Award-Winning HSPT Tutors
serving Chicago, IL
Award-Winning
HSPT
Tutors in Chicago
Private 1-on-1 tutoring, weekly live classes for academic support, test prep & enrichment, practice tests and diagnostics, and more to elevate grades and test scores.
Based on 3.4M Learner Ratings
UniversitiesSchools & Universities
DeliveredHours Delivered
ProficiencyGrowth in Proficiency
Who needs tutoring?
No obligation. Takes ~1 minute.

Karin McKie, MFA, compiles curriculum and personalizes teaching for a broad spectrum of students. I know there is no better, nor more crucial, calling than helping learners communicate their voices and realize their educational dreams. I specialize in tutoring all standardized tests, including the LSAT, SAT, PSAT, ACT, GRE, HSPT, ISEE, Accuplacer, STAAR, TOEFL/IELTS, ASVAB, all AP/IB English and history classes, and more. I also created and published a simple reading annotation system and related strategies specifically to tackle timed tests, as well as teaching critical reading, comparative literature, public speaking, and theater. As a professional writer and editor, I coach students in persuasive writing for schoolwork, college application and supplemental essays, internship and job applications, and the like. For decades, I've taught and lectured at universities, schools, and with individuals in Chicagoland and the Bay Area, and to online students of all ages around the world. I customize study plans with learners and their advocates to utilize existing abilities and add new techniques to reach personal and scholastic goals. I have a BS in Communications and Theater, and an MFA in Creative Writing. I have completed Continuing Education courses at Stanford, Northwestern and DePaul Universities. I'm a professional features writer and culture critic. I've edited Perspective design journal and Reed literary magazine and have performed memoir essays I've written on Chicago Public Radio. I come from a family of teachers and was fortunate to grow up at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, where my anthropologist mom was Education Director. Since early childhood, I've been immersed in multicultural and ELL education. I've devoted my personal and professional time to diversity and storytelling, starting at public TV station WETA in my hometown outside Washington, D.C., where I was certified as a trainer with Sesame Street's Preschool Education Project. I've also taught creativity and teambuilding through improvisation to all ages (as well as creating a kids summer camp), reading for the SAG Foundations BookPALS (Performing Artists for Literacy in Schools) program, plus reading and writing skills to at-risk students through the Park District's Kraft Great Kids Program. I've assisted many of my arts marketing clients, including Barrel of Monkeys and Kidworks Touring Theatre, with youth literacy programs at schools and libraries throughout the Windy City.

I am a retired math teacher, who just has too much time on her hands!!!
I am a graduate of Loyola University Chicago, where I majored in political science. I am currently a law student at Chicago-Kent College of Law, and aspire one day to practice corporate law with a focus on financial compliance.
I am a student at DePaul University currently working toward a Bachelors of Arts in Public Relations and Advertising with a minor in Journalism. Previously in my academic career, I tutored students at a bilingual elementary school in southwest Detroit. I also worked extensively as a tutor among high school age students during my time as an upperclassman. I specialize in literature, language arts, and writing. Currently, I hold a job as a Peer Writing Tutor at DePaul University's Center for Writing-based Learning. I enjoy tutoring because it allows me to share my passion for learning and ensure that others are optimizing their educational experience. I encourage students to dig deep and form original ideas, rather than taking shortcuts. This way, lessons have a meaningful and lasting impact.
I am an interdisciplinary educator with an Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a B.A. from Dartmouth College. My background is primarily in integrated arts learning and museum education and I specialize in visual arts, history and art history, and object-based learning. In all subjects, I take a creative, inquiry-based and learner-centered approach, designing opportunities for each unique individual to meet their learning goals.
I'm not tutoring or buried in my textbooks, you will either find me rock climbing at the Triangle Rock Club, playing Ultimate Frisbee, working on my car, or enjoying the great outdoors (beaches, mountains, forests--you name it, I love it). On rainy weekends I enjoy tinkering with computers and old electronics, playing Pokemon, or picking at my guitar.
I am a recent graduate from a masters program in biostatistics at Columbia University. I received my Bachelor of Arts in biological sciences, with a focus in neurobiology at Northwestern University. In August, I will be starting a doctoral program in biostatistics at NYU. I was a teaching assistant at Columbia University in my department and also have tutored graduate students and undergraduates privately as well. My primary areas of tutoring are math and statistics coursework in addition to math sections on standardized tests such as the GRE and GMAT. I am very passionate about helping students feel more confident and excited about math. In my spare time, I enjoy running, playing piano, and spending time with friends and family.
I am a graduate of Wesleyan University, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with High Honors. With eight years of experience working in education, I've tutored students in math, science, history, and English, as well as helped students prepare for standardized tests. I've guided adults towards passing the US Citizenship Exam and taught English in India, where I lived for six months. Whenever I work with a student I personalize the lessons to fit their particular learning style, since I know every student is unique and having the right fit can make all the difference in making learning fun and effective. My strengths are tutoring the social sciences and humanities, as well as making math and standardized tests approachable to students that normally don't like those subjects. In my spare time I like traveling, spending time in the outdoors (climbing & backpacking), meditation, and playing soccer. Next fall I will be beginning my PhD in Education at Harvard University.
