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Certified Tutor
2+ years
My teaching philosophy is focused on a single objective - that students learn. I have a Ph.D. in Criminology from the University of Pennsylvania and a J.D. from Temple Law School. My GRE score was a 326, and my LSAT score was a 173. I've tutored over 60 students through Varsity Tutors. I'm co...
University of Pennsylvania
PhD
Moravian College and Moravian Theological Seminary
PhD

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Straley
I hold a Master's degree from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a Bachelor's degree from Johns Hopkins University. I tutored GED math for 3 years in college, so I have experience breaking down concepts for students with a variety of learning styles. I've also informally tutored oth...
Johns Hopkins University
Master's/Graduate
Johns Hopkins University
Bachelor

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Matthew
I have tutored students for the GMAT, GRE, SAT, ACT and LSAT for more than 15 years. I love it! As I tailor my instructions toward the unique needs of each student, my goal is to improve not only the student's performance but also the student's confidence as test day approaches.
Northwestern University
MBA
Duke University
MBA

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Jacqueline
As a dedicated educator with a PhD in German Studies from Cornell University, I am passionate about nurturing student success through personalized tutoring. With over 7 years of teaching experience, I specialize in a wide array of subjects, including AP courses in Physics, English, and Calculus, as ...
Cornell University
Doctorate (PhD)
Cornell University
Master's/Graduate
Yale University
Bachelor

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Danielle
I am an entrepreneurial travel-loving media professional living in New Orleans. I have a Master in Business Administration from Tulane University and I love teaching all sorts of subjects, especially math. In terms of hobbies, you can find me long-distance running, studying data science, exploring ...
Tulane University of Louisiana
MS
Northwestern University
MS

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Peter
Hi - I'm Peter. I've always had a preference for math and science, which explains my undergrad choice in engineering. I graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. I received my MBA (Industrial Management) from the Wharton Graduate Division at U. of Pa. M...
University of Pennsylvania
Master's/Graduate
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Bachelor

Certified Tutor
2+ years
I'm passionate about helping others succeed and that is why I engaged in tutoring. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Virginia and an MBA degree from Chicago Booth, I believe I bring a unique blend of perspectives and strategic thinking to the realm of t...
University of Chicago
Master's/Graduate

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Lukas
Certified Teacher. Hi! My name is Lukas Brazdeikis and I have a strong background in computer science, physics, math, and designing course material. I will help your student learn as effectively as I can while also showing them the practical value of the knowledge they learn. I recently graduated f...
Duke University
Master's/Graduate

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Hi, really nice to meet you! I have 10 years experience teaching GRE. I taught GRE and GMAT as an Adjunct Professor at American University for 3 years, which enhanced my ability to create a standardized GRE itinerary for the classroom. I have taught GRE at Varsity Tutors for 5 years, in person and v...
Vanderbilt University
AM

