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  • YaleUniversity
  • PrincetonUniversity
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Award-Winning HSPT Tutors

Sanjiv

Certified Tutor

13+ years

Sanjiv

BS
Sanjiv's other Tutor Subjects
Competition Math
HSPT Quantitative
Artificial Intelligence (AI)

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 G...

Education

Princeton University

BS

Test Scores
SAT
1590
Moriah

Certified Tutor

Moriah

Bachelor of Arts in Music
Moriah's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
College Algebra
Algebra 3/4
Arithmetic

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...

Education

Cornell University

Bachelor of Arts in Music

Test Scores
SAT
1550

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Jing

Bachelor of Science, Accounting and Business Management
Jing's other Tutor Subjects
Applied Mathematics
Pre-Algebra
Competition Math
Middle School Math

I am working as a Cross-border consultant and consult for businesses who want to get into the Chinese market and do business with Chinese companies. Language and culture is a big part of my life both professionally and personally. My articles in mandarin have been published in multiple newspapers an...

Education

The university of York

Bachelor of Science, Accounting and Business Management

Certified Tutor

Julie

Masters, Urban Education
Julie's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
SAT Subject Test in Literature
SAT Reading and Writing

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!

Education

University of Pennsylvania

Masters, Urban Education

Fordham University

Bachelor in Arts, Sociology

Certified Tutor

Elena

Masters, Biblical Studies
Elena's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
SSAT- Upper Level
SSAT- Middle Level

I am a graduate of McGill University (BA First Class Honors) and the University of Edinburgh (MSc First Class Honors with Distinction) with over eight years of tutoring experience. I am currently a curriculum developer for a company which creates relatable and culturally-literate courses for middle ...

Education

University of Edinburgh

Masters, Biblical Studies

Mcgill University

Bachelor in Arts, Religious Studies

Certified Tutor

Denise

Bachelor's
Denise's other Tutor Subjects
SHSAT
MAP
HSPT
High School English

I am a passionate writer with a Bachelor's degree in English (Creative Writing) and Communications (Journalism) from the University of Washington. I have written professionally for nearly twenty years. I'm excited to work with middle school, high school, and adult students. My approach centers on b...

Education

University of Washington

Bachelor's

Certified Tutor

Shana

Masters, Bilingual Elementary Education (1-6)
Shana's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
College Algebra
Middle School Math
Elementary Math

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

Education

Pace University-New York

Masters, Bilingual Elementary Education (1-6)

Harvard University

Bachelors, Sociology

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Yvan

BS
Yvan's other Tutor Subjects
AP Statistics
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra

I'm patient, personable, and have an incredible gift for explaining things in a way that makes sense. I majored in Math Education (with a minor in Computer Science), and I have more than eight years of experience teaching math and other STEM subjects.

Education

Brigham Young University-Provo

BS

Certified Tutor

Justin

Current Grad Student, Philosophy
Justin's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
Quantitative Reasoning
SSAT- Upper Level

I am a graduate of the University of Chicago where I received my Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. Currently, I am in the master's program at the University of New Mexico where I am continuing my education in philosophy. Ultimately, I hope to go on to earn a PhD in Philosophy so that I can continue en...

Education

University of Chicago

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy

University of New Mexico-Main Campus

Current Grad Student, Philosophy

Test Scores
ACT
34

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Joseph

Master of Arts, Acting
Joseph's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Linear Algebra
Middle School Math
Geometry

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...

Education

London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art

Master of Arts, Acting

University of Dallas

Bachelor in Arts, English

Test Scores
ACT
32

Certified Tutor

Tim

Current Grad Student, Philosophy
Tim's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
SAT Subject Test in Literature
SAT Reading and Writing

I'm well acquainted with many of the schools in the area. I attended Skidmore College as an undergraduate, where I studied the intersections of philosophy, government, religion, and history. Skidmore was also where I began to gain formal experience working with young students, specifically by workin...

