Skip to main content

ACT Tutoring for Learning Disabilities
in San Diego, near you, & online

HOW WE CAN HELP

Three things come to mind:

  1. Prep strategy. We'll make sure expectations and directions for homework are as clear as possible, and use reminders proactively. We chunk homework into more manageable pieces.

  2. Test strategy. Working with all different kinds of students over many years has given us a deep database of strategies and tactics. It makes it easier for us to figure out effective ways to explain this tricky test to people who learn differently and to help people stay in the moment during the test.

  3. Patience and respect. Mastering the ACT is a process, and it's vital that tutors can not only explain the material well but also that they can be kind and encouraging along the way.

We also offer SAT tutoring for LD/ADHD students.

Check out our 260+ Google Reviews here!

Blake Jensen
Blake Jensen

Meet ACT tutor Blake Jensen

Blake: I’m a native San Diegan, father, and an aficionado of basketball, vintage video games, pitchy karaoke, and lecturing my son on how much better Star Wars was "back in the day." I played college basketball at St. Mary’s College and Whittier College, where I earned my B.A. in Psychology in 2002.

Having been a full-time test prep coach for over 15 years, I have seen just about every type of student and tutoring situation. This allows me to give my students exactly what they need to reach their goals.

My years of experience have also led me to coach my students a little differently than most. A lot of test prep revolves around how to answer a question. While that is a necessary component, identifying what is needed to answer a question is at least as important, especially for timed tests like the SAT and ACT. I show my students how to look at the test the way I do, to the patterns and tendencies of the tests to make them faster and more accurate.

Though I still work with students of all types, these days I tend to specialize in students with ambitious score goals.

ACT tutoring with Blake starts at $350 / hour.

He meets clients in his Carmel Valley office, or online via Zoom.

Contact Blake

Matt Sheelen
Matt Sheelen

Meet ACT tutor Matt Sheelen

Matt: I am originally from Hopkinton, Massachusetts - the start of the historic Boston Marathon. I went to college at Northwestern University, where I graduated with a degree in Theatre. After college, I wised up and moved to the warmer coast. I worked in Los Angeles for many years as a full-time SAT / ACT tutor and part-time arts educator.

I have been tutoring for over 10 years and have spent thousands of hours helping students improve their scores. Recently, I moved to San Diego after getting a M.A. in Education from Stanford University, and I currently work as a credentialed classroom teacher.

When I’m not working, I enjoy good books, performing improv comedy, surfing, watching Game of Thrones, and enjoying the charms of San Diego. I live in North Park, where I love to get out and take advantage of all the delicious food in the area. I am also a huge Boston sports fan - the Patriots, Red Sox, and Celtics are my favorite teams. I usually have something in common with every student - my interests are really diverse!

SAT / ACT tutoring with Matt is $250 an hour ($225 / hour for 10 or more hours). He meets with students online via Zoom, and in person in North Park or Mission Valley. Matt specializes in helping students set and achieve ambitious score goals, as well as helping them build their confidence and test-taking abilities. 

Matt also teaches most of our live SAT classes.

Contact Matt

ACT Tutoring FAQ

Like the SAT, the ACT offers accommodations for students with disabilities. As of 2017, additionally, the ACT also offers an English Learner (EL) support option for U.S. students who are English learners that would otherwise be disadvantaged by their English proficiency level.

Another difference in applying for ACT Accommodations is that there is a much shorter waiting period. On the SAT, you needed to apply for accommodation 7 weeks before registering for your test. On the ACT, you need to make sure that your school official has submitted your request for accommodation by the regular registration deadline for your test date, which can be found here.

This means you should not wait until the registration deadline to register! Register ~2 weeks before the registration deadline just to be safe, so that you have time to follow the steps below and ensure your school official submits your request for accommodation by the registration deadline.

We're probably the most expensive tutors in San Diego. Why? In stark contrast to our competitors who employ a rotating cast of 23-year-olds, our tutors have an average of 10 years of experience. We pay them really well because we only hire tutors who are extremely good at what they do.

One-on-one tutoring, with us, is completely customized to your learning style, personality, and needs.

Talking through the nuances of ACT practice questions not only allows us to explain, in detail, the strategies that work, but that conversation also allows us to see what a student is thinking, ask the right questions to test understanding, and adjust our instruction minute-by-minute.

  • Instruction tailored to your child's learning style, motivation level, and personality
  • The opportunity to talk through the nuances of questions with someone with several years of experience with the test
  • Homework adjusted to your specific needs
  • Accountability and encouragement :)

ACT Tutoring Reviews

  • Makaylee Dahms

    I received one-on-one tutoring from Matt for the ACT for a couple months. Matt was very supportive, helpful, and patient. He always supplied ample practice tests, helped me understand the errors I made, and taught me how to improve my timing on each section. Over the course of my tutoring sessions I was able to improve my score by 5 points. Additionally, I received my score goal on my first attempt at the ACT. I could not recommend Matt enough!!