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Robert
I graduated from The University of Virginia in 2019. I received my Bachelor of Science in Commerce with a concentration in finance. I also received my masters in city planning from the University of Pennsylvania in 2023. I have spent many years tutoring the GRE, with a strength in GRE Quant. I also ...
University of Pennsylvania
Master's/Graduate
University of Virginia-Main Campus
Bachelor
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Top 20 Graduate Test Prep Subjects
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Carl
LSAT 5-Week Prep Class Tutor • +17 Subjects
I am currently a PhD candidate completing my doctorate at Yale University in the Medieval Studies department and has previously obtained masters degrees in English Literature and Medieval Studies from Yale, The University of Georgia, and the University of Glasgow. An Atlanta native, I returned from New Haven to live and work in Georgia while I finish the final stages of his dissertation. Over the course of my studies, I have taught undergraduate literature and history as an instructor at Yale, the University of Georgia, Oxford University, the University of Glasgow, the University of Connecticut, and Wesleyan College (Macon, Georgia). At the same time, I have worked as a teacher and tutor for the LSAT, GMAT, and GRE for over thirteen years. I am one of two authors of the all-new revision of Barrons GMAT guide and Barrons Passkey to the GMAT, and have previously written content for Kaplan, Parliament Tutors, and Success Prep. Because of my lengthy experience, I am intimately familiar with the methods and principles used by the major test preparation companies and have developed a variety of methods of his own. I take a different approach from the major national test prep companies in that I recognize that each student is different and that no single method is best for all test-takers. Come test day, the most successful students will be those who have found ways to combine their own native strengths with an additional complement of of time-tested techniques learned through rigorous study. I enjoy helping my students find the approach that will allow them to meet confidently their future educational goals. I live in midtown Atlanta, near Emory, with my brother and a sulky, spoiled hound dog.
Blair
Statistics Graduate Level Tutor • +50 Subjects
I enjoy helping students by explaining concepts in ways that make sense to them, by eliciting their feedback and tailoring my approach to their individual needs, and by conveying my enthusiasm for the learning process. It's great to see the light come on and to see their progress. I have an undergraduate degree in Politics from Princeton, a post-baccalaureate certificate in Quantitative Studies for Finance from Columbia, and an MBA from London Business School. I served as an officer in the Marine Corps and have worked in a number of academic and private-sector positions. I founded and am currently running an analytics-focused consulting practice.
James
GRE Analytical Writing Tutor • +15 Subjects
As an undergrad I dabbled in more majors than any advisor would recommend, but finally ended up focusing on art and ancient cultures. I have a Bachelor of Arts in art history and am a PhD candidate at Yale University, where I am completing an iconographic and photogrammetric survey of ancient Maya architecture on the Yucatan Peninsula. Along the way I have travelled in Africa and Latin America, lived in Mexico--where I studied as a Fulbright Scholar--and in Canada, where I taught at McGill University. I started teaching test-prep classes (GRE, LSAT, SAT, and GMAT) twenty years ago and have taught for several national companies. Teaching these classes has always been immensely gratifying due to the satisfaction of helping students prepare for and meet career goals. I particularly enjoy teaching the more complex subjects, such as the LSAT analytical reasoning and the GMAT quantitative comparison. I know how difficult some of this material can be because I have worked very hard to master it myself! Due to my time spent studying foreign languages (Spanish, three Mayan languages, Middle Egyptian) I am also very good with writing, rhetoric, grammar, and style. When not teaching or doing research I might be found curling, running, woodworking, taking photographs, cooking with my well seasoned wok, or visiting art galleries.
Diana
AP Statistics Tutor • +41 Subjects
I received my MBA graduate degree from Georgetown University and my Electrical Engineering Bachelors degree from San Diego State University. I worked for Sony Electronics for over a decade as a Senior Electrical Design Engineer, leading hardware designs of newly introduced features of Sony's High-Definition televisions. I have also managed a privately-owned business. I have always been passionate about tutoring. For example, I tutored math, calculus and physics in college, and I volunteered in educating seniors in computer skills. I especially enjoy tutoring students who are interested in learning the subject themselves. Whether they are good at it is irrelevant as I will work very hard to ensure they have the right foundation to be confident and enthusiastic about the topic at hand. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, traveling, biking and playing the piano. I also enjoy meeting people from different cultures and backgrounds.
Aaya
Applied Mathematics Tutor • +81 Subjects
As a former IB student, my love for knowledge runs deep. I majored in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, graduating in December 2015 with honors (BME honors and Science and Technology Honors program) and going on to earn a Master's degree in Management Information Systems from the same university in 2019. I am currently pursuing a Master of Engineering in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning from the University of Illinois at Chicago and hope to start a career in data science and analytics. I greatly enjoy helping others learn and tutored throughout high school and college; I love seeing the light flash on in a student's eyes when they finally understand something they had been struggling with or when they easily solve a problem. I have tutored both young children as well as high school and college students, in just about every subject. I particularly enjoy language tutoring; I am fluent in Arabic and French and I love literature and poetry. I also love to tutor math and science subjects. My tutoring style is very much student-first; I listen and observe to determine the best approach for each individual student and what methods or strategies will be most helpful for you specifically. I am not averse to making a fool of myself with song or dance if it will help! I enjoy what I do and I want the students I work with to enjoy learning as well.
