might be giving me trouble; both in and out of the classroom. I struggled a lot with academics in high school and often worried about my ability to continue education in a college setting, but Mr. Romano made all the difference. After I was taken under Michael’s wing, my academics made a significant change for the better. My grades began to soar hand-in-hand with my SAT scores. Mr. Romano helped me the way nobody else could. I owe a lot to Michael and thank God that He has blessed me in coming to know Mr. Romano. With all that he has done for me, Michael has helped my once far-fetched dream of continuing my studies in Santa Barbara a reality.

Guillermo Lopez
Lincoln High School '14
Sanat Barabra College '18
Veronica Louise Mendoza
I had gone to over three different standardized testing tutors in the Bay Area since my freshman year. All left me unsatisfied, with mediocre results and my mother constantly reprimanding me for spending so much money on multiple exams and different tutors. On a whim, we tried Mr. Test Prep. Many of my friends had gone to him and raved about how his tutoring style is unique, effective, and definitely worth the money. They all succeeded in their standardized test preps, why shouldn’t I?
I can clearly remember Mr. Test Prep’s response when I said, “I’m no good at math and science.” He said, “Don’t think that way! These questions are easy if you think of them as easy. Let me break ‘em down for you…” Ever since then, the ACT has not intimidated me with the daunting math and science sections. His tricks to make sure I didn’t make any “silly” mistakes even increased my scores to near-perfection in the subjects that I was stronger in – reading, writing, and English! Additionally, the group testing environment was insanely helpful in practicing what to expect during test day. Mr. Test Prep’s unpredictable outbursts of songs and people’s sneezing and coughing inevitably allowed me to block out the irrelevant and focus on the test. I also still do his meditations today before a big event or test! They have assisted me greatly in becoming more centered, and have me diving into any task headfirst with steady hands and tranquility.
Not only did Mr. Test Prep increase my confidence in test taking, but he also helped boost my overall determination in conquering whatever may stand in my way – including math and science! The results of Mr. Test Prep’s tutoring are not merely numbers. If you are seeking someone who is more than a tutor – someone who is a role model, friend, and a hilarious mentor, then Mr. Test Prep is for you!

Veronica Louise Mendoza (Mountain View, CA)
Sacred Heart Preparatory, Class of 2015
UCLA, Class of 2019
Maxwell “M-Bizzle” Bernstein
Michael Romano is the best. No exceptions. My first experience with SAT prep was with a not-so-great company, so I was at first reluctant to try Mr Test Prep. Boy, was I wrong — I should have started with him from the beginning! In the first half hour of the trial session he told me that I was probably better suited for the ACT. I tried my hand at that instead, and scored significantly higher. Mr Test Prep also helped me prepare for the PSAT, and now I am a National Merit Scholar. I definitely could not have done it without him. Michael is relaxed and funny, but don't let that fool you! He is a class A++ tutor. Thank you!!

Maxwell "M-Bizzle" Bernstein
PALY 2014
Tufts University 2018

Frequently Asked Questions

Mr.Test Prep’s policy is “pay as you go.”

For all 2-hour test prep sessions, we require a valid credit card on file at the time of reservation. Your card will be charged $400 at the end of each session. No credit card is required to reserve your Free Trial Session.

If you cancel your session with more than 24 hours notice, your card will not be charged for that session. On the third time you cancel with less than 24 hours notice (including no-shows), your card will be charged a $100 cancellation fee.

Regular test prep sessions are typically Wednesdays and Thursdays at 4pm and 6pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 10am, 12pm and 2pm. You will receive a test prep proposal after our free trial session. The proposal will include a link to the test prep calendar.

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