We have been preparing students since 1997. We have seen our best results after switching to an online format in March 2020.
What I have seen confident and motivated teenagers accomplish has convinced me of their great potential. This conviction is perhaps my greatest asset as a mentor, a coach, an educator, and a friend.
Elevating More Than A Score For Over
Two Decades
Sign Up For A
Free Trial Sesson
“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
For More Details Click Here
Our Testimonials : 187 to Date
Maria Avalya
Middle College 2014
UCLA 2018
Julia López
Lincoln High School (San José) ‘13
Georgetown University ‘17
HOYA SAXA!
Guillermo Lopez
Lincoln High School '14
Sanat Barabra College '18
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
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.