Marina Waicman

+80 points on the SAT Math!

“The practice questions Peace of Pi provides are invaluable, and they really helped me build my skills.”

I had worked with another tutoring service before joining Peace of Pi, but I wasn’t seeing the results I needed. My SAT math score was stuck in the 600s, and I knew I needed a more challenging program to really push me. I chose Peace of Pi because I had heard from my friends that it worked well for them, and I decided to give it a try.

One of the biggest differences between Peace of Pi and my previous tutoring was the level of commitment and structure. At my old tutoring service, I didn’t get much homework, and the sessions were too far from my actual SAT test date to be effective. With Peace of Pi, I had tons of homework, and I had to stay on top of my work every week, which really helped me improve.

Math has always been a struggle for me, but after working with Peace of Pi, I not only saw improvement on the SAT but also in my school math classes. The biggest frustration I had before tutoring was staring at SAT questions and not knowing where to start. I just didn’t have enough knowledge to even attempt most of the questions. But Peace of Pi helped me break everything down, making it easier to understand and giving me a solid starting point for every question.

At first, I was worried about the online classes. I thought that with such a small group, I wouldn’t get enough attention. But my tutor was great, he always checked in with me to make sure I understood and kept me engaged throughout each session. The tutor-student interaction was so much better than my previous online school experience, where teachers rarely interacted with individual students. Plus, the virtual format was different from COVID-era school. With Peace of Pi, the group was small, and the tutor made sure every student participated, making it feel more like an interactive learning environment.

I also had concerns about the four-hour class sessions, but the breaks made a huge difference. The 15-minute breaks helped me reset and stay focused throughout the long sessions, and I believe that the longer classes helped me build mental stamina for test day. After all, the SAT is three hours long, and practicing that endurance during the prep course helped me feel more prepared.

My tutor was amazing. He was engaging, fun, and very knowledgeable. I actually felt that having a tutor who was closer in age to me was an advantage. It made me feel more connected, and since he had recently been in my shoes, I could relate to him more. The relationship we built made the learning experience more enjoyable and effective.

The workload was definitely a lot, but I managed it by prioritizing my schoolwork first and then dedicating 2-3 hours a day to Peace of Pi. Of course, there were days when I got backed up, but I always made sure to catch up and never let myself fall too far behind. Staying on top of the assignments was crucial, and I learned that when you skip a day of work, it really impacts your progress.

The most helpful part of the program for me was the homework. The practice problems were detailed and specific, which helped me understand the material. I would often replay the video lessons and take notes on questions I didn’t fully understand. Revisiting these materials made it much easier for me to retain the information.

By the end of the program, my math score improved by 80 points, from 610 to 690, and I feel much more confident about my SAT score now. My improved math score has opened up more college opportunities for me, and I’m now on track to meet the SAT standards for many schools.

Even though Peace of Pi isn’t cheap, I believe it was totally worth the investment. I got the results I was hoping for, and I truly think this program is beneficial for anyone struggling with SAT math. My advice to others on their SAT prep journey is simple: practice, practice, practice. The practice questions Peace of Pi provides are invaluable, and they really helped me build my skills. I also want to remind everyone to stay committed from the beginning and stay on top of your work to avoid falling behind. It’s all worth it in the end.