Digital SAT / one-to-one tutoring
SAT preparation,
built from your current score.
Instead of moving through Reading & Writing and Math evenly, we use Bluebook or your official score report to sort out what to prioritise now. We narrow the preparation to what you need, around your test date and goal, one-to-one.
- Online lessons
- In person in Tokyo depending on tutor and area
- ¥7,000~ / 60 min
You do not have to move through R&W and Math
by the same amount.
The first thing to decide in SAT preparation is not how long to study but where to spend the time.
Reading & Writing and Math are each divided into four domains. With a Bluebook practice test or a score report, we can go beyond the total score and sort out which domains to prioritise.
Losing the same number of points can have different causes.
- Is it the Math itself?
- Is it the English of the Math problem text?
- Is it grammar, or reading?
- Is it not knowledge, but timing?
A different cause needs a different kind of preparation.
How the SAT is built now (College Board)
Reading & Writing54 questions / 64 min
- Information and Ideas
- Craft and Structure
- Expression of Ideas
- Standard English Conventions
Math44 questions / 70 min
- Algebra
- Advanced Math
- Problem-Solving and Data Analysis
- Geometry and Trigonometry
Each section has two modules, and how hard the second is depends on how you do on the first. Total testing time is 2 hours 14 minutes.
First, turn your current score
into "what to do next".
The SAT weakness map is not a Petra diagnostic test. It is a way to read the official results you already have as a next step.
- ResultBluebook or an official score
- Break downR&W / Math and the eight domains
- NarrowTwo or three priority domains
- PlanThe focus of next practice and lessons
An example
What the output looks like
- Standard English ConventionsReading & Writing
Assumes a pattern of losing marks on grammar rules.
- Problem-Solving and Data AnalysisMath
Assumes time is spent reading word problems.
- Week 1: review the practice test
- Week 2: first-priority domain
- Week 3: second priority and timing
- Week 4: check with official questions
This is not a real student's result. It is an example for explanation.
Official practice resources
- College Board: SAT structure (external site)
- College Board: official practice tests (Bluebook) (external site)
- College Board: Student Question Bank (external site)
In the Student Question Bank you can filter official questions by section, domain, skill and difficulty. For things that change, such as test dates and registration, check the official site.
Read how to review when practice tests are not raising your score (Japanese) →We narrow the work
to the sections you need.
The official domain names alone do not show what you practise, so we describe what each one involves.
Reading & Writing4 domains
Information and Ideas
Questions where you read information from a text and choose an answer based on the evidence.
Craft and Structure
Questions on word meaning in context, the role and structure of a text, and how two texts relate.
Expression of Ideas
Questions where you choose what to add or cut, how to link ideas and what order suits the purpose of the passage.
Standard English Conventions
Questions that use grammar rules: sentence structure, verbs and pronouns, punctuation and so on.
Math4 domains
Algebra
Questions solved by setting up expressions: linear equations, systems, inequalities.
Advanced Math
Questions with more complex expressions: quadratics, exponents, functions.
Problem-Solving and Data Analysis
Questions on ratios and percentages, units, tables and graphs, probability and statistics, read from a text.
Geometry and Trigonometry
Questions on shapes, circles and trigonometry that connect diagrams to expressions.
You can understand the Math and still lose marks in English
Even when you understand the maths, unfamiliar English in the problem text or terms can cost marks. This does not apply to every student.
Petra works out which of these is closest.
- Maths knowledgeThe content itself is not yet solid.
- English termsYou are stopped by terms and phrasing you do not know.
- Reading the problemPicking up the conditions, or judging what is being asked, is unsteady.
- StepsThe idea is right, but things fall apart in the working.
- Time and focusMarks are lost on pacing, or on having no room to check.
We do not stop at looking at the score.
We connect it to lessons.
Check where you are
We check your practice test or current score, test plans and how you study.
Sort out priority areas
Instead of covering everything evenly, we narrow down what to work on first.
Match the tutor
Looking at R&W, Math, language of explanation and schedule, we confirm a tutor whose conditions fit.
