Test Preparation

Every student prepares differently. We start by finding out where your student stands and what they’re aiming for, then build a one-on-one plan around their strengths and the areas that need the most work. Our tutors are Stanford students who took these tests not long ago and know what works.

Tell us about your student. We’ll help you find a Stanford tutor who fits.

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Meet our tutors

Samantha

Samantha

Pursuing a Ph.D. inBioengineering

Tutors Biology · Chemistry · Math

  • Research in deep learning for assistive robotics
  • President’s Undergraduate Research Award
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Raquel

Raquel

StudiesBiology

Tutors Math · Spanish · Writing

  • AP Scholar with Distinction
  • Bilingual teaching experience in Spanish
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Anna

Anna

StudiesNeuroscience

Tutors Biology

  • Research internship in Hamburg, Germany
  • Governor’s Scholars Award recipient
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Daniel

Daniel

StudiesElectrical Engineering & Computer Sciences

Tutors Math · Physics · Computer science

  • High-school valedictorian
  • STEM education minor and after-school tutoring
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Preston

Preston

StudiesApplied Mathematics

Tutors Math · Calculus · Computer science

  • Mathematics research fellow
  • Presented at the Young Mathematicians Conference
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Evan

Evan

StudiesPhysics & Applied Mathematics

Tutors Math · Physics · Calculus

  • Independent research in machine learning for quantum computing
  • 4.0 GPA in Physics & Applied Mathematics
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Lesly

Lesly

StudiesMathematics & Computer Science

Tutors Math · Computer science · Spanish

  • Java and Python programming
  • Game development and interactive software projects
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Kathleen

Kathleen

StudiesNeuroscience & Psychology

Tutors Biology · Chemistry · Math

  • Stroke-recovery research in a neuroscience lab
  • Dean’s Honor List
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Sophie

Sophie

StudiesChemical Biology

Tutors Chemistry · Math · Physics

  • National Merit Finalist
  • 5s on 10 AP exams, including Chemistry and Biology
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Oliver

Oliver

StudiesEnglish & Creative Writing

Tutors Writing · History · French

  • Editor-in-chief of a student literary magazine
  • Edited screenplays as a film development intern at Blumhouse
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Ruhy

Ruhy

StudiesSociocultural Anthropology

Tutors Writing · History

  • Fellow mentoring youth in environmental education
  • Camp Kesem volunteer supporting kids whose parents have cancer
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Amy

Amy

StudiesChemical Engineering

Tutors Math · Chemistry · Physics

  • 5s on AP Calculus BC, Statistics and Chemistry
  • Samueli School of Engineering Scholarship
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Connor

Connor

StudiesStructural Engineering

Tutors Math · Physics · Statistics

  • Private AP Calculus AB tutor
  • Co-directed engineering workshops for 4th–6th graders
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The SAT

The SAT is now fully digital and adaptive. It has two sections, Reading and Writing and Math, and each is split into two parts, with the second part getting easier or harder based on how the student did on the first. The whole test takes a little over two hours, and a built-in graphing calculator is available for all of the math. Our tutors help students master the content, pace themselves and get comfortable with the format before test day.

The ACT

The ACT changed in 2025. It’s now shorter, about two hours, and the composite score comes from English, Math and Reading, with Science now optional. We help students decide whether the SAT or ACT suits them better, and whether taking the Science section makes sense for the colleges on their list.

Our test prep tutors, in parents’ own words

All reviews
SAT & ACT
★★★★★Yelp review ↗

“Our tutor was a senior at Stanford who tutored my son in English, and also SAT preparation. My son received great marks on the SAT exam and also improved his grade in AP English from B to A.”

Janet Y.Menlo Park
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SAT & ACT
★★★★★Yelp review ↗

“The subsequent long term tutor that we had for pre calc and for ACT tutoring was amazing. She was completely professional, organized, thorough and easy to work with.”

Mel H.Redwood City
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Math · Confidence & connection
A note from a parent

“Our tutor is truly amazing! He is so patient, explains things well, asks great questions, and checks for understanding. Owen really enjoyed working with him and they accomplished so much. This is really a game changer for us! I had high hopes and he exceeded them.”

Meredith K.
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Reading & writing · Confidence & connection
A note from a parent

“The girls have loved their time with her, and it showed: Clara's CAASPP score was excellent and Ruby has done tremendous improvement in her reading from below grade level to at grade level!”

“Thanks for your tremendous partnership over many years!”

The Whitfield family
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School support · Math · Reading & writing
A note from a parent

“Your program really helped us. Henry pulled up his English last year to an A, and his next tutor helped him pull up his math and bio.”

