Seven Questions Parents Should Ask Before Hiring an SAT or ACT Tutor

As families navigate the increasingly crowded landscape of SAT and ACT preparation, the decision of which tutor or program to hire can feel overwhelming. With options ranging from large national companies to automated platforms and independent online tutors, parents often rely on websites, testimonials, and sales calls to make their choice. However, according to Michael Romano, founder of Mr. Test Prep, these sources reveal only so much about what a student will actually experience. Romano, who has worked with more than 4,000 students since 1997, believes parents should ask a more practical set of questions before committing to a preparation program.

Based in Palo Alto and coaching students online nationwide, Romano emphasizes that the best way to evaluate a tutor is not through a sales pitch but by observing how that person works with the student. He recommends seven questions that can help families make a more informed decision.

First, parents should ask who will actually teach their student and what that person's experience is. It's important to know if the person they speak with will conduct the sessions or if the student will be assigned to someone else. At Mr. Test Prep, Romano personally coaches every student, bringing nearly 30 years of experience and a track record of working with over 4,000 students.

Second, does a diagnostic come before the preparation plan? A useful plan should begin with evidence, but a diagnostic should reveal more than just a score. Romano looks at how a student works through the test—accuracy, pacing, question patterns, decision-making, and where performance breaks down. Mr. Test Prep begins with a free two-hour trial session built around diagnostic work rather than placing students immediately into a predetermined curriculum.

Third, how will the tutor decide whether a student should take the SAT or ACT? Romano believes the answer requires more than comparing scores and choosing the higher one. The more important question is what produced those scores and which problems are most realistic to improve. A student may initially score better on one test while revealing a pacing limitation that will be difficult to overcome. On the other test, the initial score may be lower, but the weaknesses may be more responsive to instruction. The recommendation should come from watching the student work under timed conditions.

Fourth, what is the financial commitment, and what exactly does any guarantee require? Families should look beyond the headline promise and understand the terms. If a provider offers a score guarantee, parents should ask what conditions must be satisfied for that guarantee to remain valid—including whether it depends on completing extensive homework. Mr. Test Prep takes a different approach: families pay one session at a time. Before preparation begins, Romano establishes a cap on the number of paid sessions based on the student's starting point, desired score outcome, and testing plan. If the student achieves the desired score before reaching that cap, the preparation ends and the family never pays for the remaining sessions. If the student reaches the cap and still needs additional coaching, additional sessions continue at no additional charge. And because Mr. Test Prep does not assign required test-prep homework, that arrangement is not dependent on a student completing an extensive outside-work program.

Fifth, what happens between sessions? Romano has maintained a no-homework philosophy for years. Students are always free to practice independently, but no test-prep homework is required. Instead, Romano concentrates the preparation inside the coaching sessions, where he can observe how students approach questions, manage time, respond to difficulty, and make decisions in real time. The goal is not simply to give students more work but to make the work they do more useful.

Sixth, how do you prepare students for performance under pressure? Knowing the material is only part of performing well on test day. Students also need a way to execute effectively when the clock is running and the stakes feel real. Mr. Test Prep approaches that from two complementary directions. The Mr. Test Prep Method™ provides the tactics and frameworks students use to navigate the test itself—how they manage time, make decisions, respond to difficult questions, and execute when it matters. A-Game Access™ addresses the state they bring to that execution. Together, the goal is not simply to make a student more knowledgeable but to help that student access and use more of what they know when performance counts.

Seventh, can my student try the program before we commit? Mr. Test Prep offers a free two-hour trial session to families nationwide. The student works through diagnostic material while Romano checks in periodically, gets a firsthand look at how the student approaches the tests, and, when useful, offers feedback or frames what he is seeing. Just as importantly, the session gives the student a chance to meet Mr. Test Prep and experience his style and approach before the family decides whether to move forward. A follow-up Zoom meeting with the student and parent reviews what the diagnostic revealed, discusses whether the SAT, ACT, or both make sense, considers testing dates and preparation frequency, establishes target scores, and outlines a recommended preparation plan. A written proposal follows by email.

Romano's advice underscores the importance of transparency and fit when selecting a test-prep program. By asking these seven questions, parents can move beyond marketing promises and ensure they are making a decision that truly supports their child's academic goals. For more information, visit Mr. Test Prep.