Speaking Engagements

Schedule a Live Event or Webinar

Every talk delivers an inspirational and uplifting message for parents and students.

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Nick encourages families to forget college rankings and status, and instead focus on their individual journey.

Don’t take our word for it…

High School Counselor Quotes

"...one of the highlights of my first NACAC conference experience"

"I thought your workshop was hands-down one of the highlights of my first NACAC conference experience. Research-based, digestible and accessible, neatly-packed into 60 minutes. So thank you for giving us some amazing tools."

-Sunita Takhar, Pleasanton Unified School District

"Hands down my favorite session"

"I wanted to let you know how extraordinarily helpful your session was! Hands down my favorite session at the 3 day conference! As a matter of fact, I am using some of the information you shared for three class presentations that I am doing today! I can’t wait to use more of your presentation in the classroom and with parents! Thanks again!"

- Rebecca Smith, College and Career Center Facilitator, Reed High School

"I very much enjoyed your Reducing Anxiety talk!"

- Eloise Schneider, College Advisor, Miramonte High School

"Excellent, important and entertaining"

"My thanks to you for the excellent, IMPORTANT and entertaining presentation. If I could attend NACAC this year, I would be in the front row at this session—and take it all in again."

-Jann Russell

"...Best college talk I've ever watched..."

"Thank you from our staff, our students, and our parents. That might be the best college talk I've ever watched."

"Incredibly insightful and a breath of fresh air!"

"Reducing anxiety is essential to our profession – we can’t keep letting teens/students become anxiety-riddled flesh blobs from so much testing. Testing may be necessary, but there are ways to mitigate that stress. Nick provided solutions in this session that were totally practical and easy to take home and implement. Some sessions just talk at you but don’t give you anything you can actually use. This was the opposite. I know I am not the only one who felt this way because during and after the session I heard things like, “This was the best session here,” “They need this at every ACAC,” and “I am totally going to do this stuff with my students.” It was exactly what every session should be: simple and easy to digest,practical applications we can apply in our jobs, and full of energy and audience participation."

-Breanne Boyle, Collegewise, Director & College Counselor

"Thank you for sharing!"

- Estela Gerlinger, Counselor, George Whittell High School

"This session was awesome!"

"This session was awesome! There were several tips and strategies I plan on using lessons next year."

Damien Bracey, Guidance Counselor, Valley Vista High School, RMACAC Executive Board Delegate

"Tremendously helpful for our families and students!"

"Thank you so much for your wisdom and insights on standardized testing and college admissions. It was tremendously helpful for our families and students!"

Events:

Score-Back Nights

College Testing Talks

How to Crush the New Digital PSAT and SAT

Reducing Anxiety in Admissions Talks

Nick Standlea is the Chief Executive Officer of Test Prep Gurus. After earning a perfect score on the SAT, he founded Test Prep Gurus with the mission of using standardized tests to teach broader life skills for college and beyond. Over the last ten years, Test Prep Gurus has helped numerous students earn perfect scores on the ACT and SAT, and thousands more to improve their scores, without sacrificing their sanity. Today the firm is a thought-leader in SAT and ACT preparation and works with students across America and around the world.

Before Test Prep Gurus, Nick was a Research Associate at the Quality of Life Research Center, a think tank that studies education, motivation, and learning. He holds a degree in Media Studies from Pitzer College and an MBA from Claremont Graduate University. Nick is also a member of WACAC, NACAC, and the co-chair of the NACAC Orange County College Fair.

Outside of work, Nick loves coaching soccer and traveling. Fun fact, he once won a grant to teach kids how to surf in Hainan, China.

Nick regularly speaks at schools and community organizations. Past engagements include: UC Berkeley, Pitzer College, Claremont Graduate University, Golden West College, Loyola Marymount University, the Western Association of College Counseling (WACAC), National Association of College Counseling (NACAC) college fairs, A Better Chance foundation, The Orange County Private School Association, the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), The Webb Schools, Rosary Academy, Hawaii Preparatory Academy, JSerra Catholic High School, Connelly School for Girls, Fusion Academy, Orange Lutheran High School, New Roads School, Newport Harbor High School, Northwood High School, Capo Valley High School, Santa Monica High School, Sage Hill School, and many others.

***Nick Standlea speaking at UC Berkeley.***

Nick is available to speak on a range of topics, including:

SAT vs ACT -- Everything You Need to Know
Reducing Anxiety in College Admissions and Standardized Testing
9 Ways to Teach Growth Mindset
PSAT and/or Pre-ACT Scoreback Nights
LDs and Standardized Testing

Feedback from National Charity League Chapters...

