About
Kim scored a perfect 1600 on the SAT and graduated summa cum laude from Dartmouth. She went on to work as a software engineer at Apple and Airbnb, building products used by millions. But her path to starting Sharp began with a much smaller problem: helping one student.
The summer before her cousin applied to college, his family had already spent thousands on a private tutor and hundreds more on Acely, an online prep platform. His score barely moved. Kim offered to help, and within a month of working together, he improved by 160 points and got into Rice, his dream school. What she did wasn't complicated. She figured out exactly which skills were costing him points, drilled those relentlessly until he had them down cold, and kept him on a schedule so the work actually got done. When tutoring additional students, she found the same pattern held: the students who improved most weren't studying the most hours. They were the ones whose practice was targeted at their actual weaknesses, who understood why they got questions wrong, and who had someone keeping them accountable.
Sharp is built on that pattern. In education research it's called mastery learning: identify a specific gap, work on it until it's solid, then move on. Most prep courses skip this entirely, giving every student the same curriculum regardless of where they're struggling. Sharp's AI does the opposite, adapting to each student's weaknesses using practice content written by expert SAT tutors who know exactly what the test looks like. But the AI is only part of it. Sharp is designed to work alongside human tutors, not replace them, handling the repetitive skill-building so tutors can focus on strategy, motivation, and keeping students on track. For students working on their own, Sharp provides that same structure: clear goals, a focused plan, and the confidence that their target score is something they can actually reach.
Talks & Webinars
SAT Prep Strategy for Parents: Why Take the SAT and How to Create Your Plan (with Maggie Finn, Summit Academic Support)
What Actually Gets Kids In: College Essays & SAT Scores (with Susan Knoppow, Wow Writing Workshop)
Articles
How Sharp compares to other SAT prep platforms
There are more SAT prep options than ever. Here's an honest comparison of Sharp, Khan Academy, Acely, and Magoosh, including what each one does well, where each one falls short, and what to consider when choosing.
Affordable SAT prep: what's free and what's worth paying for
Not every family can afford a private tutor, and they shouldn't have to. Here's a guide to the free and low-cost SAT prep resources that work, and how to get the most out of them.
Private tutor or AI: what's worth it for SAT prep?
AI tools and private tutors both have a role in SAT prep, but they're good at very different things. Here's an honest breakdown of what each one provides, where each one falls short, and how to get the most out of both.
How to raise your SAT score in two weeks
Two weeks isn't much time. But it's enough to make a real difference if you spend it on the right things. Here's how to maximize your score with limited prep time.
Starting SAT prep as a sophomore
Sophomore year is earlier than most students start SAT prep, but that's exactly why it can be so effective. Here's what to focus on, what to wait on, and how to make the most of the extra time.
SAT prep for student athletes
Student athletes face unique challenges with SAT prep: packed schedules, recruiting timelines, and eligibility requirements that can't be ignored. Here's how to make it work.
What to expect on SAT test day
A complete guide for parents and students on what actually happens on SAT test day, from what to bring to how the digital format changes the experience.
You can now use your 529 plan to pay for SAT prep
As of July 2025, families can use 529 savings plan funds tax-free for tutoring, test prep, and standardized test fees. Here's what changed, how it works, and why it matters.
SAT accommodations: who qualifies and how to apply
If your child has a learning difference or disability, they may qualify for accommodations on the SAT, including extended time. Here's how the process works and what parents need to know.
Should my child retake the SAT?
Most students benefit from retaking the SAT, but only under the right conditions. Here's how to think through the decision.
SAT superscoring: what it is and how to use it
Many colleges calculate your SAT superscore, taking your best section scores across multiple test dates. Here's how it works, which schools do it, and how it should shape your retake strategy.
How to use Desmos on the SAT
Desmos is built into the digital SAT and can be a significant advantage, but only if you know how to use it before test day. Here's what it can do and when to reach for it.
SAT Math formulas: what to memorize and what you don't need to
The SAT includes a built-in reference sheet in Bluebook. That covers some of what you need, but not all of it. Here's exactly what's given, what you still need to know, and why it matters.
SAT vocabulary: what to study and how
You don't need to memorize thousands of obscure words for the SAT. But vocabulary does matter, in ways most students don't expect. Here's what actually helps.
A complete guide to SAT grammar rules
SAT grammar tests a finite set of rules, and most of them fall into a handful of families. Here's what they are, how they're tested, and what actually trips students up.
How to improve your SAT Math score
SAT Math tests four domains with very different weight and very different preparation paths. Knowing which ones are costing you points is where improvement starts.
How to improve your SAT Reading and Writing score
The Reading and Writing section isn't just about whether you're a good reader. It tests specific, learnable skills, and knowing which ones are costing you points is where improvement starts.
SAT test-taking strategies: what actually works
Some SAT strategies are genuinely useful. Others are overrated, actively harmful, or only work for students who already understand the material. Here's how to tell the difference.
How to use SAT practice tests (and how not to)
Practice tests are one of the most powerful SAT prep tools available. They're also one of the most misused. Here's how to get the most out of every test you take.
The return on investment of SAT prep
College is one of the largest financial investments a family makes. A higher SAT score can meaningfully reduce that cost through access to better schools, need-based aid, merit scholarships, and National Merit. Here's how the math works.
How colleges evaluate applications: where the SAT fits in
College admissions is holistic, meaning no single factor determines the outcome. Here's how GPA, test scores, essays, and other components actually weigh against each other, and what that means for your child.
What does test optional really mean?
Test optional sounds like good news. It is, mostly, but the phrase has become a trap for families who take it too literally.
What is National Merit and how does my child qualify?
National Merit is one of the most misunderstood programs in college admissions. Here's what it actually is, what it's worth, and what it takes to get there.
How to interpret your child's PSAT score
The PSAT score report has more numbers on it than most parents expect. Here's what each one means and what to actually do with the information.
How to get started with SAT prep
Most families don't know where to begin with SAT prep. Here's how to think about the first steps without getting overwhelmed.
ACT vs. SAT: which should my child take?
Most families spend too long debating this question. Here's how to settle it quickly, and why the answer matters less than you think.
When should my child take the SAT?
The answer depends on what grade your child is in, what schools they're targeting, and whether the PSAT is part of the picture. Here's how to think about it.
What is a good SAT score?
SAT scores are not a single number but a moving target. Here's how to know what score actually matters for your child, your college list, and your timeline.
What's on the SAT? A parent's guide to the digital test
The SAT changed significantly when it went digital in 2024. Here's what the test actually looks like now, what it covers, and what parents need to know before their child starts preparing.