I highly recommend AR Academic to any family with high school kids who need test prep. It starts with a diagnostic test taken without any prep, followed by a consultation with Mr. Michael. He helps you figure out which test (ACT or DSAT) is the better fit for your child, and together you map out a strategic plan from the start. From there, the program is well structured: a personalized schedule, weekly tutoring sessions, and mock tests every other week so students always know where they stand. What I really appreciated was how seriously the tutors take the homework. All materials are drawn from real past tests, and students are given assignments before each session. The tutors analyze that work and tailor their instruction accordingly, so every session feels targeted, not generic. My kids came home after each session with a clearer sense of what they needed to work on, and noticeably more confident. For AP prep, Ms. Amanda was wonderful. She kept my kids motivated even when the stress started to pile up, and her upbeat energy is exactly what they needed. As for results: both of my children scored in the 99th percentile on their tests, one on the ACT2024 and one on the DSAT,2026 and earned 5s across the board on their AP exams. We couldn't be more grateful. read more

Extremely disappointing experience. I contacted this company to inquire about hiring a college admissions counselor, but the lack of organization and follow-through immediately raised concerns. No one answered the phone, so I left a voicemail. I also attempted to submit their online contact form, but it only went through after multiple unsuccessful attempts. After leaving several messages, I finally received a call a few days later. Unfortunately, the representative who called seemed unprepared and unable to answer basic questions about the company's services. She apparently had not reviewed the online questionnaire I completed and could not explain the owner's qualifications, the counselors' backgrounds, or their experience and success working with students. I was told that an initial meeting with the owner, Amanda, would cost $360. I was also told that we would then be matched with a counselor at a cost of approximately $2,800 for one year. Given those fees, I believe prospective clients should be provided with clear information about the qualifications and experience of the person conducting the consultation and the counselor assigned to their child. I asked for this information to be emailed to me, but I never received anything. I also had to repeat and spell my email address several times, even though I had already entered it on the company's online form. Based on my experience, I would not feel comfortable entrusting this company with something as important as my child's college admissions process. Before charging premium fees, the company should improve its communication, repair its online contact form, properly train staff to answer basic questions, and follow through when prospective clients request information. Based on my experience, I do not recommend this company. I would recommend that the business improve its organization, communication, staff training, and follow-through before taking responsibility for guiding students through something as important as the college admissions process. read more

Truly the best of the best. From standardized test prepping (where score are back and make a huge difference in applications), to essay support, Amanda and her team are AMAZING! read more

What an expensive and frustrating experience!! At our schools suggestion, we signed up for the 14 lesson package for the ACT. My daughter wanted to raise her overall score by 5 or 6 points, not an outstanding or unreasonable hope we were told by Michael. Unfortunately her math tutor took an unreasonably long time going over basic math concepts and never mentioned or suggested using a graphing calculator. Eventually we switched math tutors due to a schedule conflict and although the next one seemed better and taught my daughter how to use the calculator for the specific math problems, she continued scheduling tutor sessions after the 14 lessons were up without informing us of the $200 hit each lesson! (There were so many lessons rescheduled on their end that I lost track of the 14 days.) Additionally, the English tutor was frequently late, at the wrong location and mis-scheduled my daughter's practice test (wrong time, wrong location). My daughter did all the homework diligently and has a GPA over 4.2 but still, even with 17 outrageously expensive lessons, missed her mark by 3 points and only raised it by a few points! She felt the first two tutors did not tailor the lessons to her specific abilities/needs but were just going through rote tutoring for which we could have paid much less. The overall experience was very frustrating given the bill (over $3000!) and the net result did not meet what Michael had agreed was a very reasonable goal. When given the opportunity to make things right, we were told that they would reduce the cost of our extra lessons by half but felt the other complaints were invalid. Personally I strongly recommend NOT paying the high price for AR Academics, the tutors are not worth the cost and the company simply does not fulfill what it promises ... Oh and two of her friends had very similar experiences so we are sadly not alone in this frustration. read more

Amanda is the best! She is so talented and provides such great mentoring for students applying to college. She has inspired me so much! She even helped my sister get into her dream schools including UC Berkeley, Vanderbilt, UCLA, and UNC. She has helped me so much and I could not be more happy about my experience with her. read more

