With countless SAT and ACT preparation options available, from large national companies to independent online tutors, families often struggle to discern what will truly benefit their student. Michael Romano, founder of Mr. Test Prep, argues that parents should ask a more practical set of questions before committing to any program, beginning with who will actually teach their student and whether anyone has observed the student work before recommending a plan. Based in Palo Alto and coaching students online nationwide, Romano has worked with more than 4,000 students since 1997. A Duke University graduate with a major in Psychology and a minor in Music, he has spent nearly three decades developing an approach that addresses both how students execute the test and the mental state they bring to that execution.
"The best way to evaluate a tutor isn't to listen to a sales pitch," Romano said. "It's to see how that person works with your student." He recommends that families ask seven key questions to ensure they make an informed decision.
First, parents should know who will actually teach the sessions and what that person's experience is. At Mr. Test Prep, Romano personally coaches every student, bringing his nearly 30 years of experience and work with over 4,000 students directly to each family. Because the program is conducted online, students nationwide can work directly with him, avoiding the risk of being assigned to a less experienced tutor after a sales call.
Second, a diagnostic should come before any preparation plan. 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. This approach ensures that the plan is tailored to the student's specific needs.
Third, deciding between the SAT and ACT requires more than comparing scores. Romano believes the answer lies in understanding 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, families should understand the financial commitment and any guarantee terms. Mr. Test Prep takes a different approach: families pay one session at a time, and 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. Because Mr. Test Prep does not assign required test-prep homework, that arrangement is not dependent on completing an extensive outside-work program.
Fifth, Romano maintains a no-homework philosophy. 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, preparing students for performance under pressure is essential. Knowing the material is only part of performing well on test day. 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, families should be able to try the program before committing. 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. 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.
"Parents shouldn't have to make a large commitment just to find out whether the relationship works," Romano said. "Let the student experience the process first. Then everyone can make a much more informed decision." Mr. Test Prep has been an educational consultant for over 26 years. One of his strategies is to increase his student's self-confidence, thereby elevating more than a score.
