Private School Readiness Tutoring
HI IQ Learning now offers fully flexible, à la carte private school readiness tutoring for students from pre-K through 10th grade. Whether your child needs help preparing for the SSAT, writing personal essays, practicing for interviews, or building academic confidence, you can now schedule support by the hour—$79/hr pre-tax—with no long-term packages required.
Our experienced tutors understand the local private school application process and tailor every session to meet your child’s unique needs and personality. We know that readiness goes beyond academics—it’s about building communication skills, emotional resilience, and a strong sense of self. From Iolani and Punahou to Kamehameha and Mid-Pacific, we’ve supported students through every stage of this journey.
We’re proud to be part of the village that helps students reach their potential. Book hours as needed and create a plan that works for your family—on your schedule, at your pace.
Kindergarten Readiness Program
Learn about our Kindergarten Readiness Program!
Our Kindergarten Readiness tutoring is designed to support preschool-aged children as they prepare for private school admissions. Sessions are offered à la carte, allowing families to schedule tutoring at their own pace and focus on the areas most relevant to their child.
Tutors work one-on-one with students to build foundational skills, including:
Early literacy
Number sense
Fine motor coordination
Listening and following directions
Social-emotional readiness
We also help children:
Gain confidence in school interview scenarios
Practice through playful, age-appropriate activities
Families may request a progress summary once a student has completed at least 8 hours of tutoring. Tutors are also happy to offer personalized guidance based on each student’s individual goals and timeline.
To get started, please fill out the assessment inquiry form. After completing the form, schedule an assessment using the calendar link!
Learn about our Lower Level Readiness Programs!
Lower Level Readiness Programs
Our Lower Level SSAT Readiness tutoring is tailored for students applying to private schools for 4th or 5th grade. Sessions are available à la carte, giving families the flexibility to focus on the specific skills their child needs most—at a pace that works for them.
Tutoring targets the core areas of the Lower Level SSAT:
Quantitative reasoning
Verbal reasoning
Reading comprehension
Writing
Instructors also help students:
Build test-taking confidence
Develop time management strategies
Reduce anxiety on exam day
Families may request a progress summary once a student has completed at least 8 hours of tutoring. Tutors are also happy to offer personalized guidance based on each student’s individual goals and timeline.
To get started, please fill out the assessment inquiry form. After completing the form, schedule an assessment using the calendar link!
Middle Level Readiness Programs
Learn about our Middle Level Readiness Programs!
Our Middle Level SSAT Readiness tutoring supports students applying to private schools for 6th, 7th, or 8th grade. Sessions are offered à la carte, allowing families to customize their child’s preparation based on individual strengths, challenges, and scheduling needs.
Tutors provide targeted instruction across all sections of the Middle Level SSAT:
Quantitative reasoning
Reading comprehension
Verbal reasoning
Writing sample
Students also develop essential test-taking strategies, including:
Pacing
Process of elimination
Managing testing anxiety
All while reinforcing core academic skills throughout the process.
Families may request a progress summary once a student has completed at least 8 hours of tutoring. Tutors are also happy to offer personalized guidance based on each student’s individual goals and timeline.
To get started, please fill out the assessment inquiry form for students in preschool through 6th grade. After completing the form, schedule an assessment using the calendar link!
If your student is above 6th grade, kindly fill out the Tutoring Inquiry form!
Upper Level Readiness Programs
Learn about our Upper Level Readiness Programs!
Our Upper Level SSAT Readiness tutoring is designed for students applying to private high schools for 9th, 10th, or 11th grade. With à la carte scheduling, families have the flexibility to tailor tutoring hours to their student’s unique needs and timeline.
Tutors provide focused instruction in all sections of the Upper Level SSAT:
Quantitative reasoning
Verbal reasoning
Reading comprehension
Writing sample
Sessions also emphasize:
Advanced test-taking strategies
Critical thinking skills
Academic reinforcement
All to help students feel confident and prepared for exam day.
Families may request a progress summary once a student has completed at least 8 hours of tutoring. Tutors are also happy to offer personalized guidance based on each student’s individual goals and timeline.