This place is amazing. My son had only 5 weeks before the ACT, and his previous math & science scores were not good. He'd had a tutor who was useless, was just a math tutor who clearly did not specialize in ACT, and after two bad ACT scores, he'd all but given up. A friend recommended AR Academics. THANK GOODNESS. They worked with us and were willing to do a 5 week crash tutoring in science & math (we had English covered). He took practice tests every week and learned all of the tricks one needs to know about how to do well on this test -- invaluable -- even programming his calculator with fast math formulas so he could do the test quicker. We are up in LA, so the whole thing was done via Zoom, and it was so convenient. They worked around his busy schedule, too. Well, the scores just came in yesterday, and my son raised his science by 6 points and math by 7 -- giving him 33s in both, and giving him a superscore of 34! We are OVER THE MOON and so thankful to AR for teaching him what he REALLY needed to know to ace this test. Standardized testing sucks, but it's a necessary evil, and this is the BEST MONEY I EVER SPENT. These guys are pros -- Michael was a great coordinator and my son's tutor Neeyaz was excellent. read more

AR did an amazing job helping our daughter with ACT prep, lifting her score quite substantially to a super score of 36 (she tested twice, and is done!) Special shout out to Ali Ross who delivered one on one English and Reading tutoring and somehow led my daughter to a perfect score on each, which is just mindboggling considering the starting point and my daughter's predilection for math and science. (Thanks, Ali!!) And a shout out to Michael Kimura who helped with strategies and prep to avoid errors and ensure Math and Science scores were consistently in range of a 36. I dislike standardized tests as much as anyone, but if you're taking them to demonstrate your best self, A R Academics is the place to go to help deliver your best!! read more

Highly, highly recommend this company for SAT Test Prep. The entire process from start to finish was incredibly easy and custom tailored to my daughters needs and schedule. The plan was intense but executable and consisted of 2 one-hour sessions per week plus weekly assignments and 3 full SAT practice tests over 8 weeks. The results are undeniable, she improved 210 points, jumping from a 1270 to a 1480! read more

Just got my scores back from the December 2019 ACT and I couldn't be happier! My score jumped six points from a 25 to a 31 in two and a half months. A BIG THANK YOU to Michael, Allison, and Matt for working with me and helping me reach my score goal. Before AR, I had a private tutor who came to my house and we just went over what I missed out of a book from Barnes and Noble. Once I started at AR, I finally saw my scores jumping in every section. I love that they separate English and Reading tutors from Math and Science tutors so I could really get experts in each area. You can tell they are really passionate about what they do and committed to helping you raise your score. For anyone who really wants to raise their test scores, I think AR is hands down your #1 choice! Of course, you still have to do homework and take weekend practice tests, but it pays off. After prepping I'm now in the score range for my dream school, but I'm going to keep working with AR to try and get it even higher to qualify for some scholarships. read more

Amanda and her team really know what they're doing. Our daughter took the recommended number of sessions and increased her ACT score by 7 points - the first time she took the test. She comes home from her sessions happy and motivated and she really feels that the content and strategies covered are spot on. Isabelle is excellent at scheduling and keeping the kids on-task. The general sessions in each subject are also extremely useful. We couldn't be happier with the results. So pleased AR Academics was recommended to us. We highly recommend it to others. read more

My college counselor referred AR and it's seriously been a life saver for me. Isabelle is amazing. She juggles everyone's schedules and was super patient with me when planning out my schedule. I used to have private tutors come to my house for test prep, school math, and other APs and they just don't compare to AR. I really enjoyed working with everyone- shout out Arnie and Adi for Chem, Michael for Math, and Zach for Physics. My friends at Sage worked with Navid for Bio and say he's also really good. AR tutors really know their stuff and were knowledgeable about what my class was covering and exactly what I need to learn to get As. For test prep, I worked with Jonathan, James, and Matt and they were awesome. I went in for a practice test every other week in addition to my sessions and I could not be happier with my final score. It's higher than I honestly thought I would get, so thanks AR for helping me get a 33. I feel like I got structure, strategy, and one on one attention really geared towards me which I think worked a lot better than the big groups that some of my other friends have done at other places. For me, AR opened so many doors and not to mention scholarship money which is also really nice! read more

