Personalized PSAT Tutoring That Gets Results
- More than 4.6 million successful tutoring sessions
- Expert PSAT Prep tutors
- Personalized PSAT test prep plans
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"We’ve been using Tutor Doctor for test prep and my son’s tutor has been amazing! Very accommodating, flexible and supportive. He has really been showing strides in progress."
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Our process begins with a free practice test that establishes your student’s baseline and identifies specific areas for improvement in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math. From there, a dedicated Education Consultant matches your student with a PSAT tutor who’s the right fit, both academically and personally, ensuring they connect and build trust from the first session. Working one-to-one in your Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, or Westside home, our expert tutors create customized lesson plans that target your student’s unique needs.
With Tutor Doctor, your student will:
- Master PSAT-specific content and question types through personalized lessons that adapt to their learning pace and style
- Develop strategic approaches to Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math sections, including time management techniques for the digital adaptive format
- Build confidence and reduce test anxiety through targeted practice with immediate feedback and encouragement
- Gain valuable preparation for the SAT while positioning themselves for National Merit Scholarship opportunities
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Meet Nika Fouquet, owner of Tutor Doctor Santa Monica
Since launching Tutor Doctor Santa Monica in 2013, Nika Fouquet has transformed her passion for education into a mission to help local students excel on the PSAT and unlock their potential for National Merit recognition. Her journey began as a classroom volunteer where she witnessed firsthand the unique learning challenges students face, inspiring her to create a concierge-style tutoring service that goes beyond traditional test prep. Nika personally gets to know each family in Santa Monica, Culver City, Los Angeles, Pacific Palisades, and Playa Vista, taking time to understand their student's specific goals, learning style, and the dynamics that will help them thrive during this critical stepping stone to college admissions.
As a lifelong learner herself, Nika brings both professional expertise and a parent's perspective to PSAT preparation, carefully vetting and matching each student with tutors who not only have the right qualifications but also the ability to build genuine relationships that reduce test anxiety and build confidence. Her commitment to transparency and realistic goal-setting has earned the trust of families throughout the community, while her access to Tutor Doctor's international educational network ensures students receive proven strategies tailored to the digital PSAT format. Whether a student is aiming for National Merit Scholarship qualification or using the PSAT as practice for future college entrance exams, Nika's personalized approach helps them feel comfortable, cared for, and ready to achieve their best possible scores.
13+ Years
Empowering Students In Santa Monica
46,000+
Hours Spent Successfully Tutoring Students
Our Approach to PSAT Test Prep
At Tutor Doctor, every PSAT test prep journey starts with a process that’s built around your student — not a one-size-fits-all program. We take the time to understand each student, match them with the right tutor, and provide personalized, one-to-one instruction that builds both skill and confidence.
Assess
We start with a free consultation and practice test to understand your student’s starting point and college goals, and create a personalized plan.
Match
Your student is paired with an expert test prep tutor who fits their learning style, personality, and college goals.
Tutor
Through one-to-one test prep sessions, students build the skills, strategy, and confidence they need to perform at their best.
Support
We stay connected through regular progress updates and communication, so families are always informed about milestones, focus areas, and next steps.
Test Prep Tailored to Every Student
Tutor Doctor helps students prepare for the exams that shape their college journey. From improving SAT or ACT scores to mastering AP exams, our one-to-one test prep programs strengthen content knowledge, build strategy, and boost confidence — so students can approach college admissions with clarity and calm.
Our Programs:
Understanding the PSAT — and Why It Matters
Many families think of the PSAT as just a practice test, but it’s actually an important milestone on the path to college readiness. The PSAT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) helps students build early familiarity with the digital SAT format — and top scorers can qualify for National Merit recognition and scholarships.
Reading & Writing
- Reading comprehension and vocabulary in context
- Evidence-based analysis using charts, graphs, and paired passages
- Grammar, punctuation, and clarity in writing
Math
- Algebra and problem-solving
- Data analysis and quantitative reasoning
- Geometry and basic trigonometry
Scoring & Format
- Scored on a 320–1520 scale, which is different than the SAT’s scoring structure
- Digital, adaptive format that adjusts question difficulty by performance
- Typically taken by 10th and 11th graders each fall at school
Why PSAT preparation helps:
Even though the PSAT doesn’t appear on college applications, it reveals a student’s academic strengths, highlights growth areas before the SAT, and can open doors to National Merit Scholarships and other merit-based awards. Tutor Doctor’s PSAT tutoring helps students make the most of this opportunity — turning a practice test into a confidence boost for the SAT or ACT and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our PSAT Prep Tutoring Services in Santa Monica
When should my student start preparing for the PSAT/NMSQT?
Most students benefit from starting PSAT prep in the spring or summer before their junior year, when the test counts for National Merit Scholarship qualification. We begin with a free practice test to assess your student’s baseline and create a personalized timeline that fits their schedule and goals. For students in Santa Monica and surrounding areas, starting early helps build confidence without the pressure of cramming.
How is Tutor Doctor's PSAT prep different from test prep centers?
Unlike group classes at test prep centers, Tutor Doctor provides one-to-one tutoring tailored specifically to your student’s strengths and areas for improvement. Your child works directly with a dedicated tutor who comes to your home in Santa Monica, Culver City, or any of our service areas or meets online if preferred. This personalized approach means every session focuses on what your student needs most, whether that’s conquering algebra concepts or mastering reading comprehension strategies.
Can PSAT prep really help with National Merit Scholarships?
Absolutely the PSAT/NMSQT taken in junior year is the qualifying test for National Merit recognition, which can lead to significant scholarship opportunities. Our one-to-one tutoring helps students understand the test format, develop effective strategies, and build the confidence needed to perform their best. While we never guarantee specific scores, our personalized approach has helped countless students across Los Angeles improve their performance and reach their goals.
How does the free PSAT practice test work?
We start every student’s journey with a free, full-length practice test that can be taken at home on your schedule. Within 48 hours, you’ll receive a detailed score report that breaks down performance by section and question type. More importantly, we use these results to match your student with the right tutor and create a customized prep plan that targets their specific needs not a one-size-fits-all program.
Does PSAT prep also prepare students for the SAT?
Yes! The PSAT is essentially a shorter version of the SAT, covering the same content areas and using similar question formats. Students who work with us for PSAT prep build fundamental skills and test-taking strategies that directly transfer to SAT success. Many families in Pacific Palisades and Playa Vista continue with the same tutor from PSAT through SAT prep, creating continuity and deeper understanding.
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We'll learn about your student's goals and build a customized tutoring plan that helps achieve stronger results and long-term success.
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