Private SAT & ACT Tutoring in NYC
The SAT and ACT are the two primary college entrance exams in the United States—and for many students, a strong score is the single most controllable factor in their college application. At Honors Prep, we offer one-on-one SAT and ACT tutoring designed to help students build real skills, not just memorize tricks.
We're an independent, Brooklyn-based tutoring practice. No classrooms, no generic curricula, no rotating cast of instructors. Just experienced tutors who get to know your student, diagnose what's holding them back, and work with them until they're ready.
What Makes Our Approach Different
Large test prep companies treat SAT prep like an assembly line: standardized curricula, large group classes, and tutors who may never see your student twice. We do the opposite.
Every student begins with a diagnostic exam so we can see exactly where they stand—not just their overall score, but which math concepts need reinforcement, where their reading comprehension breaks down, and how they manage time and pacing under pressure. From there, we build a prep plan around their needs.
Our tutors are drawn from top universities and carefully selected not just for their command of the material, but for their ability to connect with high schoolers and keep them motivated through months of preparation.
SAT Math
The SAT Math section tests algebra, problem-solving, data analysis, and some advanced math including geometry and trigonometry. We focus on building both content knowledge and test-specific strategy—helping students recognize problem types, avoid common traps, and use the built-in Desmos calculator efficiently.
For students who need foundational work, we shore up gaps. For students already scoring well, we focus on the higher-difficulty questions that separate good scores from great ones.
SAT Reading & Writing
The SAT Reading and Writing section is adaptive—your performance on the first module determines the difficulty of the second. We prepare students for both scenarios, focusing on close reading strategies, grammar and usage rules, and how to work efficiently through dense passages.
Many students underestimate this section. We don't.
Test Strategy & Pacing
Knowing the material isn't enough. We spend significant time on pacing, question triage, and managing the mental stamina required for a two-plus hour exam.
Our students take full-length practice tests regularly—typically once a month. This gives them realistic experience with the test format and timing, while allowing us to track progress and adjust the prep plan as needed. We share results with parents so you always know where your student stands.
We Also Offer ACT Prep
While most of our New York City students take the SAT, some prefer the ACT—or want to try both and see which suits them better. We offer the same bespoke, one-on-one ACT tutoring with the same diagnostic-first approach. If you're unsure which test is right for your student, we can help you decide.
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Sam M.
FOUNDER
Born and raised in New York City, Sam attended Stuyvesant High School before graduating cum laude from Middlebury College with departmental honors in English. As a native New Yorker with years of tutoring experience, Sam has applied the lessons he learned both as a student and as a tutor to create Honors Prep.
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Charlie M.
TUTOR
Charlie is a PhD candidate in Computer Science at Stanford University. Before his PhD, Charlie graduated magna cum laude from Haverford College, double majoring with highest honors in both Computer Science and Mathematics. He brings with him six years of experience tutoring at the high school, college, and post-graduate level.
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Grace G.
TUTOR
Grace is a dedicated tutor with 7+ years of experience in test prep, college admissions, math, and Spanish. She’s helped 70+ students reach top schools with her personalized, stress-free approach. When she’s not tutoring, she produces comedy in Brooklyn. Grace graduated summa cum laude from UPenn with a degree in Urban Studies and English.
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William S.
TUTOR
William is a playwright in Brooklyn. He graduated from Columbia University with a BA in English and a concentration in physics. He specializes in teaching math, physics, the SAT, and the SHSAT.
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Stephanie T.
TUTOR
Stephanie has a BA from Boston University and is currently working towards her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University. As a therapist-in-training, she emphasizes her work in child and adolescent development.
With 5+ years of tutoring experience, Stephanie works with a range of students to highlight their existing strengths. Together, they set achievable goals to build academic confidence and knowledge, while reaching those desired scores.
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Jonah N.
TUTOR
Jonah holds a BFA in Theatre and a minor in Child and Adolescent Mental Health from NYU. With experience in childcare, special education, and life coaching, he specializes in offering instructional and behavioral support to students. Jonah is also adept in test prep strategies.
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Elianna K.
TUTOR
Elianna holds a BA in Literary Studies from Middlebury College and an MA in Literature from the Bread Loaf School of English. She has taught creative writing and literary translation at Middlebury College and Columbia University, where she also serves as an MFA thesis advisor. Elianna offers writing coaching, intensive reading seminars, and Spanish tutoring.
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Alex S.
TUTOR
Alex is a magna cum laude graduate from Columbia University, where he studied English Literature. For the past five years, he has mentored high-achieving students from middle school to college, specializing in standardized test preparation, essay writing, and homework management. Outside of teaching, Alex pursues his passions for writing and independent filmmaking.
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Emily F.
TUTOR
Emily holds a BA in Government and French from Georgetown University and has over six years of tutoring experience. She specializes in math, English, history, French, and Spanish, and has helped many students prepare for the SHSAT, SAT, and college admissions with a focus on building confidence and mastery.
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Devin B.
TUTOR
Devin earned a BS in Chemistry from Purdue University and is completing an MD/PhD program at NYU, with a PhD in Cell Biology. With 10+ years of experience, he tutors chemistry, biology, physics, and math. His approach focuses on identifying strengths and weaknesses to build mastery and test strategies.
Flexible Scheduling, No Packages
We know high schoolers are busy—with classes, extracurriculars, jobs, and everything else. That's why we keep things simple.
We offer pay-as-you-go tutoring with no required packages or long-term commitments. Our tutors are generally available seven days a week. We offer in-home tutoring throughout Brooklyn (including Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Fort Greene, and Clinton Hill) and Manhattan, online sessions via Zoom, or a hybrid of both.
FAQs
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We recommend beginning 3–6 months before your target test date. This allows time to build skills without cramming. For juniors, starting in winter or early spring is ideal.
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The SAT is now fully digital and adaptive. It consists of two sections—Reading & Writing (two modules, 64 minutes total) and Math (two modules, 70 minutes total). The entire exam takes about 2 hours and 14 minutes.
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Both are accepted by virtually all U.S. colleges. The SAT is adaptive and has no science section; the ACT is linear and includes a science reasoning section. Some students have a clear preference—we can help determine which test plays to your student's strengths.
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No. We offer pay-as-you-go tutoring. Schedule sessions as needed, with no minimums.
Start Your Student's SAT Prep Today
A strong SAT score won't guarantee admission anywhere—but a weak one can close doors. If your student is preparing for the SAT or ACT, the right support makes a difference.