Private Test Preparation

Introduction

CBEST, CSET, SAT, ACT, HSPT, Praxis & More

Personalized exam prep is ideal for adults and teens who need help testing into their preferred schools, gaining or maintaining teacher licensure, or becoming naturalized citizens, but who don’t need watered down curriculum that doesn’t address their specific needs. Whether you’ve tested 0, 2, or 11 times, I can help make the next time your LAST time* — provided you’re willin’ to shift your thinking, learn new habits, and work your butt off!

*NOTE: If you deal with severe anxiety, you may need to test twice before passing.

Pain Points

If you can relate to the following scenarios, and you’re ready to make a few shifts in your thinking to augment your reading or writing, we should meet.

You’re embarrassed about falling behind or about not performing at grade level or age level. You want to fill your learning gaps, but you’re too proud to ask for help because you’re an adult or teen and — as everyone else says — “you should know this stuff by now”. Right?

Although you earn high marks, are praised for how smart you are, and/or attend a well-regarded public or private school, you have trouble doing well on tests, but you don’t know why. There’s a chance, too, that you know — deep down — you’re missing something.

Although your preferred universities focus on more than perfect SAT/ACT/GRE scores and high GPAs, you want to make yourself as competitive as possible to qualify to receive merit-based scholarships/fellowships or admissions, but you’re not sure you’re studying correctly.

Passing your test(s) means you either get your foot in the door, or you keep your job.

You have zero trouble with complex adjectives or dichotomous trials, but you have trouble completing all test questions before time’s up or even figuring out which answers to choose.

sign

I may be the best tutor for you

If you are ready to shift your thinking to augment your
math understanding or English reading, writing, speaking abilities,

we should meet.

Start Here

Pricing and Benefits

What else will I get?

  • Begin with a comprehensive diagnostic session, continue with targeted instruction and practice that best benefits you
  • Professional academic coaching from an experienced and personable tutor who’s been in business since 2011 (but has 21+ years experience) with a reputation for helping learners get the results they need
  • Accountability mechanisms that ensure you do what you need to do
  • Consistent, reliable service and guidance
  • Available to anyone online, but available for in-person tutoring in Downtown and East Oakland
  • 1-to-1 or small group instruction
  • Advanced, intermediate, and beginner levels (Depending on subject matter)
  • Help for both native English speakers and English language learners
  • Prompt and consistent meetings
  • Zero empty promises
  • Available for early-morning, evening, and holiday scheduling
pricing

Registration Fee
$49/flat

One-time cost of processing your application (e.g., appointment scheduling, classroom set up, test set up)

pricing

Diagnostic Sessions
$49/hr

Formal exam
Interview
Session lengths range from 1.5 to 5.5 hours and are established before appointments for diagnostic sessions are finalized.

pricing

No Homework
$49/hr

1-hour to 3-hour session lengths
Personalized Learning Plan
Exit Exam
No Homework
Zero Last-Minute Reschedules

pricing

Add Homework
$59/hr

1-hour to 3-hour session lengths
Personalized Learning Plan
Exit Exam
Homework
Zero Last-Minute Reschedules

In-Person Tutoring Locations & Pricing

Online sessions not for you? Live help may be what you need.
Meeting online may save a bit of time, but it’s not ideal for everyone, especially given the amount of time we’ve all spent glued to our screens since the onset of the pandemic. For those of you ready to work, in-person, with a live tutor, you can look forward to an experience offering:

*The security that comes with working, in real time, with your tutor

  • *Greater focus with in-person accountability
  • *Kinetic freedom
  • *A break from screen fatigue
  • *Having tutor-assigned homework printed for you (when necessary)
  • *Interacting with a live human (not that I have anything against our AI counterparts) As of December 24, 2023, two locations have been added. More will be added, incrementally.

The posted hourly rates are current and complete and only apply to in-person sessions. With the exception of the $49 application fee, no additional fees will be added. What you see is it!

Again, the $49 application fee still applies.

NOTE: Because I do not own these spaces, I cannot guarantee availability, but I can let you know, asap, if I have trouble booking your preferred space.

