About Walker Prep

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I'm Dave Walker, founder of Walker Prep and a specialist in SAT® and ACT® preparation. I started Walker Prep in 2014 with two important goals in mind: to provide students with more effective strategies for achieving significant score improvements than were commonly available, and to create a flexible career that would allow me to spend more time with my son during his formative years. (That's him in the picture - they grow so fast!) Both of these aspirations have been fulfilled beyond my expectations.

Over the past decade, I've helped hundreds of students achieve exceptional score gains, with the majority reaching the 90th to 99th percentile range. My approach combines expert feedback, targeted study, and deliberate practice—a methodology refined through years of working with ambitious, high-achieving students. This systematic approach has helped my students gain admission to highly selective universities including Harvard, Stanford, University of St. Andrews, UPenn, Cornell, Georgetown, West Point, Purdue, and many other outstanding universities.

I focus exclusively on the areas where I can provide the most value:

• SAT® Reading & Writing
• ACT® English
• ACT® Reading
• ACT® Science

My tutoring is designed for students aiming for substantial score improvements, typically those already scoring in the above-average range who are targeting elite percentiles.

I offer three types of tutoring services:

Package Deals: My most comprehensive option, providing individualized guidance with structured, ongoing support tailored to each student's specific needs and timeline.

Jam Sessions & Q&A Sessions: Flexible, one-time sessions purchased as needed. Perfect for targeted help on specific topics or quick strategy refreshers.

Small Group Zoom Sessions: Live group instruction sessions that can be purchased individually, offering the benefits of collaborative learning at a more accessible price point.

This comprehensive curriculum serves as the foundation for my tutoring practice and is available in two formats:

Live Course: Interactive format with weekly Zoom Q&A sessions, providing structure and direct access to my expertise

Self-Paced Course: Complete flexibility with the same proven curriculum, allowing students to progress at their own pace

I publish a regular newsletter five days per week on Substack, featuring practice questions, strategy insights, and general test prep guidance.

My academic foundation includes a B.A. in Philosophy from UCLA, where I developed the analytical skills that now inform my test preparation methodology. My teaching career includes years of experience tutoring English at both Santa Monica College and UCLA, as well as five years as an English teacher and Academic Director at the largest ESL school in Los Angeles.

These diverse experiences have equipped me with unique insights into how students learn and process information—skills I now apply to help them master standardized tests.

Test preparation requires consistent effort and a methodical approach. My experience has shown that significant score improvements don't come from quick fixes or last-minute cramming, but from systematic skill development through targeted study, deliberate practice, and expert guidance. My approach emphasizes:

• Understanding the underlying patterns in standardized tests
• Building core knowledge and analytical skills
• Applying targeted strategies to specific question types
• Practicing deliberately with official test materials and high quality third-party resources
• Tracking progress through systematic assessment

I believe that proper test preparation does more than just improve scores—it builds analytical thinking skills that serve students well beyond test day.

My Reviews - See results and testimonials from previous students (For an archive of 10+ years of reviews, visit my Wyzant profile)

Tutoring Services - Learn about my comprehensive tutoring packages and specialized sessions

SAT® Reading & Writing Mastery Course - Explore my complete SAT Reading and Writing curriculum