     

  • Thomas Spellios

    Very pleased with our son's sessions with Matt from Vince Kotchian Test Prep. Matt was flexible in coordinating with our son's schedule and worked closely and diligently with him to bring up his test score several points.

  • Jaden

    Blake is awesome. With just a few weeks of tutoring he helped me get a 36 on the ACT on my first try. He provided me with practice exams and walked me through my mistakes and general strategies for the ACT. He was always very supportive and flexible with my busy schedule. Highly recommend.

  • Carolyn Whitehouse

    My son had private ACT tutoring with Blake over the summer, to prepare for the Sept ACT. To summarize, after a lot of hard work, my son's score improved from a 27 to a 32. Blake taught my son the strategies he needed to improve his scores and also helped my son develop his confidence in this type of test-taking. My son found Blake to be a fun, intelligent and engaging tutor.

  • Andrea Clawson

    Blake was an excellent ACT tutor for our sixteen year old son. Blake encouraged and supported our son consistently. Our son improved his score by five points working with Blake after only 2 months. Blake is kind, smart, understanding and reliable. He was able to identify weaknesses and construct a strategy that facilitated improvement and success. Our son also struggled with timing and I believe Blake instilled some helpful suggestions and fueled confidence in our son from his years of experience in helping other kids manage their time anxiety in that regard.

  • Julie Parker

    Thank you so much Blake! Our daughter was looking for a little boost in her Math & Science ACT Scores. You were quick to orchestrate a plan that included Math Chops combined with your skilled instruction snd patience. In just a few weeks, we saw incredible progress and a jump In both subjects. Not only did her overall super score improve but she always felt encouraged by you and that you were rooting for her the whole time! I can’t thank you enough for your fast communication and guidance. In such a short time you made a big impression on our lives!

  • Karen Hallinan

    We have had an excellent experience working with Blake. He worked with our son last year, and he scored a 34 on his first ACT exam. This year he has brought our daughter from a 24 to 31 after her first group of sessions. Easy to communicate with & really cares about our children’s personal as well as academic success. Very highly recommend!

  • Sivaraman Gounder

    I wanted to write this post and thank Blake for the EXTRAORDINARY work he did with my daughter in training her, encouraging her, and giving her the tools to get a near perfect score on the ACT. I am an educator myself, training medical students, residents, and fellows to be the next generation of healthcare leaders. I will be taking a page from Blake’s book on how to be a better educator and mentor to my medical students on the medical ward. If you are a parent deciding on which test prep is the “BEST” for your child, there is no question, Vince Kotchian Test Prep is worth every penny. I have barely time to write reviews with my busy schedule, but this is a review I am blessed to write. Thank you Blake for making a difference.

  • Diane Mack

    Our daughter worked with Matt Sheelen to prepare for the ACT, and she could not have been more pleased. Matt gave her clear strategies to improve in the areas that she needed to most, and, from her 1st practice test to the real test she raised her score 8 points! She did so well on the actual test the 1st time she took it, that she did not even need to re-take it, as many students choose to do. On top of Matt's expertise, he happens to be a really great guy that relates well to teens (and their parents :-) ). My daughter really enjoyed working with him and we highly recommend him.

  • Sydney Peare

    I tutored with Matt Sheelen with this program and he is awesome!! Improved my ACT test score from a 19 to a 29 in a matter of 3 months. I also live in Arizona, so we use skype weekly for our tutoring sessions and it's helped tremendously. He's very flexible with busy schedules and is incredibly patient. Overall a great guy that truly cares for his students!

  • Susan L.

    My daughter worked via Skype and Facetime with Matt Sheelen for about 6 months to prepare for taking the ACT, and she improved her scores to a high level, but equally important, I think, she developed a positive spirit toward taking the test. In a nutshell, Matt is an excellent instructor on every level. Matt identified her weaknesses and tailored their work to build skills, strategy, and confidence. He is gifted in his ability to explain or reason with students creatively. Matt -- with a rare combination of seriousness and humor -- made the process feel less overwhelming. His work and personal kindness also made my daughter (and me!) feel supported in the college application process. As a parent, I particularly appreciate the positive attitude Matt inspires.

  • Aashka Sheth

    I worked with Matt Sheelen for both the PSAT and ACT. Matt helped me with math and science specifically for the ACT and my math score jumped by 6 points and all my other sub scores increased as well. For the PSAT, I got a qualifiying selection index as well and my overall score increased. Matt was always EXTREMELY helpful, providing me with test strategies and an endless supply of practice problems to ensure I was exposed to any type of problem that I could encounter. All of our tutoring sessions were specific to the areas that I needed the most help with. I would HIGHLY recommend Matt to anyone looking to raise their test scores.