SAT · ACT Preparation
One-on-one mentorship that turns the exam into familiar territory. Diagnostic-led plans, expert tutors, and measurable progress, delivered fully online and built around the student you actually have.
Aiming Higher
SAT and ACT prep for students pursuing selective colleges, from Ivy League institutions to flagship state universities.
Marks shown are the property of their respective institutions. Their inclusion is illustrative and does not imply endorsement, affiliation, or any guarantee of admission.
Method
We don't sell hours. We sell a method — sequenced for the exam the student is actually taking and accountable to the score they're chasing.
A full-length, proctored diagnostic identifies content gaps, timing patterns, and the decision habits behind every missed question — not just the topics.
A study plan focused on the highest-leverage gaps, not the easiest ones. We prioritize the work that actually moves the score.
Section-specific pacing, elimination logic, and decision frameworks rehearsed until they're reflexive under time pressure.
Weekly working sessions, full-length checkpoint exams, and visible score tracking carried straight through to test day.
Two Tests · One Standard
Not every student should take the same exam. We assess strengths against both formats, recommend the higher-yield test, and build the plan accordingly.
College Board · Digital
Adaptive, strategy-led preparation for the current digital exam.
ACT, Inc.
Section-by-section coaching for speed, accuracy, and endurance.
Beyond test prep
SAT and ACT preparation are central to our work, but many students also need support in advanced math, AP sciences, English, history, and private school admissions exams. Van Wilson Tutoring provides one-on-one online instruction built around the student’s actual goals.
SAT · ACT · SSAT · ISEE
Algebra 1 · Geometry · Algebra 2 · Pre-Calculus · Calculus · AP Calculus AB · AP Calculus BC
AP Environmental Science · Biology · AP Biology · Chemistry · AP Chemistry · AP Physics 1 · AP Physics 2 · AP Physics C: Mechanics · AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism
Our Tutors
Working with a Van Wilson tutor means working with a serious educator. Each one brings research-grade subject expertise from institutions like Cornell and Caltech, paired with years of one-on-one teaching practice. The work is demanding because the exam is. The relationship is personal because that is where the trust to do the work comes from.
Founder & President
Van Otero is a Cornell University alumnus and dedicated educator with over 15 years of tutoring mastery, committed to transforming how students learn and achieve their goals. He first discovered his passion for education while working with at-risk first-year medical students and has since guided graduate, college, and high school learners to success.
Tutor
Fernando Villafuerte, PhD, has worked as a Technology Specialist at the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and Program Manager for the City Of New York, where he drives innovation in energy technologies. He earned his doctorate in Materials Science from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), focusing on next-generation solid polymer electrolytes to boost battery performance. While at Caltech, he conducted research under Professor Julia R. Greer of the Kavli Nanoscience Institute and shared his expertise with Pasadena high school students through the Caltech Y’s RISE tutoring program.
Passionate about teaching, Fernando discovered a love for tutoring during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2020, he has spent more than 5 years helping students master challenging material, and he now thoroughly enjoys guiding learners to academic success.
Results
Outcomes families have reported when they tracked their preparation with us. Every student begins from a different baseline, and individual results vary.
8+
Years tutoring the SAT
200+1
Average SAT points gained per student
90%
Students at or above the 92nd percentile
95%
Students scoring 1300 or higher
99%
Students scoring 1200 or higher
99%
Survey respondents who would recommend us
1Average SAT point increase is based on students who reported both starting and ending scores.
5+
Years tutoring the ACT
5+1
Average ACT points gained per student
90%
Students at or above the 92nd percentile
95%
Students scoring 28 or higher
99%
Students scoring 25 or higher
99%
Survey respondents who would recommend us
1Average ACT point increase is based on students who reported both starting and ending scores. SAT/ACT percentile references may use concordance or published percentile tables where applicable.
Based on internal surveys, self-reported score improvements, and available student reports. Individual results vary.
Statistics are drawn from internal client surveys, score reports voluntarily shared by students and families, and tracked test-prep progress at Van Wilson Tutoring. Students who did not share both starting and ending scores are excluded from average-point-increase calculations.
Percentile references reflect published College Board and ACT percentile tables current at the time of the relevant administration. Cross-test references use available concordance tables where applicable.
Van Wilson Tutoring is an independent tutoring program. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or partnered with the College Board or ACT, Inc. Past performance does not guarantee future outcomes.
In Their Words
“Working with Van is always very productive, and I quickly saw results with my improvement in my math skills! I feel more confident tackling problems, and sessions are always clear, efficient, and helpful.”
Begin
Most students start with a thirty-minute consultation. We discuss target scores, timelines, and a plan that fits your student's actual week. No obligation, no script.