I'm Solange - a recent graduate from Harvard where I studied Sociology & Women's Studies. I've been tutoring for eight years now, and have worked with a wide range of ages and in a wide range of subjects. Some of my specialties are college prep/test taking II worked in the admissions office on campus); social sciences; and literature/writing.
I am a graduate of Washington University in St Louis, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in History with minors in Humanities and Anthropology. Since graduation, I have worked as a tutor, teacher, and director of tutors at a charter public middle school in Boston. During this time I also received my Masters in Mild to Moderate Disabilities from Simmons College. I have worked extensively with students with a range of abilities, including students with specific learning disabilities, emotional impairments, dyslexia, and ADHD. My teaching experience has given me a deep understanding of the knowledge and habits essential to academic success and has given me the opportunity to hone a variety of strategies that ensure students at each level can achieve their academic goals. While I tutor a broad range of subjects, my favorite ones are Reading, Elementary/Middle School Math, History, and Test Prep. In my experience, tutoring is the most rewarding when a student has that "aha!" moment and achieves a new level of understanding and confidence in his/her abilities. I am a firm believer in the transformative power of education, and I see my role to be that of a facilitator and coach who is there to help the student reach his/her goals through individualized support and rigorous practice. In my free time, I enjoy reading, running, practicing my Spanish, and discovering new music. I am also an avid traveler and just got back from a 3 month trip to South America. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you!
I am proud to be a part of Varsity Tutors! I am originally from San Antonio, TX; I completed my undergraduate education at Rice University in Houston where I received a bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Currently, I am in my second year of medical school at Baylor College of Medicine.
I am a rising sophomore at Harvard College and am about to declare as a Mechanical Engineering concentrator, working towards a Bachelor of Science degree. I've always enjoyed sharing my knowledge with my peers and those around me and have done so in both formal and informal settings. I've been a tutor for both Math and Spanish programs in high school and enjoyed the strides I made with students. I am willing to tutor any subject I have a background in, but am strong in mathematics, the sciences, Spanish, history, writing, and ACT prep. I enjoy teaching mathematics most due to the joy I can see in children once they master a topic and can answer even pointed questions meant to stump them, and maybe even put their knowledge to real world use. As a tutor, I like to give a strong foundation to orient my student, and then gradually grant them more freedom and independence until they can feel themselves grasp the concept, pointing out pitfalls or common errors along the way; teachers who used these methods on me always left the most lasting impressions. Outside of my studies, I really enjoy listening to music, both old favorites and new interests, reading classics, and gaming/playing basketball with my friends.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The High School Placement Test (HSPT) is a standardized entrance exam used by many private and selective schools in the Chicago area to assess students' readiness for high school. It measures verbal skills, quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, math, and language arts. With 12 school districts and numerous private institutions across Chicago, the HSPT is a key factor in admission decisions for students seeking placement in competitive high schools.
The HSPT consists of five sections: Verbal Skills (60 questions, 16 minutes), Quantitative Skills (52 questions, 30 minutes), Reading Comprehension (40 questions, 25 minutes), Mathematics (64 questions, 45 minutes), and Language Arts (60 questions, 45 minutes). The entire test takes about 2.5 hours, and each section tests different skills—from logic and vocabulary to problem-solving and grammar. Understanding the pacing and format is essential for building test confidence and managing time effectively on test day.
Many Chicago students struggle with the Verbal Skills section, which requires quick pattern recognition and logical reasoning rather than just vocabulary knowledge. Others find the Quantitative Skills section challenging because it tests abstract reasoning and non-traditional math problems. Additionally, the compressed timeline—students typically have 8th grade to prepare—combined with juggling regular schoolwork can make focused, strategic preparation difficult without expert guidance.
Personalized 1-on-1 instruction allows tutors to identify your specific weak areas—whether that's verbal reasoning, quantitative logic, or reading speed—and tailor lessons accordingly. Unlike group classes that move at a fixed pace, personalized tutoring adapts to your learning style and focuses on the sections where you need the most improvement. This targeted approach typically leads to faster score gains and builds confidence by addressing gaps before they become obstacles on test day.
Most students benefit from 2-3 months of focused preparation, though this varies based on starting point and target schools. Students taking the test in 8th grade typically begin prep in the fall or early winter. Starting earlier allows for a more relaxed pace with time for review and practice testing, while shorter timelines require more intensive weekly sessions. A tutor can assess your current level and create a realistic timeline based on your goals.
Score improvements depend on starting point and effort, but students working with personalized tutors typically see gains of 50-150 points on the composite score through focused practice and targeted skill-building. The most significant improvements usually come in sections where students had the most room to grow. Consistent practice, strategic test-taking techniques, and understanding question patterns are key to measurable progress.
The first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment to identify your strengths and areas for improvement across all five HSPT sections. Your tutor will discuss your target schools, timeline, and learning goals, then create a personalized study plan. This foundation helps ensure that every subsequent session builds strategically toward your score goals rather than covering material randomly.
Varsity Tutors connects Chicago students with expert tutors who specialize in HSPT preparation and understand the specific demands of schools across the city's 12 districts. You can describe your needs, timeline, and goals, and get matched with a tutor whose expertise and teaching style fit your learning preferences. This personalized matching ensures you're working with someone who knows the test deeply and can help you succeed.
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