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Award-Winning GRE Tutors

Certified Tutor
11+ years
Elizabeth scored 730 Verbal and 770 Quantitative on the GRE and teaches exclusively from ETS materials, since those mirror test-day question styles more closely than third-party prep books. She built her approach over years of classroom instruction at American University and Princeton Review, creati...
Vanderbilt University
AM

Certified Tutor
9+ years
Thomas covers both the quantitative and verbal sides of the GRE, drawing on a math-heavy science background that spans calculus through statistics and a graduate education built on reading and writing analytically. For the Quantitative Reasoning section, he digs into probability, number properties, ...
Columbia University in the City of New York
AM
Dartmouth College
AM
Certified Tutor
6+ years
Ruth has taken the GRE from both sides — as a test-taker entering her PhD program in Criminology and as someone who now teaches all three sections. Her doctoral training sharpens the Analytical Writing component, while her math teaching background means she can break down Quantitative Reasoning prob...
University of Pennsylvania
PhD
Moravian College and Moravian Theological Seminary
PhD
Certified Tutor
10+ years
Preparing for the GRE as a whole means juggling Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical Writing — three sections that reward very different skills but share a common thread of logical reasoning. Irina's science background covers the quantitative side, while her years of teaching English abroad and earn...
New York University
Undergraduate Degree
Certified Tutor
12+ years
I am a graduate of Grinnell College, a private liberal arts college located in Grinnell, Iowa. I have a Bachelor of the Arts in Computer Science from Grinnell's Department of Math and Computer Science. Since graduation I have tutored students of a wide variety of ages and background in a number of...
Grinnell College
AB
Certified Tutor
9+ years
Scoring 5s on both AP English exams and the AP Psychology exam, Destiny knows how to dissect reading passages under pressure and construct tight analytical arguments — two skills that drive GRE Verbal and Analytical Writing scores. Her psychology background at Howard University also built the quanti...
Howard University
BS
Certified Tutor
15+ years
Reviews from students: "I loved how you explained math. You were able to explain formulas so they made sense and it was engaging. Thank you for making math interesting." - Ferol Conklin "I have published over 20 articles, and no one has ever edited my articles as thoroughly or as helpfully as you...
University
Bachelor's
Certified Tutor
8+ years
I am a 2020 graduate of Rice University and currently in my final year of Medical School. Throughout my academic and professional journey, I've found that one of the most rewarding parts of education is helping others reach their potential. I've worked with students across many stages, from high sch...
Rice University
AB
Certified Tutor
4+ years
Knowledge is powerful tool that can change your life and the lives of others. As a tutor my goal is to teach my students how to wield knowledge through embracing their mistakes and teaching them how to learn. I expect my students to approach sessions with an open mind and a willingness to learn. ...
University of Chicago
PhD
Purdue University-Main Campus
PhD
Certified Tutor
My tutoring sessions are interactive, patient, and highly personalized. I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all methodeach student learns differently, so I adapt my approach to match their individual pace, goals, and learning style. I focus on helping students truly understand the why behind each con...
Johns Hopkins University
Bachelor's
Certified Tutor
3+ years
Thomas
I love literature and reading and writing -- they've been central to my life since early childhood -- and I hope as a tutor not only to help students improve their skills in these areas but to instill in them a similar kind of lifelong affection for these pursuits. I believe that reading and writin...
The University of Montana
MS
Princeton University
MS
Certified Tutor
2+ years
I am a current undergraduate student at Cornell University. I began tutoring 4 years ago because I am passionate about helping students become confident in their academic skills and reach their academic goals. Each session with a student consists of consistent, guided instruction that fosters indepe...
Cornell University
Bachelor
Certified Tutor
3+ years
I am attending the University of Pennsylvania where I am majoring in Bioengineering on the premed track, with my goal after graduation to become an orthopedic surgeon. My passion for tutoring stems from a genuine love for helping people discover their strengths and succeed in their learning journey,...
University of Pennsylvania
Bachelor
Certified Tutor
3+ years
I graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor's of Arts in Neuroscience and have a Post-baccalaureate Certificate in Biomedical Sciences and Health Equity. As a tutor I focus on problem solving and analytical skills. I am able to break down problems and difficult concepts in a way that ev...
