PrepNation
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SAT · ACT · GRE · GMAT

Top scorers aren’t born.
They’re trained.

Private, one-on-one SAT, ACT, GRE, and GMAT prep for students aiming for top schools and competitive programs. Whatever your starting point, I’ll build the plan that gets you there.

Amanda BarnwellFounder and instructor, PrepNation
Request a consultation When to start
100% virtual Based in Austin, Texas Private and small-group instruction
“I just received my ACT scores… Thirty-freaking-five! My goal score and then some. I improved my science score from 26 to 35, and my math from 28 to 33.”
K.B., ACT student
“After using two other tutors, I can honestly say Amanda is on a different level. Her method is really in depth. I brought my score up another two points to a 33 after being told by my last tutor I had maxed out. My mom has already said she will use her for my brother.”
MG, ACT student

The PrepNation difference

Strategies help.
A system wins.

Strategies and time-saving techniques are part of every program I teach. On their own, though, they simply aren’t enough. The SAT, ACT, GRE, and GMAT are proficiency exams, designed to test familiar concepts in unfamiliar ways, so surface-level familiarity falls short. Top scores require content mastery deep enough to handle any question, no matter how it’s asked. Building that foundation is where our work begins.

From there, I’ll teach you a repeatable framework for each section and every question type within it, complete with proven strategies and time-saving techniques. Think of it as your test-day choreography. By test day, you’ll know every step by heart: how to approach each question, when to move on, and how to maintain your focus and pacing from the first question to the last. You’ll walk in ready to perform at your best.

The result is consistency: the scores you reach in practice are the scores you can expect on test day. Because everything we cover is the same math, reading, and writing you’re learning in school, the skills you build here also keep paying off in future AP classes, college, and beyond.

How a program works

A clear path from your first practice test to your target score.

Every program follows the same proven structure, tailored to your starting point, goals, and timeline.

STEP 01

Starting score and target

You’ll begin by establishing your starting score, using a recent practice test or one you take with me. I’ll also walk you through researching your top-choice schools to set the right target score.

STEP 02

Strategy and planning call

With your starting score and target in hand, we’ll decide which sections to focus on and map out your plan, timeline, and what to expect in the weeks and months ahead.

STEP 03 · PHASE 1

Learn the section

We’ll cover every topic, strategy, and framework the section tests, along with proven time-saving techniques, so you’ll have a practiced approach for every question type.

STEP 04 · PHASE 2

Perform to target

You’ll take timed, official practice sections in succession, applying everything from Phase 1 and refining your pacing, accuracy, and performance until you’re consistently scoring at your target.

Then we will repeat Phases 1 and 2 for each additional section in your plan. Not every student needs to prep every section, so your plan will focus solely on the sections with the most room to grow. To finish, you’ll take full-length practice tests to bring everything together under real test conditions. You won’t sit for the official exam until you’re consistently scoring at or above your target, which protects both your score history and your confidence.

All practice built into sessions

No homework is assigned between sessions. Your only responsibility is to arrive ready to give your full focus and effort. When the session ends, you are done until the next one, so rigorous prep fits into even the busiest schedule.

All materials included

Every lesson, practice question, and practice test is provided, so you can focus entirely on your preparation.

A recap after every session

Students and parents receive a written summary by text or email after each session, so everyone can easily follow our progress.

A selective practice

I work with a limited number of highly motivated students at a time, and you will always work with me directly, never a junior instructor. That keeps every session focused and personal.

The head start most families don’t know about.

Most families think of test prep as a junior-year project. But the students who reach their goals with the least stress usually start sooner. I recommend beginning in the summer before 10th grade. That gives you the full sophomore year and the following summer to reach your target score, so it’s finished before junior year begins.

  • Junior year brings the heaviest coursework, big projects, and the grades colleges weigh most.
  • Sports, activities, and other commitments only get busier.
  • A steady pace builds lasting mastery, with time to spare for a retake.
Already in 11th or 12th grade? You're not too late. I work with students at every grade level and will build a plan around your starting point and test dates.
Plan your timeline
  1. Summer after 9th grade

    Begin with a baseline

    A first practice test, a target score based on top-choice schools, a strategy and planning call, and the foundational content work that everything else builds on.

  2. Sophomore year

    Build mastery, steadily

    Consistent sessions, paced around school, cover every content area and question type. Students develop a confident, practiced approach section by section.

  3. Score target reached Summer after 10th grade

    Refine and test

    Cycles of timed, official practice tests sharpen pacing and performance. Students sit for the official exam once they are consistently scoring at their target.

  4. Junior year

    Focus where it counts

    With scores in hand, students can give their full attention to AP courses, grades, and activities. The preparation also pays off on the PSAT/NMSQT in the fall, which is the National Merit qualifying test.

