“Over the course of my high school career and college search, I used many different SAT tutors. After switching from tutor to tutor, with marginal success, I found JP. He is hands down the best SAT tutor I have ever encountered, and his simple approach to the test is the best I have ever used. I was able to increase my score by 150 points to a 1440, opening some doors for me that were not open before. If it were not for JP, I would not be at Middlebury right now!”

“Your tutoring definitely helped me get into Harvard! My score went from an 1120 to a 1420, and I got a 760 on the Math! Although students usually dread this part of the admissions process (myself included), I learned that if they create goals and put the work in to reach those goals, the light at the end of the tunnel can be reached! I liked how you taught almost in a cycle - we would always go back to a certain topic to review every couple of weeks. Soon enough, problem sets that I had no idea how to do in January, I could do with ease in May. Additionally, you made sure that a certain concept was solidified in my mind, whereas in school, teachers continue to move on with concepts even if you don’t understand something. Lessons were very easy to schedule, and assigning homework every week forced me to complete the practice tests. If I didn’t have a deadline, I don’t think I would have studied on my own for the SAT. ”

“Before I began with you, my score was 1500. Then, in only 2 sessions, it went to 1550 (1560 super-score)! The sessions were incredibly helpful, and I definitely wouldn’t have done as well without you. You are super smart, clear, efficient, and were extremely on point with your answers to my questions. It really helped me approach the readings in the right way, psychologically. You helped me better understand the test in terms of purpose and structure, and I would go so far as to say that you helped me understand how to write a good essay as well. I believe that this knowledge is coming into play as I venture into my college career at Dartmouth - how to read fast, grasp the most important information quickly, write well, and (most importantly), NOT be afraid of any text. You are also super funny and considerate. I still remember the last warm-up problems that you sent me right before I took the actual test, and your encouraging words both before and after!”

“Before my son began working with you, he struggled on the test with time management, which often led to skipped questions or errors from rushing. He also felt as if certain parts of the test were subjective – like it was a guessing game. You zeroed in on his errors, then showed him WHY certain answers were wrong and others were right. He learned to spot underlying patterns and apply valuable test-taking strategies, increasing his speed and accuracy. On test day, he scored a 1530 (780 math, 750 verbal) on his first try. So while his classmates were prepping to take the test multiple times, my son was able to direct his focus elsewhere. This was huge - even his older brother took it 4 times! We just learned this week that my son got into Harvard, and his work with you certainly helped him get there. You’re an excellent tutor, which is why I requested your services twice!”

“The tips, techniques, and strategies that JP offered were infinitely helpful. He was able to pinpoint my strengths and weaknesses from the practice tests, and catered each meeting’s work to address the area where I needed the most improvement. Understanding that everyone’s brain works differently, he catered to my personal learning style. He never showed frustration when I was unable to fully understand a problem or concept; rather, he took as much time as needed to explain why the correct answer was the best option, and how to eliminate the others. I felt incredibly lucky to have been able to work with JP. Thanks to his help, I was able to raise my diagnostic ACT score of 27 to an official test score of 36. I am currently studying Environmental Engineering at Tufts University, and I can confidently say that the skills I learned helped get me to this point and will continue to help me in the future.”

“JP builds a strong and personal connection to his students, and comes off as a friend that is willing to help. He doesn’t force his students to think only one way, but rather works with the client and helps guide him / her to an answer. Because of his flexible teaching style, the SAT is boiled down to a few simple concepts and strategies that any kid of any level can use to increase their score. I increased my score from a 1250 to a 1350 in a matter of two months. Not only did my time with JP help me on the official SAT, but the subject tests as well. My scores would eventually lead me to be accepted by Tufts University, and none of that would be possible without JP.”

“JP helped me raise my ACT score from a composite score of 31 to a 36. His ability to identify my strengths and weaknesses right off the bat helped make our sessions productive and stimulating. Not only for the ACT - he helped revive my work ethic, and I began pushing myself for success in and out of school. His flexibility for scheduling was much appreciated, and his easygoing manner helped make the test seem less daunting. JP was a wonderful tutor - I’m so grateful I had him and I couldn’t have asked for anyone better!”

