Test Prep Expert Offers Seven Questions to Guide Texas Families' SAT/ACT Tutor Search

With college admissions growing more competitive, Texas families are investing more time and money in SAT and ACT preparation. But the marketplace is crowded with national chains, automated platforms, and independent online tutors, making it difficult to know what a student will actually experience. Michael Romano, founder of Mr. Test Prep, has released a set of seven questions parents should ask before hiring a tutor. The guidance arrives as families across the state weigh how to spend their education dollars wisely.

Romano, who has coached more than 4,000 students since 1997, advises parents to first ask who will actually teach their student. Many companies employ salespeople who are not the instructors, and reviews may reflect other tutors. At Mr. Test Prep, Romano personally coaches every student, bringing nearly three decades of experience to each session. Because the program is online, students nationwide—including those in Texas—can work directly with him.

The second question concerns diagnostics. A useful plan should begin with evidence, but Romano says a diagnostic must reveal more than a score. He examines accuracy, pacing, question patterns, and decision-making to understand how a student works through the test. Mr. Test Prep begins with a free two-hour trial session built around diagnostic work rather than a predetermined curriculum.

Choosing between the SAT and ACT is the third consideration. Romano argues that simply comparing scores is insufficient. The better question is what produced those scores and which weaknesses are most realistic to improve. A student might score higher on one test but face a pacing limitation that is hard to overcome, while a lower score on the other test could reflect weaknesses more responsive to instruction. The recommendation should come from watching the student work under timed conditions.

Financial commitments and guarantee terms form the fourth question. Families should understand what conditions a score guarantee requires, such as extensive homework. Mr. Test Prep takes a different approach: families pay one session at a time, and Romano establishes a cap on paid sessions based on the student's starting point and goals. If the student achieves the desired outcome before reaching the cap, preparation ends and the family never pays for remaining sessions. If the student reaches the cap and still needs coaching, additional sessions continue at no additional charge. No test-prep homework is required.

The fifth question addresses what happens between sessions. Romano has maintained a no-homework philosophy for years, concentrating preparation inside coaching sessions where he can observe how students approach questions, manage time, and make decisions in real time. The goal is to make the work students do more useful, not simply to give them more work.

Performance under pressure is the sixth concern. Knowing the material is only part of test-day success. The Mr. Test Prep Method™ provides tactics and frameworks for navigating the test, while A-Game Access™ addresses the mental state students bring to execution. Together, they aim to help students access and use what they know when it counts.

Finally, parents should ask whether their student can try the program before committing. Mr. Test Prep offers a free two-hour trial session nationwide. The student works through diagnostic material while Romano observes and offers feedback. A follow-up Zoom meeting reviews findings, discusses whether the SAT, ACT, or both make sense, considers testing dates, and outlines a recommended plan. A written proposal follows by email.

For Texas families, these questions offer a framework to evaluate tutors beyond sales pitches. As the state's economy grows, so does the demand for effective educational services that can help students reach their potential. Romano's approach emphasizes transparency and a focus on the individual student—principles that could influence how test-prep companies across Texas compete for families' trust.