Frequently Asked Questions

Why choose Mindspire™?

Here at Mindspire™, we use more than two decades of experience in test prep to help you succeed. We know there are a lot of companies to choose from, but we believe a few things set us apart from the rest.

Our tutors are the very best and brightest. With education from top universities, loads of previous teaching experience, and top scores on the tests they teach, our tutors are there to help you meet your goals.
Our tutors talk the talk and walk the walk: all have scored at least 35 on the ACT or 1550 on the SAT.

We also offer

A score increase guarantee
Access to unlimited free mock tests
Stress/anxiety management coaching
Individually matched tutors for the best fit

We believe there really are no other tutoring companies that can provide Mindspire’s™ comprehensive education and support, and we think you’ll agree.

What type of training do Mindspire™ tutors have?

We believe experience in test prep is the best training for tutoring, so all of our tutors have between 2-15 years of experience preparing students for the SAT/ACT. In addition, all of our tutors are graduates of top universities and take part in an extensive Mindspire™ training program at the start of their hire.

Which package is right for me?

We currently offer three packages for the ACT/SAT: 20 hours, 35 hours, and a 10-hour High Scorers package.

20 hours (usually completed over 3 months)
While other companies may promise results with a smaller time investment, we’ve found 20 hours to be the minimum amount of time needed to really make the work we do with students stick in a significant and long-lasting way.
This package is intended for those who are looking for a solid, straightforward test prep plan with a significant score increase.
The 20-hour Score Increase Guarantee is a minimum 3 points on the ACT, or 100 points on the SAT.

35 hours (usually completed over 6 months)
The time provided by this package allows students to gain mastery over every aspect of the test: content, techniques, strategies, timing, and psychology. This package is intended for students aiming to attend top universities, or who have had persistent challenges with test-taking.
The 35-hour Score Increase Guarantee is a minimum 6 points on the ACT, or 200 points on the SAT.

High Scorers (10 hours)
Students who score a baseline 30 on the ACT or 1370 on the SAT with no prior prep are eligible to sign up for our High Scorers package. This package is a high-volume, high-intensity package that will cover a significant amount of material and strategy in a short period of time. Students who complete this package generally see their scores increase to a 33 or 1460.
Only select tutors work with high-scoring students.

How am I matched with a tutor?

Our office staff get to know every tutor that comes to work for us. They will talk with you to understand your needs before matching you with the tutor they feel will be best for you.

Want a bit more information? You can visit this page to read about our tutors’ academic backgrounds, favourite subjects, and experience. We value your input and are committed to making sure we find the right tutor for you, even if it takes a second try.

What is the score increase guarantee?

Simply put, when we agree on a goal, we stick to it. Whether an off day, a brain freeze, or the practice didn’t quite stick, if a student’s score falls short of the guaranteed increase from their baseline test, they get completely free hours in preparation for their next test. You can read more about our guarantee here.

How does scheduling work?

Our tutors understand that tutoring sessions will not always be the first priority in a student’s busy schedule. Our tutors are available on flexible schedules outside of normal business hours to meet your needs online or at one of our locations in Charlotte, Richmond, and the Triangle.

We work hard to match you with a tutor who fits your busy schedule. Where, when and for how long you meet is a collaborative effort between you and your tutor, based on their experience with test prep and your needs as a student, but most of our students start with a 60-90 minute session once a week and adjust as needed from there.

Do you offer tutoring by the hour?

Short Answer: Yes.
Longer Answer: We don’t recommend it. In our experience, the minimum time necessary for most students to see solid, lasting improvement is about 15 hours. Hourly tutoring is most useful for students who just need a quick refresher before an upcoming test, but most students will benefit from the time and structure offered by one of our three packages.

What types of tutoring do you offer?

Whatever you need, we can probably help! While ACT and SAT prep are what we’re best known for, we also do prep for the ISEE, SSAT, LSAT, MCAT, USMLE Step One Exam, as well as nearly all academic subjects at all levels from elementary school to college. Just call or email us and let us know what kind of tutoring you’re looking for, and we’ll make it happen!

Can I split a tutoring package between two different tests?

We strongly recommend that you only prep for one test at a time. We’ll help you figure out which test is right for you and make a clear game plan before getting started on improving your scores.