The Best SAT & PSAT Tutors
Please use our secure registration form to sign up for tutoring.
Some people are terrific test-takers, while others are great at explaining concepts. We only hire instructors who are exceptional at both. Company President Brian Stewart personally evaluates and trains every SAT tutor. Before we offer candidates an interview, they must have test results in at least the 95th percentile and extensive instructional experience. Before working with students, tutors must complete a rigorous teaching evaluation to demonstrate that (1) they can explain any question students might have on the practice tests and (2) they can offer customized SAT and PSAT content instruction and strategic advice to students. No wonder less than 4% of our applicants are hired. For more information, please check out our Testimonials and Staff Intros.
Highest Quality SAT Test Preparation Materials
Practice only makes perfect if you are using the best materials. Our students use previous real SAT and PSAT tests, SAT & PSAT practice tests we have created, and SAT & PSAT tests that are designed to be more difficult than the actual tests to help students push their limits. The quality of our materials and methods has been recognized by Barron’s Educational Series, which selected company President Brian Stewart to author several PSAT and SAT books.
Completely Personalized Instruction
Working with students one-to-one enables us to meet their individual learning needs. What works for one student to prepare for the SAT or PSAT will not necessarily work for another. Among the factors we consider in customizing our test prep:
- How has a student done previously on the PSAT, ACT, and/or SAT?
- Are you an international student taking the digital SAT in 2023 or a U.S. student taking the digital SAT in 2024?
- What is a student’s baseline knowledge of English grammar, SAT Vocabulary, SAT math, or other key SAT test content?
- Does the student receive testing accommodations, such as extended time, due to an IEP or 504 Plan?
- To what extent should we discuss test anxiety?
- What are the student’s goals for National Merit Scholarship recognition, an SAT score, and college admissions?
Your registration form will tell us what we need to know to match your child with the best tutor for his or her overall situation. Our tutors continually tailor their instruction by communicating with parents, seeking student feedback, and evaluating student performance during each tutoring session
Our tutoring represents the best value in SAT and PSAT test preparation in the Columbus area and beyond.
Individual Tutoring
Please use our secure registration form to sign up for tutoring. (If you are registering using a mobile device, review the tutoring options on our FAQs page). Tutors usually fill up at least a month in advance, so email us as soon as possible to begin the registration process.
Tutoring with an associate tutor is currently $90 per hour for individual SAT or PSAT tutoring. Learn more about our associate SAT Tutors.
SAT tutoring with company President Brian Stewart is currently $180 per hour.
Group Tutoring
Associate tutors can work with pairs of students who have similar goals and ability levels at a per-student per-hour rate of $63 ($126 total for the hour for both students.) Brian can work with pairs of students who have similar goals and ability levels at a per-student per-hour rate of $126. ($252 total for the hour for both students.) We do not have a list of students waiting to be placed to work with other students in pairs. If you form your own pair, we can try to accommodate you.
If you would like to arrange a customized group package for 3 or more students, please email us for details. Also, consider one of our Group SAT Test Prep Classes.
Scheduling
Based on your registration information, we will match you with a tutor whose schedule and location matches yours. Our tutors are generally available on afternoons, evenings, and weekends, but not all tutors are available at all times and locations.
We recommend at least 10-12 hours of tutoring leading up to a particular SAT or PSAT test date. Some students may want and need more than this. If you are not sure as to how much tutoring would be helpful, we recommend scheduling an initial session. At the end of the appointment, you and your tutor can discuss a plan going forward.
SAT tutoring sessions are typically 1.5-2 hours in length to allow for enough time to go into the material in-depth.
Sometimes students like to start with a group class and follow up with individual tutoring thereafter. Please let us know on your enrollment form if you are doing tutoring along with a group class so that the tutor will know what you have covered already.
What is the SAT?
The SAT is a college admissions test accepted by universities throughout the United States. It is a general test of the critical thinking and academic skills that students should have to be well prepared for college. The SAT has 3 major components that assess different areas of academic development:
- Reading–Answer questions about passages from literature, historical documents, social science, and natural science.
- Writing and Language–Demonstrate knowledge of grammar and editing skills
- Math–One section allows a calculator, one does not. The math focuses heavily on Algebra 1 and 2, with a bit of geometry and precalculus.
What is the PSAT?
The PSAT is a shorter version of the SAT that is given in October of the junior year to help students become familiar with the SAT, and to determine eligibility for National Merit Scholarship recognition.
When is the SAT given?
Upcoming SAT dates for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year are:
• March 11, 2023
• May 6, 2023
• June 3, 2023
When is it best to take the SAT?
Most students find it best to take it once in the fall of Junior year, once in the spring of Junior year, and once in the fall of Senior year. Students who are trying to earn a National Merit Scholarship should take the SAT in October shortly before the actual PSAT—this will help them rehearse the skills necessary for success in the National Merit competition. Individual circumstances vary, so contact us for a recommendation based on your individual situation. Here is a more detailed analysis of test-taking schedules.
How do I register for the SAT?
Go to http://sat.collegeboard.org/register. If you are eligible for extended time due to an I.E.P. or 504 Plan due to a learning disability like ADD, ADHD, dysgraphia, dyslexia, concussions, or traumatic brain injury, please go to here on the College Board website: http://sat.collegeboard.org/register/for-students-with-disabilities.
How many times should I take the SAT?
