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Anyscia
Certified HSPT Tutor
Anyscia
BA The University of Texas at Austin • AS Houston Community College

Hello! I'm a junior International Relations and Global Studies major at the University of Texas at Austin. I have over 4 years of experience in tutoring/teaching in both virtual and in-person settings through peer mentorship and volunteering programs. My teaching style is very adaptive; some students require a visual, while others require a step-by-step explanation. Either way, I am looking forward to helping you build your confidence in your subject of choice!

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Lillian
Certified HSPT Tutor
Lillian
BA The University of Texas at Austin
1+ Years Tutoring

I am a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin where I received my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Plan II Honors along with a minor in Biology. During my years as an undergrad, I served as a peer adviser to help incoming freshmen prepare for college-level classes; an editor for both my university's literary journal and research journal; and a Mandarin Chinese teacher for beginning learners. After graduation, I began tutoring ESL students from China and eventually succeeded in raising their English scores by a full letter grade at the end of the semester. With more than 5 years of mentoring, tutoring, and teaching experience, I strongly believe that all subjects can be made fascinating. Gaining knowledge should be an exciting process, not a dreaded routine. Because of this, I try my best to find creative and fun methods of teaching for all my subjects, particularly for my specialtiesreading, writing, and test preparation. Due to my love of both learning and helping others, I am currently beginning a graduate degree in social work that will allow me to both expand my education and aid a greater amount of people. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and writing; playing the piano, violin, and ukulele; pet-sitting kittens or puppies; and trying adventurous foods.

ACT Scores
Composite33
SAT Scores
Composite1480
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Certified HSPT Tutor
Pedro
BA Harvard University
2+ Years Tutoring

I believe every student can make meaningful progress when instruction is tailored to their starting point, goals, and learning style. With more than 15 years of tutoring and teaching experience, including SAT, ACT, MCAT, and medical licensing examinations, along with a background teaching chemistry and physics, I help students strengthen academic skills, improve test-taking strategies, and build confidence. My approach is individualized and results-focused. I identify strengths and knowledge gaps, then create a clear plan targeting content, problem-solving, timing, organization, and study habits. I am patient, encouraging, and experienced working with diverse learning needs, including ADHD, as well as students who struggle with test anxiety, focus, or confidence. I also value clear communication with students and families so everyone understands the student's goals, progress, and next steps.

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Certified HSPT Tutor
Arnav
BS The University of Texas at Austin

Hi! I'm Arnav, an Economics student at The University of Texas at Austin who genuinely enjoys helping students build confidence in subjects they may find challenging. I've previously tutored at Best Brains Learning Center, worked with high school students on SAT preparation and college essays, and helped college students with introductory math courses. My teaching style is patient, supportive, and personalized because I know every student learns differently. Rather than just giving answers, I focus on helping students understand concepts in a way that makes sense to them and develop skills they can use independently. My goal is to make learning less stressful, more engaging, and help students feel confident in their abilities.

SAT Scores
Composite1430
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Certified HSPT Tutor
Sahasra
BA University

Helping children learn and grow is my passion. I believe that teaching someone is the greatest way to show the path to success for both the learner and the mentor. While improving my own skills in the science field while preparing for the competitive exam NEET(National eligibility cum entrance test in India for a medical college)I have helped many children in their academics alongside my mother who used to be a tuition teacher in India.

SAT Scores
Composite1400
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Certified HSPT Tutor
Ellyn
BA Washington University in St. Louis • Doctor of Philosophy, Mechanical Engineering The University of Texas at Austin
8+ Years Tutoring

I am a mathematics instructor at Tarrant County College and I am interested in helping math and engineering students achieve success!

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Certified HSPT Tutor
Christi
BA Baylor University • Current Grad Student, Chemical Engineering Rice University
9+ Years Tutoring

I'm a very positive person, so keeping a student excited about learning is not hard for me. I also like to reward my students when they've accomplished something.

