Manhattan Review's SAT Online Prep Options

Experienced Instructors

The instructor you work with can turn a good preparation course into an unforgettable one. That's why at Manhattan Review, we pride ourselves on hiring instructors who are not just gifted teachers but who have also achieved their own impressive SAT scores. These experienced and friendly mentors bring with them a wealth of useful knowledge, including cutting-edge teaching strategies and a genuine commitment to seeing their students succeed.

Online Course or Online Private Tutor – it's your choice

When it comes to online learning, Manhattan Review has you covered. Whether you prefer to participate in a virtual prep course with other learners or desire the customization and flexibility of online private tutoring, we know just how to help you take your SAT prep to the next level. 

Many students enjoy participating in online prep courses, finding them a fun and motivating way to learn new information. Over the years, we have developed a curriculum that is both comprehensive and engaging, and we cover every aspect of the SAT through a blend of live instruction, recorded lectures, and review materials. The online SAT prep courses offered by Manhattan Review are taught in real-time (meaning they are live). They include an instant messaging feature that allows students to interact directly with their instructor and other classmates. Students can also use an online interactive whiteboard feature to collaboratively complete class problems with their instructor or their peers. With the help of an online polling tool, students can submit answers that can be tracked by the instructor in real time. We work hard to ensure that students who take classes online enjoy as interactive of a learning experience as possible, just without the burden of a commute.

It is also worth mentioning that our SAT instructors teach the exact same course online that they teach in-person. There is no difference in the length or content of the lectures. Just like with courses taught in physical locations, online lectures are available immediately after being presented, allowing students to review the course material whenever they like. Students who participate in online learning receive the exact same sample problems and practice tests as they would if they were attending an in-person prep course. 

When it comes to preparing for the SAT, not all students enjoy learning in a group setting. Certain students know they will not master complicated academic information easily in a large group. These students may worry about slowing the group down. Alternatively, they become bored or frustrated when they have mastered a concept but cannot move on until everyone can demonstrate similar mastery. If you are a student who prefers to learn at your own pace, without the distractions sometimes found in group learning, we are proud to offer customizable SAT tutoring programs. There is no difference in the information you will cover through meeting with a tutor virtually rather than in-person. You will receive the same unwavering support, the same materials and practice exams, and the same access to your tutor, that you would if you met in-person.

Our SAT Online Prep Technology

Some students initially express concern about the technology involved in online learning. They worry they might not be able to install the required programs or that these programs are not dependable enough for something as important as SAT prep. While this might have been a valid concern years ago, technology has become so easy to install and reliably stable that this is not something to be concerned about anymore. We regularly use Zoom at Manhattan Review, which is a popular online teaching platform many students are already familiar with from school. So, while there were legitimate concerns about online learning technology years ago, this is no longer an issue since systems become increasingly stable and easier to use every year.

For Parents/Caregivers:

We are proud of the reputation we have developed for our very selective hiring process of instructors and tutors. Since Manhattan Review is a boutique test prep company offering customized SAT preparation, we have the ability to dedicate more resources than most firms to our hiring process. We expect two things from our instructors: a great SAT score and a passion for helping students obtain their own high SAT score through consistent progress and ongoing, personalized feedback. Ultimately, we only hire those instructors with both superb test-taking and teaching skills, ensuring our students receive the highest quality instruction, setting them up for their own SAT success. 

We have learned a great deal from our extensive experience in the test prep industry. Specifically, we understand that taking an exam and teaching others how to take it are two separate skills. Our instructors are skilled at tailoring the information they teach to each student's learning style, and the quality of our instructors is simply another reason Manhattan Review stands out from other test prep companies. 

To truly understand what makes Manhattan Review so unique, it helps to consider the origins of the firm. Manhattan Review was conceived and started at an Ivy League business school, specifically, Columbia University Business School in New York City. Manhattan Review's Founder was not only pedagogically trained but went on to become a leading academic, eventually accepting a position as a professor at a prestigious business school in Europe. The experience the founder gained by being an active member of collegiate hiring committees, as well as evaluating the teaching potential of countless applicants, cannot be overstated or acquired through other contexts. That is why Manhattan Review's preparation options are widely considered the best choice for serious SAT students.

Given the highly selective hiring process conducted by Manhattan Review, our instructors are more than capable of teaching all aspects of effective test preparation. This includes administering diagnostic tests, planning the most useful lessons, and guiding students through applicable test content. We strive to make sure each student receives the attention and expertise they deserve when preparing for such an important exam as the SAT.

What About Test-Optional Colleges?

As academic institutions attempt to move beyond the Covid-19 pandemic, many colleges are once again requiring students to submit standardized test scores—from the SAT or ACT—as part of their application. Some colleges, however, have chosen to remain test optional for another year or two. What does that mean for students preparing their college applications?

Simply because a college does not require a student to submit standardized test scores as part of their application does not mean test scores shouldn't be submitted. Test scores can make a big difference when it comes to scholarships. At many colleges, even those where admission is test optional, test scores may be required for certain scholarships or for admission to specific majors or honors programs. Private institutions or organizations that award scholarships may require test scores as part of their scholarship application. It is critically important to verify scholarship and financial aid requirements when applying to colleges, because even though the college itself might be test optional, applying for specific financial awards may require the submission of test scores. 

Test optional colleges do not require the submission of SAT or ACT scores, but should a student submit a score, it can and most likely will be considered. And this is a good thing! Consider the college applications of two high school students. The applications demonstrate nearly identical data as far as classes taken, grades received, volunteer hours completed, and the number and quality of extracurricular activities. Even though this particular college is test optional, one student chooses to submit her SAT score while the other student does not. 

Which student do you think has a better chance of being accepted? 

The one who provided more information to the admissions committee. Research from the College Board consistently demonstrates a correlation between SAT scores and college success: students with higher SAT scores achieve higher college grades and they are more likely to return for their second year of college. College admissions officials know this, and when considering who to offer acceptance to, they will always prefer having as much information about a student as possible in order to guide their decision-making.

The bottom line is that as long as standardized tests exist, there are benefits to taking them. And given that standardized tests can be mastered with the guidance of skilled professional educators, there is no reason not to take this potentially life-changing exam and ultimately gain acceptance (and perhaps financial support) at leading undergraduate programs.