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Award-Winning TOEFL Tutors

Allison

Certified Tutor

14+ years

Allison

Master of Science, Special Education 5-12 State Certified Teacher
Allison's other Tutor Subjects
Algebra
Biology
Chemistry
College Biology

I work full time at an urban charter school in Boston. I have a masters in Special Education and work in all different subjects. I have a background in history and writing, but currently co-teach math and science classes, giving me skills and confidence across all subjects. I am a passionate and opt...

Education

Simmons College

Master of Science, Special Education 5-12 State Certified Teacher

Stonehill College

Bachelor in Arts, History; Secondary Education

Kyle

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Kyle

Bachelor in Arts, Chemistry
Kyle's other Tutor Subjects
Algebra
Algebra 2
Anatomy
Anatomy & Physiology

I am currently a Neurology Resident at Kansas University Medical Center. I am ready to tutor a number of subjects, but I would like to help students with MCAT or GRE test preparation. I favor the Sciences but I would be happy to tutor in any subject. I was a TA in college and taught other learners i...

Education

Central College

Bachelor in Arts, Chemistry

Des Moines University

Non Degree Doctorals, Medicine

Jolee

Certified Tutor

Jolee

Bachelor in Arts, Spanish Education
Jolee's other Tutor Subjects
College English
Conversational Spanish
English
ESL/ELL

I am a graduate of Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Spanish with a focus on Spanish Education K-12. Since graduation, I have mainly been traveling and working in Europe, teaching English as a Foreign Language Teacher in Madrid, Spain for 3 years. I am a cer...

Education

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Bachelor in Arts, Spanish Education

Yichen

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Yichen

Master of Science, Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Yichen's other Tutor Subjects
AP Chinese
AP Chinese Language and Culture
Conversational Mandarin
Languages

I am currently a PhD student in I/O Psychology at Hofstra University. I am teaching an undergrad statistics class (in behavioral science), and I love the experience -- helping students always fill me with a sense of accomplishment which I enjoy. I have my strength in research methods and statistics,...

Education

CUNY Bernard M Baruch College

Master of Science, Industrial and Organizational Psychology

Rutgers University-New Brunswick

Bachelor in Arts, Psychology

Christina

Certified Tutor

Christina

Bachelors, Music Industry Management
Christina's other Tutor Subjects
Adult ESL/ELL
CLEP Prep
CLEP Spanish
College English

I was born and raised in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago, moved to Michigan to go to college, and am now back in my beloved city. I am married with two dogs, and have a 5-month old son! I used to work in sports and entertainment but decided not to go back to work full-time so I could raise my son. ...

Education

Ferris State University

Bachelors, Music Industry Management

Krystil

Certified Tutor

8+ years

Krystil

Bachelor in Arts, English
Krystil's other Tutor Subjects
Elementary School Reading
Elementary School Writing
English
English Grammar and Syntax

Working with students is my passion, which is why I have devoted my life to it. I have a degree in English from Furman University and also obtained National Board certification. I enjoy not only tutoring in literature, grammar, and writing, but also enjoy these things in my spare time. I am a firm b...

Education

Furman University

Bachelor in Arts, English

Denise

Certified Tutor

4+ years

Denise

Master of Arts, Teacher Education, Multiple Levels
Denise's other Tutor Subjects
Adult Literacy
Conversational Spanish
English
English Grammar and Syntax

I am honored to be here with Varsity Tutors! I am a certified Spanish teacher and I have been teaching for 25 years. I would love to work with you to create lessons that are tailored to your needs and your learning style! We will discuss your goals as well as assess your strengths and weaknesses in ...

Education

WCSU

Master of Arts, Teacher Education, Multiple Levels

WCSU

Bachelor in Arts, Spanish Teacher Education

Taylor

Certified Tutor

8+ years

Taylor

Bachelor of Science, Accounting
Taylor's other Tutor Subjects
ACT English
ACT Math
Algebra
Algebra 2

I am a current student at the University of Florida pursuing an Accounting degree and Entrepreneurship minor. Math has always been my passion, and I hope to show fellow students the fun in it!

Education

University of Florida

Bachelor of Science, Accounting

Test Scores
ACT
31
Allison

Certified Tutor

7+ years

Allison

Bachelor in Arts, Spanish Language and Literature
Allison's other Tutor Subjects
Algebra
Algebra 2
Arithmetic
College Algebra

Every student learns in their own unique way. My passion is to discover that learning style and to customize my teaching style in order to fit that unique student. A student who struggles with a certain subject does not necessarily mean lack of ability; it may simply mean that the student is being t...