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Certified HSPT Tutor
Alexandra
BA University of North Texas
6+ Years Tutoring

I am a rising senior at The University of North Texas in Denton. I am working towards my Bachelor of Arts in Spanish as well as English with a concentration in Creative Writing. I was raised in an academically competitive environment in Fort Bend County and my rigorous secondary education prepared me for success in college. I am a fortunate member of the Terry Scholarship Foundation, which has provided me and hundreds of other Texans with a private, four-year, full-ride scholarship. As a Terry Scholar, I am well-versed in all subjects and have taken on the role of mentor to many of the incoming freshmen. I have spent most of my free time in college as a nanny and tutor to families around the DFW area. I have experience with all age groups and there is nothing that intimidates me! While I tutor a broad range of subjects, I am most passionate about English, Literature, History, Spanish, and Government/Social Studies. Through my experiences helping struggling students and peers, I have realized the value of adaptability. Most people reach out to a tutor because the traditional classroom method is not best suited for their learning needs. There is nothing more joyful than when a student finally understands the material in a way that makes sense to them. Many times, students need flexibility and patience in order to grasp a foreign concept. I am a firm believer in the power of education and I hope to share my love of learning with all of my students. After graduation I plan on returning to Houston to obtain my Master of Arts in Teaching from Rice University. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and writing anything from poetry to screenplays. I have also been involved in competitive dance for most of my adolescence, so I understand the balance of academics and extracurriculars.

ACT Scores
Composite33
SAT Scores
Composite1430
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Certified HSPT Tutor
Alex
BA University
10+ Years Tutoring

I am available at almost any time to answer emergency questions, and strive to have everyone I teach succeed.

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Certified HSPT Tutor
Julie
MS University of Pennsylvania • BA Fordham University
1+ Years Tutoring

I am a Special Education English teacher in Philadelphia with a passion for education. I love working with students of all ages to find their learning style and to meet their personal goals. I also love to laugh and have fun while getting work done!

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Certified HSPT Tutor
Sheena
BA Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College
1+ Years Tutoring

I am pursuing an accelerated Master's Degree in Economics, and a Bachelor's in Chinese language at the Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College. I have been pursuing my passion for teaching and tutoring for over four years. I have taught both privately and in group settings on subjects such as Calculus, Economics, SAT, Math, and much more! I am great with any type of standardized testing: specifically, SAT, SAT II on Math 1 and 2, and HSPT. I genuinely love tutoring these subjects as well as math and writing. I believe strongly that my role as a tutor is to help my students approach the material with an anxiety-free, systematic approach. I know just how to make the testing environment one where a student feels both perfectly at ease and well equipped to succeed. I know first hand that testing and learning can be all too ridden with stress and have great techniques to reduce that. My approach to teaching is simple: kindness, calmness, clarity, and fun. I keep my students consistently engaged with questions. I know how to rephrase questions and bring them back in ways that each student is interested in to see maximum results. Most importantly, I find ways to make the material interesting and easily relatable to my students. A personal investment in material is a great way to see progress!

SAT Scores
Composite1570
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Certified HSPT Tutor
Emily
AB Gannon University
3+ Years Tutoring

I have always been a strong student and have several years of experience as a peer tutor as well as a over 4 years as a professional tutor. I tutor several subjects at various grade levels. I love teaching English, phonics, reading, and writing and have worked at my university's Writing and Research Center for 2 years. I also really enjoy tutoring math across grade levels. I have successfully helped students improve SAT and ACT scores, achieve admittance into to private grade and high schools, and improve grades in their classes. I work to meet students where they are at, create realistic goals, and make tutoring something to look forward, not dread.