Northwestern University
Bachelor
Certified Tutor
Alison
I have a Bachelor's degree from College of the Holy Cross in French and Psychology, and a Master's of Public Health from Columbia University. I work in global health, primarily supporting women and children's health programs in Francophone West and Central Africa. I have experience tutoring students...
Columbia University
Master's/Graduate
College of the Holy Cross
Bachelor's
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Thomas
Middle School Writing Tutor • +4 Subjects
I love literature and reading and writing -- they've been central to my life since early childhood -- and I hope as a tutor not only to help students improve their skills in these areas but to instill in them a similar kind of lifelong affection for these pursuits. I believe that reading and writing are key not only to enjoying a broadly fulfilling and exciting life but also to performing effectively in virtually any kind of serious job. As a kid, my dream was to become a writer of fiction -- novels and stories -- and I majored in English and creative writing in college. But then it was literature that led my life to take a different, unexpected path. At Princeton, I had to write a senior thesis, and the topic I chose was native American prose literature -- novels, poems and other writings that hugely enhanced the love of nature and wilderness that I had already acquired through hiking and camping trips with my father. Instead of wanting to write fiction, I became an environmental advocate, and wanted to write about wilderness and environmental issues. So, I moved from the East Coast to Montana for graduate school, where I studied wilderness and wildlife management issues and earned a Master's degree in natural resource conservation. For decades ever since I have made my living primarily as a communicator, through writing as well as public speaking. Every job I've had depended on my ability to write well, from working as an editor of technical research papers for the US Forest Service; as communications director for an environmental protection group; as a press secretary in a Presidential campaign; as an international publicist for a PR firm in New York City; as an aide in the Montana Governor's Office; and as a self-employed lobbyist and campaign manager for numerous large corporations and small nonprofit groups. I also taught public and media relations at Carroll College in Montana and have done a fair amount of freelance writing along the way, with essays published in diverse outlets including Western Wildlands, the Journal of Soil & Water Conservation, Range magazine and Playboy. My love of reading and literature has never ceased. I am always reading at least one good book at a time, and I still write almost daily. On the side, I recently have edited two books for publication and have written several grant proposals. I look forward to sharing my passion for learning with students through the Varsity Tutors program.
Victoria
Pre-Calculus Tutor • +2 Subjects
I am a current undergraduate student at Cornell University. I began tutoring 4 years ago because I am passionate about helping students become confident in their academic skills and reach their academic goals. Each session with a student consists of consistent, guided instruction that fosters independence and confidence in their skills. While I can instruct in many subjects, I love to tutor in math and English.
Elias
Middle School Math Tutor • +3 Subjects
I am attending the University of Pennsylvania where I am majoring in Bioengineering on the premed track, with my goal after graduation to become an orthopedic surgeon. My passion for tutoring stems from a genuine love for helping people discover their strengths and succeed in their learning journey, much like guiding a friend through a challenging but rewarding adventure. My teaching philosophy centers on adaptability and personalized instruction, tailoring each session to meet the unique needs of my students. As a tutor, I find immense joy in helping students navigate the field of STEM, while also sharing my enthusiasm for French and Arabic languages. Beyond academia, I am an avid explorer of the world, and I relish the beauty of cultural diversity. In my free time, I enjoy immersing myself in outdoor adventures, savoring diverse cuisines, and partaking in various athletic activities.
Abdelhalim
ACT Tutor • +1 Subjects
I graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor's of Arts in Neuroscience and have a Post-baccalaureate Certificate in Biomedical Sciences and Health Equity. As a tutor I focus on problem solving and analytical skills. I am able to break down problems and difficult concepts in a way that every student can understand. I have numerous years of experience helping students excel in coursework, prepare for standardized tests, and compose comprehensive academic applications. I truly believe every student is capable of high levels of academic achievement and given the right framework students will propel themselves to new heights. I am proficient in many subjects but have a true passion for math, science and language arts.
Alison
Expert Tutor
I have a Bachelor's degree from College of the Holy Cross in French and Psychology, and a Master's of Public Health from Columbia University. I work in global health, primarily supporting women and children's health programs in Francophone West and Central Africa. I have experience tutoring students from elementary age up through high school, both tutoring French students in English while I was studying abroad in Strasbourg, France, for a year in college, and tutoring American students in French. I have worked as a freelance French interpreter and translator and for UNICEF and the United Nations Foundation and would be happy to share with students how French can open doors professionally. In addition to keeping up my French, I have studied a number of languages as an adult (Arabic, Spanish, German, Bambara), and so I have ideas about what works and doesn't work in terms of teaching foreign languages to both school-aged students as well as adults. I have my own teaching materials and am happy to incorporate students' materials and interests into the lesson plan. I have strategies for keeping the material interesting and dynamic, and I offer a supportive environment for them to practice their skills. I look forward to discussing how I can best tailor my lessons to meet your needs!