Education

Oakland University

Bachelor in Arts, Spanish Language and Literature

Benjin

Certified Tutor

Benjin

Current Undergrad, Biophysics
Benjin's other Tutor Subjects
ACT Math
ACT Reading
Biology
College Biology

Some people can naturally figure things out without a lot of explanation. In most things, I'm not that guy! Like many students, understanding comes with repetition of principles and hard work. I have the perspective of a student trying to understand, not a teacher trying to preach. I love working wi...

Education

Brigham Young University

Current Undergrad, Biophysics

Test Scores
Perfect Score
ACT
36

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Ziad

Algebra 2 Tutor • +31 Subjects

I am a certified mechanical Engineer (EIT), who has a bachelor and masters in mechanical engineering. I am specialized in fluid mechanics and heat transfer. I am currently working in the biomedical industry. I am ready to assist you in passing your FE Exam or help in any mechanical engineering courses that you are struggling with.I have 2 years of experience in tutoring. I have previously tutored English to foreign students, math& physics to grade high school students, and mechanical engineering courses in the university.As a tutor, I aim to create thoughtful, innovative and exciting lessons, which support my students as individuals. I am very motivated, hardworking and dependable, and I get a real sense of purpose from helping my students to achieve the best possible grades while enjoying their learning experience.

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Lee

College English Tutor • +31 Subjects

There isn't only one way to learn, therefore there isn't only one way to teach! Adapting to learning styles and the varying needs of different students is something that I aim to do at all times; there is no one-size-fits-all method to learning. Each student's unique voice and method of comprehension in an academic environment deserves to be heard and considered with flexibility and an open mind. I do my best to listen and adapt to a student's learning style, while striving to help them feel confident in expressing their strengths, questions, and needs to others. In turn, I intend to help them become motivated to pursue their academic betterment independently, encouraging them to embrace education as an opportunity for personal growth and empowerment.I graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a B.A. in English. I predominantly tutor reading comprehension and writing skills, in addition to providing essay planning and editing help for all subjects and grade levels. I can also provide homework help and studying for various subjects (literature, history, social studies, social sciences, psychology, religious studies).

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Reilly

AP United States History Tutor • +20 Subjects

With a background in cognition based studies, I'd personally be obliged to teach you or your child what I know! Considering that many people go through intense stress in order to succeed in the school system these days, I'd be a refreshing back-seat approach to hopefully engage you or your young learner in the material involved. What is this 'back-seat' approach? The back seat approach is a method of going through material but rather than set strict quotas for a student. I work with the student to help them with whatever problem they may have. It works because the student doesn't realize that they are being guided in the long run, but gradually the student may become more adept to the material. And surely, after a few weeks of tutoring, the processes to solve a particular dilemma, the steps would become second nature to the student.As I am comfortable with anything from Biology to History, and from Arithmetic to Algebra, and even English Reading and Composition (writing), I believe I am a great pick if you are looking for a tutor with a well rounded understanding and approach.

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Scott

Algebra Tutor • +17 Subjects

I love to learn new things and am avid reader of the sciences. I believe that with the right teacher and the right work ethic a student can learn anything they want to learn.

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Katherine

Anatomy & Physiology Tutor • +7 Subjects

I just finished my junior year in nursing school at the University of Rhode Island. I have a few years of experience as a tutor at my university, mainly in Anatomy and Physiology. I am also able to help with Writing, Study Skills, and Organization. I believe understanding how each student learns individually and adapting to that is the most important quality that I have as a tutor. Learning how to be organized and how you personally learn best is the key to being a successful student and I am excited to help through that journey!