“I really like how you use a lot of common sense when it comes to tutoring. You don’t use methods that other tutor groups teach that come from a textbook and are nearly impossible to remember. Instead, you teach the way you like, and your independent approach is much easier to follow and far more helpful than that of any other person I’ve worked with. You clearly believe in what you teach, and you wanted to make me better. If I didn’t understand something, you would work through it with me, and not give me a “what is there to not understand” answer. As hard as it is to go to a tutor in the summer, you made my SAT experience enjoyable, and not something I would hate to do, like with previous tutors. I ended up improving from a 460 math and 440 verbal to a 650 math and 550 verbal, and I hope to end up at U of Miami. I would never have had a chance without your help!
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“After receiving an SAT score (1340) that I was unsatisfied with, I had the opportunity to work with JP. One thing that I liked about working with him was his style of learning by doing. Instead of JP lecturing me on concepts that I was iffy on, he would give me a problem set to do every week. I’d send my answers, and we would focus on problems that I got wrong or specific questions that I had. I found this method of teaching really effective, and the results speak for themselves - the second time I took the SAT, I got a 1460 (670 V, 790 M). After receiving my scores, I applied to Wesleyan early-decision, was accepted, and will be attending next Fall. While the scores may not have been the sole factor that got me in, I’m sure they played a big part, and I couldn’t have done it without the help from JP. ”

“JP is an amazing tutor! He helped raise my ACT score from a 31 to a 34 in less than two months. This high score allowed me to think of applying to schools that I would not have thought possible before. JP was always able to help me think of different strategies and methods to solve problems. If I was stuck or didn’t understand a certain question, JP never failed in helping me wrap my brain around it. Even today, I still use in school some of the test-taking strategies that he gave me almost a year ago. Personally, JP is very outgoing and likable. Compared to other tutors that I have had, he was definitely the most hard-working and approachable, and always made an extra effort to make sure that he was helping me in the best way possible. Overall, JP is a wonderful tutor, and will definitely bring out the best in any student he works with!”

“I really enjoyed your optimism. Even when I wasn’t doing well in the beginning, you told me I would get there. Your positivity kept me going, and you never let me give up. I ended up improving my score from a 28 to a 34, which helped me get accepted to Claremont McKenna. The grammar rules I learned were extremely helpful, improving my writing and contributing to my A- in English. Scheduling was always really easy. Even when the pandemic happened, you continued to be easy to contact and work with.”

“JP was a really great tutor as I was preparing for the GMAT. At first, I was pretty nervous about the Quantitative Reasoning section, but, thanks to JP, I was able to build my confidence and learn strategies to tackle even the trickiest of questions. I ended up getting a 750 on the test, and I don’t think I would have been able to do that without JP’s guidance. He is a patient, motivating teacher, and will work closely with you to help you achieve your goals.”

“JP’s methods helped me receive the test score that I desired and gave me the confidence to apply to top film schools. With his help, I gained acceptance to Chapman University, one of the top 10 film schools in the country. Before JP, I had another tutor who had a more close-minded approach. I studied only for the ACT without taking the SAT in the beginning and my score did not change within the 4-5 months of tutoring. After taking the SAT without tutoring and finding that it was the test for me, I switched to JP, who had a more open approach. Instead of finding shortcuts to finish the test as quickly as possible, JP helped me fundamentally understand the material in each section, which. after practice, helped me complete the test in time anyways. His teaching methods have really helped me realize that, in every aspect of my education, finding the method that helps me comprehend the material the best is the most rewarding approach in the end.”

“I don’t know if I would have gotten into school if it were not for JP. I started the GMAT study process late and had to balance traveling for work, work, and studying with very limited free time. JP helped simplify studying for me and made me understand things that I would never have understood if I tried to study on my own. JP really focused on mastering only a few “test tricks” and then applying them throughout both the verbal and quantitative sections.. For example, he taught me how to apply the same technique for data sufficiency (quant) and critical reasoning (verbal). When I first started studying those sections, I would get 90% of the questions wrong. With JP’s techniques and tips, I was able to get up to 80% of the questions right and understand exactly why I got them right. JP is extremely patient and very brilliant. When I first started with him, I was given a set of 40 problems as a diagnostic test. I got about 6 of them right. Within a few weeks, I was able to get all 40 questions right and know why I got them right and I was able to use his shortcuts to answer the questions correctly. On test day, I improved my score by over 120 points, getting me into 2 of my top 3 choices. I cannot recommend JP enough as a tutor. He is wildly brilliant, experienced, patient, and personable. He is able to figure out how people think and then use that knowledge to tailor his lessons to you. He is the best tutor I have ever had.”