One-to-one preparation
Using official questions and the materials needed, we practise to fit your weaknesses.
Review the next move
We check what the lesson covered and what to look at next, and adjust the plan as needed.
The same tutor may not cover every section. If we do not have a tutor who fits, we tell you first.
Who Petra suits
- You took a Bluebook practice test but do not know what to prioritise
- There is a big gap between your R&W and Math scores
- You want to narrow to your weak areas, one-to-one
- You understand the Math but take time on the English problem text
- You want to organise your study up to the test date
- You want parents to follow how lessons are going
When another option may suit better
If these are your top priority, another service may fit better.
- A large pool of tutors at an SAT-specialist school comes first
- You want a large-group SAT course
- You want university application consulting handled by the same company
- You want to name a tutor with a specific SAT score
- You need an in-person tutor in Tokyo confirmed straight away
We do not pick a tutor just because
they "can teach the SAT".
Even for the same SAT preparation, the right tutor differs by student. We look at the points below and confirm a tutor whose conditions fit.
- Section
- Reading & Writing, Math, or both
- Level
- Your score now and the distance to your goal
- How things are explained
- Building up steps, or starting from the idea
- Language of explanation
- Whether support in Japanese is needed
- Schedule
- Days, times and the time before the test
- Format
- Online, or in person in Tokyo
- Personality and way of learning
- How easy it is to ask questions, and the pace
So you can see progress outside lessons too
Tutor matching
We sort out the conditions first, then propose tutors who may fit.
See how matching works →Reports after lessons
We share what the lesson covered and what to look at next, so parents can follow progress.
See about reports →Reviewing the study plan
Looking at official questions and how lessons go, we adjust priorities as needed.
Which tutors can take SAT changes over time. We tell you the current position when you get in touch.
Pricing and lesson format
SAT preparation pricing
International school & study abroad
¥7,000~ / 60 min
SAT preparation falls in the international school and study-abroad category. The actual price can vary with the tutor, content and lesson format.
No enrolment fee · no material fees in most cases · no-obligation advice
See pricing details →- Online
- Lessons are available online. What we can offer depends on the tutor match.
- In person in Tokyo
- You can ask us. It depends on the area and tutor availability.
SAT preparation:
frequently asked questions
If something is unclear, please just ask.
When should I start SAT preparation?
It depends on your test plans and your current score. Starting earlier is not always better. We suggest first checking where you are with an official practice test, looking at the gap to your goal, and then deciding when and how to start. Check College Board's official site for test dates.
Can I ask about Reading & Writing only, or Math only?
Yes. You can ask us about just the section you need. Whether we can help depends on the section and which tutors we have. We check first, then propose candidates.
Do I need my Bluebook practice test result?
It helps us sort out the priority domains concretely. If you do not have one, we suggest taking one full-length Bluebook test first. You are welcome to ask before the practice test too.
Can I ask if I am taking the SAT for the first time?
Yes. If it is your first time, we start by getting used to the test format. We check where you are with an official practice test and talk about how to go forward from there.
Are there tutors who can explain in Japanese?
It depends on the tutor. If you want support in Japanese, we include that when looking for a tutor. Not every tutor can, so please tell us your preference when you get in touch.
Can I do SAT preparation online?
Yes. Online lessons are available. What we can offer depends on the tutor match.
Can I have in-person lessons in Tokyo?
You can ask us. It is only possible where the area, day and tutor availability line up. We cannot take every area.
How much does it cost?
SAT preparation is in the international school and study-abroad category, at ¥7,000~ / 60 min. The actual price can vary with the tutor, content and lesson format. No enrolment fee · no material fees in most cases · no-obligation advice.
How many points will I gain?
We cannot promise how much your score will rise. It varies a great deal with your level, test date, study time and weak points. We first check your current result and priority areas, then propose how to proceed.
Tell us your current score
and your test plans.
If you do not have practice test results yet, you can still ask. From what you know, we sort out together which areas to prioritise.