Sacred Heart Preparatory • SAT · ACT · PSAT
SAT, ACT, and PSAT Tutoring for Sacred Heart Preparatory Students
The College List and Testing Requirements for SHP Students
Georgetown, Notre Dame, Boston College, and similar universities that SHP students frequently consider have all maintained or reinstated testing requirements. The UCs remain test-blind, so they see no scores at all, though the Regents revisit that policy by June 2027. For SHP families, a strong test score strengthens applications to every school on a typical SHP list.
The SAT and ACT for SHP Students
SHP's curriculum provides strong preparation across humanities and sciences. The ACT changed significantly in 2025. Science is now optional and does not count toward the composite. This is worth reconsidering for SHP students who previously avoided it. Michael assesses both tests during the free trial.
“Before going to him, I had never studied for the SAT or ACT, neither did I know about my options for the test. Michael gave insight to me about each test and what I might do best in to take. Once we decided on the test, he personally saw to it that I improve upon the skills I needed to do the best I could.”
Kristine Fischer-Colbrie · Sacred Heart Preparatory 2019 · Santa Clara University 2023
How the Program Works
The Trial Session
Free Two-Hour Trial
The free trial on Zoom includes a diagnostic, direct work with Michael, and a follow-up call with both student and parent. Michael presents a specific recommendation: which test gives the student the best opportunity, how far their score may be able to go, a recommended training plan, and which upcoming test dates are most strategic. No financial commitment until both sides agree.
Every Session
The Session Format
Sessions are two hours long and combine individualized coaching, structured practice, and timed work using official SAT and ACT material. Students stay actively engaged while receiving ongoing guidance and feedback from Michael throughout the session. No homework.
The Guarantee
Score Satisfaction Guarantee
Students who complete the agreed program and are not satisfied with their results continue at no additional cost after the agreed session cap until they are satisfied or available testing opportunities have been exhausted.
The Mr. Test Prep Method™ and A-Game Access™
The Mr. Test Prep Method™ builds the execution strategies and pattern recognition that transfer directly to test conditions. A-Game Access™ is the mindfulness and peak performance system built into every session — addressing the gap between practice performance and test-day performance.
PSAT and National Merit at Sacred Heart Prep
California's NMSQT cutoff is among the highest in the country. SHP students who want Semifinalist consideration have one preparation window: before the October junior year PSAT. Michael recommends starting in January of sophomore year. The PSAT track feeds directly into spring SAT preparation.
Preparation Timelines
Common Starting Points
- January, sophomore year — particularly for students with National Merit goals.
- Summer before junior year — the period after July 4th is a common starting point for junior-year test dates.
- Summer before senior year — depending on goals and testing plans.
What the Trial Session Produces
The diagnostic produces a specific recommendation: which test gives the student the best opportunity, how far their score may be able to go, a recommended training plan, and which upcoming test dates are most strategic.
Michael’s free trial session includes a diagnostic and personalized timeline recommendation based on each student’s individual situation — not a generic template.
Frequently Asked Questions: Sacred Heart Preparatory SAT, ACT & PSAT Tutoring
How does Mr. Test Prep serve Atherton and SHP specifically?
Michael is based in Palo Alto, five minutes from Sacred Heart Prep. He has worked with SHP families for nearly three decades. The Zoom format means sessions happen from the student's home without commute time.
What makes SHP students' testing situation specific?
SHP's college list includes a high proportion of schools with active testing requirements — Georgetown, Notre Dame, Boston College, and the UC system among them. A strong test score is a meaningful differentiator in a competitive applicant pool.
Explore Tutoring by School
- SAT & ACT Tutoring for Menlo School
- SAT & ACT Tutoring for Menlo-Atherton High School
- SAT & ACT Tutoring for Woodside High School
- SAT & ACT Tutoring for Castilleja School
- SAT & ACT Tutoring for Sequoia High School
- SAT & ACT Tutoring for Palo Alto High School
- SAT & ACT Tutoring for Henry M. Gunn High School
- SAT & ACT Tutoring for Woodside Priory School
Related Pages
What Sacred Heart Prep Families Say
14 Sacred Heart Prep families have written about working with Mr. Test Prep — students and parents both. They are collected together in the full archive, alongside every testimonial received since 1997.
Book Your Free 2-Hour Trial Session
Free Two-Hour Trial for Sacred Heart Preparatory 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 with a specific recommendation: which test gives the student the best opportunity, how far their score may be able to go, a recommended training plan, and which upcoming test dates are most strategic.
The trial is free with no obligation to continue.