To get started, please fill out the Tutoring Inquiry Form!
A La Carte Pricing (Pre-Tax)
Learn about Individual Pricing!
1:1 Tutoring Hour: $79.00
1:1 Private Proctored SSAT Exam: $85.00
Group SSAT Exam: $30.00
Coming Summer 2025: Group SSAT Practice Tests!
We’re excited to introduce group mock SSAT exams beginning Summer 2025! These sessions give students a valuable opportunity to practice in a simulated test environment—building confidence, improving pacing, and reducing test-day anxiety.
We’ll be offering one group testing date each month in June, July, and August. To see the date available for the month, click the right arrow on the calendar below.
To register your child for a summer practice SSAT, please complete the form below.
Fall testing dates will be announced and open for registration starting August 1st.
60 Minute Kindergarten Sample Group Class Participation: $52
Individual Private School Readiness Tutoring Hour Rate: $79.00
Interview & Writing Sample Readiness
Mock Interview Question Pamphlet: $35.00
60 minute Group Interview: $65.00
30 minute 1:1 interview with Unfamiliar Interviewer: $50.00
Have Questions? Get Answers!
SSAT Information
Learn more about the SSAT!
What is the SAT?
The SSAT, or Secondary School Admission Test, is a standardized test commonly used by private schools as part of their admissions process.
What academic sections are on the SSAT?
The SSAT assesses students’ verbal, quantitative, and reading comprehension skills. The SSAT also includes a non-graded writing sample.
How do private schools use SSAT scores?
Private schools use SSAT scores as one of several factors in the admissions process to assess a student’s academic abilities and potential. SSAT scores help schools identify students who possess the academic readiness and intellectual promise to succeed in their rigorous academic programs. While SSAT scores are important, private schools also consider various other factors holistically to make well-informed decisions regarding admissions.
What other factors do private schools look for?
Admissions committees typically review SSAT scores alongside other application materials, such as transcripts, recommendations, and personal statements, extracurricular activities, and teacher recommendations, to gain a comprehensive understanding of each applicant.
What Score Do You Need to Get Into Private School?
Each private school has a different range of scores they will accept.
Breakdown of SSAT Scores:
Raw Score: SSAT scores are initially raw scores. Raw scores are calculated the following ways: On the Middle and Upper Level SSAT, one point is awarded for each correct answer and a quarter of a point is subtracted for each incorrect answer, no points are awarded or deducted for skipped questions. On the Lower Level SSAT, a point is awarded for each correct answer and there is no penalty for incorrect answers.
Equating: Since the SSAT has multiple forms of the test, equating is used to ensure fairness and comparability across different test versions. Equating adjusts for slight variations in difficulty between these different forms.
Scaled Scores: Once equating is applied, the raw scores are converted to scaled scores. Scaled scores range from 500 to 800 for each section of the SSAT (verbal, quantitative, and reading). These scaled scores allow for easy comparison of a student's performance across different sections and across different administrations of the test.
Percentiles: Additionally, scaled scores are converted into percentile ranks, which indicate how a student's performance compares to that of other test-takers in the same grade level. For example, a percentile rank of 75 means the student scored as well as or better than 75% of students in the same grade. This scaling and percentile ranking process allows for a standardized interpretation of SSAT scores, providing schools with a reliable measure of a student's academic abilities relative to their peers.
It is important to keep in mind that a student's scaled scores may differ within 100 points of the estimates above when they take the actual exam. This is dependent on the SSAT's specific scaling for that exam and any differences in the students test-taking process.
Students will also receive a percentile ranking comparing their performance against the performance of other students of their gender and grade who have taken the SSAT within the past three years. For example, a percentile of 65 means that you scored higher than 65% of other SSAT test-takers of your gender and grade. These rankings are frequently given the most consideration by admissions offices.
SSAT Test Formats:
Lower Level SSAT
For students seeking private school admission for 4th and 5th grade.
1 Math/Quantitative Section: 30 questions in 30 minutes
1 Reading Section: 28 questions in 30 minutes
1 Verbal Reasoning Section: 30 questions in 20 minutes
One break is given and one ungraded experimental section.
