The EdisonOS Podcast

In this episode, Ben Paris, former Kaplan Curriculum Director with over 30 years of experience and millions of assessment questions under his belt, reveals how today's students have fundamentally changed—from lacking basic study skills to lying about practice test scores post-pandemic. He shares why he now spends time teaching students how to actually study (assembling notes, setting priorities) v...

In this episode, Jessica Liou reveals why the "simpler" digital SAT micro-passages actually demand sharper precision than long passages—and shares her unexpected approach of teaching strategy before timing. Working with 10-12 students annually, many with learning accommodations, she explains which Bluebook tools can hinder performance and discusses challenging college prestige obsession....

In this episode, Jeff Eisenberg, founder of Long Island Test Prep with over 30 years of experience, reveals how the digital transformation forced him to embrace technology despite initially working in a paper-and-pencil world. Managing 110-120 students annually, Jeff explains why most students arrive with pro-SAT bias but need ACT evaluation, and shares his balanced approach to calculator dependen...

In this episode, Henry Nguyen, former engineer turned founder of A STEM Tutoring , reveals how he transformed his approach to education by creating "safety valves" for overwhelmed students—including letting them hit his taekwondo pad when anger strikes. Drawing from his engineering background and self-defense expertise, Henry explains why he tells students they can quit anytime they want...

In this episode, Daniel Ryave, SAT/ACT prep tutor and social media content creator with 262,000 followers, reveals how he transformed from Peace Corps teacher to viral TikTok educator launching satpreptutordaniel.com . Drawing from tutoring 32 students in 2025 alone, Daniel explains why the digital SAT's biggest challenge isn't the content but helping students bounce back after missing questions i...

In this episode, Megan Padden, owner and founder of O.W.L. Educational Services, reveals how the digital SAT transformation has created unexpected ripple effects across all standardized testing, including the new Enhanced ACT. Drawing from nearly 20 years in test prep, Megan explains how COVID-era educational gaps are still visible today—she can instantly identify which grade level a student exper...

In this episode, Steve Schecter, founder of MuchSmarter , reveals how his accidental entry into tutoring evolved into a revolutionary learning methodology that positions his company as more neuroscience than test prep. Drawing from classical piano instruction, Steve explains how most 16-17 year olds become "experts on what they can't do" and shares his three-part framework fusing gro...

In this episode, Linford, a history and philosophy scholar turned SSAT specialist, reveals why the "old-fashioned" SSAT remains one of the most demanding standardized tests for seventh and eighth graders—testing content that many ninth graders haven't even studied yet. He shares his serendipitous journey from teaching in Jerusalem to discovering that middle school test prep students are often more...

In this episode, Ann Pham, an education veteran and a volunteer tutor for trauma survivors and low-income families, reveals her unconventional approach that achieved a 200-point SAT increase in just three weeks with her first private client. Drawing from her extensive background in brain teasers and critical thinking puzzles, she explains how she transforms traditional test prep through games, esc...

In this episode, Gus Elmashni, high school math teacher and test prep veteran, reveals the internal conflict every educator faces when switching between teaching beautiful mathematical reasoning and efficient test-taking shortcuts. Drawing from his data science background, he explains his diagnostic-driven approach that identifies exactly where students waste time per question—data that typical pr...

In this episode, Sajad Ahmed Qureshi, international STEM educator and founder of DecaScholars , reveals his four-pillar system that consistently helps students achieve 4s and 5s on AP exams. Drawing from over 10,000 hours of teaching across 10+ countries, he explains why content knowledge alone isn't enough and how mental state preparation separates successful students from those who plateau....

In this episode, Lindsey Wander, founder of WorldWise Tutoring , shares her homework approach of assigning 1-3 hours of independent practice per tutoring hour while achieving high completion rates. She reveals her unique strategy of providing students with answer keys, transforming homework into self-advocacy training where students learn to identify exactly where they struggle and articulate thei...

In this episode, Anna Moss, founder of Mind the Test, reveals why she starts with diagnostic tests to create genuine student motivation rather than jumping into curriculum. Drawing from her linguistics research on test bias, she challenges the minimal homework trend by assigning up to three hours weekly while maintaining high completion rates through personalized resources. Anna explains her metho...