Education

Skidmore College

Bachelors, Philosophy

The New School for Social Research

Current Grad Student, Philosophy

Test Scores
SAT
1540

Certified Tutor

Sheena

Bachelors, Economics, Chinese
Sheena's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
College Algebra
Algebra 3/4
Calculus

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 Calc...

Education

Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College

Bachelors, Economics, Chinese

Test Scores
SAT
1570

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Karin

MFA
Karin's other Tutor Subjects
TOEFL
SAT Reading and Writing
ISEE- Upper Level
ISEE- Lower Level

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 t...

Education

San Jose State University

MFA

James Madison University

MFA

Certified Tutor

8+ years

Stephen

Bachelor's
Stephen's other Tutor Subjects
College Algebra
Algebra
ACT Math
HSPT

I love math and physics, particularly as it relates to geology. Ask me about rocks in my spare time! Also a casual American history and constitutional/political buff. APUSH Text: Henrietta Calculus Text: Stewart Physics Text: Knight

Education

University

Bachelor's

Test Scores
SAT
1480

Certified Tutor

5+ years

Karen

MED
Karen's other Tutor Subjects
Algebra
ACT Math
SAT Math
SAT

I have had the opportunity to teach and to tutor thousands of students over my 33 year teaching career. I believe that each student is unique, and that academic skills and weaknesses should be assessed and targeted for the best results. I also hope that it can be a FUN learning experience! I love i...

Education

Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus

MED

Misericordia University

MED

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Tim

Calculus Tutor • +32 Subjects

I'm well acquainted with many of the schools in the area. I attended Skidmore College as an undergraduate, where I studied the intersections of philosophy, government, religion, and history. Skidmore was also where I began to gain formal experience working with young students, specifically by working as a Classroom Assistant. After graduating from Skidmore with honors, I began to work on my MA at The New School for Social Research, where I am focusing on Ancient, Modern, and Contemporary political, legal, and moral philosophy. While at graduate school I have begun to tutor a number of students, many of whom I have now been working with for over a year. My greatest assets as a tutor lie in my mastery of the english language, skills in logic and conceptual organization, and versatile ability to explain to students complex ideas with which they find themselves frustrated and struggling. My goal is to restore students to a thoroughly self-sufficient status in their academic endeavors, an aim which pursue by focusing on the identification of students' advantages and disadvantages, and attempting to develop a unique plan for each student as to how we might capitalize on their strengths so as to neutralize their difficulties. I can be flexible about hours, and would be happy to receive email inquiries from any interested parents or students.

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Sheena

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +39 Subjects

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!

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Karin

TOEFL Tutor • +39 Subjects

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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Stephen

College Algebra Tutor • +5 Subjects

I love math and physics, particularly as it relates to geology. Ask me about rocks in my spare time! Also a casual American history and constitutional/political buff. APUSH Text: Henrietta Calculus Text: Stewart Physics Text: Knight

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Karen

Algebra Tutor • +5 Subjects

I have had the opportunity to teach and to tutor thousands of students over my 33 year teaching career. I believe that each student is unique, and that academic skills and weaknesses should be assessed and targeted for the best results. I also hope that it can be a FUN learning experience! I love it when students develop a passion for a subject like Biology, or develop an understanding and/or respect for Algebra, Geometry, etc. Most important to me is that the student ultimately feels successful, and sees improvement. Learning is a lifelong skill, and the desire to become better academically or to pass a class with a particular grade provides the motivation and opportunity to grow! I feel fortunate to be able to assist in those endeavors!

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Melinda

PSAT Writing Skills Tutor • +23 Subjects

I love to help students to do well on the SAT and ACT Verbal, Reading, and English sections. I have tutored these areas of standardized tests for more than 3 years. My approach is not "standardized" because I enjoy working one-on-one with clients to tailor learning experiences that address each person's unique needs. As a former professor of communication, I also have the skills to help professionals and graduate students with their research and writing. I am currently helping a doctoral student with her dissertation.

