About Us
Why Choose Paradigm Test Prep? The Power of Experience. The Precision of Personalization.
When you choose Paradigm, you are hiring the masters of the craft—not a trainee. Unlike larger agencies that sell you a brand only to assign your student to a less experienced tutor, at Paradigm, you work exclusively with Chris or Amanda.With over 34 years of combined experience and a history of helping over 2,500 students, we provide a level of expertise that high-volume firms simply cannot match.
- The Experts Are Your Instructors: Your sessions are always led by a 99th-percentile scorer and curriculum architect. We don't "farm out" students to part-time tutors; we provide a direct line to elite mentorship.
- Curriculum Architects: We don't just follow a manual; we wrote it. From developing ACT, SAT, and LSAT programs for UC San Diego to training other instructors, we understand the DNA of these exams.
- Beyond the Score: We specialize in the mental game—mastering test-anxiety and building the critical thinking skills required for the rigors of elite colleges and law schools.
- A Boutique San Diego Original: We are a local, two-person team dedicated to your specific goals. You get the stability of a proven company with the personalized attention of a private mentor.
Meet Chris: SAT & ACT Expert & Lead Curriculum Developer
His Credentials
- Top 1% Scorer: 99th percentile on the GMAT, LSAT, ACT and SAT.
- The Expert's Expert: Developed SAT curriculum for UC San Diego.
- Triple-Qualified: JD (UC Law SF), CPA (passed all 4 parts), and Member of the CA Bar.
- 16+ Years Experience: Over 1,500 students helped with a track record of proven score increases and admission to top colleges including the Ivy Leagues, Stanford, and Cal Tech.
His Philosophy
Chris has always gone against the grain. While his peers sat in stressful, traditional classrooms to prepare for the California Bar Exam, Chris took his studies to Costa Rica. By focusing on pattern recognition and critical thinking rather than rote memorization, he passed the Bar while maintaining his passion for the process.
Today, Chris brings that same outside-the-box strategy to his students. He doesn’t just teach content; he teaches test-taking mastery. Whether a student is just starting or has hit a plateau with other tutors, Chris specializes in breaking through roadblocks by teaching students how to recognize patterns and master timing.
Beyond the Test
A true coach at heart, Chris has led teams from Little League to High School Varsity baseball. When he isn't volunteering SAT instruction at underserved high schools in San Diego, you’ll likely find him at Del Mar dog beach with his two Westies. He believes that with the right strategy and a bit of critical thinking, any challenge can be turned into a breakthrough.
Ready to break through your score plateau? Schedule a free consultation with Chris here.
Meet Amanda: LSAT Expert & Admissions Strategist
Her Credentials
- Top 1% Scorer: 99th percentile on the LSAT.
- Elite Education: Graduate of UCLA (Magna Cum Laude) and Georgetown University Law Center.
- Curriculum Architect: Partnered with UC San Diego to design SAT curriculum and train instructors.
- 18+ Years Experience: Over 1,000 students coached toward admission at top-tier universities like Stanford, NYU, and Berkeley.
Her Philosophy
Amanda’s most unique teaching assignment began in 2002 while studying abroad in Italy. Recruited by the organization Una Via, she found herself teaching English to a global group of detainees in an Italian prison—an experience that cemented her belief that everyone can learn given the proper instruction and goals.
Today, Amanda applies that same student-forward approach to the LSAT. After years of teaching for major prep companies like BluePrint and TestMasters, she realized that one-size-fits-all methods often miss the mark. She has combined time-honored LSAT truths with her own strategic expertise to offer the clearest, most efficient instruction available. Her goal is to make esoteric concepts feel like a walk in the park.
Beyond the Test
As a former attorney and GULC student ambassador, Amanda brings a professional edge to the table that goes beyond just scores. She maintains up-to-date expertise in the law school admissions process, providing strategies adapted to the application shifting landscape. Her holistic approach doesn’t just prepare students for the LSAT; she builds study architectures designed for the rigors of 1L year and beyond.
Having coached hundreds of test-takers through high-pressure scenarios, Amanda has developed proven test-anxiety strategies that enable students to focus past the stress. She treats every student as an individual, tailoring a unique roadmap that accounts for their specific learning style and career aspirations—whether they are aiming for a T14 powerhouse or a local program.
Ready to start your law school journey? Schedule a free consultation with Amanda here.
Experience the difference
The Paradigm Advantage: Why 17+ Years of Elite Expertise Beats generic, high-volume tutoring.
Limited Time: Get 1 Hour FREE LSAT Tutoring!
Don’t stay stuck. Train with a proven LSAT educator: 99th percentile, 15+ years’ expertise. Complimentary first sessions are for new clients only.*