Meet the team behind Ascensa.

“I try to make prep feel concrete: find the pattern, practice the skill, and give students a clear next move.”

Tyler founded Ascensa to make test prep more personal, affordable, and easier to navigate. An electrical engineering student at Washington University in St. Louis, he is passionate about building things and uses math throughout his everyday studies. He works especially well with students who feel stuck or inconsistent, breaking unfamiliar problems into recognizable patterns and clear next steps.

• Electrical Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis
• 1540 SAT
• Enjoys hiking and swimming in his free time

“Confidence grows when students feel understood. I like turning hard questions into repeatable steps they can trust.”

Vina studies Commerce at the University of Virginia and brings an unusual combination of strengths to both sides of the test: she is a passionate writer and an exceptional math student who began learning calculus in ninth grade. She earned a 1550 on her first SAT attempt and brings three years of experience supporting more than 30 students. Vina takes time to understand how each student thinks, then turns difficult questions into repeatable steps and steady, structured practice.

• Commerce at the University of Virginia
• 1550 SAT on her first attempt
• 4.0 GPA · More than 30 students tutored

“The test gets less intimidating when students can name their mistakes. My goal is to make strategy feel natural, not forced.”

Originally from Taipei, Ascensa co-founder Evan studies English and Psychology at the University of Notre Dame. He is passionate about communicating ideas clearly and understanding how people process language—interests that shape every Reading & Writing session. After first helping his cousin and friends prepare for the SAT, Evan now uses four years of tutoring experience to help students understand their mistakes and feel less intimidated by the test.

• English and Psychology at the University of Notre Dame
• 1530 SAT
• Spent his first year abroad in London

“I want students to feel calm and precise. Once they understand the reasoning behind a question, the score follows more naturally.”

Ascensa co-founder Tom studies Systems Engineering at Johns Hopkins University and has a strong interest in economics. He uses math constantly in both fields and brings that practical perspective, along with four years of tutoring experience, to every session. His relaxed, approachable style helps students understand the reasoning behind difficult questions and solve them with greater calm and precision.

• Systems Engineering at Johns Hopkins University
• 1600 SAT
• Interested in economics, photography, and finding good food

“Progress is the priority in every class. I keep sessions engaging, supportive, and low-pressure because students perform best when they feel confident, not anxious.”

Lucy has been passionate about teaching since middle school and has carried that commitment through every stage of her own education. Now studying at King’s College London, she supports students across both Math and Reading & Writing. Her engaging, low-pressure approach keeps progress front and centre so students can build confidence while continuing to make measurable improvement.

• King's College London
• 1520 SAT
• On track for First-class honours