Delivering the Best SAT and ACT Score Increases in Our Industry.

Trust Your Student’s Future to Our Team of Elite Instructors and Proven Effective Prep Programs.

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Our Mission

To deliver the industry's highest point gains in SAT and ACT prep and help our students gain acceptance to the country's best colleges and universities.

Our History


After earning his Business Economics degree from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, our founder, Matt Larriva decided to combine his Ivy League education and past experience working for a popular test prep company to establish Powerful Prep.

He had one goal in mind: to produce the highest published point increases of any SAT/ACT prep program in the country.

SAT and ACT Results

  • Average increase of 19.5 (SAT) and 0.35 (ACT) points per tutor session
  • Total point gains of 230 (SAT) and 3.6 (ACT) on average
  • Some star pupils have increased their scores by as much as 510 (SAT) and 9 (ACT) points

Our Method

While working at a major test prep company, Matt realized that his students’ level of focus greatly decreased after 90 minutes. This meant that many programs were wasting students’ time and money by covering excessive materials that didn’t have an impact on score improvements.

Using the algorithmic methods he utilized as a bond trader, Matt created a teaching program designed to specifically target the needs of students and help them achieve higher scores efficiently and effectively. He spent years researching, developing analytical test evaluation software, and designing a unique curriculum that really works—and our published test results prove it!


Customized, Adaptive Teaching Approach

Your student will meet with a dedicated Powerful Prep instructor once or twice a week for a highly focused, 90-minute session—in the comfort of your own home. Each session will be tailored to your student's specific needs and goals, and homework will be assigned that maximizes his or her strengths, and addresses any underperforming areas.
Through weekly testing and progress reports, we'll discover how to best adapt our teaching approach and curriculum to help your student achieve maximum point gains. By continuously shifting our approach, we can ensure that your teenager stays challenged, engaged, and on track to getting the best scores possible.

We’re the SAT and ACT Thought Leader

Check Out Our Founder’s Book:

Advanced Prep SAT Writing

Purchase Your Copy Here

Read Our White Papers

The Optimal Allocation of the Senior Year

Why Grades Matter Less as a Senior

The Reality of Testing

Standardized Tests Are Here to Stay

For More ACT and SAT Insights, Visit Our Blog.

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