Studying for the SAT can feel like a stressful and time-consuming experience for both students and parents—but it doesn’t have to be.
With over two decades of tutoring experience, I’ve found that SAT prep is more than just preparation for a test. It’s a chance for students to build confidence, sharpen skills, and step into a new chapter of independence and purpose. When their focused efforts pay off—whether through big score gains or admission into a dream college—students come away with a deeper sense of self-belief and accomplishment. Parents often enjoy the bonus of more free time, especially with the convenience of in-home or online sessions that eliminate the need for a commute.
“Dan Abbott came very highly recommended to help with Math SAT prep by a college counselor my friend had hired for her children. We are very happy we got to know him and work with him. Among other things, Dan was able to pin-point specific areas my daughter needed additional help with. It had been a while since she had taken Algebra, and Dan pinpointed specific areas where she needed special attention. Dan has a down to earth and friendly manner, and both my daughter and I immediately felt comfortable with him. Due in part to Dan’s reliability, consistency, and insight, my daughter was able to significantly increase her prior test score and attain a Math score of 720. We are all very proud of her, and pleased with our choice to take advantage of Dan’s tutoring. It’s our pleasure to recommend him to others.”
Mary, Sea Girt, NJ
I help students maximize their SAT scores in both the Math and Reading & Writing sections through a balance of personalization and structure. Every student comes in with different goals, strengths, and challenges. My job is to meet them exactly where they are—and help them get where they want to go.
Some students need targeted support in specific math topics like Algebra or Geometry. Others may need to sharpen their grammar, reading comprehension, or rhetorical skills. Whether it’s one section or both, I design a study plan that works with the student’s learning style, schedule, and timeline.
A solid SAT prep plan needs structure—but it also needs to adapt based on the student’s progress. Here’s the general roadmap I follow:
- Diagnostic Test and Initial Analysis (Math + Reading & Writing)
- Overview of Test-Taking Strategies for Both Sections
- Targeted Skill-Building
• Math: Algebra, Geometry, Word Problems, etc.
• Reading & Writing: Grammar Rules, Reading Comprehension, Rhetorical Skills, etc. - Practice with Official SAT Questions and Strategic Review
- Ongoing Diagnostics to Refine Focus Areas
- Final Review Before Test Day – strategy refresh, confidence boost, and answers to any last-minute questions
Whether we have three months to prepare or just a few weeks, this system can be condensed or expanded to fit the timeline—and it still works.
“My college counselor recommended I contact Dan Abbott for assistance on improving my SAT test scores. He worked on time management and strategy with me, and took the time to go over the question types I had difficulty answering, until I was able to comfortably solve them. Dan’s teaching style is straightforward and thorough, and that made my entire SAT preparation process easier. When the time came to take the test I was comfortably prepared, confident and able to focus. With Dan’s help I was able to raise my SAT mathematics score 80 points, but the confidence I gained working with him undoubtedly influenced my scores outside of the math sections. I enjoyed getting to know Dan Abbott, on top of working with him to raise my test scores. He is a genuinely good guy, and I highly recommend him for hire.”
Sam, Spring Lake, NJ
It is best to begin the studying process at least three months before the test date. However, if there is limited time to study, the above 6 steps may be condensed and will still yield significant improvements in student test scores. Click here for a schedule of upcoming test dates.
To know more and / or to set up a session, feel free to schedule a call today.
I look forward to working together.