Location and Information

Main Library, 14th & Oak Street, Downtown Oakland

Total Hourly Rate:

  • $69 (Diagnostic Session)
  • $69 (Zero Homework)
  • $79 (Add Homework)
  • Availability: M-Th, 10:30 am – 7:30 pm
  • Friday , 12:30 – 5:00 pm
  • Sa-Su , 10:30 – 5:00 pm
  • Parking: Paid street parking; Paid garage parking around the corner
  • Public Transport: AC Transit Line 14; Lake Merritt BART
  • Wheelchair Accessible?: Yes
  • Reservation Limitations: Can’t be booked more than 2 weeks in advance

Oakstop, Telegraph & 17th, Downtown Oakland

Total Hourly Rate:

  • $109 (Diagnostic Session)
  • $109 (Zero Homework)
  • $119 (Add Homework)
  • Availability: M-F, 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
  • Parking: Paid street parking; Paid garage parking around the corner
  • Public Transport: AC Transit Lines 6, 12, 33, 51A, and 72; 19th Street BART
  • Wheelchair Accessible?: Yes
  • Reservation Limitations: None

Circuit Launch, Edgewater & Oakport, Hegenberger District, East Oakland

Total Hourly Rate:

  • $129 (Diagnostic Session)
  • $129 (Zero Homework)
  • $139 (Add Homework)
  • Availability: M-F, 9:00 am – 4:45 pm
  • Parking: Ample lot parking
  • Public Transport: AC Transit Lines 98, 73; Coliseum BART
  • Wheelchair Accessible?: No
  • Reservation Limitations: None

Alameda Free Library, Oak & Santa Clara, Downtown Alameda

Total Hourly Rate:

  • $99 (Diagnostic Session)
  • $99 (Zero Homework)
  • $109 (Add Homework)
  • Availability:
    M/T, 10:15 am – 7:45 pm
    W, 12:15 pm – 7:45 pm
    Th/F/Sat, 10:15 am – 4:45 pm
    Sun, 12:15 pm – 4:45 pm
  • Parking: Paid street parking; Paid garage parking around the corner
  • Public Transport: AC Transit Lines 51A and 20
  • Wheelchair Accessible?: Yes
  • Reservation Limitations: Operates on inconsistent first come/first served basis; Reservations must be made day of and only before the next meeting room’s available; If you choose this option, there’s a risk of not securing a meeting room.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. This is the full hourly price for meeting in person and having a session.

No. The diagnostic session just gives me a chance to test where you are academically and personally. There’s no official homework, so there’s no homework fee, but I may need you additional documents or information to bring to our next session (for which there is no additional fee).

You don’t need to worry about a thing. Kenisha is responsible for reserving the space.

You may be able to change locations, but you will still be responsible for fees associated with the original location. I have to consider time traveling to the location, reserving and setting up the location (if necessary), and time traveling back home to work with online customers. (Hey, I need to be near my whiteboard and client files.)

Learn and Improve

Learn and Improve.

End the anxiety, self-doubt, feelings of failure, embarrassment, blows to your self-esteem, fear about your future, delayed entry to your preferred field or school, or reduced pay.

Stop wasting money on programs, services, and manuals that don’t work (or that would work if you had adequate guidance).

I think I’m ready to work with you? How do I get started? What’s the process like?

  1. Complete the registration application. The registration fee is $49 and must be received and cleared before your application is processed.
  2. Within two (2) business days, you’ll receive a call or email from me for booking a diagnostic session.
    Decide if meeting online or in-person is better for you.
  3. If you’d like to meet in person, we’ll meet at one of three Downtown Oakland locations, an East Oakland location, or an Alameda location.
  4. After we meet for our diagnostic session, I’ll take inventory of your test and interview responses, then I’ll use that information to begin creating your personalized regimen.
  5. Depending on your specific situation, you may be able to begin learning within one day, but it may take up to seven (7) days to sit for our first learning session.

Let’s get busy getting you over your academic, professional, or personal hurdles.