The STAFFS Prep Method

Developed over 10 years, The STAFFS Prep Method is a proven step-by-step process to improve your score efficiently and cost-effectively.

Learn More
the staffs prep method

MEET THE

Founder

Christian Villaran

Founder | STAFFS Prep

Princeton University & Wharton MBA

Christian has a degree in Operations Research & Financial Engineering from Princeton University and an MBA from Wharton. He combined his background in optimization with his 15+ years of SAT/ACT teaching experience to create The STAFFS Prep Method— an efficient step-by-step method for acing any exam. He has used this exact method to get perfect SAT, ACT, and GMAT scores multiple times!

The STAFFS Prep Method

A simple step-by-step process to master the exam

Step 1

Understand

The first step to mastering your exam is to understand how the test is created and how to use that to your advantage.

Don't start doing practice tests until you understand all the parts of the test and how to think about them strategically.

SAT/ACT Crash Courses

Our courses quickly breakdown the content & strategies you need to be ready for test day

Learn more

Step 2

Practice

The next step is practicing the content/strategies you learned. But how should you practice?

You COULD take as many practice tests as you can, but that's really inefficient-- you'll end up spending a lot of time on questions that you already know how to do!

You need practice material that challenges you at your current level.

SAT/ACT Practice Software™

Our proprietary adaptive software allows you to practice efficiently, on only the topics you need

Learn more

Step 3

Master

The last step is to identify (and master) any last few areas of weakness on the test.

Every student has his or her own unique test-taking habits, and sometimes these habits can keep you from improving.

That's when you might want to get an outside perspective from an expert, to help you notice your individual patterns and give you strategies to break the bad habits.

SAT/ACT 1:1 Tutoring

Our top 1% tutors will help you analyze your test-taking patterns, and strengthen any areas of weakness

Learn more

efficient prep for every step of the process

Not sure how to prepare?

Take Our How To Prepare Quiz

Question
1
of
Results

What grade are you in?

Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior

What was the last math class you completed?

Algebra I
Geometry
Algebra II
Pre-Calc/Trig
Calculus
Linear Algebra

Have you decided on what test you want to take yet?

Yes, I'm taking the SAT
Yes, I'm taking the ACT
No, I'm not sure yet

Are you strong in math?

Yes
No
I'm okay

Are you strong in reading?

Yes
No
I'm okay

Have you taken an SAT before?

Yes
No

Have you taken an ACT before?

Yes
No

Your results are in!

What test to take

SAT

ACT

BUT since you haven't tried both tests, we would HIGHLY recommend taking an practice test before committing to the !

Recommended Courses

What your study schedule should look like:

Freshman Year
Take a untimed practice SAT and ACT to see what test you like best
Sophomore Year
Take a practice test to start getting more used to the concepts
Junior Year

Sept

Start studying for PSAT

Oct

Take your PSAT in mid-October
Take an SAT Crash Course before your first test to get general strategies

Oct
Nov
Dec

Take your first SAT in the fall semester in either October, November, or December
Continue working through practice tests, and book 1:1 time with an expert to go over specific problems

Mar
May

Take your second SAT in either March or May

If you're still not happy with your score:

Sign up for 1-on-1 prep to iron out any weaknesses

Jun
Aug

Take your third SAT in either June or August
Take an SAT Crash Course before your first test to get general strategies

Mar
May

Take your first SAT in either March or May
TContinue working through practice tests, and book 1:1 time with an expert to go over specific problems

Jun
Aug

Take your second SAT in either June or August
Take an ACT Crash Course before your first test to get general strategies

Sept
Oct
Dec

Take your first ACT in the fall semester (either September, October, December)
Continue working through practice tests, and book 1:1 time with an expert to go over specific problems

Feb
Apr

Take your second ACT in either February or April

If you're still not happy with your score:

Sign up for more 1:1 prep to iron out any weaknesses

Jun
Jul

Take your third ACT in either June or July
Take an ACT Crash Course before your first test to get general strategies

Apr

Take your first ACT in April
Continue working through practice tests, and book 1:1 time with an expert to go over specific problems

Jun
Jul

Take your second ACT in either June or July
Senior Year

Sept

Start applying to colleges!
If you need help with your essays sign up for 1:1 time with a STAFFS Prep college admissions expert.

If you're still not happy with your score:

Sign up for more 1:1 prep to iron out any weaknesses

Oct
Nov

Take your third SAT in either October or November
Start applying to colleges!
If you need help with your essays sign up for 1:1 time with a STAFFS Prep college admissions expert.

Sept

Start applying to colleges!
If you need help with your essays sign up for 1:1 time with a STAFFS Prep college admissions expert.

If you're still not happy with your score:

Sign up for 1-on-1 prep to iron out any weaknesses

Sept
Oct

Take your third ACT in either September or October
Start applying to colleges!
If you need help with your essays sign up for 1:1 time with a STAFFS Prep college admissions expert.
Back
Next Question