“In October, I scored a 30 on my diagnostic ACT. I worked with JP every weekend,
and by the time I took the test in February, I scored a 34. My ACT score was
undoubtedly one of the strongest elements of my application, placing me within
the top 25th percentile of admitted students at William & Mary. JP was extremely
organized and data-oriented in his approach. Not only would he analyze which of
the four ACT sections I needed the most work on, but he knew which types of problems
within that subject needed the most work. Through working with JP, I realized I
didn’t have to know how to answer 50-70 question types. I only had to understand
a handful of strategies and know when to employ each one. JP was easy-going, fun
to talk to, and engaging. He quickly learned my interests, took the time to get
to know me as a person and a student, and knew how to make the ACT material more
interesting to me.”

“With all my other tutors, everything was in person, so at first I was hesitant
to learn online. The experience was great, and helped prepare me for learning
online in the future, which is crucial in today’s world. As an athlete, and
someone involved with student council and other activities, I am very busy. But
JP was great about planning around my schedule, allowing me to get the most out of
my learning experience. He would even go over time to make sure that I completely
understood what he was teaching. I used to extremely struggle on the Verbal sections, but,
after just a few sessions with JP, I exceeded my target goal. I went from a 1290 to
a 1400 and ended up committing to Princeton.”

“I spent many months studying on my own for the GMAT, but couldn’t seem to break
700. Meeting with JP once a week for 2 months was instrumental in taking my score
from 660 to 730, getting me into the range for top schools. I ended up getting
into both Tuck and Kellogg, choosing the latter. I really enjoyed JP’s teaching approach,
which focused on areas of need. The most helpful technique for me was his method of
having a few go-to approaches that could be used throughout the quant section. Realizing
that there are only a handful of different categories of questions and having a strategy
for answering them was key. It was far more effective than my initial approach of learning
countless formulas and quant concepts, as suggested by many GMAT review books. I cannot
recommend JP enough. Working with him changed my whole approach for the GMAT and was so much
more effective than any studying I had previously done on my own.”

“When I started working with JP, I was not doing well on the math work that was assigned to
me. After a few short weeks of JP’s help, I was getting stronger and stronger. He teaches it
in a way that teachers in school do not. He finds a way to incorporate your own life experience
into the problems, which helps make them easier to understand and solve. He is also really
skilled at teaching other subjects. The way he explains punctuation keeps things simple and
really helped me at school. He’s the best!”

“I write to give wild praise to JP for tutoring my granddaughter during this COVID-plagued year in such a magnificent way. His work with her was inspired and impeccable, and although test after test was cancelled, she told me that working with JP had helped her enormously in her classes at Newton North HS. By teaching her strategies to problem solve and to confront her errors, he gave her the necessary confidence in her own ability to seize hold of her future. She embraced challenge in a new and powerful way. We are all grateful for this experience. I cannot recommend JP’s services more highly. He is a treasure!”

“I can confidently say that JP has been one of the most competent and knowledgeable people I’ve worked with. He is exceptionally well-versed in exam strategy, and will help you achieve the points you need effectively, efficiently, and in a way that optimizes your abilities. For instance, sometimes the “correct” mathematical way was not the most straightforward way to solve a question. With better exam strategies, I had more time to spare on written answers, or even to check my previous responses — something I could never do before. I have always been a nervous test taker, but, within a few months of work, I saw my confidence grow and my results improving steadily. Although what we worked on was very methodical and strategic, it never felt tedious or dull. Instead, I always felt inspired to do better and was able to see that he was proud of my improvement. JP is very dependable and trustworthy, and somebody I was fortunate to meet!”