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Wanda

Conversational Spanish Tutor • +15 Subjects

I am a native Spanish speaker with over 15 years of experience working in different functions and countries in the Pharmaceutical Sector. I have been responsible for shaping and implementing sales strategies in order to achieve business results in different markets (Puerto Rico, Caribbean, Latin America and in USA). The importance to build deep customer/professional/personal relationships is a "key point" for success.I earned an Accounting degree from the University of Puerto Rico, graduating with top honors. While I was in the University I had the opportunity to participate in different groups supporting the community, and assisting them in the development and implementation of educational activities. I had the chance tutoring students with their Spanish communication, vocabulary and grammatical skills.I became interested in tutoring while working in different areas, cultures and people. Sharing my experiences has become my new passion and especially helping others develop new language competencies that matter.In my free time I love to read, learn, cook and teach my little daughter Spanish words in order for her to keep our culture and her connection with our relatives. I also love photography and creating photo albums.Spanish is a language full of opportunities and a beautiful one to learn. Having worked with different cultures has allowed me to understand the importance of communication and how important understating the second language can be.I pride in delivering a challenging and creative curriculum that will help others develop new competitive skills and at the same time learn the Spanish language. It is important to make learning interesting, creative and challenging. I will help you stay engaged in learning and shape your ability to communicate in Spanish, read articles, and maintain conversations that will help you succeed in your career and your personal goals.My philosophy of teaching is to create an environment that allows us to set expectations, identify opportunities and to follow a realistic and motivational curriculum plan. For me, the best way to accomplish these goals is through one-on-one teaching that will focus on the activity of your needs. We will use vocabulary, articles, interesting videos, etc. that will support us to achieve the learning goals. Taking advantage of today's technology will be very important and useful tools that will help us engage in dynamic learning experiences. Finally, practice, enthusiasm, communication and accessibility will be part of this process.

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Olivia

10th Grade Reading Tutor • +52 Subjects

I am currently completing undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Women's and Gender studies at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Prior to this, I spent two years at William Jewell College studying elementary education with a concentrated area of study in English. I have worked as an assistant teacher in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade classrooms, as well as in homeschool settings. I have also worked as a tutor for children ages 5-15 with learning disabilities: I taught phonemic awareness as a means to increase fluency and accuracy in reading and spelling.I have tutored a broad range of subjects, but have more in depth knowledge of English. This is also my favorite subject to teach, which I attribute to my love of books and literature. The teachers I have had who have stood out to me all had common characteristics: they presented their subjects in a way that caught my interest. clarified difficult topics and led me through complex problems, and put knowledge into context that was relevant to me and my life. I view myself as a facilitator of learning, rather than someone who simply delivers information to students. When working with students, I am always conscious of their different learning styles and rates. Furthermore, feedback from students has been vital to my process of growth as an educator. I learn from them just as much as they learn from me.In my free time, I enjoy reading, writing, and traveling; I also volunteer with the UMKC Women's Center and will be interning with MOCSA (Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault) next semester as a domestic violence intervention and response intern.

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Vincent

Algebra Tutor • +9 Subjects

My love of physics and math began when I was 3 years old, watching Julius Sumner Miller do physics experiments on TV. I discovered my love of teaching as an undergrad at the University of Mount Union, where I served as a teaching assistant in the intro physics labs. It was so thrilling to help students reach "a-ha" moments where everything clicks! I was hooked, and I've been teaching ever since! After earning my Bachelor's in physics with minors in mathematics and music, I went to Bryn Mawr College for graduate school, where I earned my Master's studying dark matter, and my Ph.D. studying atomic physics. While I was there, I taught in various labs, ran problem solving sessions for the pre-med physics course, and tutored several students one-on-one. After graduating, I spent three years as a visiting professor at Austin College. I think the best way to learn something is to DO it, so my teaching style is focused on helping my students actively engage with the material. I like to have back-and-forth conversations with my students to see where they are with the material, and to help guide them to a deeper understanding. I also like to use lots of examples, demos, and hands-on activities to help solidify abstract concepts.

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Lindsey

Abstract Algebra Tutor • +27 Subjects

I have experience teaching K-8, high school and college-age math and science. This includes Algebra 1 and 2, Earth, Physical (chem) and Life Science, Genetics, Nutrition, Biology, Microbiology and more. I have also tutored students preparing for college and graduate preparatory exams. I have spent the past year lecturing college Microbiology and the previous 2 years teaching math and science at the middle school level; last summer I worked at a Pre-K/daycare center. I have tutored countless biological subjects in college and graduate school. I received my B.S. in Environmental Biology from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in New York and my M.S. in Environmental Systems (Engineering) from The University of California- Merced. I tutor all ages and sub-topics within the realm of science, as well as middle school math. I have experience working with students of varying abilities and I'm skilled at assessing needs, deficiencies, and meeting students where they're at. Being in academia for the majority of my life, I know what concepts are important for students to understand not only for academic success, but for genuine understanding of subject matter and future use.