Total test time: 2 hours and 5 minutes
Middle Level SSAT
For students seeking private school admission for 6th, 7th or 8th grade.
2 Math/Quantitative Sections: 50 questions total, 60 minutes total.
1 Reading Section: 40 questions in 40 minutes
1 Verbal Reasoning Section: 60 questions in 30 minutes
Two breaks are given and there may be one ungraded experimental section.
Total test time: 3 hours and 5 minutess
Upper Level SSAT
For students seeking private school admission for 9th, 10th or 11th grade.
2 Math/Quantitative Sections: 50 questions total, 60 minutes total.
1 Reading Section: 40 questions in 40 minutes
1 Verbal Reasoning Section: 60 questions in 30 minutes
Two breaks are given and there may be one ungraded experimental section.
Total test time: 3 hours and 5 minutes
MAPS Testing Overview
In addition to SSAT readiness, we also provide 1:1 support for students preparing for the MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) test. The MAP test is a computerized adaptive assessment that evaluates a student's proficiency in reading, language usage, and math. This test is widely used by schools to monitor academic growth over time, helping educators tailor instruction to each student's needs. For students applying to Kamehameha Schools, MAP testing is often a key requirement in the admissions process. Our tutoring program is designed to help students build confidence, strengthen foundational skills, and improve their test performance through targeted instruction and practice.
Student-Tutor Match Policy
Learn more about our policies!
At HI IQ Learning, we understand the importance of a personalized learning experience tailored to each student’s unique personality and academic needs. Our matching process is designed to ensure that every student is paired with a tutor who not only meets their academic requirements but also fosters a positive and effective learning environment.
Matching Based on Personality and Academic Needs:
We carefully match students to tutors based on their personality traits and specific academic needs. This personalized approach ensures that students receive targeted support that aligns with their learning style and goals.
Tutor Availability and Matching Process:
While we strive to accommodate all student requests promptly, please understand that our tutors’ availability may vary. We appreciate your patience as we diligently go through the matching process to find the best tutor for your needs.
Consistency in Tutor Assignments:
Our goal is always to maintain consistency in the student-tutor relationship to optimize learning outcomes. We make every effort to keep students with the same tutor for as long as possible. However, there are instances where rematching students to tutors becomes necessary. Rest assured, we work diligently to minimize disruptions and ensure a smooth transition for both students and tutors.
Commitment to Academic Support:
Our commitment is to provide continuous academic support that promotes growth and confidence in our students. In cases where a tutor change is unavoidable, we are dedicated to matching students with another skilled tutor who will continue to uphold our high standards of personalized instruction.
Refund Policy & Cancellations
Refunds:
All purchases of tutoring hours and packages are non-refundable once purchased.
Cancellation Policy:
We require a minimum of 6 hours’ notice for cancellations or rescheduling of tutoring sessions. Failure to provide at least 6 hours’ notice will result in a full charge for the session.
Sick Policy:
We understand that sudden illnesses can arise unexpectedly. In such cases, families may cancel a scheduled session without providing the required 6 hour notice, without penalty. However, if cancellations due to illness exceed one instance within a 45-day period, charges may apply. It’s essential to inform us as soon as possible of any sudden sickness so that we can effectively coordinate with the tutor. In some cases, we may require a doctor’s note to verify the illness. While we value our clients and prioritize their needs, frequent breaches of the cancellation policy, or the potential misuse of it, can lead to financial losses for our small business. As such, we strive to strike a balance between accommodating our clients’ needs and ensuring the sustainability of our business operations. Your cooperation and understanding in adhering to our policies are greatly appreciated.
Credit Card on File:
All families are required to have a valid credit card on file. This card may be charged according to the terms outlined in our refund and cancellation policy and for authorized automatic payments.
By purchasing individual tutoring hours or a tutoring package with us, you agree to adhere to the terms outlined in this refund and cancellation policy. Please note it is at the discretion of the manager to determine whether charges will be applied based on the reasons provided by the families.