If you are looking for test prep, AR is hands down the best in the business. Amanda and her team helped my daughter achieve her goal of a perfect score of 36 on the December 2021 ACT. She worked with Michael for math/science and Austin for English/reading. The last couple of months before the test, she also worked with Amanda to fine tune everything. Isabelle did a fantastic job of coordinating everything for us and was very helpful with logistics and questions. We are so grateful for everyone at AR and are obviously thrilled with the results. I highly recommend AR for your test prep needs. read more

My son's ACT score improved from 24 to 34! What else can I say? Their staffs and teachers are awesome! Isabella is kind and on top of everything. Amanda is super motivated with high energy! My son loves all teachers and staffs at AR Academics. Their system works for sure. My son was motivated to do better after starting at AR Academics. We did twice a week on tutors and prep test for ACT for few months and result is amazing. Totally worth your time and money spent here. Highly recommended for anyone who need drastic improvement on ACT scores. We will be there for our other 2 kids when they need to prep for ACT in the future. We thank Everyone at AR Academics! read more

AR delivers results. AR staff are efficient, comprehensive and focused in their approach. For ACT prep, the company is simply the best out there in our area. read more

Amazing tutoring service! 10/10 would recommend. I originally had a 1500 SAT score, and Amanda helped me increase it to a 1580. She is incredibly supportive and knowledgeable when it comes to how to approach the SAT, pinpointing your weaknesses, and giving you strategies on how to improve. Her record speaks for itself, and my experience with her only adds to it. read more

Both of my children used AR to prep for the ACT and we were very happy with the results. They were each able to find instructors who they worked best with, and were taught skills and given confidence to improve their scores. The team are all true professionals and very skilled in this field. We highly recommend AR for anyone prepping for standardized testing! read more

We used AR Academics with both of my children and got AMAZING results on their ACTs. It's a big time commitment, but results are worth it!!! Both of my children increased their ACT scores substantially. Allison is everything you can ask for in a tutor. She is incredibly smart and really cares about her students. Emily, Isabelle, and Amanda also make the experience top notch. read more

My teenage daughter Wendy has been going to AR for a couple months and I just stopped in today to pick her up. The staff was super welcoming and really knowledgeable when we were asking them questions regarding college admissions and test prep for it. My daughter has really liked working with their team and has kind of a crazy schedule, so she's had to be set up with different tutors from time to time but she said they are all really good. So far everything I've heard about this place and my interactions with their staff have been really great and you can tell they care about their students. read more

i would reccomend a personal tutor with references that you know. AR has very high prepaid prices and barely moved the needle

I highly recommend AR Academics. We decided to commit for the ACT prep. My daughter attended all the recommended groups and completed the 1:1 tutoring with the minimum account balance required up front. She also took advantage of practice tests and did the recommended homework before tutor sessions. Although she had 3 tests canceled due to Covid, she did get to take one in Oct 2020. She raised her score 4 points! We are thankful we chose AR. It works if you follow the program and they suggest and take the practice tests as well. read more

I would highly recommend AR to anyone who needs test prep. My daughter used them for her ACT prep and just got a perfect score of 36 on the September 2019 exam! AR offers so much - they provide group classes for general information on each section of the exam, but even better than that, they provide one-on-one tutoring in your child's specific areas of need. My daughter was scoring a 33 on her practice tests, which is already great, but she wanted to bump up her math/science by a few points, so we signed up with AR. She was tutored by Luke Rickford, who had some great strategies for her. Isabelle at the front desk is fantastic at coordinating everyone's complicated schedules, and responds to emails and text messages cheerfully and at any hour! Also, Amanda herself is a great leader with boundless energy. We are definitely planning to use AR again for our second child. Thanks, AR! read more

I want to give the incredible team at AR academics a big big thank you. Amanda, Isabelle and Garrett were so helpful in getting my son ready for the ACT this past year. 2020 was a tough year to feel motivated on zoom high school but the sessions my son had at AR (in person) and on zoom kept my son from just glazing over... he started his bench mark with a pretty good score and he took the test last week raised his score 5 points which is incredible . The sessions were a splurge for our family but I highly recommend it and we would do it again !! thank you AR Diane and Billy read more

