The EdisonOS Podcast

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.

She uncovers scholarship strategies most families miss—including why filing FAFSA/CSS forms matters even when you think you won't qualify—and reveals how merit aid can make elite private schools cheaper than public ones. Jessica shares what "right education" means beyond test scores: students feeling supported, curious, and inspired

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 dependency—including the moment he physically grabbed a student's calculator to prevent her from using it for "three squared."

He discusses his systematic analysis of both correct and incorrect answers to find time-saving efficiencies, and explains why New York State's Regents exams create unique tutoring opportunities beyond standardized testing.

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, creating psychological freedom that paradoxically increases commitment.

He discusses the digital SAT's adaptive testing challenge where getting early questions wrong dooms your score, and shares his unconventional philosophy of tackling the hardest problems first using martial arts principles of neutralizing the most dangerous opponent.

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 in the new rapid-fire format.

He discusses his unconventional homework assignments—like taking practice tests with ticking clock YouTube videos playing to simulate test anxiety—and shares why he gives students a dollar every time he makes a mistake during sessions, creating psychological safety that transforms the tutoring dynamic.

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 experienced their "COVID year" based on specific skill deficits.

She discusses her diagnostic-first approach using full practice tests to target individual weaknesses, and shares why she believes in using multiple resources rather than "reinventing the wheel," explaining how she strategically moves students between easier and harder materials to build confidence before crushing overconfidence.

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 growth mindset, grit, and deliberate practice into unified "habits of thinking, feeling, and learning."

He discusses transforming his boutique practice into Much Smarter games platform and why he treats standardized tests as "safe challenges" that unlock human potential, citing how one "average" student rejected from honors math became a rocket scientist through the right learning framework.

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 hardworking and advanced than their high school counterparts, and explains the stark differences between families seeking SSAT preparation versus SAT tutoring.

Linford discusses the surprising reality of COVID's lasting impact on English education, revealing that many current high schoolers don't know basic grammar concepts like FANBOYS conjunctions that tutors could take for granted just five years ago. He also addresses the increasingly complex landscape of curriculum sensitivity in conservative areas, where classic books like "To Kill a Mockingbird" face censorship, forcing tutors to navigate delicate conversations with parents about reading materials. From his "marathon versus sprinter" homework philosophy to why the official EMA practice package remains the only resource worth paying for, Linford offers practical insights into preparing students for one of the most rigorous middle school assessments in American education.

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, escape rooms, and physical activities that engage students' natural learning patterns.

Ann discusses her three-category diagnostic system for identifying whether students struggle with foundational knowledge, reasoning gaps, or executive functioning issues, and shares why she encourages solving math problems by hand rather than relying on Desmos calculator shortcuts. She also reveals her vision for democratizing education by helping high-achieving students from all backgrounds access quality instruction, explaining why she believes brilliant students should attend community colleges rather than just elite institutions, challenging traditional assumptions about educational prestige and accessibility.

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 practice tests don't provide.

Gus discusses why leveraging technology like Desmos separates high scorers from those stuck in traditional problem-solving methods, and addresses the punctuation challenges he observes among students, which he connects to texting culture's influence on formal writing skills. He shares insights from his statistical modeling on college admissions patterns, discusses the realistic factors that influence student outcomes beyond tutoring methods, and reveals how he handles the resource shortage challenge when working with high-achieving students who've exhausted standard practice materials multiple times.

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.

Sajad breaks down his approach to "alive" homework that adapts to each student's needs, shares his game-based learning strategies using platforms like Kahoot that reset attention spans every 10-12 seconds, and explains why he researches gaming and pop culture to connect with reluctant learners. He also discusses the cultural differences he's observed between American and Asian students, revealing how individualistic versus parent-driven learning approaches affect tutoring success and why availability beyond scheduled sessions distinguishes premium tutors from basic instruction providers.