Many students improve on the second time that they take the SAT, so students should try the SAT at least twice. Since many schools “superscore,” i.e., take the best score from each individual section over multiple SAT test dates, it can be advantageous to retake the ACT to improve upon either section. So, taking the SAT 3-4 total times during the Junior and Senior years of high school is quite reasonable. Here is a more detailed breakdown on the subject.
How can I prepare for the Digital SAT and Digital PSAT?
International students will take the new digital SAT beginning in March of 2023, while American students will take the digital PSAT for the first time in October of 2023 and the digital SAT in March of 2024. We have excellent tutors who can help you prepare for the new digital SAT. We use both official College Board released digital SATs along with the new digital SAT materials we have made for upcoming books with Barron’s. Since the digital SAT will incorporate many new styles of questions–word-in-context, textual evidence, quantitative evidence, notes analysis, and others–it is important to work with tutors who are at the cutting edge of the transition to the digital SAT.
How is the SAT scored?
The SAT is scored on a bell curve that is adjusted on each test date so that results from one SAT test compare fairly to those of another SAT test. It is scored from 400-1600 points, with a 1600 being a perfect score. The national average SAT score is around a 1000. The PSAT is scored along a bell curve just like the SAT—however, the score range is between 320 and 1520.
What is a good score on the SAT?
This depends on the college to which a student is applying. You can search for average SAT scores for particular colleges through googling or going to the school’s admissions website. SAT score averages are typically reported as a range from the 25th to the 75th percentiles of admitted students. Here are some score ranges for well-known colleges:
Harvard University: 1,460 – 1,580
Ohio State University: 1,210 – 1,430
Ohio University: 1,050 – 1,250
When should I start preparing for the SAT?
Most students like to prepare in the junior or senior year for the SAT. We can typically review PSAT scores to see where students may want to focus their SAT preparation, especially since the PSAT questions and answers are available in a student’s online College Board account. We have had students start their SAT preparation as early as middle school and as late as the fall of their senior year. Whatever schedule works best for your student, we can develop a customized SAT tutoring plan.
What should I do the night before the SAT?
While it can be fine to “cram” the night before many tests taken in school, this will not work for the SAT. Students should rest and relax so that they have maximum energy to think clearly on test day.
What should I bring with me to the SAT?
Students should bring an approved calculator, a watch (not one connected to the Internet or one that makes noise), real pencils (not mechanical), a drink/snack to have during breaks, a photo identification, and the admissions ticket.
Can I order a copy of my SAT test booklet?
For certain test dates, you can do so with this order form. Students can access their PSAT scores and questions through their online accounts at no charge.
What is the difference between the SAT and ACT?
The ACT is considered by many students to be a bit more straight-forward than the SAT but more difficult to finish. The SAT has more vocabulary usage questions, which the ACT does not; the ACT has science reasoning, which the SAT does not. With the recently revised SAT, the tests are much more similar than they have been in the past. Here is a more detailed summary of the similarities and differences between the SAT and ACT.
What does “test-optional” mean for the SAT?
It means that while the school may want students to submit SAT test results, they are not required for an application. Other items, like letters of recommendation, lists of extracurricular activities, and additional essays are often also “optional,” but definitely worth submitting to improve your chances for admission. Test-optional is different from the much less popular “test-blind” admissions, in which the school will not consider test results. Generally speaking, if you are able to score at least in the 25th percentile for admitted students, submitting your SAT test scores will likely help your overall application.
Why should I work with an SAT tutor?
While some students do just fine preparing for major assessments like the SAT on their own, many students can benefit from the guidance of an experienced tutoring professional. Here are just a few of the ways that our tutors can help your child:
- Analyzing previous SAT and PSAT test scores to determine an appropriate plan
- Providing targeted review of grammar and math content knowledge
- Helping students develop a test-taking strategy that is most suitable for their personal situation
- Counseling students on how to minimize test anxiety and maximize test day focus
- Helping students prepare for the brand new digital SAT and digital PSAT with the latest strategies and cutting-edge materials
- Giving the structure and accountability for students to get the work done to see better test results
What makes BWS Education Consulting the best option for SAT tutoring?
Company President Brian Stewart—the author of Barron’s SAT, Barron’s ACT, and Barron’s PSAT/NMSQT—personally trains each of our staff members. Before being permitted to work with students, tutors must pass a rigorous teaching evaluation with Brian on their pedagogical skills and content knowledge. Our tutors have all performed extraordinarily well on tests, yet have patient and warm demeanors, enabling them to teach students in the most effective possible way.
Where do I meet for SAT tutoring?
We can meet students in-person in Franklin County, Ohio—we meet students at public locations, like libraries and coffee shops. We can also meet students from anywhere in the world online. Our online sessions are equal in quality to our in-person sessions, especially after two years of offering exclusively online sessions to students during the pandemic.
How much SAT tutoring will my child need?
Prior to a particular SAT test, we recommend that students schedule at least 10-12 hours of tutoring. Many ambitious students like to schedule weekly tutoring over several months leading up to an important SAT test date. In particular, those students who are working towards National Merit Scholarship recognition often like to work quite a bit leading up to the October PSAT in their junior year. Students usually meet for 1-2 hour sessions depending on their attentiveness and schedule, so if a student can schedule a few weeks in advance of a test, we can typically accommodate the needed hours. Unlike other many other tutoring companies, we do not require you to purchase a package of 30 or 40 hours of tutoring—your student can do as much or as little tutoring as your schedule and budget allow.