In this episode, Mike Bergin, 30-year test prep veteran and founder of Chariot Learning , challenges conventional wisdom by skipping diagnostic tests to build student rapport first. Drawing from his work training ACT teachers nationwide, he reveals why minimal homework often works better than endless practice problems for overloaded students. Mike breaks down his method for separating genuine skil...

In this episode, Michael Ermann, architect and professor at Virginia Tech, explains how he brings design thinking into SAT prep through Olive Book, his animated, asynchronous course. Drawing on his background in teaching architecture, he shares why visuals, stories, and recall-based learning make concepts stick far better than rote memorization. Michael highlights how Olive Book serves students in...

In this episode, Randee, founder and CEO of Jettprep, reflects on her nearly three decades of experience tutoring SAT and ACT students. She shares candid thoughts on the shift to digital testing, expressing concern that the lack of paper-and-pencil options reduces attention to detail and introduces new challenges for students. Randee emphasizes that while technology is unavoidable, true mastery st...

In this episode, Gina Onativia draws from her experiences with Tony Robbins, IBM, and her own Course Creation Boutique to share practical lessons for building impactful online courses. She explains how the key to success lies in tailoring content to specific audiences, pre-selling before a full build, and niching down to serve a passionate corner of the market. Gina also talks about overcoming imp...

In this episode, Andrew Kletzien shares updates from his tutoring academy, including the rollout of a digital ACT platform and hitting new milestones with student enrollments. He explains how families and students navigate the choice between SAT and ACT, emphasizing broad-level strategy first (like timing, math strength, and science considerations) before diving into granular skills with tutors. A...

In this episode, Samer shares his deep approach to tutoring, explaining how he breaks down every concept into granular levels to ensure students master each type of problem. He discusses how parents can balance budgets with quality by finding experienced tutors and even getting creative, such as pairing siblings for shared sessions. Samer also emphasizes that transformation in learning happens bes...

In this episode, Elizabeth Breau, a writer, private tutor, and former classroom teacher with a doctorate in English literature, shares her journey from teaching in schools to building a thriving SAT and ACT tutoring practice. She discusses the challenges of the digital SAT, the importance of quality practice materials, and her approach to customizing study plans for each student. Elizabeth also sh...

Mike Wagner shares his unconventional journey from burned-out high school history teacher to dual-market education entrepreneur! He reveals how quitting his job, selling his car, and moving to Argentina with just his German Shepherd led to meeting his wife and discovering his true calling. Wagner now runs both Wagner Prep for private clients and Epic Mentoring for NYC public schools, explaining ho...

In Part 2 of our conversation with Ben Paris, we continue exploring the evolving world of standardized testing and test prep. Building on insights from Part 1 (Episode 258) , Ben dives into the impact of adaptive digital testing, the evolving role of tutors in the AI era, and why foundational skills still matter more than shortcuts. He unpacks how the SAT’s digital shift is changing prep strategie...

In this episode, Ben Paris, an educator with 30+ years of experience in test prep and assessment design, unpacks decades of insights from inside the standardized testing industry. He discusses the psychology of test anxiety, the myths around “test-optional” admissions, and why he believes good test prep is about building skill, not shortcuts. Ben reflects on the value of intentional practice, the...

In this episode, Ganesh Chittari, SAT and ACT tutor at The Princeton Review, shares how his background in data analytics shaped his unique approach to test prep. He explains how he built custom tools to automate progress tracking and lesson planning, giving tutors a more efficient way to personalize instruction. Ganesh reflects on the limitations independent tutors face when working without data-d...

In this episode, Dr. Leslie Gruis shares her multifaceted journey from working at the NSA and U.S. Cyber Command to tutoring students in SAT, AP, and STEM subjects. She discusses the critical role of privacy in today’s digital world, the growing urgency for cybersecurity talent, and how tutoring helps build that future pipeline. Dr. Gruis opens up about adapting to the digital shift in test prep,...