Stephen
ACT Writing Tutor • +24 Subjects
A former Princeton graduate student, I am currently a high school teacher and I have been teaching the SAT and GRE for 10 years. I have been able to lift scores up in both math and reading, helping students gain acceptance into schools like Princeton, Harvard, Lehigh, UPenn, Monmouth, and Rutgers. While the SAT may seem daunting, I can show certain techniques and strategies for overcoming it. But it takes more than just techniques to improve on the SAT. I also help students with the "grunt work" needed to improve their score on the SAT. Additionally, I can help all students looking to take the GRE, another of my specialties
Robert
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +120 Subjects
Emerson said that the secret of education is respecting the student. I have the greatest respect for that part of the human spirit that is curious and wants to learn. I find that if students feel they are listened to and heard, this allows them to feel encouraged. When they begin to understand that learning can be fun, the whole process becomes exciting and joyful. We are all curious and like to learn.
Dr. Réagan
AP Biology Tutor • +78 Subjects
I am an adjunct instructor/professor of business, marketing, and management with 27 years of college and university teaching experience. Furthermore, I have taught in other countries such as Russia, and I go back and forth to France, which is my origin. Subsequently, I hold four Masters degrees which include an MBA in Management from Long Island University, Masters of Liberal Studies with a concentration in History and Political Science from StonyBrook University, an EdM in Education Administration from Columbia University, and an MLS in Library Science from St John's University. I completed my PhD in Management at Walden University. For the past 16 years, I have been a private tutor in the following subject areas; English, Writing, French, Basic Italian, History, Psychology, Social sciences, and Bible Studies. Furthermore, I am ESL certified from the Language School in Montpellier, France, where I obtained a certification in TOEFL and TOESL. I am experienced in APA format scholarly writing and can assist in all levels of written expression. It is difficult to say what my favorite subject is because I love tutoring and teaching them all, as I truly enjoy helping and mentoring students. If I had to say what my favorite subjects are, I would say the business area because of my teaching experience, the languages, and the writing areas. However, I truly enjoy all the subjects especially ethics and social sciences and hard sciences. Teaching and Tutoring Philosophy In my 27 years of teaching experience on the college and university level, and 10 years of tutoring experience, I have developed my own teaching and tutoring philosophy. From these experiences, I have learned that people have diverse learning styles. For example, some of my students are visual learners, and others are auditory learners as well as kinesthetic learners. Therefore, I have taken on a similar philosophy to Howard Gardner who believed there are many different kinds of intelligences and students have different ways they learn best. Hence, I employ many different learning modalities in my teaching including lecture, presentation, question and answer, group work, brainstorming, visual aids, and role-playing simulations. For tutoring, I use visual and auditory, based on the materials that the student provides. I try to use diverse learning methods that are tailored to each student. My philosophy is that all people can learn given the proper supports and tools. Learning curves vary in length but everyone can achieve and succeed with the proper supports. In addition, I believe that critical thinking and high order cognitive learning is crucial to success in higher education and careers. It is important for students to learn how to compare, contrast, apply, analyze, synthesize, evaluate, and implement. Critical thinking is excellent training in executive decision making and judgment which is crucial for students entering the work place or advancing their careers. I have a strong passion for teaching and it gives me great satisfaction when I see students grow in their knowledge and critical thinking as a result of what I can impart upon them. My interests outside academia include going out with friends, dancing, karaoke, general and space science, sports (hockey, American football, basketball, etc), technology, statistics, music, traveling, French culture, experiencing multicultural diversity, and classic cars. In closing, I think it is important for a tutor to be a knowledgeable teacher, a role model, a mentor, as well as patient and open-minded to all cultures and learning abilities, and styles. My goal is to fulfill that role which is who i admire li Manning who is my role model.
Shannon
SAT Math Tutor • +18 Subjects
Shannon has a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from Princeton University with a Certificate in Chinese Language and Culture, and she has a dual-degree MBA from Wharton and a Master's in International Studies from the Lauder Institute at the University of Pennsylvania. She has excelled in standardized tests her whole life, and she received a 770 on the GMAT (top 1%) and received a full merit scholarship to the Lauder Institute. Shannon understands how to help students make tangible improvements in their test scores through careful planning and targeted review. She has been tutoring the GMAT since 2021. She also loves writing, and she has extensive experience in essay crafting for college and business school admissions. She has a lot of flexibility in evenings and nights EST.
Dariel
Statistics Tutor • +66 Subjects
Entrepreneur by day, educator by night. Have a burning passion for education that's hotter than the sun, which is over 27 million degrees Farenheit (F). Been teaching for 3 years across 2 different universities, 2 states, 100+ students, 10+ majors and 500+ subjects. I am most passionate about the subjects of Science, Math and Business. My goal is to inspire and educate the next generation of students who will be tomorrow's future leaders. Help me to reach this goal by making me the best educator around!