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Certified HSPT Tutor
Alysia
BA Thomas Edison State University
10+ Years Tutoring

I am. My mother is a 2nd-grade teacher and my father is a middle school vice principal and that combination of discipline, leadership, and nurturing as a part of the educational experience has been instilled in me from a very young age. As a child, I had to overcome my own personal challenges in order to allow my intellect to shine. I have ADHD and in the elementary grades was labeled a class clown, however, I learned to conquer my learning disability and proceeded to excel. For high school, I attended Wyoming Seminary Upper School, a private boarding school in North East, PA, and my experience and education I received there helped mold me into a conscious global citizen set on making an impact in this world. I am currently an Intervention Specialist, Writer, and Personal Tutor that thoroughly loves helping children, adolescents, and college students master subjects that are challenging to them. As an Intervention Specialist I work in a K-5 school where I work with small groups of students that need additional support in English/Language Arts and Math. Additionally, I especially have a love for literature and reading and have aspirations to become a children's/ young adult author. I am also a published poet and plan on pursuing further publications in the future. The feeling I get when I am able to help build someone's confidence and skills is indescribable. As a previous Substitute Teacher, I have gained experience with students in all grade levels and abilities ranging from Pre-K to 12th grade, as well as students with special needs including Autism, ADD/ADHD, vision impairment, and multiple disabilities. I am dedicated to all of my students and approach their education with the same ferocity regardless of ability or skills. Also, I promise that I will always do my best to make things fun and exciting. If you're not laughing you're not learning! In my free time, I enjoy staying physically fit and appreciating all forms of art. I am dedicated to fitness and enjoy lifting weights, running, yoga, hiking, and participating in recreational team sports such as softball and volleyball. I believe that sports and physical activity are necessary for children to build leadership skills and learn how to cooperate with others and have helped coach an intramural children's baseball team for low-income students. I also have a love for music and visual art and frequently attend concerts, art exhibits, and poetry readings. I have a passion for life and enjoy sharing that passion with my students and others, helping them to realize and cherish their own desires and interests.

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Certified HSPT Tutor
Brendan
BA University
1+ Years Tutoring

During my Bachelor's studies at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, I was a mathematics and statistics tutor for a year, which I greatly enjoyed. I am currently a fourth-year Ph.D. student studying mathematics at the University of Florida. During my Ph.D. at the University of Florida, I was a teaching assistant for Calculus I, Calculus II, and Precalculus, and I was an instructor for a section of Calculus I. These experiences helped me develop my tutoring skills. Many students see math as a set of formulas that they can apply to the problems on their exams and homework. However, I feel that this way of thinking not only stifles true understanding, but also makes students' lives harder. My teaching philosophy is that if a strong conceptual understanding is built, then students will be well-equipped to answer any question that they can be asked. When I tutor, I make sure that students develop this foundation first and foremost.

SAT Scores
Composite1450
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Certified HSPT Tutor
Jake
BA University
6+ Years Tutoring

I am very interested in a career in the medical field, so I am apart of some pre-medical organizations. I really enjoy playing all different sports, from soccer to volleyball to tennis.

SAT Scores
Composite1470
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Certified HSPT Tutor
Joseph
MS London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art • BA University of Dallas
9+ Years Tutoring

I am not teaching, I enjoy going to the movies, spending time with my five younger brothers and sisters, and volunteering within MENSA. I believe that learning can always be made fun and is extremely rewarding when you put in the work. I look forward to sharing my love of all these subjects with you as a future student, and I look forward to meeting you!

ACT Scores
Composite32
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Certified HSPT Tutor
Shana
MS Pace University-New York • BA Harvard University
1+ Years Tutoring

I am looking forward to working with students eager to achieve.

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Certified HSPT Tutor
Moriah
BA Cornell University
1+ Years Tutoring

I am a graduate of Cornell University and received a Bachelor of Arts in Music. Currently, I am working as an Assistant Director at a preparatory school managing and teaching students simultaneously. In the recent years at the school, I have been focusing more on the Reading portions of standardized tests but have at times assisted students in the math and science portions as well usually one-on-one. I strongly believe that every students has their own style of learning and must learn at their own pace. Although, sometimes giving them too much leeway may not always be the best solution, I am there to also provide encouragement and challenge to make the learning process enjoyable and beneficial. Apart from work, I do enjoy reading, jogging, exploring New York City, and playing the violin during my spare time.

SAT Scores
Composite1550
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Certified HSPT Tutor
Rithi
MS Johns Hopkins University • BA Duke University
9+ Years Tutoring

I am now a medical student at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

SAT Scores
Composite1550
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Certified HSPT Tutor
Karin
MFA San Jose State University • MFA James Madison University
2+ Years Tutoring

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.

