1-on-1 SAT & ACT Tutoring
University Select provides structured, expert-led preparation for the SAT and ACT, combining personalized tutoring with targeted practice in our proprietary Unlock Prep App.
Our students consistently meet their score goals, with an average improvement of +180 points on the SAT and +4 points on the ACT.
How to Get Started
Because each student’s academic profile, availability, and goals vary, we begin by learning more about your student — their grades, classes, and any previous test scores. From there, we match your student with the instructor best suited to support their preparation using strategies developed through more than 26 years studying the SAT and ACT.
Once we learn a bit about your student, we’ll recommend the best next steps and help you determine which instructor is the best fit.
The Unlock Program
Most students begin with the Unlock Program.
This structured SAT or ACT performance program guides students through their first full test cycle, building the foundation, strategy, and pacing skills needed for consistent score improvement.
Rather than relying on scattered practice or daily drilling, the Unlock Program provides a clear roadmap, expert instruction, and targeted weekly work that helps students steadily strengthen performance while keeping workload manageable.
What the Program Includes
Diagnostic assessment to identify score drivers
Personalized performance roadmap
Foundation + strategy training across tested concepts
Preparation for the first official SAT or ACT administration
Structured post-test refinement
Parent communication and progress updates
Targeted weekly work (typically 1–2 hours between meetings, not daily drilling)
This program provides the structure, strategy, and targeted practice that allow students to make meaningful score gains without overwhelming daily workload.
Program Structure
Unlock SAT or ACT Program
12-Week Guided Test Cycle | $2,599
Designed to guide students from diagnostic → preparation → first official test → refinement, giving them the tools and confidence to perform at their best on test day.
How scheduling works:
After you purchase the Unlock program, you’ll receive access to your assigned tutor’s calendar. Your tutor is selected based on both your student’s needs and your family’s schedule.
Most students meet once per week over a 12-week period, with sessions scheduled at times that work best for your family. You can book sessions week by week, in batches (e.g., 4–8 at a time), or schedule all 12 sessions upfront—whatever works best for your schedule.
This flexibility allows you to adjust around school, sports, and other commitments, while still maintaining consistent progress through the program.
Not sure if this is the right starting point for your student?
We’re happy to review your student’s timeline and goals and recommend the best path forward.
What Happens After You Enroll
When a student joins University Select, they are entering a structured preparation system — not just scheduling tutoring sessions.
Our students improve because their preparation includes multiple layers of support working together:
Expert 1-on-1 instruction
Targeted practice in the Unlock Prep App
Diagnostic analysis and performance tracking
Customized assignments between sessions
Strategy development and test-day planning
This system ensures students — no matter their starting score — are always working on the concepts and strategies most likely to raise their score.
Why Choose University Select?
Elite Outcomes — Not Elite Pricing
Students routinely meet their score goals while paying significantly less than many boutique tutoring firms.
We Built the Test Environment
Our proprietary Unlock Prep App mirrors the actual digital testing experience — not just practice questions.
Fully Mobile
Students can prep & meet with their tutor anywhere — on phones, laptops, or tablets — whether at home, on the bus, or between activities.
Research-Based Instruction
Our team continually studies the SAT and ACT so our methods evolve as the tests change.
Additional Programs
After completing the Unlock Program or Power Prep Class, some students choose additional preparation depending on their testing plans.
Refinement Block (Same Test)
6 Sessions — $1,399
Focused score maximization for students retaking the same exam.
Typical focus areas include:
Advanced question types
Eliminating recurring mistakes
Improving pacing and second-module performance
Final score optimization
Cross-Test Transition (SAT ↔ ACT)
8 Sessions — $1,899
For students switching exams and recalibrating strategy for a different test format.
Focus areas include:
Understanding structural differences between the SAT and ACT
Adjusting pacing and timing strategies
Targeted preparation for unfamiliar question types
Why University Select Tutors?
Not Just Another Tutor
Our tutors are deeply invested in student success and work within a structured program designed to produce results.
Data-Driven Instruction
Tutors analyze student work in the Unlock Prep App to identify the concepts and question types with the greatest potential for improvement.
This allows every session to focus where it matters most.
Is This Program Right for Your Student?
Our programs are designed for students who want focused preparation, expert guidance, and a clear strategy for improving their SAT or ACT score.
Students tend to benefit most if they:
Are preparing for an upcoming SAT or ACT administration
Want structured guidance rather than self-study
Have already taken a diagnostic or official test and want to improve their score
Are balancing test prep with busy academic and extracurricular schedules
Want to focus on the highest-impact strategies and question types
Students typically complete 1–2 hours of targeted work between sessions, allowing them to make steady progress without overwhelming their schedule.
Questions?
Between the two founders of University Select, we bring 26 combined years of experience helping students and families navigate the SAT and ACT.
Over that time, we’ve answered just about every question about test preparation — from program structure and scheduling to homework expectations and score improvement.
We’ve compiled the most common questions in our FAQ section, where you’ll likely find a clear answer.