“Everyone is looking for tutors and I said you're the best.”

Laura T.Palo Alto
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Confidence & connection · School support
★★★★★Yelp review ↗

“Fantastic tutoring service. The tutor (who was a Stanford junior) really connected with my son and inspired him to learn. He had some great study tips and was able to help my son raise his grades by quite a bit.”

Pamela T.Palo Alto
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Math · Finding a match
A note from a parent

“She found a perfect match for my son… He is stellar. My son has grown leaps and bounds in math. Our tutor is not only a subject matter expert but teaches very well, highly prompt, flexible when needed.”

Hannah B.
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Math · School support · Confidence & connection
★★★★★Yelp review ↗

“My daughter went from a C in Algebra II to an A- in one semester. The tutor was great, she really related to my daughter and made learning fun for her.”

Eduardo S.San Francisco
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Reading & writing · School support
A note from a parent

“We had an incredible experience with our daughter's previous tutor from Cardinal for a couple of years!… She is doing really well with her reading and comprehension and I think our tutor put her at two grade levels ahead.”

Joanna P.Palo Alto
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Online tutoring
★★★★★Yelp review ↗

“Their response time is outstanding. Neil responded quickly to my tutoring request for my 15-year-old. Love knowing that I have access to these high-quality services for my children. And, we use them via Zoom since we live in Tennessee. I cannot say enough great things about this business:)”

Pamala H.
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Confidence & connection
★★★★★Yelp review ↗

“Very professional service with excellent teachers. My son loved his teacher, called him the best he ever had! I can very highly recommend it.”

Jeannet K.
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School support
★★★★★Yelp review ↗

“I am usually not one to write a review, but I wanted to communicate how great Cardinal Tutors was for my child. They had a very flexible plan which helped accommodate my child's needs and I saw a tremendous return (grade-wise) from their services. Could not recommend more highly.”

John Y.
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Math · Confidence & connection
★★★★★Yelp review ↗

“The tutors themselves have been great: well-prepared, thoughtful and on-time. At each level of math needed, we found these Stanford students to be not just helpful tutors but great mentors as well.”

Christy S.Portola Valley
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Reading & writing · Programming · Finding a match
A note from a parent

“I have been absolutely impressed by her lessons over the past few months. Lily also loves working with her. She has been making great progress with her programming and writing.”

“I find your tutor quality to be excellent and a perfect fit!”

Vivian C.
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Confidence & connection
A note from a parent

“You have been a wonderful inspiration for Eli and we are very grateful for having you in the past half-year!”

Irene Z.
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School support · Math
★★★★★Yelp review ↗

“My son had a wonderful experience with Cardinal Tutors when he needed help with his High School math and science classes. It turns out my son also needed help staying organized with all his assignments, something that the tutor helped with as well.”

Amy C.Palo Alto
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Programming · Confidence & connection
A note from a parent

“The program has been awesome for us. Theo loves working with our tutor and has learned so much.”

“Our tutor is just outstanding — great with Theo and very communicative with me. Super helpful!”

Rebecca D.Palo Alto
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School support
★★★★★Yelp review ↗

“I reached out to Cardinal Tutors and was lucky enough to find the most amazing tutor. I wish I had found him earlier.”

Sharon C.Los Altos
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Math · Confidence & connection
★★★★★Yelp review ↗

“We used Cardinal Tutoring again in the Spring 2018 for precalculus. Once again, she had a great tutor she really liked and who really helped her this year. My daughter is a senior so we won't need Cardinal Tutoring again, but I highly recommend them!”

Gail F.Palo Alto
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Math
A note from a parent

“I wanted to thank you for finding our tutor who tremendously helped Sam with his math.”

Diane W.
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The PSAT and National Merit

The PSAT/NMSQT is a shorter version of the digital SAT, usually taken in the fall of 10th and 11th grade. Junior-year scores are used for the National Merit Scholarship Program, so it’s worth preparing for, and the same work gives students a head start on the SAT.

Independent school admission tests

Many independent middle and high schools require the ISEE, SSAT or STAR Assessment for admission. Learn more about our ISEE, SSAT and STAR prep.

We’ve helped students across the Peninsula prepare for the SAT, ACT and PSAT, from Palo Alto High School and Gunn to Menlo-Atherton, Los Altos and Sequoia. Families across the Peninsula, including Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Redwood City and Los Altos, can meet with a tutor in person, and anyone can work with us online.

Sessions are one-on-one, at your home or online from anywhere.

Tell us about your student, and we’ll match them with a Stanford tutor who fits.

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