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author: matthew larriva

matthew larriva
matthew larriva is an ivy league graduate and an expert of test prep, test taking, and the pre-college process. in addition to publishing two books on test prep, matthew is the founder of powerful prep, a leading concierge tutoring firm, dedicated to transparency, massive point gains, and customized curriculum. the program has been featured multiple times on cbs as the premier test prep program in the la area. he has passed two of degree library’s 10 hardest exams in the world including the mensa admissions exam, and the cfa exam–the test the wall street journal called the world’s hardest test. he enjoys skydiving, and has played oboe at carnegie hall twice. feel free to reach out with any questions about test prep or the pre college process. matthew loves to see students succeed regardless of whom they prep with.

  • the importance of enthusiasm for the sat

    there’s a skeleton in my sat closet. it’s something i don’t always tell to students, but there’s a lesson to be learned, so here it goes: i could have done a lot better in prepping for my test. there, i said it. i took a classroom-style course from one of the major prep companies, but…

  • sat – common math misconceptions

    ‘1’ is a prime number ‘1’ is not a prime number because a prime number is divisible by only itself and ‘1’. since ‘1’ is itself, it doesn’t really fit the definition.   ‘2’ is not a prime number ‘2’ is a prime number. many think that because it is even it is not. but…

  • sat critical reading tips

    reading comprehension can be very frustrating. with certain questions, it seems as though many of the answers can work. often students throw their hands up in despair thinking that the test is rigged. don’t succumb to such a temptation. the test is valid (you can always contest with the college board). finding the correct answer…