By Rajkamal Rao
January 9, 2026
We’re excited to launch our latest offering - Rao Advisors Test Prep - after so many parent requests.
We have been counseling families about how students should prepare for the SAT, ACT, and PSAT-11. Google tells us that our post - How do you prepare for the SAT/ACT? - has remained among our top-3 posts for years. Our Test Prep is built around our advice.
When we help families construct their students' 4-year roadmap, we remind them that the optimal test approach involves taking the SAT in August between 10th and 11th grades, and the ACT in September, ensuring readiness for the October PSAT-11, which qualifies students for National Merit Scholarships. Families have heard us talk about taking the "Test Trifecta" in the prior-prior year of high school graduation.
SAT Math tests your competence in 35+ areas; SAT Reading and Writing, in about 25+ areas. The ACT and PSAT-11 are similar. All three tests are measures of scholastic aptitude.
If you have completed Algebra II/Pre-Calculus, you will already have a solid Math foundation. Your English II, AP Human Geography, and AP World History learning experiences will have given you an excellent English foundation.
Our Test Prep model assumes that a student has decent competencies in 80%+ of the content areas. You’ll see how our system blends diagnostic assessments, focused learning bursts, and personalized instruction to help students make meaningful academic gains in the 20% or so areas requiring attention.
We recruit tutors from top institutions across the country - mentors who combine subject mastery with a supportive, student‑centered teaching style. An important feature will involve peer‑learning sessions, recommended, but not mandatory. Peer learning enhances accountability and motivation while simulating test pressure. Peer-learning is limited to a micro-pair, two students only.
All of these essentials are built into our new offering.
Parent FAQ
1. What is the Rao Advisors Test Prep program?
Our Test Prep program is a structured, supportive system designed to help students prepare for the SAT, ACT, and PSAT through a blend of diagnostic assessments, focused learning bursts, and personalized instruction. It was built in direct response to strong parent demand for a program that is both academically rigorous and emotionally supportive.
Structured weekly learning
Personalized tutor matching
Clear progress tracking
2. What makes your program different from other tutoring services?
We combine the warmth of a small counseling practice with the precision of a well‑engineered academic system. Every part of the program is designed to reduce stress for families and increase clarity for students.
Diagnostic‑driven instruction
Peer Learning micro‑pairs
Highly qualified tutors — Our current roster (January 2026) includes tutors who are students themselves, with excellent recent SAT scores: Stanford University (Physics, Computer Science), University of Pennsylvania (Mechanical Engineering), UT Austin (Math, Business Honors, Finance, Economics), Duke University (Computer Science & Statistics), Purdue University (Computer Science & Math), Villanova University (Physics).
Excellent communication protocols: Two WhatsApp groups, one between student(s) and tutor; the second between Rao Advisors, the student, and the parents (separate groups for peer-learning families).
3. How does Peer Learning work?
Peer Learning is a signature feature of our program. Two students prepare together in a micro‑pair — not a group class — allowing them to learn collaboratively while still receiving individualized attention.
Shared motivation and accountability
Tutor teaches both students together
Each student still receives personalized guidance
Peer Learning is recommended but optional. Families may choose one‑on‑one tutoring instead.
4. How do you match students with tutors?
We match students based on:
Subject strengths and needs
Availability and scheduling preferences
Our tutors come from top institutions and are selected for subject mastery and a supportive, student‑centered teaching style.
5. How does scheduling work?
We use a custom scheduling engine that ensures students are matched with tutors who are available consistently and reliably.
Weekly availability matching
Real‑time tutor updates
Override‑aware scheduling
What is “override‑aware scheduling”?
Tutors sometimes share real‑world updates — travel, exams, temporary conflicts. Our system now includes an Updated Tutor Unavailability layer that allows us to:
Honor temporary changes
Avoid last‑minute surprises
Automatically adjust availability for specific dates
This ensures your student is never scheduled during a time the tutor is unavailable.
6. How soon can my student begin?
Families can choose from:
Start immediately
Start next week
Start within 2–4 weeks
If your student has a peer learner, both students begin together.
7. What does a typical session look like?
Each 1-hour session includes a 50-minute instructional block followed by a 10-minute wrap-up.
Targeted skill practice
Guided problem‑solving
Mini‑lessons on strategy
Homework review and next steps
Sessions are structured but warm — tutors are trained to support both academic growth and student confidence. All sessions will occur within the Rao Advisors Small Business domain, using secure Google tools, such as Google Meet which has a built-in, collaborative whiteboard feature that allows real-time brainstorming, drawing, sticky notes, and image addition.
8. How do diagnostics work?
We begin with a diagnostic assessment to understand:
Baseline performance
Strengths and weaknesses
Recommended focus areas
This ensures instruction is targeted and efficient.
9. How do you track progress?
We use a combination of:
Tutor notes
Periodic assessments
Parent updates
Our goal is to keep families informed without overwhelming them.
10. What if my student needs to reschedule?
We understand that life happens. Families may request rescheduling with reasonable notice (currently 24 hours).
Flexible rescheduling policy
Tutor availability checks
Override system ensures accuracy
11. What if the tutor becomes unavailable temporarily?
Our override system ensures that:
Temporary conflicts are honored
Students are not scheduled during unavailable times
We can adjust quickly without disrupting learning
12. How do I register for the program?
Parents begin by attending our Parent Seminar (Jan 10, 2026, 10:30 AM CT), where we walk through:
Program structure
Tutor selection
Scheduling options
Peer Learning
After the seminar, families complete a short intake form and we begin matching.
13. Will the Parent Seminar be recorded?
Yes. We will post it on our Facebook page.
Update: Here's the full recording: https://youtu.be/CpnNZ_6Gmws
14. What is the cost?
These are our minimum packages. Families may purchase additional packages at any time based on the student’s needs.
5 hours – two students: $74/hr/student → $370/student
5 hours – single student: $84/hr → $420/student
10 hours – two students: $69/hr/student → $690/student (Recommended)
10 hours – single student: $79/hr → $790/student
Our recommended lowest-cost option also provides the longest, sustained engagement.
15. How to buy?
Please go to our Test Prep Shopping Cart to purchase.
Our promise is to empower you with high-quality, ethical and free advice via this website. But parents and students often ask us if they can engage with us for individual counseling sessions. We are indebted and privileged to have earned their trust in matters which are so important to them. Please check out our public Google reviews to see what they say about us.
Individual counseling is part of the Premium Offering of Rao Advisors and involves a fee. Please contact us for more information.
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