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.
Find a TutorMeet our tutors
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 reviewsFind a test prep tutor“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.”
Find a test prep tutor“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.”
Find a test prep tutor“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.”
Find a test prep tutor“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!”
Find a test prep tutor“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.”
Find a test prep tutor“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.”
Find a test prep tutor“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.”
Find a test prep tutor“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.”
Find a test prep tutor“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.”
Find a test prep tutor“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:)”
Find a test prep tutor“Very professional service with excellent teachers. My son loved his teacher, called him the best he ever had! I can very highly recommend it.”
Find a test prep tutor“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.”
Find a test prep tutor“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.”
Find a test prep tutor“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!”
Find a test prep tutor“You have been a wonderful inspiration for Eli and we are very grateful for having you in the past half-year!”
Find a test prep tutor“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.”
Find a test prep tutor“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!”
Find a test prep tutor“I reached out to Cardinal Tutors and was lucky enough to find the most amazing tutor. I wish I had found him earlier.”
Find a test prep tutor“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!”
Find a test prep tutor“I wanted to thank you for finding our tutor who tremendously helped Sam with his math.”
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.