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Certified HSPT Tutor
Errin
Undergraduate Degree Converse College
9+ Years Tutoring

I have always loved school and have always had a passion for helping others. From a very young age, I especially loved to read, not only for myself but to others. I look forward to working with students and helping them to reach their goals, whatever they may be.

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Testimonials

Because the right HSPT tutor makes all the difference.

4.9

Average Session Rating – Based on 3.4M Learner Ratings

Worked with a HSPT Tutor

Your customer interface is A+, being your agents or your site, The tutor you found for me is perfect, no formulas or canned lectures but easy flowing lecture addressing my needs. Congratulations for a job well done.

JA
Julio Aranovich
Worked with a HSPT Tutor

Heejin has been very patient with me. I work a full time job sometimes even on the weekends. It has been a slow process with my Korean classes, but Heejin has been wonderful and patient.

AH
Angela Hussein
Worked with a HSPT Tutor

My son has had many quality tutors through this convenient service, and he can hop on at any time of day to get support for a homework assignment or test. It's very convenient and effective.

TR
Tara R
Worked with a HSPT Tutor

I've been working with my tutor for a few months now and the progress has been remarkable. The personalized attention and tailored lessons made all the difference compared to in-classroom learning.

MC
Michael Chen
Worked with a HSPT Tutor

The flexibility of scheduling combined with the quality of instruction is unmatched. I can get help exactly when I need it, whether that's late at night or early in the morning before a test.

PP
Priya Patel
Worked with a HSPT Tutor

My daughter went from dreading her sessions to looking forward to them. The tutor made the material engaging and built her confidence in ways I never thought possible. Highly recommend.

RW
Rebecca Williams

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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 Austin area to assess students' readiness for high school. It covers verbal skills, quantitative reasoning, reading, mathematics, and language arts. Scoring well on the HSPT can open doors to competitive high schools and help students demonstrate academic strength during the admissions process.

The HSPT consists of six sections: Verbal Skills, Quantitative Skills, Reading, Mathematics, Language Arts, and an optional essay. The test is scored on a scale of 200-800, with separate subscores for each section. Most schools focus on the composite score, though strong performance in specific sections can strengthen applications to competitive Austin-area high schools.

Many students struggle with the test's fast pace—you have limited time to answer questions across multiple sections. The Quantitative Skills section often trips up students who haven't seen certain problem types before, while the Verbal Skills section requires quick vocabulary recognition and reasoning. Additionally, the reading comprehension passages can be dense, making it hard to extract key information under time pressure.

Personalized 1-on-1 instruction focuses on your specific strengths and weaknesses rather than a one-size-fits-all curriculum. A tutor can identify exactly which question types you struggle with, adjust pacing to match your learning speed, and provide targeted practice where you need it most. This focused approach typically leads to faster improvement than large group classes, especially for students who need help with particular sections like Quantitative or Verbal Skills.

Most students benefit from 2-3 months of consistent preparation, though this varies based on starting point and target score. Students aiming for highly competitive Austin schools may want to start 3-4 months out, while others may need less time. With personalized tutoring, you can compress this timeline by focusing intensively on your weak areas rather than reviewing material you've already mastered.

Your first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment to identify your current strengths and weaknesses across all HSPT sections. The tutor will review your results, understand your target schools and goals, and create a customized study plan. This foundation ensures that all future sessions are tailored to help you improve exactly where you need it most.

Score improvement depends on your starting point and how consistently you work with your tutor, but many students see meaningful gains within 4-6 weeks of focused preparation. Students often improve most dramatically in their weakest sections—for example, someone struggling with Quantitative Skills might gain 50+ points in that area alone. Consistent practice, targeted strategy instruction, and regular feedback are key to translating tutoring into real score gains.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in HSPT prep and understand the schools Austin students are applying to. You can share your goals, timeline, and preferred learning style, and we'll match you with a tutor who fits your needs. Most students get started within days and can begin seeing results right away.

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