Eaton Prep is a 10-class SAT preparation course offered by mother and son duo Christine and James Hessler. The Hesslers have adapted to the technological changes of the College Board and the shifts in standardized testing over the years in order to help students get into top programs.
After watching her own children receive scholarships and prestigious awards for their scores, Christine Hessler realized that providing tutoring could significantly improve students’ lives. She had previously taught in Mt. Lebanon for 22 years and is a certified tutor in math and English.
“I saw it help my own four children so much,” Christine said. “And then I thought, ‘Where can I make a difference in somebody’s life with just a few classes?’”
Christine and James started the program just over 10 years ago and hold sessions in the Mt. Lebanon Recreation Center for their in-person classes. In 2020 they expanded their operations to accommodate virtual meetings and have never looked back, now virtually helping students from across the world.
In-person classes usually hold around 25 students each, and Eaton Prep offers sessions year-round leading up to various test dates. According to a 2026 study by Private Prep, the average in-person SAT course in America costs between $700 and $1,800. At Eaton, students pay $495 for 30 hours of instruction.
“We’re a family business, and we spend hundreds of hours getting our packets ready,” Christine said. “We’re more affordable than our competitors.”
The SAT has evolved dramatically in recent years, with changes including the first-ever digital model and an adaptive bimodule format released in 2024. Though students may be intimidated by such changes, James assures that their classes can help ease test anxiety and build familiarity with the questions.
“We do a lot of practice tests, so that helps build their familiarity with the test.” James said. “I think that takes a lot of the pressure off students who struggle with test anxiety. If they’re not happy with their score, we can practice for a couple of months and then they take it again.”
Along with the transition to online testing, the SAT became adaptive, meaning that the test adjusts to the individual user’s performance. Though the test previously consisted of the same questions for each tester, College Board now uses their online SAT to give harder questions to high-performing students and easier questions to students who missed the mark in their first module.
“The test learning from you is definitely an eerie experience,” James said. “You can feel it becoming harder, but that’s a good thing.”
In both the reading and math sections, the tester’s performance in the first module determines how difficult the questions are in their second module. If students fail to perform well enough to receive harder questions, their score is capped. Christine and James have both worked to keep their course updated, however, and from their perspective, students are as prepared as ever.
“I asked the kids in the very last class before the SAT, ‘Do you feel ready for the test?’” Christine said. “And they all raised their hands.”
The Hesslers consider themselves lucky enough to get to work with motivated students who are eager to raise their scores and get into selective schools. For them, Eaton Prep’s services can open the door to a bright academic future.
“Testing still remains important, especially for colleges, for universities and for the students that are really trying to aspire to a top program,” James said. “We’ve helped many students get into the schools, and that’s a rewarding thing for both of us.”
Eaton Prep’s next in-person SAT class will begin on June 14. For more information, visit www.eatonprep.com.