Exams I teach

SAT, ACT, GRE, and GMAT prep.

The same structured method for every exam, adapted to each test's content, format, and scoring.

High school students

SAT & ACT

For students aiming for competitive colleges, merit scholarships, and selective programs.

SAT 400–1600 Digital · Reading & Writing · Math
ACT 1–36 English · Math · Reading · Optional Science

I teach the current digital SAT and the enhanced ACT. Not sure which test suits your student? We'll compare their results and choose together on the planning call.

Graduate applicants

GRE & GMAT

For professionals and college students applying to graduate and business school. Sessions are scheduled around your work and commitments.

GRE 260–340 Verbal · Quantitative · Writing
GMAT 205–805 Quant · Verbal · Data Insights

Especially valuable for quantitative sections, where years away from math can make the material feel unfamiliar.

Program options

I'll recommend the right program for you on our planning call, once we have your practice test results and target score.

Full-exam program

Prep for every section of the test, following the two-phase method for each one.

Section-focused program

Targeted prep for the specific sections that will raise your score the most.

Also available: math and science coursework through the AP and college level.Ask about subject tutoring →

Private & small group

Two ways to work together.

Primary offering

Private instruction

One-on-one sessions built entirely around your starting point, target score, and schedule.

  • A custom plan and time estimate from the strategy call
  • Pacing that adapts session by session
  • All lessons, practice questions, and official practice tests included
Request a consultation
Offered periodically · Limited seats

Small groups

Small cohorts that keep instruction close to private quality, offered periodically through open enrollment.

  • Groups are kept small by design
  • Students are matched by starting score and target whenever possible
  • Form your own group with friends, siblings, or classmates
  • All materials and practice tests provided
Ask about open slots
Portrait of Amanda Barnwell
Amanda BarnwellFounder, PrepNation

About

Hi, I'm Amanda.

For more than 15 years, I've helped ambitious students reach top-percentile scores on the SAT, ACT, GRE, and GMAT.

My SAT and ACT students regularly finish in the top 5% of test takers nationwide, many in the top 2%. Typical gains include 300+ points on the SAT, 5+ on the ACT, 15+ on the GRE, and 100+ on the GMAT. Those results come from a system I’ve refined over years of teaching: a strong foundation of true mastery, followed by targeted strategies and a repeatable framework you can rely on when it matters most.

I've taught in the classroom, and for years I've tutored students from the city’s top private high schools and a competitive STEM magnet school, which keeps me closely aligned with AP curriculum and the expectations of top academic programs. I also served as a research coordinator at The University of Texas at Austin’s Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk, where I led a team that administered learning and intelligence assessments at schools across the greater Austin area.

I work selectively with students who are serious about measurable improvement and committed to the process of achieving it. That allows me to give every student my full focus and a truly personalized plan.

15+ yearsSAT, ACT, GRE, and GMAT prep
Top 5%Where most of my SAT and ACT students finish
Teacher and tutorTop private and magnet school students
Four exams, one methodSAT · ACT · GRE · GMAT

Results & reviews

What students and parents say.

Students and parents share what it’s like to prep with me, and where it took them.

