From Test Prep Panic to a Platform That Works
How Stone Hall Tutors uses Test Innovators to deliver personalized SAT and ACT preparation
When the SAT went digital, tutoring companies had a new challenge to solve: how could they give students realistic digital practice without building their own testing platform?
For Matt Plonsker, founder of Stone Hall Tutors, the answer was Test Innovators.
“We had all the paper tests, but when the kids are actually going to take the test on the computer, you want to make sure you can facilitate that,” Matt explained. “I couldn’t afford a big web development team, but I could afford Test Innovators, and they were great.”
Five years later, Test Innovators is still part of how Stone Hall Tutors prepares students for the SAT and ACT.
I recently sat down with Matt to hear how he uses the platform, what it’s made easier for his business, and how he helps students build the confidence to improve.
Finding a Solution to Digital Test Prep
When the SAT became digital, paper practice tests became obsolete. Students needed to practice with adaptive tests, and tutors needed a way to provide that experience.
For a small tutoring company, building a digital testing platform from scratch would have been a massive undertaking. Matt explored several providers before settling on Test Innovators.
It’s a challenge I think many independent tutors can relate to. You want to give your students the best possible preparation, but you also need tools that make sense for the size and resources of your business.
Test Innovators gave Stone Hall Tutors a way to offer digital practice without having to develop and maintain its own platform.
Easy to Get Started, Easy to Use
For a tutoring business, the right tools need to work for both students and tutors. They should make it easier to deliver effective instruction without adding unnecessary administrative work.
I asked Matt how easy it was to get up and running with Test Innovators. His answer was pretty straightforward:
“If you can type and click, you can do it. So not a huge barrier to entry. You just sign the kid up, send them the email, they log in.”
Matt and his team can then assign practice, keep everything organized, and use the platform’s analytics to understand how students are approaching individual questions.
He also had some great things to say about our customer service team, particularly how quickly they respond when help is needed.
For a small business, having tools that are easy to use and support that’s there when you need it can make a real difference.
Practice That Meets Students Where They Are
One of the things Matt appreciates about Test Innovators is the range of practice materials available. With exercises covering different question types and difficulty levels, tutors can find material that fits each student’s needs.
At Stone Hall Tutors, Matt and his team work through problems with students during tutoring sessions, then assign homework through Test Innovators so students can keep practicing between sessions.
Students who are struggling can start with easier questions and gradually work up to more challenging material. Those who are already performing well can focus on tougher questions and refine their skills.
Regardless of where a student is starting, building the stamina to stay focused and work through a full-length test is a key part of test preparation. With a range of practice tests and targeted question banks available, tutors can help students develop their skills and prepare for test day.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to test prep, and having comprehensive practice materials makes it easier to find the right starting point for each student.
Helping Students Believe They Can Improve
One of my favorite parts of talking to Matt was hearing how he approaches student confidence.
Sometimes, students are so worried about getting a disappointing score that they’re reluctant to put their full effort into a diagnostic test. They’re afraid that trying their hardest and still struggling will say something about their ability.
Matt encourages them to see things differently.
“Dude, it’s okay to suck. We all suck in some stuff to start.”
I love the honesty of that. Nobody starts out being good at everything, and the whole point of practice is to get better.
Matt described how rewarding it is to watch a student start working through practice problems, see their score improve, and realize that putting in the effort really can make a difference.
“If I put in work, I will get better.”
That shift in mindset is a big part of what makes tutoring so rewarding. Better scores are great, but seeing a student go from doubting themselves to believing they can improve is pretty special too.
Less Time Creating Materials, More Time Tutoring
Running a tutoring business involves plenty of work beyond the tutoring sessions themselves. Finding appropriate questions, creating assignments, and organizing resources all take time.
For Stone Hall Tutors, having access to Test Innovators’ practice materials means the team no longer needs to create those materials from scratch.
Matt explained that this has been completely taken off their plates.
That leaves more time to focus on what tutors do best: explaining difficult concepts, identifying where students need extra help, and encouraging them to keep going.
It’s not about replacing the tutor. It’s about giving them the tools to do their job well.
Five Years Later, Still Going Strong
Something I particularly liked hearing from Matt was that he doesn’t simply stick with a product because he’s always used it.
He told me he checks out other providers every six to eight months to see what’s available. Despite trying other practice exams and comparing alternatives, he’s continued to use Test Innovators for five years.
As Matt put it:
“The price point is right. The user interface is good. The customer service is exceptional.”
It’s always encouraging to hear feedback like this, especially from someone who actively looks at other options and knows what’s out there.
Supporting Tutors and Students Together
Talking to Matt was a great reminder that effective test prep takes more than practice tests alone. Students need relevant materials, consistent effort, and tutors who know how to help them improve.
Stone Hall Tutors brings those pieces together through personalized instruction and targeted practice. Test Innovators supports that work by making practice easier to assign, manage, and adapt to individual students.
A big thank you to Matt for taking the time to share his experience with us!
Watch the Full Story
We sat down with Matt Plonsker, founder of Stone Hall Tutors to hear directly about their experience with Test Innovators. Watch the full story above.
Looking for Digital Practice for Your Students?
Whether you’re an independent tutor or run a tutoring business, Test Innovators provides practice tests, targeted exercises, and analytics to help you support students throughout their test prep journey.
Dale Parkinson
Dale Parkinson brings ten years of sales and marketing experience to his role at Test Innovators, where he focuses on connecting schools, tutoring companies, and organizations with the tools they need to deliver better student outcomes. A Fine Art graduate of Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, England, he photographs local artists and bands around San Diego, writes music, and plays in bands himself.
