These tests sort students by wealth and call it merit. We teach students to beat them anyway!
Your student is smart. If the score doesn't show it, the gap is preparation, not ability. 70,000+ students and their families have closed that gap with Bell Curves. Private tutoring students gain 130 SAT points on average. The score is not a verdict. It's a starting point.
For Students & Families
Group programs and private tutoring for SAT, SHSAT, ACT, and more.
Choose from self-paced Coach, live Intensive, or Edge programs. Or work 1:1 with a private tutor matched to your student's specific gaps.
Choose Your Program →For Schools & Organizations
Custom programs for school cohorts, nonprofits, and district partners.
75+ institutional partners since 2022. Test prep, High-Impact Tutoring, College Readiness, and enrichment programs configured for your students.
Build an org programHow we teach
Choose how you want to prepare. Then choose your test.
SHSAT only
Academy
- In-class instruction
- 48 hrs
- Guided practice
- 48–96 hrs
- Expected commitment
- 96–144 hrs
From $2,495
Choose your test
Private Tutoring
Private tutoring is available for SAT, ACT, SHSAT, SSAT, and ISEE preparation — offered directly to individual students and through partner institutions.
Tutor
$85/hour and up
Private 1:1 tutoring. $85/hour and up. Packages: 10 hours from $850, 15 hours from $1,275.
Senior Tutor
$125/hour and up
Private 1:1 tutoring. $125/hour and up. Packages: 10 hours from $1,250, 15 hours from $1,875.
Expert Tutor
Starting over $200/hour
Highly personalized tutoring for high-scoring students looking to maximize their results. Expert Tutors are among Bell Curves’ most experienced, including founder and 20+ year testing veteran Akil Bello.
Our Method
KRE™: the framework behind every Bell Curves program.
Knowledge
Do they know the material?
Content mastery across every tested concept. Most prep programs stop here, leaving students vulnerable to the other two failure modes.
Recognition
Can they identify the question type?
Knowing the content isn’t enough if a student can’t recognize what the test is actually measuring. Recognition is the bridge between knowledge and performance.
Execution
Can they perform under pressure?
Test day is different. Execution is the ability to apply knowledge and recognition reliably, in a timed, high-stakes environment.
FAQ
Common questions
What makes Bell Curves different from other test prep companies?
Most test prep covers content. Content is one of three things a student needs to perform on the test. Bell Curves addresses all three — Knowledge, Recognition, and Execution — because all three determine what happens in the test room.
Which program is right for my student?
It depends on how much time you have before the test and what kind of preparation fits your student. Coach is self-paced and flexible. Intensive is for students with 10 weeks or less. Edge is for students who need to move the score significantly and have 12–16 weeks. If you're not sure, talk to an advisor.
Do you offer private tutoring?
Yes. Private tutoring is available for SAT, ACT, SHSAT, SSAT, and ISEE. Tutor levels start at $85/hour. Every student begins with a diagnostic so sessions target exactly where the score is breaking down.
Do you work with schools and nonprofits?
Yes. Bell Curves has partnered with 75+ institutions across New York since 2003 — public schools, charter networks, YMCA chapters, community organizations, and universities. Programs are configured per partner through an advisor or the Program Builder.
Ready to see what's holding the score back?
Talk to an advisor. We'll tell you which program fits and why.
Within one business day