AR academics does a fantastic job! Our daughter improved ACT score by 7pts ( took test without prep in fall, retook in spring after working with AR for 10 weeks). The formula they use works. Our daughter truly enjoyed the group sessions and 1-1 sessions. They have a program you purchase, they don't offer an option of just working with them a few times. But it works! Times to work with tutors are flexible. Their communication is excellent. And they all care about your child's success... from academic strategies to reminding the kids to stay calm. My daughter worked with Michael and James, both soooo wonderful! But I suspect anyone working there rocks as Amanda the owner is top notch! Thank you AR! read more

Ali Ross tutored me 4 months she was awesome!! She really took her time with me and was very patient throughout the whole process. I would highly suggest AR Academics to anyone looking to advance their education. read more

So happy with my results on the December ACT! I started preparing at the beginning of the summer and saw my score improve with each test I took. My advice to other students: stick with it and use every strategy they give you. Also, take the complimentary practice tests. I scored in the top 1% of testakers, which was higher than my initial diagnostic. I don't have to worry about testing going into my AP exams, and it's such a relief. To whoever posted to stick with a private tutor: they are not test prep experts. Your regular math tutor will not know all the calculator tricks and shortcuts that AR does. They have key concept packets to help you work on the concepts you're missing, and they show you ways to get to right answers faster. It's more of a game than just math. Thank you SO much to my tutors at AR (you know who you are). I will be back soon for AP prep!!! read more

A R Academics is yet another shady company ready to capitalize on the foolish hysteria regarding college admissions. These overpriced sessions are geared specifically towards families of Newport Beach's 1%. Beware of Isabelle trying to shove more classes down your throat, remember it's all a marketing scheme! The initial group sessions are constantly over packed, making the learning environment less to be desirable. If you are truly invested to increase you students ACT/SAT score invest in personal tutor whom you trust. read more

"Totally recommend AR Academics!" as my son exclaimed. They have a multitude of tutors to help with either schoolwork or help with improving test scores. I was amazed at the strategies and techniques that were being taught. It was very clear that my son's ACT scores increased significantly due to AR's amazing tutors. I know of several students who drive to AR from Huntington Harbor and Long Beach area. I recommend AR Academics wholeheartedly. read more

My daughter had an excellent experience preparing for the ACT with AR Academics. She enjoyed every instructor she worked with and felt extremely prepared for the test. AR helped her raise her overall composite score seven points from her initial test, and she ultimately received a perfect score on the English section. She also completed an AP review class with AR Academics for one of her classes last spring. She said the review class was the main reason she received a five (the highest possible score) on her AP exam. A special thanks to Michael K. for his responsiveness, professionalism, and flexibility when it came to scheduling sessions. When other instructors weren't available, he stepped in and filled the gap. He is a natural teacher and provided critical instruction and tips to help my daughter lift her scores to the next level. AR Academics is an invaluable resource, and we definitely plan to have our younger daughter prepare with them as well. read more

I would highly recommend AR Academics to anyone looking to improve their ACT/SAT score and have a better understanding of the strategies associated with both of the tests. I took the ACT and had no clue what the test would entail and therefore got a 20 composite score my first try. After tutoring with John for English/Reading and Amanda for Math/Science, my score improved to a 28! Their scheduling girl, Isabelle has been extremely helpful with finding times to fit around my school schedule and I'm overall very grateful to this team! I've already referred a few friends from school that have had a likewise experience. read more

Update: I got a 1570 (770 ERW 800 Math) on the SAT and a 21/24 on the essay after only 3 weeks of SAT-specific prep! I started ~1350 and I can't believe the amount of progress I've made with AR with only a couple sessions! AR was incredibly flexible with my schedule and I'm very grateful for all of their help. I couldn't make it to one of their SAT essay workshops so Amanda scheduled a 1-on-1 essay workshop just to make sure I would do well on it. And when my normal tutors weren't available, AR was very flexible in providing me with other exceptional tutors (thanks James and Sam!) read more

I never do Yelp Reviews, but I was so impressed with Amanda and her team that I'm taking time now to write my first online review. After working with Amanda and team over the summer and first two months of this school year, my daughter increased her ACT score from 30 to a perfect 36. It was apparent to me throughout this process that my daughter was highly engaged with the program. After seeing score results, it's now obvious that AR Academics did an outstanding job not only with student engagement, but also ensuring that time and energy were focused on the right exercises to achieve results. This was all done within the time and cost estimate range Amanda laid out in our initial consultation. read more

