SAT & ACT Tutoring · New York City

SAT & ACT Test Prep for NYC Families

Expert guidance from mentors who've scored in the 99th percentile. Our score guarantee means you hit your target score or we keep working together for free until you do.

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The New Standard

Strong Scores Won't Open Doors. But They Certainly Will Close Them.

In New York and other competitive districts, strong SAT & ACT scores are table stakes. A 1500 SAT and a 34 ACT is no longer exceptional.

That is where most test prep falls short. Students are not motivated to practice and quickly forget material between lessons. Group classes are often too large for real accountability, while one-to-one tutoring can be inefficient and draining.

Whetstone was built for this. Every student is taught in small cohorts of motivated students by tutors who've scored in the 99th percentile. We set a target and don't stop until the student succeeds.

Students studying at the Harvard Club of New York City
The Environment

Distraction-Free. Built for Serious Work.

Students work in one of New York's most storied institutions, surrounded by others who are serious about their goals. The environment alone changes how students show up.

No phones on desks. No distractions or notifications. Students who have tried prep centers and tutors at home consistently say the Harvard Club sessions feel more focused, and productive.

The cohort matters. Students in the program push each other. There's a team element — shared goals, shared standards, shared results.

Programs

Choose Your Program

Three tiers built around the Harvard Club Intensive. Every program covers both SAT and ACT. Hit your target score or we keep working together for free until you do.

Foundations

Best for: students establishing a baseline

Duration
8 weeks
Score Guarantee: 1450+ or +120 pts — hit your target or we keep working for free until you do.
  • ✓ 64 hrs Harvard Club Blitz sessions
  • ✓ SAT & ACT diagnostic + test selection
  • ✓ Targeted SAT/ACT homework assignments
  • ✓ Winning Applications Walkthrough
  • ✓ Parent progress updates
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Most Popular

Scholar

Best for: strong students pushing higher

Duration
12 weeks
Score Guarantee: 1500+ or +160 pts — hit your target or we keep working for free until you do.
  • ✓ 96 hrs Harvard Club Blitz sessions
  • ✓ SAT & ACT diagnostic + test selection
  • ✓ Targeted SAT/ACT homework assignments
  • ✓ Capstone Discovery Session
  • ✓ Essay Writing Blitz (1 pass)
  • ✓ Winning Applications Walkthrough
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Collegiate

Best for: elite score targets

Duration
16 weeks
Score Guarantee: 1530+ or +200 pts — hit your target or we keep working for free until you do.
  • ✓ 128 hrs Harvard Club Blitz sessions
  • ✓ SAT & ACT diagnostic + test selection
  • ✓ Targeted SAT/ACT homework assignments
  • ✓ Capstone Discovery Session
  • ✓ Essay Writing Blitz (1 pass)
  • ✓ Winning Applications Walkthrough
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Our Method

How Whetstone Students Actually Improve

Repetition alone is not enough. Improvement comes from mastering the fundamentals, then applying them under pressure until strong performance becomes repeatable.

1

Active Recall

Students are trained to retrieve and restate ideas from memory instead of relying on open notes. Research has found gains of over 50% in long-term retention compared with passive review.

2

Feynman Method

Physicist and Nobel laureate Richard Feynman became known for learning until he could explain ideas simply enough to teach them to a child. Students work in pairs using this method to turn errors into deeper understanding.

3

Heavy Testing

Students train under strict timing, working up to practice with up to 30% less time. The goal is to build calm, speed, and precision before test day.

Subject Tutoring

We cover AP and IB curricula

Mathematics
  • Algebra
  • Geometry
  • Pre-Calculus & Trigonometry
  • AP Calculus AB / BC
  • AP Statistics
  • IB Mathematics (SL & HL)
Sciences
  • AP Biology
  • AP Chemistry
  • AP Physics 1, 2 & C
  • AP Environmental Science
  • IB Sciences (SL & HL)
Language
  • AP English Literature & Language
  • TOEFL / IELTS
  • Spanish
  • French
  • Latin
  • Ancient Greek*
Humanities
  • AP U.S. History
  • AP World History
  • Economics
  • Philosophy
  • Classics
  • Writing and Composition

* Available with select tutors. Contact us to discuss your subject.

Schools We Serve

Built for New York's Most Competitive Students

Dalton Collegiate Trinity Spence Brearley Chapin Horace Mann Riverdale Ethical Culture Fieldston Stuyvesant Bronx Science Brooklyn Tech Hunter College HS Scarsdale High School Avenues Léman Manhattan
Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

When should my student start tutoring? +
Most students begin in summer of their sophomore year to prepare for August, September, or October exams. We recommend starting with a diagnostic early to allow the most time for improvement to base skills like reading prior to the test prep intensive.
Should my child take the SAT or the ACT? +
Both tests are accepted equally by every major college and university. The right choice depends on the student's strengths. We administer a diagnostic for both and recommend the test where the student has a larger natural advantage.
How is the Digital SAT different from the old paper test? +
The Digital SAT (launched March 2024) is shorter (2 hours 14 minutes vs. 3 hours), adaptive by module, and delivered on a computer or tablet. The adaptive format means early performance heavily influences your final score. Our tutors are trained specifically on Digital SAT strategy and official College Board practice materials.
How are Whetstone instructors selected? +
Our instructors are exclusively recruited from those who've scored in the top 99th percentile on exams they teach before working with students.
How does the score guarantee work? +
Each program tier includes a specific score guarantee. If your student puts reasonable effort behind the program (attending 85% of sessions and completing 85% of assigned practice) and does not hit the target score we set together, we will keep working for free until we succeed. Details are outlined in the enrollment agreement.

Book a free consultation with one of our expert advisors.

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