Top 20 Subjects
Frequently Asked Questions
Reading Comprehension typically poses the biggest challenge because it requires both speed and deep understanding—students must synthesize complex passages on unfamiliar topics (science, business, humanities) in just 3-4 minutes per passage. Critical Reasoning questions trip up many test-takers because they demand precise logical analysis; students often misread what the argument actually claims versus what they assume it claims. Sentence Correction challenges those unfamiliar with advanced grammar rules and idioms, especially non-native English speakers. A tutor can diagnose which of these three areas is your specific bottleneck and build targeted strategies rather than generic test prep.
The GMAT Verbal section gives you 65 minutes for 36 questions, meaning roughly 1 minute 45 seconds per question—but Reading Comprehension passages demand more time upfront while Critical Reasoning questions are often faster. Effective pacing means spending 3-4 minutes reading and understanding a passage (not rushing through it), then answering its questions more quickly because you've built solid comprehension. A tutor can help you practice the skill of strategic skimming for main ideas and structure rather than memorizing details, and teach you to recognize high-confidence versus low-confidence questions so you don't waste time on trap answers. Many students improve pacing dramatically once they stop trying to understand every sentence perfectly and instead focus on the test's actual demands.
Rather than reading passively and hoping to remember details, effective GMAT readers actively map the passage structure: they identify the main idea, note where the author shifts tone or introduces counterarguments, and mark key claims. This active reading takes slightly longer upfront but saves time answering questions because you already know where to find supporting evidence. Many students waste time re-reading passages multiple times; instead, a tutor can teach you to read once with purpose, annotate strategically, and use your mental map to navigate questions efficiently. The passages cover dense topics (evolutionary biology, corporate finance, literary criticism) specifically to test whether you can extract meaning from unfamiliar material—not whether you're an expert in the subject.
Critical Reasoning questions test your ability to identify logical structure, not just read English—they ask you to spot assumptions, evaluate evidence strength, or identify reasoning flaws in arguments. The trap answers often sound plausible because they're related to the passage topic, but they don't actually address the logical argument being made. For example, a question might ask "Which of the following, if true, most weakens the argument?" and offer an answer that's true about the topic but doesn't actually undermine the specific logical chain. A tutor helps you slow down and map the argument (premise → assumption → conclusion), then evaluate each answer choice against that logical structure rather than your gut feeling. This skill improves rapidly with targeted practice on argument types you find hardest.
GMAT Sentence Correction tests a specific subset of grammar and idiom—not every rule of English, but the ones that appear frequently on the test. Rather than memorizing grammar textbooks, effective test-takers learn to spot the most common errors: subject-verb agreement, pronoun clarity, parallelism, and verb tense consistency. A tutor can help you build pattern recognition by analyzing which error types appear most often in your practice tests, then drilling those specific patterns until you spot them automatically. For idioms (like "attribute X to Y" versus "attribute X as Y"), the fastest approach is targeted flashcards and exposure rather than trying to memorize a complete idiom list. Many students improve significantly by learning to eliminate answer choices systematically rather than trying to identify the "correct" grammar rule.
Score improvement depends on your starting point and effort. Students who begin in the 35-40 percentile often see 5-8 point jumps (roughly 8-15 percentile points) with focused tutoring and consistent practice, since they typically have identifiable gaps in fundamentals. Students already scoring 45+ (85th percentile) often improve 2-4 points, as the gains require mastery of nuanced question types and near-perfect accuracy. The GMAT Verbal section scores from 6-51, so a 5-point improvement at the lower end is more achievable than at the higher end. Realistic timelines typically involve 8-12 weeks of tutoring combined with 10-15 hours weekly of independent practice—tutoring accelerates your learning by diagnosing weak areas and teaching efficient strategies, but the practice hours are what build the skills.
Practice tests serve two purposes: diagnosis and confidence-building. Early in your prep, take a full practice test to identify which question types and topics drain your score the most—this data guides your tutoring focus. Mid-prep, take tests to track improvement and refine pacing strategies. Late in prep (final 2-3 weeks), take tests under exam conditions to build stamina and mental toughness. Many students make the mistake of taking practice tests passively, then moving on without analyzing wrong answers; instead, every wrong answer should trigger investigation: Did you misread the question? Misunderstand the passage? Fall for a trap answer? A tutor can teach you how to extract maximum learning from each practice test rather than just accumulating scores. The official GMAC practice tests are most predictive because they use actual retired GMAT questions.
Test anxiety on GMAT Verbal often stems from two sources: uncertainty about whether you're answering correctly (since there's no immediate feedback), and time pressure triggering rushed decisions. A tutor helps build confidence by ensuring you understand the logic behind correct answers, not just memorizing them—when you can explain why an answer is right, you trust your reasoning more. Pacing drills and timed practice builds familiarity with the time constraint so it feels less threatening on test day. Many students also benefit from learning to let go of individual questions; the GMAT is designed so that even strong test-takers won't be certain about every question, and dwelling on one uncertain answer tanks your performance on the next three. Practicing this mental skill—moving forward decisively—is as important as content mastery.
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