Countless students who tried every other SAT/ACT prep program (prep books, learning centers, private tutors, classes, online programs, school and community programs, etc) without success were finally able to raise their SAT/ACT scores after going through the CK SAT/ACT Core Prep System.
"ACT Core" refers to the ACT exam sections, excluding the optional Science section: English, Math, and Reading. Except for a handful of US colleges (e.g. Georgetown, Pomona, Marquette, East Carolina, US Air Force Academy, and US Naval Academy), most do not require the ACT science section. The CK SAT/ACT Core Prep Program prepares the student to take both the SAT and ACT Core exams. Some students do better on one more than the other, so taking both exams (especially with recent changes on the ACT) is advantageous.
CK has personally taught, or is teaching, students in the following states:
Maryland, Virginia, DC, Pennsylvania, Florida, Indiana, Georgia, North Carolina, California, Washington, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Colorado, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, Texas, Ohio
He has also taught, or is currently teaching, students in India, South Korea, China, and South Africa.
CK teaches every student himself; no hired tutors, EVER!
The following article was published in the Sept. 2026 edition of Clarksville Neighbors Magazine. Charles Kim is an expert contributor for this monthly published magazine. Below is just the text content of that article.
As of this past June 2026 SAT exam, College Board (the company that creates the SAT) has quietly made adjustments to its exams: they became more difficult. The second modules of each section have become more difficult to solve in the allotted time. I saw something similar happen around 2015, but unlike then, the increased difficulty is apparently the new reality.
This changes things a bit for both students and SAT prep tutors like me. I have already updated my SAT prep program and my students are already underway in this improved system, which will better prepare them for the more difficult test.
On the other hand, the ACT has undergone some positive significant changes since 2025. Years ago, stopped teaching ACT prep due to several reasons, but I am now recommending all of my students to take it in addition to the SAT exam. The updates to the ACT exam have addressed all of my past gripes with the test:
- Science section now optional (historically the most difficult and annoying section)
- Four answer choices in the Math section instead of 5 (matches the other sections)
- Fewer problems and more time in the Math section (7 more seconds per problem)
- Fewer problems and more time in the Reading section (14 more seconds per problem)
- Shorter passages and more time in the English section (6 more seconds per problem)
The three mandatory sections (English, Math, and Reading) are referred to as ACT Core. I am recommending all of my students to take the ACT Core twice and the SAT twice (I notify my students when I think they should take these exams).
The reason for recommending both exams is simple: some students, for whatever reason, sometimes do significantly better on one exam than the other. Taking both the SAT and the ACT gives each student the best chance to get the highest score possible for college admissions.
All U.S. college accept either the SAT or the ACT, so students can submit (either one, but not both) the test (SAT ore ACT) on which they get the highest score. Just a word about the ACT Science section: there are only a handful of colleges in America that require this section. As of this writing, they are Georgetown, Pomona, East Carolina, Marquette, US Air Force Academy, and US Naval Academy. A few others highly recommend them: Caltech, Johns Hopkins, Carnegie Mellon, and Duke. More than 90% of U.S. colleges do not require or even recommend the ACТ Science section, which is good news for the vast majority of high school students.
My updated "CK SAT/ACT Core Prep" aligns with both the current SAT and the ACT Core exam, so with an almost negligible amount of change in my program, students will be prepped for both exams, giving them the best possibility of getting the highest score possible for college admissions.
The CK SAT/ACT Core Prep System is designed to build the strong foundation needed to do well on both the SAT and ACT exams. Each section has rules, concepts, and exercises that help build that solid foundation, followed by timed practice exercises, and full length practice tests.
Each step of the process is deliberate, detailed, and most importantly, effective in raising SAT/ACT scores. Most SAT/ACT prep tutors and centers merely go over practice test problems, which do NOT raise scores by any significant amount. Parents are asked to allow the system to work because REAL EFFECTIVE prep takes time.
The average SAT/ACT Prep time is about 12 months, but the duration depends on the student's motivation level, rate of mastery of material, starting score, goal score, and grade level.
Students will begin on one section of the SAT/ACT (Reading/Writing or Math). They will begin mastering rules for that section using exercises that are specifically designed and tested to solidify the critical knowledge needed to raise scores. Once the student demonstrates progress on the exercises, they will proceed to timed exercises. From there, timed module exercises, then to timed full length SAT practice tests. Finally, they will be given level 3 (most difficult) digital SAT problems for each of the 8 subsections of the test, followed by full length ACT practice tests. Every student will be asked to take both the SAT and ACT exams twice (two times each). This is the most thorough and detailed SAT/ACT prep process available.
Yes, in due time when the student has built a strong foundation in all sections. Until then, the student should NOT take any on his/her own.
Please don't. It will only inhibit progress with CK. He will provide everything the student needs.
Definitely not. In fact, self-study has only shown to produce bad habits and waste of energy without raising scores.
Option 1: $750/month + $150 one time reservation fee
Private SAT/ACT Prep sessions are 1.5 hours long, once per week, the first 4 weeks of the month. If there are 5 classes in a month, there is no 5th class.
Option 2: $550/month + $150 one time reservation fee
Private SAT/ACT Prep sessions are 60 minutes, once per week, the first 4 weeks of the month. If there are 5 classes in a month, there is no 5th class.
CK will tell the student when to register for the actual exams (students take them twice) when the student has met certain specific milestones within the CK SAT/ACT Core Prep System.
PLEASE do not register for SAT/ACT tests in advance or expect your child to have made a certain amount of progress by an arbitrary date. Parents are urged to trust CK's process and let the process work. Best results are achieved this way. Thanks so much!
It really depends on the time of year, and it's unpredictable. The best thing to do is to fill out the SAT/ACT Prep Application Form (red button below) if you're ready to begin your studies with CK asap. That will begin the process of getting started. He will text you instructions on next steps usually the same day you fill out the form or the following day at the latest.
Absolutely! CK has taught hundreds of students online since 2009. There is NO difference between doing sessions online versus doing them in person: same method, same results.
Due to a full teaching schedule, it's impossible to give parents regular updates. CK will let you know if there's an issue. Otherwise, you can assume he is doing everything possible to help your child raise his/her score! The best thing you can do is trust and let the system run its course. Real improvement takes time.
There are no deposits or binding contracts to sign. All payments must be made electronically using the Zelle app. Nearly all US banks use this app. No fees.
Around the 22nd of each month, parents will receive the session schedule and invoice for the following month via text. For example, the schedule and invoice for June will be texted on May 22.
All students are expected to make it to all of the scheduled sessions. If a student must miss a future session, an advance notice of at least 1 week must be given, in which case CK will try to switch the student's session with another student's session day/time.
Same day cancellations will be charged as a normal session. If a student is a "no-show" without prior notification, the session will be cancelled and charged as a full session after 15 minutes.
In all cases, CK reserves the right to charge for any missed sessions, including "emergencies."
Please follow all of the directions below carefully:
1. Download the Microsoft Teams app on a device with a web cam.
(the browser version has issues, so please download the app.)
2. Create a Microsoft Teams account if you don't have one.
3. When CK emails you the link, send him a "Hi" in the MS Teams chat
4. At your session time, sign in and wait for CK to call you on MS Teams.
(Be sure your computer is updated with the latest operating system version and restart your computer/device at least once a week).
Please ensure you have the following:
At your session time, log into MS Teams and wait for CK to call.