NCL Quotes

"excellent tips on how we, as parents, can better support and encourage our children as they approach these stressful years of high school”

Nick Standlea spoke at the National Charity League meeting in February 2019 and he shared his wealth of knowledge, perspective and insight when it comes to college prep tests such as the SAT and ACT. He also has excellent tips on how we, as parents, can better support and encourage our children as they approach these stressful years of high school filled with shooting for a strong GPA and high SAT and/or ACT test scores. I would highly recommend Nick Standlea as a speaker to anyone seeking college test prep help and/or overall parent coaching as his intellect in these areas are second to none and his demeanor helps bring us moms (and dads) back to reality and not feel so overwhelmed for our kids, as well as for ourselves. Thank you Nick!

- Laurel Tolliver

NCL Monarch Chapter

I highly recommend that other NCL Chapters include Nick in their annual program!

"Our Patronesses gave Nick Standlea and Test Prep Gurus the highest of marks. His presentation “Reducing Anxiety in Standardized Testing and the College Admission Process” was highly informative and entertaining (and just as important, it did not include a sales pitch of any kind). I highly recommend that other National Charity League Chapters include Nick in their annual program!"

- Tania Jernigan, President, National Charity League: Monarch Chapter

"I wanted to give a special shout-out to Nick, our MC extraordinaire!"

“I wanted to give a special shutout to Nick, our MC extraordinaire. You so beautifully kept us all in order, and professionally and masterfully anchored us step-by-step. Nick, thank you — you truly went above and beyond to help make the day a success!”

-Kathy Keil-Rogers, NCL District 5 Specialist, and Former President of Irvine-Vista chapter

These are essential tools that will help young minds (and old) to prepare to meet life’s challenges with enthusiasm!

“Nick Standlea is an engaging speaker that imparts real-world practical tools that lead to a successful mindset and personal growth. These are essential tools that will help young minds (and old) to prepare to meet life’s challenges with enthusiasm!”

-VP Patroness Activities, Rancho-Irvine NCL

This was by far our best meeting of the year

"This was by far our best meeting of the year. Thank you for breaking down the many myths surrounding the SAT, ACT, and college admissions, and spelling out clearly what options students have. The girls were engaged, asking questions, really listening. After you left, the conversation continued; they were sharing stories, strategies, questioning each other on what they thought the best options were, etc. Your level of engagement is remarkable and everything you say to them is so positive and well thought out. I also appreciate the time you took to demystify the New SAT and the options you suggested for our girls; especially with them being the first to take the new SAT and how colleges will react to the new format. NCL is a wonderful organization and we have loved working within our communities with our daughters to build a brighter future for not only them, but for others. It’s nice to meet people with the same goals in mind."

- Anne Stewart, Grade Level Adviser, National Charity League: Foothill Chapter

engaging presentation with extremely relevant information about the SAT and ACT and college admissions

"Nick gave an engaging presentation with extremely relevant information about the SAT and ACT and college admissions in general. Thank you Test Prep Gurus!"

- Susan Barrett, National Charity League: Yorba Linda Chapter

Your presentation was amazing and very informative!

“Thank you for coming and speaking at our Patroness meeting tonight. Your presentation was amazing and very informative! I received very positive feedback from the members. I plan to forward your information on to the other NCL Presidents in our area. I think NCL is a great organization for your positive message that you share with your audience...please feel free to share my e-mail and I would be happy to recommend you to any NCL Chapter. Thanks again.”

- Kim Henderson, President, National Charity League: Orange/Villa Chapter

Thank you for speaking at our meeting this morning, your expertise was very well-received.

- Lisa Traylor, Laguna NCL Chapter

Schedule a Speaking Event on College Admissions and Standardized Testing

Collaboration with College Counselors

Share Actionable Insights With Your Parents

Why Do College Counselors Prefer Test Prep Gurus?

Free mock testing for the SAT, ACT, ISEE, SSAT, and HSPT
Automated updates on student progress
No conflicts of interest (we don’t offer competing college counseling services)
Our unique growth mindset approach to test prep
Superior results

Free Testing for Schools

We offer free testing for all schools for the ACT, SAT and ISEE, for all grade levels.

Our testing includes individualized exam analysis for each family. The college counseling team can also elect to receive an aggregate report of their students’ particular strengths and weaknesses, and a breakdown of their students' tendencies toward the SAT or ACT.

Sample Student Exam Report

Contact us to inquire about free mock ACT and/or SAT exams for your school.

Scholarships

We award $30,000 in scholarships annually.

““Anthony will be the first in his family to attend college. Thanks in part to the trail that he is blazing, Anthony’s younger sisters are following in his footsteps, taking steps to realize their own aspirations for college.” ”