This is one of the most frequent questions I am asked, but it is impossible to answer. It’s like calling a mechanic and asking, “How much will it cost to fix my grandpa’s old truck we found in the woods? It doesn’t start, there are no tires, a family of badgers live in it, we can’t find the keys, and grandpa died 40 years ago.” If I have not met your child, I do not know anything about them. I do not know what level of math skills they actually have (Google and AI are not allowed on the SAT/ACT, yet), how quickly they learn, how well they retain what they learn, how realistic their goals are, or if they have the time or motivation to complete the work I assign.

People do not like that answer, so let me do my best to put you at ease. I am not a multinational corporation with thousands of employees to keep busy. I am a father, a husband, perhaps your neighbor, and a retiree. My time is valuable to me, and my values are even more valuable to me. I will do what is best for your child (please read my testimonials and Google reviews), not my pocketbook, while being respectful of my time and expertise. I will not waste my time, your child’s time, or your money. My schedule is jam packed most of the time, so I must be efficient. My goal is help as many families as possible. Working slowly is counterproductive to my goals, violates my ethics, and is fundamentally flawed because my time is not infinite.

We are incredibly grateful to Kennon for the amazing support he provided to our daughter as she prepared for her SAT math exam. From the very first session, it was clear that Kennon is not only highly knowledgeable but also a patient, engaging, and encouraging tutor who knows exactly how to connect with students. He took the time to understand our daughter’s learning style, strengths, and areas where she needed more confidence. His clear explanations, problem-solving strategies, and personalized approach made a huge difference—not just in her score, but in her overall attitude toward math. Thanks to Kennon’s guidance, our daughter went into the test feeling prepared and empowered, and her improved SAT math score reflected all the hard work they put in together. If you’re looking for a tutor who combines expertise with genuine care and dedication, Kennon is the one. We can’t recommend him highly enough!

– D. S.

How about a Rough Estimate?

Please keep in mind that your child has been in school for about 200 days a year for about 10 years, so it is a extremely unrealistic to think I can fix 2,000 days of instruction in one hour. I strongly suggest at least 4 hours (preferably at least 6) (I used to say “eight hours” but the Desmos graphing calculator has made the test easier) of prep for the SAT or PSAT, and 12 hours for the ACT (yes, the ACT is that much harder, and I strongly recommend you avoid the ACT for reasons I explain here). The hours can vary greatly based on your child’s current score, their desired score, how quickly they learn, how often they practice, how well they handle pressure, and how well they retain information. It’s a process, and once I start to work with your child, we can get a better sense of the amount of tutoring that is needed, and we can adjust (schedule permitting) as we go. Again, I will not waste my time, your child’s time, or your money.

What is an Ideal Amount of Test Prep?

Ninety minutes (either 60+30 or 30+30+30) a week for six weeks should allow me to work wonders with most dedicated students of average intelligence. Again, it varies based on the student, but if money is not tight (or you understand that spending a little more could ultimately save your family $10,000 – $150,000 in college expenses), then the more, the merrier, and I would add more weeks.

What Sort of Results Might We Expect from SAT Test Prep?

On the SAT, I can frequently help a student scoring 530 or below improve their math score 100-150 points in just a couple hours. The lower the current score, the larger the opportunity to quickly improve that score. It’s a little slower once a student’s score goes above 600 because the problems they need to improve on are more difficult. But, if I get a new student with a 600+ math score, I can usually help them get their above 700 with six hours of tutoring, sometimes less. Trying to get a perfect 800 is tough, but for students who are already 700+, I can usually help them add 50 points with just a couple of hours. This is why I no longer have a minimum number of hours. Families have different goals and budgets, and students have widely different abilities and capabilities.

I cannot guarantee results because there are so many factors involved beyond my control (Is the homecoming game the night before the test? Do they have six AP exams to take the same week? Or much worse, did the love of their life break-up with them?), but I am starting to see rapid 100 point jumps happen quite often for students. What I can guarantee is that I will be honest with you, and try to do my best to help your child as effectively, and efficiently as possible. And although I cannot guarantee it, in almost all cases students really enjoy working with me, may change their entire attitude about math, and are often extremely thankful to have worked with me.

What Sort of Results Might We Expect from ACT Test Prep?

Progress on the ACT is always much slower, and I do not recommend the ACT for reasons I explain here. If I wanted to work more, I would recommend the ACT, but I do not want to work more. Similarly, if you want to spend more money, have your child study for the ACT, but I imagine you do not want to spend more money.

How Can Your Family Get the Best Results (and Keep Costs as Low as Possible)?

Please read this.

My Process – Designed for Efficiency and Independence

Please read the explanation of my process here.