We are very pleased with the services provided by AR Academics. They offer a wide range of services, and we chose those that were appropriate/applicable for our child. The staff was very accommodating regarding scheduling considering my son was in his athletic season leading up to the ACT; he was able to improve his score by 7 points! The staff was incredibly helpful and they always emailed us after a session to give feedback on how our son had done and areas he needed to focus on. read more

I wanted to share our experience with A R Academics. My daughter was straight A student through out high school but when it came to taking the S.A.T. test in her junior year, she bombed the test.. thinking it was fluke she took it again. Second time she also scored low. Not knowing why, I contacted Amanda and Isabelle and ask what to do.. we were running out of time and my daugther was running out of patience. After doing tutor sessions with Amanda and her team, preparing with the proper materials like a timing watch and proper programmed calculator and practice sessions my daughter took the ACT test and scored way higher than the SAT previous tests. Her high score on the ACT test was enough to get her a $108,000 scholarship. Now graduated Summa Cum Laude in 3.5 years, it's possible that would not have happened if we hadn't in listed the help from A R academics. Amanda and Isabelle are passionate their roles in student success. My daughter and I are so very appreciate all the help and expertise you provided. read more

A R Academics - Test Preparation Near Me - Newport Beach, California

A big thank you to AR Academics for my daughter's ACT prep. Amanda, Isabelle, Michael, and John were all amazing. They know how to quickly and efficiently get your child ready for the test. My daughter prepped the summer after her sophomore year and took the ACT once in September and scored a 35. I like how flexible scheduling is...so important with my daughter's other commitments. Isabelle is so easy to work with for scheduling, and Amanda, the owner, is so enthusiastic and knowledgeable. All of the tutors were top notch and really invested in the success of their students. I really liked getting email updates after each session. They also offer free practice ACTs each week. read more

My daughter worked with AR for ACT prep. The combination of group classes and individual tutoring worked very well for her, and Isabelle was so helpful with working around her busy schedule. Each tutor was excellent in their individual subject, and Amanda is exceptional. read more

I came to AR in mid June, two years after taking my first ACT in September 2016 (33c: 36e 33m 32r 31s). Having not studied since, and needing to improve my score on the 2018 July date, I trusted AR with my test prep. Through working closely with highly skilled and helpful tutors, attending comprehensive classes on each section of the test, and working through the most up to date material, I was able to raise my score to a 35 (36e 36m 33r 34s) in less than a month! The AR staff is amazing and highly dedicated to helping their students address their weaknesses and achieve higher scores. I highly recommend this test preparation center to all those seeking to improve their test scores--regardless of the starting level. Thanks to everyone at AR! read more

AR Academics is awesome! I came in for SAT/ACT tutoring and worked with a few different tutors all of whom helped me to increase my test scores dramatically. Amanda and her whole team are extremely hard working and will work around your schedule to make sure you are completely ready for the test by the time it comes around. I would highly recommend AR academics. read more

The best test prep ever!! Allie and Michael are the best tutors!! Soo happy with my experience here!

Amazing Results! We were referred to AR Academics by a friend who we knew to be extremely diligent in researching educational opportunities whose son attended AR and achieved a very high score on his ACT. I am delighted to say that I couldn't be happier with the service AR provides and the test results we received yesterday from our daughters ACT exam. Our daughter's initial pre-test from a past ACT exam yielded a score of 27, which we felt was very good, but not great. We then attended their course this summer, showed up for the classes they suggested, did the homework and two months later took the exam for the first time. I'm delighted to say our daughter scored a 34, which exceeded our expectations. I can honestly say this remarkable improvement was worth every penny as now we can relax for the next two years knowing she was coached in such a way to bring out her best. Our sincere thanks to owner Amanda, tutors Michael (Math and Science), Vanessa (English) and Isabelle who made scheduling classes so convenient. I know we couldn't have done this without them. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking for a course that works. - Lew R. read more

My son is in the midst of the test prep process now, but AR came highly recommended. He has yet to take the ACT and see a score, but so far the scheduling, communication, and tutoring has been above par. My son also used AR for AP test prep and felt it was immensely valuable. The tutors are professional but warm and easy for teens to connect with them. And they provide great feedback and always keep you in the loop as far as individual progress. They are champions at creating programs to fit different personalities and varying needs. Amanda, Isabelle, and the AR team are worth it! read more