M J Test Preparation

Working with MJ Test Prep greatly improved my SAT/ACT scores, and I would highly recommend their program to everyone. Matt also reviewed my college essays, which was a huge help. If you want to improve your scores and your college application, then you should certainly use MJ Test Prep. more

I just finished up Matt Joseph's SAT Prep program. I was stunned with the net results, increasing my score from a 1890 to a 2100. Matt was a great guy, and he connected very well with me--and I believe, with the rest of his students. The program itself consisted of heavy downpours of homework, especially in the Math and Writing sections. He assigned me a couple of SAT specific problem packets as well as one full test per week. The scores you receive do hinge upon how much work you're willing to put into the program. Matt is a tutor, not a magician. If you do what he says for homework, I personally guarantee you'll do better on the test. I recommend him to all potential clients, he is a great guy and a great tutor. more

Everything about working with Matt was a positive experience for my son, an 11th grader at a Main Line Independent school. My son began his weekly sessions several weeks into the Summer (after 10th grade). Matt assigned a hefty amount of at-home work, all based upon his judgement of the areas in which my son needed more in-depth practice and coaching. Matt approached his work with my son as that of a coach- sharing insights, challenging assumptions, and identifying and reworking errors straight on. Matt also spent time listening to my son talk about his work habits and thought processes. Matt's personalized approach gave my son insights into himself as a thinker and as a person that he had yet to gain through his experiences with anyone else. So far he earned a score in the 99th percentile on the PSATs, much to all of our delight I have already sign my younger son up with Matt beginning in June of 2012. more

\r Matt Joseph worked with two of our children, and a third will begin next year. Our sons are very different in learning styles and comfort with test taking, and Matt's greatest skill is his ability to individualize the learning for each student. He maximized on their strengths and accommodated areas they needed to build skills. Matt's approach and experience is grounded in academic research, but his personal style and rapport with our kids motivated them to do the preparation necessary to perform well on standardized tests. They enjoyed the time with him, and see at Matt as a mentor and ally in the college process. As a parent, I found Matt unfailingly responsive and generous with any and all college related questions. The experience was a resounding success; the kids both did great on SAT's and SAT II's, and achieved National Merit status, and somehow had fun in the process.\r more

We heard about MJ from a friend’s recommendation. Our first daughter studied with him when he was teaching from a little office above his garage. The results were great – she got into Georgetown, which was her first choice. Since then, they’ve upgraded to a really nice new office with a comfortable waiting area for parents, a little coffee shop, and a bunch of classroom. Our son is working with Matt now and has already improved a lot, especially on the math. This is a family-run tutoring operation (Matt’s wife runs the reception). So the materials aren’t slick, glossy, and computerized. In fact, things are sometimes a little disorganized. But they only use real SAT questions, and they’re always updating the handouts. However, one of the best parts about the whole operation is the family environment. Matt gets to know the families that send several kids there, and lots of people refer their friends. So Matt is always asking kids about their siblings and friends. He really takes a genuine interest in people. And he has always been willing to talk with us in detail about our kids’ progress and college application process. He’s very personally invested in the success of his students. And based on the way his business has grown and what we’ve seen with our own kids, his students see a lot of success. MJ is not the cheapest option, but in our experience, it’s been totally worth it. more

Matt was an incredible tutor! I started with him in ninth grade in order to finish with the SATs before junior year picked up and I had great success. In September of 2008 I came into the center with PSAT scores in the 1800s. This October I took the real sat for the first and only time, scoring in the 2300s. I spent a great deal of time in the MJ Test Prep facility which I found to be an incredibly open and welcoming environment. The worksheets and vocabulary testing were extremely helpful and made this stressful process much easier. The outcome met and exceeded my expectations and I highly recommend making your or your child's life easier by making appointments at MJ Test Prep starting in ninth grade. Doing this truly made my life better and easier! more

The thing that was great about MJ Test prep was that the atmosphere was fantasitc. Everyone there seemed so energetic. I worked with Matt-- he gave me lots of work--but it was exactly what I needed. When I missed a problem he showed me how to do the problem and then gave me ten problems just like it until he was sure I knew what I was doing. I went from a 1500 to a 2060. I also actually looked forward to going there. more

The only things Matt Joseph appeared to be \r ""invested in"" during a typical session: eating his snack bar, dropping 'f' bombs and leaning back in his chair impatiently. The guy's body language and lack of attention showed me how little he seemed to care about the direction scores were going to go. All this for $300 an hour. I felt insulted and ripped off when I walked out of there. All I can think is he may have been an ace back in the day but now that he's big and famous, the whole thing is a nuisance to him. more

If you believe that standardized tests are coachable, then you can't get any better that Matt Joseph and the tutors at MJ Test Prep. Learning the problems from old tests is the only way to prepare, and Matt is constantly updating his program including new packets for grammar and a new vocabulary list. The idea that his material is dated is ridiculous. As new tests become available, they are immediately incorporated into his program. Matt isn't for everybody. But if you actually care about your scores, and you want someone who is invested in your success, then he is your guy. Pros: best program, best advice, best results more

This place uses materials that is totally outdated & the price is only to make one feel that you are getting something special...there is a lot that goes on so protect your kids & don't fall for this scam Cons: waste of money & time more

Go spend your money on a smaller one on one coaching...this place & the amount they charge is all smoke & mirrors. Besides you'll find yourself straddled with problems that might come to haunt you. Pros: none..oh yeah you get to brush up on profanities!! Cons: not worth the $$ more