SAT/PSAT Test Prep – First Session Instructions

We can do this!

Thanks for signing up for SAT/PSAT tutoring with me. I’m excited to help you improve your score!

Parents should read my welcome letter that answers many frequently asked questions.

Everyone should read my tips for getting the most out of test prep.

Since 2018, I have helped about 250 students improve their SAT scores. I love helping people, and hopefully my experience will be invaluable to you too! Hopefully, we’ll have a little fun along the way.

Please email or text me RIGHT NOW to confirm that you will complete the practice test (described below) a day or two BEFORE our first session. It is best to have it fresh in your mind, so please do it a day or two before we meet. Don’t wait to the last minute, because lots of students have trouble getting Bluebook setup. Sometimes it can take a few days!! If you cannot get Bluebook installed and working, please LMK and I can provide a paper practice test as a last resort. 

Here’s the first step of the journey….

How to complete the Bluebook practice test:

  • Download the Bluebook app on a computer.
  • Login to Bluebook app using your College Board account.
  • Silence your phone and notifications on your computer.
  • Choose “FULL-LENGTH PRACTICE” (see picture below)
  • Select SAT.
    • Even if you are studying for the PSAT, select SAT. The PSAT practice test is WAY TOO EASY.
  • Select the first SAT Practice test in the list (#4 – as of Sept. 2025)
  • Hit Next a few times.
  • Skip Section 1, Module 1: Reading and Writing
    • Jump to question 27 and hit next a couple times.
  • Skip Section 1, Module 2: Reading and Writing
    • Jump to question 27 and hit next a couple times.
  • Skip the 10 minute break by clicking “Resume Testing”
  • Do Section 2, Module 1: Math
    • Do NOT guess on questions, leave them blank.
    • Use your calculator or the calculator built into the test (upper right) if you wish.
    • Use the “Reference” (formulas) in the upper right if you need to.
    • If you need to quit the test, you can just the same way you close any app, by clicking the “x” in the top corner. You CAN resume the practice test later (see picture below).
  • Do Section 2, Module 2: Math

First Session and Beyond

I start all of my new students off by having them take a practice test BEFORE OUR SESSION (as explained above) , and then we will go over your mistakes in our first session. Every student is different, so I will do my best to identify your biggest (and most important) weaknesses ASAP, and then we’ll work together to help you improve your score as quickly as possible using my SAT strategies and the dozens of specialized worksheets I have designed to help you improve.

Once we have our first session we will determine how often we should study together. Usually, we’ll have at least one more one hour session before transitioning to frequent 30 minute sessions. We’ll see…

Once we get started, make sure to practice as often as possible. In the end, it’s your score, and the more you work, the higher you can push your score. My job is to make the practice time as efficient and effective as possible, and your job is to practice. You might have to shorten a few fun weekend activities for a couple weeks, but in the end, you will be glad you did.

I hope you are looking forward to your first study session as much as I am. I love helping students and making it possible to convert their hard work into the results they want. Hopefully, combining your hard work and my experience together, we can do this!

Lastly, I would recommend immediately reserving a couple sessions RIGHT BEFORE your test date, and make sure you don’t cancel or have conflicts with those appointments.