“JP helped me raise my SAT score from a 1290 on the PSAT to a 1490, which helped me get into Johns
Hopkins early decision. He was able to really help identify my strengths and weaknesses, especially in the
verbal section, where I struggled a lot. JP provided me with strategies for both specific question types and the SAT as a whole. He gave me very manageable homework assignments that really helped me to pace my studying without it being too overwhelming, but he also consistently pushed me to do better. JP is an amazing tutor and was definitely a super important part of my college process. I am so grateful that I found him!
”

“JP is definitely the most helpful and efficient tutor I have ever worked with. Before I started working with him, I usually scored around 1400 on my practice tests. After meeting with JP for just a few months, I got a 1500 with a 1520 super-score and a 790 on math! His efficient approach showed me how to “separate” each problem to prevent from getting overwhelmed and also how to quickly find and eliminate incorrect answers. JP was also very flexible with his scheduling. He worked around my test getting canceled due to the pandemic, and he even found time to meet with me just a week after his wife gave birth to their second daughter! I would recommend JP to anyone looking to improve their SAT scores. In fact, I just did to one of my friends!”

“Working with JP was critical to getting a higher, more consistent math score and was also particularly helpful for me in the verbal section of the GMAT, where I tend to score more highly. Using a more systematic approach to break down sentence structure and problem types let me get over the final hurdle to a 51 in the section. This helped me to improve from a 640 to a 720 on the GMAT and secure admittance to Dartmouth’s Tuck Business School. JP really pushed me to be consistent. I was able to skate by for a long time by just knowing the basics, but he helped me learn to be a bit more methodical in my approach and therefore more consistent in my results. Other tutors were more focused on specific question types, but JP helped me to focus on my personal approach that I could apply to ALL problems. I sometimes struggle to stay engaged and feel like what I’m learning is productive and worthwhile, but JP was able to help me map my success in a clear manner so that I could see in both micro and macro situations how tutoring was improving my score.
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“JP’s methods raised my score from a 31 on diagnostic tests to a 36 on my first ACT administration. That really helped me stand out from the crowd in a year where many colleges were offering test-optional admissions. Because of that score, I was fortunate to have options like generous merit scholarships and top liberal arts colleges to choose from, and will now be attending Dartmouth this Fall. The skills that I learned with JP were integral in helping me to reach my goals. He quickly identified my weaknesses, then systematically addressed each one through specific, focused practice. For example, one area of weakness for me was the Science section of the ACT, which JP was able to raise from a 28 to a 36. By helping me to distinguish patterns within the test, JP was able to make test-taking much less daunting. With other test prep tutors, the goal was to raise my overall score by rehearsing grammatical and algebraic rules. I invested a lot of time and effort, but saw negligible improvement. However, focusing on JP’s smaller and more achievable goals (based on predictable question types and sharpened common sense) made raising my overall score come naturally. I improved quickly and dramatically, and felt more responsible for my improvement due to the engaging and motivating nature of his one-on-one tutoring sessions. It was also very straightforward to communicate with JP. Rather than interacting with a customer service line or having to do my homework on corporate websites, I could just focus on the work itself. Even beyond the test material itself, JP helped me significantly. Due to the pandemic, my test was canceled multiple times, and then was changed last-minute from a nearby public school to a hotel in the city, making me feel anxious. He introduced me to visualization techniques used by Olympic and professional athletes. which genuinely impacted my performance in a positive way. I still use this technique and many of his strategies to this day. We went through many tutors before finding JP and he is easily the best one I worked with! He is not only a great teacher, but an ally!”

“I cannot recommend JP as a tutor highly enough! JP makes the most of
tutoring sessions by diving right into specific material and has a relaxed but professional
demeanor. What I like most about JP is that he teaches a few simple strategies that can
be used to effectively answer all the questions posed by the GRE or GMAT. When I sat down
to take the GRE, I knew the types of questions that were coming and knew which strategy
to use to attain the answer. I utilized these strategies to raise my GRE math scores by
36 percentage points from 156 to 163 and my verbal score from 161 to 169 (99th percentile
on verbal!). JP’s tutoring was pivotal to my admission to Yale!”

”

“I’m headed to Wharton this Fall to pursue my MBA, and JP was a critical piece in getting me there. I cannot thank him enough — there’s nobody I would’ve rather been tutored by than him. JP was an unbelievable resource, and his customizable approach to the GMAT was the primary reason I was able to succeed on the test. My initial diagnostic score was a 500, which I was able to improve over the course of 6 months to a 700 on my official test. Simply put, there is no way I could have done it without him. JP’s approach to the GMAT is vastly different from that of other tutors in that he demonstrates how different problem types share the same underlying concept, rather than just showing you how to answer individual questions. By providing a conceptual framework for pattern recognition, it became easier to identify trends within the test. He never used a “one size fits all” approach to our studying, and was always flexible in his curriculum, providing additional resources outside of the traditional GMAT prep materials that were directly applicable to the components of the test I had challenges with. JP’s tutoring style and structure helped me to efficiently master concepts and made it easy to goal-set and chart my progress over time. He made studying enjoyable, and I looked forward to our sessions each week!”

