The Playbook – Go-to strategies for beating tests at their own game.

Our comprehensive SAT prep course teaches strategies for all aspects of the test, including how to spot and eliminate even the trickiest
trap answers.

TIRED OF FALLING

FOR TRAP ANSWERS?

LEARN MORE

Aiming for 800: the ultimate course for ambitious students who want to score 750 or higher in SAT Reading and Writing.

GO FROM A GOOD SCORE

TO A TRULY ELITE SCORE.

LEARN MORE

The Playbook’s SAT Boot Camp. The most effective, efficient, and engaging way to outsmart the SAT.

THE SAT IS BORING.

LEARNING TO ACE IT
DOESN’T HAVE TO BE.

LEARN MORE

IF YOU’RE READING THIS SENTENCE…

…there’s a pretty good chance you or a teenager whose cell phone bill you pay will be taking the SAT or ACT and applying to college sometime soon. You may be feeling a little stressed by the whole process, or (more likely) you may be feeling very stressed by the whole process. After all, when did college admissions become so, well, insane?

At The Playbook, we can’t do anything about the tests themselves, but we can change the way that students approach preparing for exams and applying to college. Whether you’re looking to ace the verbal sections of the SAT, learn shortcuts for ACT challenging math problems, or craft a college application essay that will linger in the minds of admissions officers, we have a proven playbook to help you achieve your goal.

Oh, and one more thing:

We’re not boring! We realize most high school students, even ones in seventeen A.P. classes, would rather do pretty much anything other than study for the SAT or ACT. In fact, we’ve even compiled a list of 1,000 Things Most Teenagers Would Rather Do Than Prep for the SAT or ACT right here. That’s why we strive to make our courses not only comprehensive but also engaging and fun. (Well, fun for a prep class.) The SAT and ACT may be boring, but learning to ace them doesn’t have to be.

WEEKEND BOOT CAMPS

Efficient, effective and engaging. Our weekend Boot Camps are the most popular way to learn how to ace the SAT or ACT or perfect your college applications essays.

ONE WEEKEND. EVERY STRATEGY YOU NEED TO KNOW.

SAT Boot Camp

Shortcuts for tricky Math questions. Strategies for uncovering hidden clues in Reading passages. Techniques for avoiding sneaky trap answers. March into the SAT with confidence, momentum, and every key strategy fresh in your mind.

ONE WEEKEND. EVERY STRATEGY YOU NEED TO KNOW.

ACT Boot Camp

Strategies for Reading faster without sacrificing comprehension. Techniques for deciphering confusing Science passages and graphs. Shortcuts for math problems that stump 95% of test-takers. March into the ACT with confidence, momentum, and every key strategy fresh in your mind.

UNLOCK THE STORY THAT WILL GET YOU IN

College Admissions Boot Camp

Learn a proven system for crafting truly riveting application essays, from the brainstorming process all the way to the finishing touches of the final draft. Write a personal statement that will leave admissions yearning to learn more about you – and determined to vote “admit.”

ELITE COURSES

Specialized programs for highly-ambitious students targeting perfect or near-perfect scores.

ADVANCED VERBAL STRATEGIES FOR A.P. STUDENTS

Aiming for 800

The ultimate course for ambitious students who wish to go from a very good SAT Reading and Writing score to a truly elite score. Ideal for A.P. students who are gifted in STEM and capable of earning a top score in SAT Math but have yet to achieve an SAT Reading and Writing score of 750 or higher.

The average years of teaching experience for our instructors and admissions advisors.

260

The average SAT score-improvement for our students during the 2020-’21 academic year.

4.9

The average student rating, out of 5, for all of our courses – the highest rating of any test prep and college admissions firm on Trust Pilot.

The average number of naps taken by our students during our courses and programs.

“I really liked the teacher and how he was authentic and relatable and included sample questions and excerpts. I really do feel much more confident.”

Sydney Jones
Springbrook High School

LOCALLY SOURCED. ECO-FRIENDLY.
AND 100% NON-GMO.

From an engineer who plays the banjo to a linguist who leads mission trips to Haiti, our instructors are creative, conscientious, intellectually-feisty, and—above all—committed to you.
Meet the mighty minds who call The Playbook home.

