What PrepMatters does

PrepMatters is a privately held educational services company founded in 1996 in Bethesda, Maryland, delivering one-on-one academic tutoring and standardized test preparation to students from middle school through graduate school. The company serves the Washington DC metro area (Maryland, Virginia, DC) via in-person sessions at its Bethesda headquarters and hybrid arrangements spanning McLean and Tenley locations, while also offering fully remote tutoring to students nationwide and internationally. Its core product portfolio spans SAT and ACT preparation, private school entrance exams (SSAT, ISEE, HSPT), academic tutoring in math, science, English, and AP subjects, and graduate school test prep (GRE, GMAT, LSAT), supplemented by proctored practice tests and school test proctoring partnerships.

The business is built on a purely human-delivered service model underpinned by proprietary content assets rather than a software platform. Core proprietary assets include a 300-page SSAT workbook, 150-page GRE workbook, 200+ page GMAT and LSAT workbooks, and annually updated SAT/ACT materials. Operational technology is limited to a proprietary CRM for session notes and client communication, a virtual practice test platform, and a six-question SAT vs ACT diagnostic quiz. Revenue is generated exclusively through hourly billing at $195-$500 per hour depending on tutor seniority and subject, with no package commitments, a one-time $99 registration fee per student, and pay-as-you-go economics. The customer base is individual consumers (B2C), with demand driven primarily by referrals, word-of-mouth, free practice tests, free consultation calls, and the founder Ned Johnson's national media presence (NYT, WSJ, NPR, Time, CNBC) and co-authored bestselling books.

Name

PrepMatters

Legal name

PrepMatters, Inc.

Website

https://prepmatters.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

PrepMatters is a privately held Bethesda, MD-based tutoring and test preparation company founded in 1996, offering one-on-one SAT, ACT, SSAT, ISEE, HSPT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT, and academic tutoring, primarily to students in the Washington DC metro area and via remote sessions nationwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Test Preparation and Tutoring Services

NAICS

Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Test Prep Tutoring Platforms (SAT/ACT/GRE/GMAT, etc.) (EDANAGAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

General Homework Help (Multi-Subject) (EDANADAA), Test Prep Learning Centers (SAT/ACT, AP/IB, State Exams) (EDANAHAH)

Keywords

• Standardized test preparation
• Private academic tutoring
• College admissions coaching
• Private school entrance exams
• Graduate school test prep

Headquarters

HQ city

Bethesda

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Test Preparation Tutoring: Hourly one-on-one tutoring for SAT, ACT, SSAT, ISEE, HSPT, GRE, GMAT, and LSAT. Services are offered exclusively on an hourly basis with no package obligations. Fees range from $245 to $500 per hour depending on tutor seniority and subject.
2. Academic Tutoring: Hourly private tutoring for math, science, English, writing, history, and AP subjects. Rates range from $195 to $500 per hour depending on tutor level.
3. Registration Fee: One-time registration fee of $99 assessed to new student clients at first engagement. A separate registration is required for each student.
4. Extended Parent Consultations: Billed in 15-minute increments at the tutor's current hourly rate for extended consultations about student progress.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

PrepMatters provides one-on-one private tutoring and test preparation for SAT, ACT, SSAT, ISEE, HSPT, GRE, GMAT, and LSAT, plus academic tutoring in math, science, English, writing, and AP subjects. Services are delivered one-on-one, billed hourly ($195-$500 depending on tutor seniority), with no package commitments, supported by proprietary workbooks and a virtual practice test platform. Delivery channels include the Bethesda office, hybrid arrangements across the DMV region, and fully remote online tutoring nationally and internationally.

