Achieve Higher Scores with One-to-One Test Prep Tutoring
- More than 4.6 million successful tutoring sessions
- Custom programs for the SAT, ACT, PSAT, SSAT, ISEE & AP exams
- Flexible scheduling — in-home, online, or hybrid tutoring
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“My daughter loves Tutor Doctor for ACT prep. Her practice scores have already increased by 5 points and she’s only been working for a month!”
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Your journey begins with a free practice test that establishes a baseline and helps our Education Consultant understand your student’s strengths and areas for improvement. From there, we match your child with an expert Test Prep tutor who becomes their personal guide through the entire preparation process: combining targeted skill-building, proven test-taking strategies, and confidence-boosting techniques that reduce stress and improve performance. Our tutors come directly to your home in Santa Monica, Culver City, Pacific Palisades, Playa Vista, or throughout West Los Angeles, working around your family’s schedule to deliver personalized instruction that adapts to your student’s progress.
With Tutor Doctor, your student will:
- Receive personalized one-to-one tutoring that targets their specific weaknesses while building on their strengths
- Master proven test-taking strategies for time management, question prioritization, and stress reduction
- Follow a customized prep plan designed around their baseline scores, learning style, and college admissions goals
- Gain clarity on which tests to take, when to take them, and how scores fit into their overall college strategy
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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 students navigate the increasingly complex world of standardized testing. Drawing from her years as a classroom volunteer where she witnessed firsthand the unique learning challenges students face, Nika developed a concierge-style approach that goes beyond traditional test prep. She personally gets to know each family, understanding their goals and concerns before custom-matching students with tutors based on academic needs, personality, and learning style; ensuring every student in Santa Monica, Culver City, Los Angeles, Pacific Palisades, and Playa Vista receives truly personalized support.
As a lifelong learner herself, Nika brings both professional expertise and parental insight to her role, carefully vetting each tutor with the same standards she would apply for her own children. Her transparent, honest approach helps families set realistic expectations while navigating the maze of SAT, ACT, and college admissions decisions with confidence. Whether students are adapting to the new digital SAT format, choosing between test options, or working to unlock scholarship opportunities, Nika and her team provide the one-to-one attention that transforms test anxiety into test readiness. By combining local dedication with access to Tutor Doctor's international educational network, she ensures that when students and tutors work together toward their goals, the sky truly is the limit.
13+ Years
Empowering Students In Santa Monica
46,000+
Hours Spent Successfully Tutoring Students
Our Approach to Test Prep Tutoring
At Tutor Doctor, every 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.
Benefits of One-to-One Test Prep Tutoring
Effective test preparation goes beyond memorizing formulas or test tricks — it’s about helping students build the mindset and skills that lead to lasting success.
With one-to-one test prep tutoring, your student will:
- Receive personalized instruction tailored to their goals, test, and learning style
- Strengthen academic skills that support classroom success and college readiness
- Learn strategies for pacing, focus, and stress management
- Build confidence and motivation through supportive, one-to-one instruction
- Develop study habits and resilience that make future exams — including college entrance tests — less stressful
When students feel supported, confident, and prepared, they don’t just test better — they thrive. Book a Free Consultation to learn how Tutor Doctor’s personalized test prep tutoring can help your student succeed in school and get into their dream college.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Test Prep Tutoring Services in Santa Monica
How is Tutor Doctor's test prep different from the big test prep centers in Santa Monica?
Unlike group classes at large test prep centers, Tutor Doctor provides personalized one-to-one tutoring that adapts to your student’s specific needs, learning style, and goals. We start with a free practice test to understand exactly where your child stands, then build a customized prep plan just for them. Your tutor comes to your home in Santa Monica, Culver City, or surrounding areas, working around your family’s schedule to reduce stress and maximize results.
When should my student start preparing for the SAT or ACT?
Most students benefit from starting test prep 3-4 months before their target test date, though this varies based on their baseline scores and goals. We recommend beginning with our free practice test as early as sophomore year to establish a baseline and identify which test (SAT or ACT) plays to your student’s strengths. Our Santa Monica tutors then create a personalized timeline that balances test prep with your student’s academic workload and extracurricular commitments.
How does the free practice test work, and what happens after?
Your student takes a full-length SAT or ACT practice test in a realistic testing environment, either at your Santa Monica home or online. Within days, you’ll receive a detailed score report that we review together during a free consultation. Unlike other services that just hand over numbers, we translate the results into a clear, personalized prep plan that targets your student’s specific areas for improvement and connects directly to their college goals.
Can one-to-one tutoring really help with the new digital SAT and upcoming ACT changes?
Absolutely in fact, personalized tutoring is even more valuable with these new formats. The digital SAT is now adaptive (adjusting difficulty based on student performance), and the ACT is introducing an Enhanced version in 2025 with significant changes. Our expert tutors stay current with all format updates and teach specific strategies for each test’s unique structure. Many Santa Monica and West LA families find that having an expert guide helps them navigate these confusing changes with confidence.
Do you offer tutoring for other tests beyond SAT and ACT?
Yes! In addition to SAT and ACT prep, we help Santa Monica students prepare for the PSAT/NMSQT (for National Merit Scholarship qualification), AP Exams across all subjects, and private school entrance tests like the ISEE and SSAT. Each program follows our same personalized approach starting with assessment, building a custom plan, and providing one-to-one support that fits your student’s specific testing goals and timeline.
Start your child on the path to academic success today
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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