Troy
Geometry Tutor • +5 Subjects
I am an Arizona native. Upon graduating from Desert Mountain High School, I attended Rice University and I received my Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology with a business focus. At Rice I was a student/athlete representing the Division I Owls in track and field. After several years experience voluntarily tutoring friends and family members I became a professional private tutor my junior year of college. My senior year, I took advantage of the opportunity to reach more students, creating a small private tutoring company in Houston in which I served as lead tutor and conducted all business operations. After graduating from college, I moved back to Arizona and am excited to have the opportunity to continue my passion of helping young men and women achieve academic excellence through tutoring. I have experience tutoring elementary through college-aged students in all academic disciplines. My primary areas of focus include: math, English, and standardized test prep. In my spare time I enjoy exercising, following sports, and spending time with friends and family.
Sara
SAT Tutor
I'm a rising sophomore at Columbia University, majoring in Mechanical Engineering. My journey as a tutor began in 10th grade when I ran volunteer tutoring labs in math, physics, and chemistry. I had classmates struggling with stoichiometry, peers needing an algebra refresher, or a group of panicked kids with a trigonometry test the next morning. With a wide range of needs and urgencies, I learned how to break down complex ideas into approachable steps, fill in gaps in their understanding, and tailor each session to meet individual needs. I've guided high schoolers through personalized ACT and SAT prep, sharing my tips/tricks and improving their current test-taking strategies. I completely understand that tough subjects can be overwhelming when one is confused; the learning journey typically leaves you confuzzled/frustrated. However, I'm here to clear the fog. I focus not just on getting the right answers, but on building real understanding. I'm prone to using odd analogies, clear explanations, and customized study strategies that meet students where they are. My goal is to make students feel confident in their knowledge and problem-solving strategy.
Sanjiv
Competition Math Tutor • +2 Subjects
Math has been my passion ever since high school - from earning 1st place nationally in Calculus and Linear Algebra, to competing on the AMC 10, AMC 12, and AIME exams. At Princeton, I tutored peers in Multivariable Calculus, and since then I've worked with middle school through college students in Geometry, Precalculus, Trigonometry, Calculus, and SAT/GRE quantitative prep. I'm dedicated to simplifying complex ideas and helping students build confidence in their own problem-solving skills! I also built my first artificial intelligence tool in 2018, and currently enjoy helping integrate LLMs and Agents for companies!
Ainsley
Middle School Math Tutor • +2 Subjects
I am a graduate of Rice University with a Bachelor of Science in Physics, a Bachelors of Arts in Philosophy, and a minor in Neuroscience. My previous tutoring experiences have primarily focused on college level physics, math, and chemistry; AP Calculus, AP Physics, and AP Chemistry; the ACT and SAT college entrance exams; general mathematics at the high school level; and middle school level math and english for state standardized testing. Additionally, I have experience working with students with learning differences including dyslexia, ADHD, and ASD. As someone who loves learning, I am a firm believer in making our meetings enjoyable as well as educational. STEM subjects in particular have the reputation for being boring and complicated, but I love that as a tutor I can help students make sense of the topics and find the fun!
Alexandra
Elementary School Science Tutor • +2 Subjects
Hi! My name is Alexandra, and I am a Princeton University Neuroscience major with 5+ years of tutoring experience. I specialize in SAT/ACT/PSAT prep and have successfully taught topics ranging from computer science and basic sciences to elementary reading and writing and college essay writing. In high school, I scored a perfect 36 on the ACT on my first attempt, a perfect 1520 on the PSAT/NMSQT, won "finalist" status in the National Merit Scholarship competition, and was a medalist in the New York Science Olympiad. As an undergraduate at the top-ranked university, I focus specifically on standardized test preparation, including the SAT, ACT, and PSAT. I have an understanding of the structure and timing of the exams and the strategic approaches that are required to achieve top scores. I have successfully supported students in improving their performance through individualized study plans because I understand that not all students can use the same approaches to succeed. My approach emphasizes effective time management and a mastery of recurring question types. Outside of college test preparation, I have tutored students ages 5 to 17 in a variety of topics. A common teaching approach I use is to introduce new concepts with example problems that we work through together. I then explain each strategy and help the student through another problem, encouraging them to explain their thinking step by step. Finally, I let the student tackle a problem independently. Once a student can articulate why a method works, they are truly ready to apply it on their own. While this method suits many students, I understand that everyone learns differently and pride myself on being adaptable within and outside of lessons.