Product overview

PrepMatters is an educational services company offering a comprehensive suite of tutoring and test preparation services. The core offering consists of one-on-one private tutoring across three main categories: (1) College Admissions Test Prep covering SAT and ACT tutoring with adaptive digital SAT preparation; (2) Academic Tutoring in Math, Science, and English/Writing subjects including AP exam preparation; and (3) Graduate/Professional School Test Prep for GRE, GMAT, and LSAT. Additionally, the company offers Private School Entrance Exam Prep for SSAT, ISEE, and HSPT. The service portfolio also includes proctored practice tests and school partnership programs. All services are delivered through in-person sessions at Bethesda location, hybrid arrangements across the DMV region, or fully remote online tutoring. Pricing is structured on an hourly basis with tiered rates based on tutor seniority/expertise.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SAT & ACT Tutoring One-on-one tutoring services for SAT and ACT test preparation, including diagnostic assessment, personalized study plans, and adaptive strategy coaching for the digital SAT format. Targeted at college-bound high school students.
• Academic Tutoring Private one-on-one tutoring for Math (Algebra I & II, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Statistics), Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Science), and English/Writing (reading comprehension, grammar, writing skills, composition), including AP subject support, designed to improve grades and build foundational knowledge.
• Private School Entrance Exam Tutoring (SSAT, ISEE, HSPT) Test preparation tutoring for private school entrance exams including SSAT (Elementary, Lower, Upper), ISEE, and HSPT, with proprietary workbooks (300-page SSAT Preparation Workbook), vocabulary training, and strategies tailored to private and independent school admissions.
• Graduate School Test Preparation (GRE, GMAT, LSAT) Test preparation tutoring for graduate and professional school admissions including GRE (with 150-page proprietary workbook), GMAT (updated for the GMAT Focus Edition with a 200+ page workbook), and LSAT (focused on Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension), with proprietary workbooks and expert tutors.
• Proctored Practice Tests In-person and virtual proctored practice tests for SAT, ACT, and graduate exams under realistic timed conditions, including extended-time versions, used as diagnostic tools and enrollment drivers.
• School Test Proctoring Services School partnership service providing professional test proctoring of SAT and ACT examinations for partner schools and PTAs, delivered virtually or on-site, including custom registration pages, confirmations, and results analysis.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students improved ACT scores by 5+ points in two sessions with top tutors.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CollegeTrackscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA nonprofit program working with first-generation, low-income, minority, and immigrant youth at five Montgomery County Public High Schools to improve college access and support college success. PrepMatters provides pro bono tutoring services and support to CollegeTracks students, contributing to its community giving mission.
• ConnectDMVcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing resources to academically talented middle and high school students of color at DMV-based independent schools. PrepMatters supports this organization with tutoring, training, materials, and financial support to help close the opportunity gap.
• For Love of Children (FLOC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA nonprofit organization protecting and inspiring vulnerable children and youth in Washington DC since 1965. PrepMatters supports FLOC's educational mission with tutoring services and resources to help break the cycle of poverty through education.
• PEP (Parent Encouragement Program)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA nonprofit founded in Montgomery County, MD in 1982, providing parenting classes and workshops. PrepMatters supports PEP's mission to help parents raise confident, capable children through educational resources and partnerships.
• Semper Fi & America's FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough the American Council on Education's Severely Injured Project, since 2007 PrepMatters has provided free GRE, GMAT, and LSAT tutoring to soldiers receiving treatment at Walter Reed National Military Hospital. This partnership supports transitioning military personnel as they return to education.
• Partner Schools and PTAsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSchools and parent-teacher associations partner with PrepMatters for proctored practice test services. PrepMatters creates custom registration pages, provides proctoring (virtual or on-site), and offers results night analysis. This drives brand awareness and student enrollment while serving school community needs.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Revolution Prep: Revolution Prep is a private 1-on-1 test prep and tutoring company offering SAT/ACT prep, academic tutoring, and admissions support, with a similar premium 1-on-1 positioning and remote/hybrid delivery model directly comparable to PrepMatters.
• Manhattan Prep: Manhattan Prep is a leading test prep provider specializing in GMAT, GRE, LSAT, and SAT prep, offering both in-person and live online instruction. Its premium positioning and graduate-test-prep focus closely mirror PrepMatters' GRE/GMAT/LSAT service line.
• Varsity Tutors: Varsity Tutors is an online tutoring platform offering 1-on-1 instruction across SAT/ACT, academic subjects, and graduate exams. It overlaps directly with PrepMatters on test prep and academic tutoring, though delivered via a marketplace/subscription model at lower price points.
• Wyzant: Wyzant is an online marketplace connecting students with private tutors for academic subjects and standardized test prep. It competes with PrepMatters on tutor-driven 1-on-1 SAT/ACT and academic tutoring, though with a much broader and more variable tutor pool.
• Huntington Learning Center: Huntington Learning Center is a multi-location franchise providing tutoring and test prep (SAT, ACT, state exams) and academic subject help. Its physical learning-center model combined with 1-on-1 tutoring closely mirrors PrepMatters' Bethesda center-based delivery.

Broad incumbents

• The Princeton Review: The Princeton Review is a large, long-established test prep company offering SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT, and MCAT prep through courses, tutoring, and online programs. It is a broad incumbent in the same test-prep category where PrepMatters operates but with a wider portfolio including group classes and online subscriptions.
• Kaplan Test Prep: Kaplan is one of the largest test prep and admissions companies offering SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, and USMLE prep through courses, private tutoring, and online programs. As a broad incumbent, it overlaps with PrepMatters' full suite of test prep services, though at multiple price points and delivery formats.
• Sylvan Learning: Sylvan Learning is a national tutoring franchise offering personalized instruction in reading, math, writing, SAT/ACT prep, and study skills. It overlaps with PrepMatters' academic tutoring and test prep services, with a similar center-based 1-on-1 delivery model but broader national footprint.

Emerging players

• PrepScholar: PrepScholar is an online test prep platform offering adaptive SAT, ACT, and GRE prep programs with self-paced and live instruction. It competes with PrepMatters on SAT/ACT/GRE prep, but at significantly lower price points through a primarily software-driven model.
• Magoosh: Magoosh is an online test prep company offering affordable self-study courses and live classes for GRE, GMAT, SAT, ACT, TOEFL, and other exams. It competes with PrepMatters on graduate-level test prep (GRE/GMAT) through a low-cost, scalable digital model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/prepmatters

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PrepMatters