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Tanique

Adult Literacy Tutor • +20 Subjects

As a child, I was privileged to have a positive educational experience within an area of the Bronx that is still considered to be of high need. One thing that has resonated with me in my childhood education were the teachers that I had. My kindergarten teacher Ms. Rolfe showed me how to make pink chocolate on Valentines Day. My first grade teacher, Ms. Clayborne, gave away her lunch breaks so that she could help me with my spelling. My second grade teacher, Ms. Dillon,inspired me to become an avid reader. My third grade teacher, Mrs. Kasper, made sure I did my homework every night when she noticed that I was slacking. The optimism of Mrs. Hamilton in fourth grade motivated me to make the honor roll, and my fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Farkus pushed me to get one of the highest standardized tests scores in the school. Each of these public school teachers created a climate within the class thatpromoted learning and student achievement.Over the years, I have met many professionals that have shared horror stories about their experiences with teachers who doubted them or did not set them up for success. As an educator, I have become cognizant of the fact that I ultimately create the learning environment of my students. Knowing that students depend on me each day to guide them into become better versions of themselves is an incredible task that I amwilling to take. As an educator, I hope to empower the youth of today to become the leaders of tomorrow. And as a New York State teacher, one way in which I know I can achieve thisis by paying it forward. My goal would be to provide the same rigorous and joyful education my former teachers provided me.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Score improvement depends on your starting point and how consistently you work with a tutor. Students typically see 10-20 point improvements over 8-12 weeks of focused study, though some see larger gains if they're addressing fundamental gaps in English proficiency. The key is identifying which sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking, or Writing) need the most work and developing targeted strategies for those areas.

A tutor can help you move beyond simply taking more practice tests—they'll diagnose exactly where you're losing points and create a customized study plan that addresses your specific weaknesses.

The Reading section is where most students struggle with pacing. You have 54-72 minutes to read 3-4 passages and answer 12-14 questions per passage—that's roughly 10-12 minutes per passage if you account for question-answering time. Many students spend too long on difficult questions and rush through easier ones, losing points unnecessarily.

A tutor can teach you strategic skimming techniques, help you identify which questions to tackle first, and show you how to quickly locate evidence in the text rather than re-reading entire passages. With practice and the right approach, you can cut your reading time significantly while maintaining accuracy.

Speaking anxiety is common because you're recorded and can't revise your answers—but it's highly manageable with preparation. The Speaking section rewards clear organization and fluency more than perfect grammar, so knowing what to expect reduces panic significantly.

A tutor can help you build confidence by having you practice speaking out loud repeatedly (not just in your head), teaching you templates for structuring responses, and simulating the actual test conditions so the day itself feels familiar. Recording yourself and reviewing mistakes also normalizes the process. With consistent practice, most students move from anxious to confident within 4-6 weeks.

It depends on your timeline and starting score, but generally you should prioritize your weakest sections while maintaining your strong ones. If you're weak in Reading and Writing but strong in Listening and Speaking, spending 70% of tutoring time on those two sections makes sense. Your tutor can help you allocate time efficiently based on your goals.

That said, don't completely ignore your strong sections—students often plateau when they only focus downward. Your tutor will ensure you're using an 80/20 approach: deep work on weakness areas, maintenance on strength areas, and some time on test-taking strategy that applies across all sections.

Integrated tasks require you to combine information from reading, listening, and speaking or writing—they test your ability to synthesize multiple sources. Independent tasks ask you to draw from your own knowledge and experiences. Most students find Integrated tasks harder because they require managing information from multiple sources while also producing language under time pressure.

The good news? Integrated tasks are also the most learnable with practice. A tutor can break down the note-taking strategies, help you organize information effectively, and give you templates for structuring integrated responses. Once you understand the predictable format and practice 15-20 integrated tasks, they become significantly easier.

The answer depends on your stage of preparation. Early on (weeks 1-4), take one full practice test to establish a baseline, then focus on targeted section practice and skill-building. In the middle phase (weeks 5-8), take full tests every 1-2 weeks to apply what you're learning. In the final 2-3 weeks, take a full test every 4-5 days to build endurance and identify last-minute gaps.

Taking practice tests too frequently without review wastes time; taking them too rarely means you won't catch patterns in your mistakes. Your tutor can help you find the right frequency and, more importantly, help you review and learn from each test so you're not just going through the motions.

Look for someone with specific TOEFL expertise—not just general English proficiency. Your tutor should understand the exact format of each section, know common student mistakes, and be able to diagnose weaknesses quickly. They should also be able to teach test-specific strategies (like skimming techniques for Reading or note-taking for Integrated tasks) rather than just assigning practice tests.

Equally important is someone who understands that TOEFL preparation isn't just about language skills—it's about managing anxiety, pacing, and test strategy. The best tutors combine deep content knowledge with the ability to build your confidence so you can perform your best on test day.

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