Top 20 Subjects
Frequently Asked Questions
Pacing is one of the biggest challenges GRE test-takers face, especially on the Quantitative section where you have roughly 1.5 minutes per question. A tutor can help you identify which question types consistently slow you down—whether that's data interpretation, geometry, or complex word problems—and teach you strategic shortcuts specific to those formats. Practice with timed sections is essential; tutors often use full-length practice tests to pinpoint where you're losing time and help you develop realistic strategies for skipping difficult questions strategically rather than getting stuck.
GRE Reading Comprehension passages are dense and often feature unfamiliar academic topics, making it easy to get lost in details. Effective tutors teach active reading techniques like annotating for main idea, author's tone, and argument structure—skills that differ significantly from how you read for pleasure. They also help you practice the specific question types (inference, detail, main idea, author's purpose) so you recognize what each question is really asking, which is often the key to avoiding trap answers designed to catch careless readers.
Many test-takers struggle with algebra (especially manipulating equations and solving for variables), word problems (translating English into math), and data interpretation under time pressure. Geometry and coordinate geometry also trip up students who haven't seen these topics since high school. A tutor can assess which of these areas are holding back your score and focus on building conceptual understanding rather than just memorizing formulas—this approach helps you tackle unfamiliar variations of familiar topics, which is what the GRE tests.
The Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) is often neglected, but it's highly improvable with targeted practice. Most students can gain 1-2 points (on the 0-6 scale) by learning the specific structure GRE graders expect: a clear thesis, relevant examples, logical reasoning, and error-free writing. A tutor can provide feedback on your essays that goes beyond grammar—helping you develop stronger arguments, anticipate counterarguments, and manage the 30-minute time constraint. Since many programs weight the AWA less heavily than Quant and Verbal, tutors often help you decide whether to prioritize it based on your target schools.
Most students see measurable improvements within 4-8 weeks of consistent tutoring and practice, though the timeline depends on your starting point and target score. If you're aiming for a 10-15 point increase, you might achieve that in 6-10 sessions; larger jumps (20+ points) typically require longer commitment and more independent practice between sessions. The key is combining tutoring with regular full-length practice tests—tutors use these to track progress and adjust strategy, so you're not just studying harder but studying smarter based on what's actually holding your score back.
Test anxiety on the GRE often stems from unfamiliar question formats, time pressure, or past experiences with standardized tests. Tutors build confidence by demystifying the test structure, teaching you exactly what to expect in each section, and running timed practice drills so the format feels familiar on test day. They also help you develop a realistic pacing strategy and permission to skip hard questions—knowing you have a plan reduces panic. Many tutors discuss mindset and test-day logistics (sleep, timing, breaks) to help you approach the exam as a manageable challenge rather than a high-stakes threat.
Taking full-length, timed practice tests under realistic conditions is non-negotiable for GRE prep—they reveal your true score, not just your ability on untimed questions. A tutor helps you use practice tests strategically: taking one early to establish a baseline, then using subsequent tests to track progress and identify patterns in your mistakes (Are you missing inference questions? Running out of time on Quant?). The real value comes from thorough review afterward—tutors help you understand not just what you got wrong, but why the right answer is correct and how to recognize similar questions in the future.
While the GRE does test vocabulary, memorizing a 5,000-word list is an inefficient approach. Modern GRE questions often provide context clues, and the test focuses more on your ability to understand how words function in sentences and arguments. A tutor can teach you to use word roots, prefixes, and suffixes to decode unfamiliar words, and help you focus on high-frequency GRE vocabulary (words that actually appear repeatedly). They'll also help you practice reading comprehension and text completion in context, which is far more effective than flashcards alone for building the vocabulary skills the GRE actually tests.
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