FAQ
Questions? Good. That's how learning works.
Last updated
The basics
What is SATShield?
SATShield is an iPhone app that turns a teen's daily screen time into SAT vocabulary and test-strategy practice. A parent chooses which apps to lock, and a short daily session of 5–10 words unlocks them until a time the parent sets.
When does SATShield launch, and how much will it cost?
SATShield is coming soon to the App Store for iPhone. Pricing will be announced at launch. Join the waitlist and you'll be the first to know.
How long does a daily session take?
About five minutes. Each session covers 5–10 words, with reviews of words that are due coming first, then new words if there's room.
What grade should my student start in?
9th or 10th grade is ideal. Starting early lets students learn a few words a day at the intervals memory research recommends, so vocabulary is handled before the busy junior-year prep season. Juniors and seniors can still benefit, especially with a few months or more before their test.
Is there an Android version?
SATShield is launching on iPhone first. Join the waitlist and tell us you're on Android, and we'll let you know if that changes.
Setup and the lock
Which apps can I lock?
You choose. Most families gate the apps that take the most time, like social media, games and video apps. They stay locked until that day's session is complete, then unlock until the time you set.
Can my teen get around it?
SATShield is set up by a parent and designed so that finishing a five-minute session is easier than looking for a workaround. Sessions are short, fair and quick to finish, which removes most of the reason to fight it.
What happens if my student misses a day?
Nothing breaks. The apps simply stay locked until a session is done, and the student picks up right where they left off.
Does SATShield work without internet?
Yes. Everything needed for a session is on the phone, so students can complete a session with no signal and earn a short unlock.
The method
Where does the word list come from?
The 300 words were drawn from official College Board practice tests and cross-checked against leading SAT prep resources, then reviewed by experienced SAT tutors. They're words with a documented history of appearing on the test.
Is vocabulary even on the digital SAT?
Yes. The Reading and Writing section includes Words in Context questions that ask students to choose the most precise word for a passage. Vocabulary also shapes how quickly students understand passages and math word problems. SATShield teaches the words through those same formats rather than as a list to memorize.
What happens when a student gets a word wrong?
The word drops back one level, not to the beginning, and comes back sooner for review. A single miss after several correct answers is usually a momentary lapse, so a full reset would waste time on a word the student mostly knows.
Why do students have to write a sentence if they already got the question right?
Because writing an original sentence is the honest measure of mastery. Information you produce yourself is remembered better than information you choose from options, and you can guess on multiple choice but you can't fake a sentence.
Results and tutoring
Will SATShield raise my student's SAT score?
We don't promise a specific score change, and you should be wary of anyone who does. SATShield is designed so students arrive knowing the words most likely to appear, recognizing SAT question formats, and reading punctuation cues as signals. Whether this approach raises total scores is what we're actively studying.
Does SATShield replace a tutor?
No. It handles daily vocabulary and strategy practice and works alongside tutoring. For students who won't study on their own, it's a strong place to start.
Can tutors see their students' progress?
SATShield tracks every miss, accuracy by level, and which words keep slipping, so tutors can see where a student needs help. Dedicated tutor dashboards are on our roadmap. Contact us to join the tutor pilot.
Privacy
What data does SATShield collect?
On this website, only what you give us on the waitlist or contact form, used to email you about SATShield. We don't sell data, and we don't use advertising trackers. The app will have its own privacy policy at launch.
Still have a question? Contact us.
Be first in line.
SATShield is coming soon for iPhone. Join the waitlist and we'll let you know the moment it's ready.