The Trial Session
Free Two-Hour Trial
A single diagnostic, worked through with Michael. Afterward he calls student and parent together with which test to prioritize, how far the score can go, and a session count.
Building a Strong Application from Aragon
The students who come to Michael from Aragon typically target UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC San Diego, or UC Santa Barbara alongside private universities and schools in the Claremont Colleges and CSU systems. Michael's trial session includes a conversation about where the student is thinking of applying and what score would put them in a strong position.
Aragon’s AP and honors offerings produce students who are academically prepared for demanding college coursework. What they sometimes need is different: the standardized tests reward speed and pattern recognition under time pressure, which is not what an Aragon classroom is built to measure. A student can know the material cold and still lose points to the format. Sessions work on both — the strategy and the execution — using official material under real timing.
“I am one of those people who do practice tests perfectly but score badly on actual tests. I just get jitters whenever I get to the testing room. Michael realized this after my diagnostic test and recommended I meditate before taking the SAT or ACT… when it got to testing day I was unusually calm. On that day I felt as if everything was a walk in the park, everything came to me and nothing felt rushed. In the end, I was able to score a 35 on the ACT stress-free.”
Alex Novoselsky · San Mateo High School 2020
PSAT preparation at Aragon benefits from starting in January of sophomore year, since California's NMSQT cutoff is among the highest in the country. Students who begin early, connect that work to their spring SAT prep, and take the October junior-year PSAT with genuine preparation have a realistic shot at Commended or Semifinalist recognition.
How the Program Works
Every Session
The Session Format
Two hours on Zoom on official SAT and ACT material, with Michael coaching each student in real time as they work. The timed practice is often done alongside other students — nobody takes the real test alone in a quiet room.
The Guarantee
Score Satisfaction Guarantee
The agreed session count is a cap on what you pay. Reach the goal sooner and the paid sessions stop there. Need more and they are free, until the student is satisfied or has used every remaining test date.
The Mr. Test Prep Method™ and A-Game Access™
The Mr. Test Prep Method™ teaches students how to approach the test. A-Game Access™ teaches them how to approach the moment. The goal of both is not to help students learn more — it is to help them get more out of what they already know.
Frequently Asked Questions: Aragon High School SAT, ACT & PSAT Tutoring
How many sessions will my student need?
Anywhere from 4 to 25. It depends on where a student is starting, how far they want to go, and how much time is left before their test date. You get your student’s number at the end of the free trial, before committing to anything. That number is a cap on what you pay: reach the goal sooner and the paid sessions stop there; need more than the cap and those are free.
What test centers are near San Mateo?
Several test centers are available in the San Mateo and surrounding Peninsula area. Check current availability at collegeboard.org (SAT) or act.org (ACT). Bay Area centers fill 5 to 6 weeks before test day. Register on the first day the window opens.
When should an Aragon High School student in San Mateo start preparing for the SAT or ACT?
Most Aragon students begin in the spring of sophomore year or the summer before junior year, which leaves room to test in the fall of junior year and retake if needed. Mr. Test Prep's free two-hour trial includes a diagnostic that pinpoints the right start date for your student.
Is the digital SAT or the ACT a better fit for Aragon High School students?
Both are accepted equally, so it comes down to fit: the digital SAT is 2 hours 14 minutes, adaptive, with a calculator allowed on the entire math section, while the Enhanced ACT is shorter and its science section is now optional and does not affect the composite score. A short diagnostic of each — part of Mr. Test Prep's free trial — is the fastest way to see which suits an Aragon student.
Since the UCs are test-blind, do Aragon High School students still need SAT or ACT scores?
Yes. The UCs and CSUs are test-blind for now, but many selective private and out-of-state universities — MIT, Stanford, Georgetown, and six of the eight Ivies — require SAT or ACT scores this cycle. Princeton and Columbia are the exceptions. A strong score keeps those doors open. Since Aragon students rarely apply only in-state, testing is still worthwhile.
How can an Aragon High School junior fit SAT prep around a full AP and sports schedule?
Mr. Test Prep works with students in two-hour Zoom sessions with no homework between them, so prep fits around Aragon's AP courses and sports. Every session is with Michael himself, and the timed work uses official material, so no hour is spent on anything that will not appear on test day.
Where can I find a private SAT tutor near Aragon High School in San Mateo?
Mr. Test Prep works with San Mateo families over Zoom, so students near Aragon prepare from home. Every session is with Michael himself, never an assistant and never a rotating tutor, and during timed practice students usually work alongside others. You can start with a free two-hour trial session and diagnostic.
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Related Pages
Book Your Free 2-Hour Trial Session
Free Two-Hour Trial for Aragon High School Students
The trial is a two-hour Zoom session where your student works through a diagnostic with guidance and feedback from Michael throughout. Afterward Michael calls both student and parent: which test to prioritize, how far the score can go, a proposed timeline, and a session count specific to your student.
The trial is free with no obligation to continue.