29 → 34 composite
“Amanda tutored me for the ACT, and helped me get my dream score! She was very thorough, available, and helped me every step of the way. She understands each section and knows every strategy to help students of all levels. I improved from a 29 to a 34 composite thanks to her!”
James G.ACT student
“Amanda is a phenomenal tutor who truly went above and beyond to help me succeed in studying for the GRE. In addition to being an expert on the test, she comes extremely organized with lesson plans and is really great about tailoring each lesson to your specific areas for improvement. I would 100% recommend her to anyone looking for an experienced tutor who goes the extra mile for her students.”
Kyle S.GRE student
“I have struggled with math for basically my whole life. Through all the trials of math classes from high school to college, I have worked with a lot of different tutors. Amanda stands head and shoulders above all the tutors I have worked with in the past. Her approach of diagnosing where you actually are on your math journey was very helpful, and what I had been missing. Amanda has a very structured approach for the GRE, taking her clients patiently through each topic until they have a full understanding. Just like a house can't be built without a solid foundation, you can't succeed in math without a grasp of the basics. Amanda will make sure you have a solid foundation before moving forward. Couldn't recommend her more!”
Nino F.GRE student
SAT
“Amanda has that winning combination of being a tutor that can not only pinpoint and improve academic areas of concern but also relieve any test-taking anxieties and build confidence. My daughter had already taken the SAT a couple of times and was not happy with her scores. Within a short window of time, Amanda increased not only her score but improved her strategies for how to approach the test. We knew from our initial phone call with Amanda that we had found the right person and we were not disappointed!”
Justine C.Parent
Goal 34 · Scored 35
“I found Amanda after a long search through tutors for ACT prep and, after our introductory meeting, I was sold. Her preparedness and professionalism impressed me from the start. She had a plan ready for me to achieve my goal score and explained it step by step. I worked with Amanda twice a week for a few months to improve my science and math scores on the ACT. She explained things in a way that made sense to me; suddenly those hard math questions seemed easy. Not only did she help me with concepts, but she taught me how to be a better test taker. I confidently sat for the ACT on my test day, knowing I was well-prepared. Turns out, I was more than well-prepared. I achieved (and surpassed) my goal score of 34 with a 35 on the ACT. I would recommend Amanda to anyone who needs test prep or subject help. You won't be disappointed.”
Rachel N.ACT student
“I cannot say enough good things about my experience with Amanda. She is not only extremely intelligent and well versed in the content of standardized tests, but she is also a gifted teacher. She customizes her instruction to match the needs of the student. She is patient, positive, and encouraging as she breaks down the most complex concepts in a systematic manner. I was amazed by the amount of content that I learned and how well prepared I was for my exam. I would enthusiastically recommend Amanda to anyone who needs a tutor.”
Amy S.GRE student
Quant 155 → 162 · Verbal 148 → 157
“Amanda was the best tutor I could have asked for GRE preparation. She was very organized with materials, provided great support during sessions and through email communication, and provided lots of extra materials. Most importantly, she helped me customize my study schedule to meet my personal needs. She was able to identify my strengths and weaknesses and provide great constructive criticism to really help my scores. My quantitative score increased from 155 to 162, and my verbal score increased from 148 to 157. Verbal was a huge challenge for me since I am not a native speaker; however, Amanda really helped me develop my vocabulary, understand grammatical rules, and understand test-taking strategies for the verbal section. She is one of the best academic tutors I have ever had. As a result of Amanda's support, I was accepted to Georgetown, UCLA, and Northwestern University for full-time MBA programs with scholarships, and now I am able to pursue my dream.”
Horitsu K.GRE · MBA admit

Questions

Frequently asked questions.

Have a question that isn’t answered here? Send me a note and I’ll reply personally.

When should my student start SAT or ACT prep?

I recommend starting the summer before 10th grade. That gives students the full sophomore year and the following summer to reach their target score, so testing is finished before the heavier coursework of junior year. That said, I work with students at every grade level and will build a plan around your current timeline and test dates.

Do colleges still require SAT or ACT scores?

Increasingly, yes. A growing number of selective universities have reinstated testing requirements, including Harvard, Yale, MIT, Dartmouth, Brown, Stanford, Penn, Cornell, and UT Austin. Even at test-optional schools, a strong score can strengthen an application and support merit scholarship consideration. Policies change often, so always check each school’s current requirements.

Should my student take the SAT or the ACT?

Most colleges accept either test equally. The right choice depends on your student’s strengths, pacing, and practice test results. We’ll compare and decide together during the planning call.

How long does test prep take?

It depends on your starting score, your target, and how many sections need work. After your practice test, I’ll give you an estimate of the time your plan will take during our strategy and planning call. Because all practice happens during sessions, prep fits steadily into a busy schedule without adding homework.

Is there homework between sessions?

No. All practice is built into our sessions, so students can give full focus while we meet and set test prep aside until the next session.

Are sessions online or in person?

All sessions are 100% virtual, so you can work with me from anywhere. Sessions are live and one-on-one, with lessons, practice, and official practice tests all provided.

Do you offer small groups?

Yes, periodically. Groups are kept small, and students are matched by starting score and goals whenever possible. Families can also form a group with friends, siblings, or classmates. I’m currently enrolling an ACT English small group.

How much does test prep cost?

I offer full-exam and section-focused programs. Because every plan is built around a student’s starting point and target, I’ll recommend the right program and share pricing once we’ve reviewed your practice test results together.

Do you work with students who have testing accommodations?

Yes. I have experience working with students who have received testing accommodations, and I tailor practice and pacing to match the conditions they’ll have on test day.

Do you also prepare students for the GRE and GMAT?

Yes. I work with college students and professionals applying to graduate and business programs, using the same structured approach, with sessions scheduled around work and other commitments.

Get started

Request a consultation.

Tell me a little about you or your student, the test, and the goal. I'll follow up personally to schedule an initial phone consultation and share current openings for private sessions and small groups.

  1. 01
    Send an inquiry. A few details help me prepare for our first conversation.
  2. 02
    Initial phone consultation. We discuss my approach and what prepping with me is like, along with your starting point, goals, and timeline. Bring any questions, including which test to take.
  3. 03
    Your program begins. From there, we follow the four steps above, starting with your starting score and target.
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