SAT and ACT Test Prep
When looking for a standardized test prep program do you want to take your chances with a large-scale franchised company where tutors, 
often students, come and go? Or do you want to talk directly to the person who will be doing the tutoring and know exactly what you are getting in terms of professional experience and expertise?
As a former college teacher, I personally tutor all group classes and have been doing so for over 25 years. I have dozens of recommendations from students and parents in the Lamorinda area.
Small Group Dynamic
I prefer to work in small groups of 5 to 9 students. This not only keeps costs down for parents but also allows me to establish an interesting and educational team dynamic that makes learning fun, unintimidating and informative.
Where and When
Each class meets once a week for 2 hours over a 14-week period. Classes are held in my office in Moraga on weekdays in the afternoons/evenings and on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Programs are offered twice a year, during the summer and again during the spring.
Click here for schedules and course descriptions of upcoming programs: SAT and/or ACT
ACT
As the author of the award-winning text "How to Write a Killer ACT Essay" I teach students how to write foolproof, personal essays so that they can dominate the writing test. Lots of sample essays are performed in and out of class. I personally evaluate the work.
In addition, having taught grammar and composition in college, and having appeared on national TV as a grammar expert, I teach students how to dominate the Writing portion of the ACT using my simplified 9 main grammar rules.
Along with this, I provide short-cuts for improving speed and critical thinking abilities in the Reading sections of the test. And relying on long experience as a calculus, pre-calculus, algebra and geometry tutor, I teach students the math techniques they need to succeed on the ACT.
Finally, I draw on my experience as a highly-respected physics and chemistry tutor to help students obtain top-scores in the Science section, a strong suite of my curriculum. This section is the most difficult and problematic for most students since it presents a bewildering array of charts, tables and graphs alongside text heavy with scientific jargon. I teach students how to cut through this section doing speed drills, which are essential for success since students have a minuscule 35 minutes to finish 40 contentious questions.
Grammar Gotchas
Test your grammar expertise by following along with this clip from one of my appearances on national TV.
SAT
Using my award-winning book "How to Write a Killer SAT Essay", I teach students how to write foolproof, pre-fabricated essays so that they can dominate the writing test. Lots of sample essays are performed in and out of class. I personally evaluate the work.
As a professional writer, and nationally recognized grammar expert, I use my "Killer SAT Grammar" app to teach kids the 9 — that's it, just 9 — grammar rules they need to know to ace the new SAT. Along with this, I provide short-cuts for improving speed and critical thinking abilities in the Reading sections of the test.
Finally, as a long-time physics, chemistry and calculus tutor, I teach students all the tricks and techniques they need for successful problem solving and pattern recognition on the Math portion of the SAT test.
Workshop in Action
See what my group classes look like in action. Here's a clip from my Killer SAT Essay workshop, now available as an eleven-part series on YouTube.
SAT II
Small SAT II workshops (5 — 9 students) are held in May for students taking the June SAT II test. Workshops, which are three hours long, are held in the afternoons or evenings. Four types of workshops are offered:
Math 2 --- Physics --- Literature --- Chemistry
Tutor Traits
Top-notch standardized test prep tutors are professional, prepared, persuasive and fun! In addition, such tutors need to:
Use the "SAT Blue Book" or "ACT Red Book" as the core material and homework for the course
Be familiar with pattern recognition and textual analysis of standardized tests
Provide binder notes and corollary materials to augment the "Blue Book" and "Red Book"
Have a bullet-proof curriculum in place to optimize classroom efficiency
Ensure that students complete at last four full-length practice tests
Establish rapport with students to make learning interesting and fun
Communicate problem-solving techniques and strategies with sincerity and clarity
Address concerns of parents in a timely and professional manner