Award-Winning GMAT Tutors
serving Chicago, IL
Award-Winning
GMAT
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.

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.

I specialize in high-level GMAT diagnostic and execution coaching for stalled high-achievers. I don't just teach content; I identify the execution, timing, and decision-making patterns preventing score improvement and build customized strategies to break through plateaus under time pressure. After years of coaching GMAT students across a wide range of score levels, I've found that many advanced students underperform not because they lack ability, but because they approach questions inefficientlytreating each problem like a new puzzle instead of recognizing recurring execution patterns quickly and systematically. I earned my MBA from Georgetown University and worked as a former Sony engineer, bringing a data-driven and strategic mindset to every session. With 100+ five-star reviews, I've guided GMAT students to break barriersnot just raising scores, but shifting their confidence and thinking. As a result, many of my students have earned admission to elite MBA programs, including UCL
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.
The GMAT tests two things most prep courses treat separately: quantitative problem-solving and verbal-analytical reasoning. Carl bridges both — his doctoral training at Yale sharpened his ability to dissect arguments and evaluate evidence, while his math tutoring background keeps him fluent in data sufficiency and integrated reasoning problems. He teaches students to read GMAT questions like an examiner writes them.
I have always been driven to share my own passion for learning. While I was in high school, I tutored my peers after school. At college, I continued tutoring, but I also taught a class to middle-schoolers for a semester. Now, professionally, I teach seminars on Government and Politics. I went to Tulane University where I triple majored in Mechanical Engineering, Mathematics, and Philosophy. I tutor STEM topics, government, and test prep. My philosophy of education is that everyone is unique and must have a stimulating educational environment where they can grow. It is my desire to create this type of atmosphere where students can meet their full potential. I will provide a motivating environment where students are encouraged to take risks and strive for success. My teaching style is largely as a facilitator helping students overcome their obstacles.
I enjoy empowering students by making learning fun and believe that everyone has an "inner genius" that just takes the right technique to unlock. I bring a patient and friendly approach to teaching, specializing in the sciences, technology and math, and believe in teaching students to "learn for themselves".
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 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 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 am a junior Mechanical Engineering major at Yale, and I hope to become a Naval Aviator after college. I am also a varsity sailor, and enjoy playing music with friends when I can get some free time. I have been tutoring my fellow students throughout my entire academic career, and I would best describe my tutoring style as one that adapts to each students' needs. For example, I have always tried to frame questions in a different way so that the student can better understand the question. Some students need visual representations of numbers and systems to understand them, and others benefit more by understanding the concepts behind each formula. I prefer to tutor in math and physics, and especially with real world application problems. I hope to help students improve their standardized test scores and their understanding of the math and sciences so that they can achieve their academic goals!
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
GMAT score improvement depends on your starting point and study intensity, but most students see meaningful gains with personalized instruction. Many students improve by 50-100 points or more, particularly when working with a tutor to identify weak areas and develop targeted strategies. The key is consistent practice combined with expert feedback on your problem-solving approach—not just drilling problems, but understanding the underlying reasoning the test is evaluating.
Pacing is one of the most common challenges on the GMAT, especially in the Quantitative section where students rush through calculations. Expert tutors focus on teaching you how to recognize question types quickly, identify when to guess strategically, and allocate your 3.5 hours effectively across all sections. They'll help you practice with realistic timing on full-length practice tests, so you can calibrate your speed before test day without sacrificing accuracy.
The Quantitative section (data sufficiency and problem solving) typically challenges students most, especially those whose math skills are rusty. However, the Verbal section (reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction) presents different obstacles—often requiring you to think like a test maker rather than apply pure grammar rules. A tutor can assess which sections are your personal weak points and create a focused study plan, since not every student struggles with the same content.
Most test-takers benefit from 3-4 months of consistent preparation, though timelines vary based on your starting score and target score. Students aiming for top business school programs typically invest more study time. Personalized tutoring can often compress this timeline by helping you identify exactly what you need to focus on rather than studying everything broadly. Working with a tutor, you'll create a customized study schedule that fits your goals and timeline.
Full-length practice tests serve two critical purposes: they simulate the actual test-taking experience (including stamina and pressure) and reveal your specific performance patterns under timed conditions. Taking practice tests reveals which question types trip you up, where you lose time, and how your score fluctuates—information that's invaluable for targeted preparation. Tutors use your practice test results to diagnose weak areas and adjust your study strategy, making your preparation far more efficient than generic study materials alone.
Test anxiety on the GMAT often stems from unfamiliarity with the question formats, time pressure, or past test-taking experiences. Working with a tutor helps you build confidence through repeated exposure to real GMAT questions under realistic conditions, so the test itself feels familiar rather than threatening. Tutors also teach you stress management techniques and how to maintain composure when you encounter a difficult question—knowing you can skip it strategically rather than panic is often the difference between a good score and a great one.
Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in GMAT preparation and understand the specific challenges Chicago students face when balancing work, study, and applications. When you reach out, you'll be matched with a tutor based on your target score, timeline, and learning style. Tutors will assess your current level with a practice test, identify your weak areas, and create a personalized study plan designed to get you the score you need for your target business schools.
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