Helping students become stronger applicants since 2007.
ABOUT DECODE THE TEST
Decode the Test was built around a simple idea: college preparation should be strategic, personalized, and a lot less overwhelming.
Every student comes to the process with different strengths, gaps, goals, and circumstances. There is no reason their preparation should look exactly the same.
Through test preparation, college essay support, and comprehensive admissions mentoring, Decode the Test helps students strengthen the pieces of their application they can control, build confidence in the process, and present the strongest possible version of themselves to colleges.
For families, that means less guesswork, fewer battles over deadlines, and the reassurance that someone experienced is keeping an eye on the bigger picture.
For schools, it means access to specialized support and resources that can complement the work counselors and educators are already doing.
MEET REBECCA
I’m Rebecca Tibbits, educator and founder of Decode the Test.
I started Decode the Test in 2007 after seeing a need for college preparation that was more individualized than the traditional one-size-fits-all approach.
I hold a master’s degree in education and have spent years both in the classroom and working individually with students. That background shapes everything I do. I’m not interested in simply teaching students a bag of test tricks or polishing an essay until it no longer sounds like the person who wrote it.
I want to understand how a student thinks, where they are getting stuck, what they are capable of, and what will make the greatest difference.
Sometimes that means identifying the handful of ACT strategies that can unlock several additional points. Sometimes it means helping a student uncover the story buried underneath a forgettable first essay draft. Sometimes it means providing the structure and accountability that finally gets an overwhelmed student moving through the college process.
The goal is always the same: help students become more capable, confident, and compelling college applicants.
A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO COLLEGE PREP
Ironically, standardized testing was never what drew me to this work. My graduate research examined the limitations of standardized tests, and I still don't believe a score can capture the full potential of a student.
But scores matter in the admissions process. Essays matter. Deadlines matter. Strategy matters.
So my job is to help students understand the system, use it to their advantage, and make sure that the opportunities available to them aren't limited by something they could have improved with the right guidance.
That philosophy has remained at the heart of Decode the Test for nearly two decades.
COLLEGE PREP, WHEREVER COLLEGE TAKES YOU
Decode the Test works virtually with students and families and can also provide programming and resources for schools supporting students through the U.S. college admissions process.
Whether a student needs focused help with one piece of the puzzle or ongoing guidance through the entire process, the goal is to make the path forward clearer, smarter, and more manageable.
I'm here to help.
It's my pleasure to talk to you and learn about your family's unique situation and needs. Set up a complimentary strategy session to ask questions and figure out what route will work best. To make the most of your Complimentary Strategy Session, here are some things to have available:
List of questions you would like to ask
A general idea of future collegiate goals
Past SAT, ACT, PSAT, and/or Pre-ACT scores
Any other unofficial practice test scores that may have been completed
Your calendar (for setting up timelines or scheduling further test prep)
Contact Us
TESTIMONIALS
If you’ve worked with me already, I’d love your testimonial! Please email it to me at rebecca@decodethetest.com. The best testimonial, though, is the one you tell your friends.
"We had approached Rebecca Tibbits a few years ago, upon the recommendation from a close friend. Our oldest required some "non-parental" guidance (aka nagging parents) with regards to ACT prep and college application preparation. Rebecca worked one-on-one with our son for several months, effortlessly guiding him through the process. The results were amazing! Our son was able to bring his final ACT score up from 29 to 33, which was fantastic as that eventually translated to scholarship money from his university of choice. Our son really seemed to enjoy working with Rebecca and we found the entire experience to be a positive one. So much so, that we are now in the midst of college app season with our youngest and have once again hired Rebecca. We highly recommend her… she's fantastic!" ---Cheryl & Erin Q.; San Diego, CA
“Rebecca has helped my two sons with ACT prep. My older son first scored a 29 on ACT, tutored with Rebecca and brought his score up to a 32. My other son started with a 23 and then tested at a 26. We have been thrilled with the results that our boys achieved with Rebecca's help.” ---Patty M.; Park City, UT
“It was thanks to Rebecca that I was able raise my SAT scores from a 1350 to a 1700. She made the test seem so easy to understand, and I felt really good going into it. The boost in my scores made it possible for me to get into my top choice school (DU!) and I was offered scholarship money as well.” ---Maddy L.; Park City, UT
“Our son was having a lot of difficulty when it came to preparing for college. He was disengaged in the whole process, didn’t want to sit with a tutor for the SAT, and was struggling to decide on any schools. Rebecca was able to build a rapport with our son and build his confidence in remarkable ways. She helped him feel like an “expert” on the test, and motivated him to get excited about college. He ended up taking the SAT twice, improving his score the second time by nearly 300 points, and now he is a sophomore at the University of Washington! We are so grateful to Rebecca and the work she has done with our son.” ---Denise T.; Park City, UT
“The first time my daughter took the ACT, she got a 16. She was embarrassed to even tell anyone, and was reluctant for me to even hire a tutor. Rebecca was able to completely turn her around, and in just two months, her composite was a 23! This has opened up so many doors for her, and we are absolutely thrilled to have had Rebecca’s help. Thanks!” ---David B.; Chicago, IL
“I am so thankful that I had the privilege of having Rebecca as a teacher, a mentor, and a tutor. She is encouraging and positive and has pushed me to become the best I can be in all aspects of life. Not only did I receive a great score on my ACT, but I walked away feeling confident and prepared for life after high school.” ---Jessie R.; LaCrosse, WI
"Rebecca Tibbits became “one of the family” during the years my two daughters were preparing for college applications. Both of my girls trusted Rebecca implicitly, and called her at all hours with questions! She was extremely knowledgeable in helping them prepare for the ACTs and SATs, and was an invaluable resource in helping them decide which schools to apply to. Rebecca also helped them organize their college essays. It was a very stressful time and Rebecca helped to take the pressure off of me, for which I will always be grateful!" ---SueAnn K.; Park City, UT
"Rebecca is an excellent tutor! My two sons used her as a college advisor who helped them to be accepted into the college of their choice. I would highly recommend Rebecca! She is extremely easy to get along with and certainly knows how to work with her students." ---Jackie A.; Long Island, NY
"I can't recommend Rebecca Tibbits enough! My daughter's ACT scores improved dramatically with Rebecca's coaching, but more importantly she learned test taking strategies that have transferred to her success in college. Even more valuable is the confidence that Rebecca instilled in my daughter - and the peace that came with knowing that she could be successful. On so many levels, I am very grateful for Rebecca Tibbits." ---Heidi M.; Park City, UT
ACT Improvements
17 to 27; Erika H.
19 to 32; Bailey H.
16 to 22; Joe K.
22 to 28; Natalie B.
16 to 21; Joe K.
20 to 24; Maddie W.
20 to 26; Brent L.
29 to 32; Mickey M.
23 to 26; Kyle M.
16 to 23; Kailey B.
24 to 29; Logan P.
21 to 24; Zach S.
27 to 30; Jessica K.
20 to 25; Elizabeth B.
30 to 34; Sam K.
22 to 29; Phoebe A