“I was fortunate enough to be introduced to JP a few months after my first GMAT score of 530. I had been using a self-guided study application in conjunction with a book-based study guide, but my practice test scores were not increasing as drastically as I needed them to. JP took the time during our initial consultation to listen to not only my goals, but how I approached the test/problems. After only a few sessions, JP taught me how to efficiently eliminate options within the Data Sufficiency module versus the problem-solving method I had been unsuccessfully trying to apply to it. During our time together, JP was first and foremost patient and kind. Applying to MBA programs can be stressful and time consuming (especially while working full time), but JP made our tutoring sessions Zen-like and laser focused. No time was wasted and no matter how many times I found myself losing focus, JP was dedicated to bringing me back to the pinch points of my test. On more than one occasion, he made time for me to get an extra session in during the weeks leading up to my official exams, some of which were more therapeutic in nature than anything! The day before one of my exams, JP took the time to create a one-page “study guide” that highlighted some of my pinch points and how we had successfully gotten through them during our time together. The end of the email was an incredible note with a positive message and words of encouragement. I was thrilled when I walked out of the testing center with my highest score of 680. JP goes beyond the role of “tutor”. He becomes a part of your life during one of the most stressful aspects of the application process and helps guide you through both the methods and mindsets you need to have to be successful. I will be attending Cornell this fall, and I know it would not be possible without JP.
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“Before being tutored by JP, my highest SAT score was a 700 Math / 770 Verbal split, and I had really struggled to bring the math score in line with my verbal. JP was able to deconstruct the math section in a clear-cut way that allowed me to label different problem types, then solve them efficiently. The next time I took the exam, my math score had jumped to a 750! JP’s approach was so effective because he didn’t waste time trying to cram 4 years of math into several hour-long tutoring sessions. Instead, he chose to prepare me for only the types of questions that I was likely to see on test day. JP is also great at explaining why each skill he teaches is relevant, so I never felt like I was wasting my time. When you understand why a skill is important and that it IS going to be utilized, it is easy to stay engaged. JP was wonderful to work with and his approach to the SAT is brilliant. I definitely recommend his tutoring services! ”

“Working with JP was definitely the best decision I made regarding my preparation for the exam! Before I met him, I knew next to nothing about the GMAT, and was scoring at about 600 on practice tests. However, I needed to get my score up to 700+ for the schools I was aiming for in only two and a half months — which seemed a daunting task! JP immediately made me feel comfortable about the structure and content of the exam, giving me confidence that I would be able to achieve my goal.

I am an accountant by trade, so I assumed that Quantitative would be my strong suit. Yet JP quickly identified that this section, along with Sentence Correction, was where I was struggling. His targeted approach was extremely useful, as I learned that it is not enough to simply know how to answer the questions, but that they must also be answered under extreme time pressure. JP would always show me multiple ways to attack each problem, and helped me spot patterns and connections between question types, which greatly improved my time management and accuracy.

I found that I improved much faster with JP than with other tutors I’ve worked with in the past. I think that this is because he immediately puts you at ease, so I never felt afraid to ask him to repeatedly go over a point when I didn’t get it the first few times. He is also able to present a whole host of examples, which makes things much easier to understand. His breadth of knowledge is really astounding! Overall, I felt in such safe hands that taking the exam and reaching 700+ never really felt in doubt. I highly recommend his services!”

“JP is an amazing tutor and an amazing person. He’s always willing to meet you where you’re at and get you through some pretty tough work. JP approached each lesson with kindness, patience and a good bit of humor, meaning I always walked away from the tutoring session feeling better about the work that I was doing, and feeling better about the confidence I had taking the test. When all was said and done, his tutoring really paid off. I started the SAT journey with a 1330, and ended with a 1530!. This wouldn’t have been possible without JP, and for that I am forever thankful. ”