ADAM

University of Michigan-educated. Handsomely bespectacled. And gifted with any instrument capable of being strummed.

CORRINE

Duke-educated. Super into skiing. And head over wheels for roller derby.

ADAM

Northwestern-educated. Devoted to data. And keen on anything relating to writing, performing, and live music.

ACTUAL STUDENT TEXTIMONIALS

“Ivy League Tutors is awesome! I love studying SAT algebra every Saturday morning!”
– Billy B., Hamilton High School

Oh, come on. Do you think any teenager in the history of Teenage-Americans has ever said anything that glowing about an SAT prep class – even one of ours? At The Playbook, we don’t fabricate reviews or pay people to proclaim their love for us. The following messages are all real, all recent, and all from students just like you.

LATEST ARTICLES & ADVICE

We can’t tell you how to achieve a flatter tummy or the 11 secret superfoods you should be eating (though we at The Playbook are pretty fond of Goji berries, for what it’s worth).

However, we can tell you all about college admissions and testing, so check out our latest articles for up-to-date information and advice, from the questionable value of being well-rounded to COVID’s impact on the SAT and ACT.

COVID’s Impact on the SAT

The pandemic has affected the role of standardized tests in college admissions, but don’t throw away your No. 2 pencils just yet.

The SAT vs. the ACT Settled Once and for All (Well, Kind of)

The SAT and ACT—bitter archenemies since the dawn of No. 2 pencils—are far more alike than they’ve ever been before, but there are still important differences students need to consider.

The PSAT: A Very Important Test That Doesn’t Really Matter (Except When It Does)

Does the PSAT actually count for anything or is it simply practice?

We’re proud to have the highest rating of every test prep and admissions firm on TrustPilot. Here are recent reviews from students, parents, and schools.

September 27

Useful Strategies

Really great and easy-to-remember strategies. The content was engaging and definitely worth the time.

Josh

September 27

I loved the way jared taught

I loved the way jared taught, he made everything seem very simple

Arukakar

August 1

Great Course

Very Helpful Course. I learned a lot of new strategies and tricks to help me with the SAT.

Timothy

July 27

Excellent

Excellent, dedicated to the success of each student, strongly recommend!

Veronica

Ann

Rated 4.9 / 5 based on 150 reviews. Showing our latest reviews.

IF YOU’RE READING THIS SENTENCE…

WEEKEND BOOT CAMPS

Efficient, effective and engaging. Our weekend Boot Camps are the most popular way to learn how to ace the SAT or ACT or perfect your college applications essays.

ONE WEEKEND. EVERY STRATEGY YOU NEED TO KNOW.

ONE WEEKEND. EVERY STRATEGY YOU NEED TO KNOW.

UNLOCK THE STORY THAT WILL GET YOU IN

ELITE COURSES

Specialized programs for highly-ambitious students targeting perfect or near-perfect scores.

ADVANCED VERBAL STRATEGIES FOR A.P. STUDENTS

LOCALLY SOURCED. ECO-FRIENDLY.AND 100% NON-GMO.

From an engineer who plays the banjo to a linguist who leads mission trips to Haiti, our instructors are creative, conscientious, intellectually-feisty, and—above all—committed to you.Meet the mighty minds who call The Playbook home.

ACTUAL STUDENT TEXTIMONIALS

“Ivy League Tutors is awesome! I love studying SAT algebra every Saturday morning!”– Billy B., Hamilton High School

LATEST ARTICLES & ADVICE

THE HIGHEST-RATED

We’re proud to have the highest rating of every test prep and admissions firm on TrustPilot. Here are recent reviews from students, parents, and schools.

LOCALLY SOURCED. ECO-FRIENDLY.
AND 100% NON-GMO.

From an engineer who plays the banjo to a linguist who leads mission trips to Haiti, our instructors are creative, conscientious, intellectually-feisty, and—above all—committed to you.
Meet the mighty minds who call The Playbook home.

“Ivy League Tutors is awesome! I love studying SAT algebra every Saturday morning!”
– Billy B., Hamilton High School