Background - Michael Romano
Online SAT/ACT/PSAT Tutoring Expert - Bay Area & Nationwide

I was raised in Rhode Island, where my parents ran a chain of popular nursery schools. Watching my mother — affectionately known as “the Mother Goose of New England” — and her positive impact on countless youngsters shaped the way I relate to both teenagers and adults. That same spirit of nurturing and understanding individual learning styles is at the heart of my approach to test prep. Over the years, it has helped me connect deeply with students, guiding them to discover confidence and clarity in their test-taking journey.
After high school, I attended Duke University on a partial music scholarship and graduated in ’91 with a major in Psychology and a minor in Music. Studying Psychology taught me that success in life and on standardized tests is far more about entering peak performance states at the right moment than it is about raw ability or talent.
That insight, and my continuing interest in the psychology of performance, are central to how I tutor.
As an accomplished musician, I’m also keenly aware of the positive impact music can have on mood, health, and academic performance — a phenomenon known as the Mozart Effect. As a singer-songwriter, I’ve lived an artistic process that rewards openness, flexibility, and receptivity. Those lessons inform my tutoring in ways I think of as the Mr. Test Prep Effect: reaching students in an inspired, creative way that unlocks what’s already there.
After college, I moved to California and began working for an SAT tutoring company. I quickly noticed flaws in its methodology and realized I could develop better strategies. Since 1997, I’ve been refining those methods — and have now worked with more than 4,000 students, each benefiting from decades of continuous improvement.
I truly love what I do. As a kid, when asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, my answer wasn’t astronaut or police officer — it was “Mr. Test Prep.” That same passion drives me every day.
One more thing: I love basketball. Go Blue Devils!
Unlock Your Potential for SAT Success with Psychology-Based Strategies
Our Testimonials : 188 to Date
Maria Avalya
Middle College 2014
UCLA 2018
Julia López
Lincoln High School (San José) ‘13
Georgetown University ‘17
HOYA SAXA!
Guillermo Lopez
Lincoln High School '14
Sanat Barabra College '18
I can clearly remember Mr. Test Prep’s response when I said, “I’m no good at math and science.” He said, “Don’t think that way! These questions are easy if you think of them as easy. Let me break ‘em down for you…” Ever since then, the ACT has not intimidated me with the daunting math and science sections. His tricks to make sure I didn’t make any “silly” mistakes even increased my scores to near-perfection in the subjects that I was stronger in – reading, writing, and English! Additionally, the group testing environment was insanely helpful in practicing what to expect during test day. Mr. Test Prep’s unpredictable outbursts of songs and people’s sneezing and coughing inevitably allowed me to block out the irrelevant and focus on the test. I also still do his meditations today before a big event or test! They have assisted me greatly in becoming more centered, and have me diving into any task headfirst with steady hands and tranquility.
Not only did Mr. Test Prep increase my confidence in test taking, but he also helped boost my overall determination in conquering whatever may stand in my way – including math and science! The results of Mr. Test Prep’s tutoring are not merely numbers. If you are seeking someone who is more than a tutor – someone who is a role model, friend, and a hilarious mentor, then Mr. Test Prep is for you!
Veronica Louise Mendoza (Mountain View, CA)
Sacred Heart Preparatory, Class of 2015
UCLA, Class of 2019
Maxwell "M-Bizzle" Bernstein
PALY 2014
Tufts University 2018
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