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Byron

AP Statistics Tutor • +9 Subjects

I like helping students. I am very patient. I have experience teaching Calculus classes at the University of Miami. I have done private tutoring for all levels of math up to Calculus, as well as Statistics, Business Math, and Math Finance. I have worked in the actuarial field. I have an undergraduate degree in mathematics from Michigan State University and a Master's degree in mathematics from the University of Miami. I worked for The Princeton Review as a tutor for the SAT. I did very well on both the SAT and ACT, and like teaching students how to do better on those. I like history, too, and always find it fun to tutor history.

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Ashwin

SSAT- Middle Level Tutor • +7 Subjects

Tutoring is about a lot more than studying, tests, and knowledge. I believe the interpersonal relationship involved with teaching greatly benefits both parties. Learning is fundamental to life- and turning otherwise cumbersome and difficult tasks like passing a hard class into a lightbulb moment is where I find my satisfaction. Turning such a familiar struggle into newfound realization and understanding is what I aim for.

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Susan

SAT Tutor • +8 Subjects

I am fortunate; I get to do the best job in the world. While teaching is my second career, it was always what I wanted to do. When I graduated from college, I was offered a position with my college's admissions and marketing office, where I had been working to put myself through school. It was a tremendous opportunity, and launched an eighteen-year career helping high school students make important decisions about their futures, and navigate an often complex admissions and financial aid system. I loved working with students, being around bright, engaging people, and doing work that made a difference. But each time I walked through a high school to present a workshop on writing college essays or preparing for college interviews, I was reminded of how deeply I still wanted to be in a classroom. So I took the plunge, and now spend my days teaching social studies to great students at a great school. I have taught world history, American history, sociology, psychology, economics, and even developed a high school course in teaching for students seeking a career in education. I am passionate about understanding how the past has shaped the present, and helping students recognize their critical role in protecting and preserving democracy. In addition to teaching course curricula, I work with students on writing skills, standardized test preparation, and college essays, because all of these skills will help them reach their academic goals. As a teacher, I believe that it is critical to help students develop the ability to regulate their own learning, and implement meta-cognitive strategies that will serve them in college and beyond. When I'm not teaching, I am a mom to a high school sophomore, a long-distance mom to two college students, a gardener who grows lots of organic vegetables, and an avid reader of anything historical. If I can help you in a specific subject area, or with essays, test preparation, or homework support, either face-to-face or on-line, let me know!

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Angelika

Middle School Math Tutor • +10 Subjects

Hello! My name is Angelika. I am a senior at Fordham University majoring in Biology and minoring is Disability Studies. I expect to graduate Spring 2023. I have tutored since the 7th grade and I love to help people understand concepts that they previously struggled with. I tutor in a variety of subjects but I am most passionate about Algebra, the SAT Grammar section, and the SAT Math Section. I believe that curating a unique approach for each individual is important in their advancement. Everybody is different and therefore their way of learning will be different too! This has helped many of my students raise their grades and confidence when it comes to their studies. In my free time, I enjoy watching cooking videos on YouTube and going to the gym!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Pacing is one of the biggest challenges on the HSPT since you have limited time per question across all five sections. Tutors work with students to develop section-specific strategies—for example, in Verbal Skills, learning to quickly identify synonyms and analogies without overthinking, while in Math, recognizing which problems to tackle first and which to skip strategically. Practice with timed drills helps build automaticity so you're not spending precious seconds on easier questions, and working through full practice tests under real test conditions reveals exactly where you're losing time.

Reading Comprehension trips up many students because the HSPT's passages are dense and time is tight—you need to extract key information quickly without getting lost in details. Quantitative Skills also challenges students who haven't solidified foundational concepts like ratios, percentages, and word problem setup. Verbal Skills, while testing vocabulary and logic, can feel unfamiliar since it emphasizes synonym and analogy patterns that don't always appear in regular schoolwork. A tutor can identify which section is dragging your score and create targeted practice to address the underlying skill gaps.

The HSPT's Verbal Skills section uses synonym and analogy questions in a format you might not see in regular classes, requiring you to think about word relationships rather than just definitions. Reading Comprehension questions ask for main ideas, inferences, and detail recall under time pressure—different from classroom reading where you can reread. Quantitative questions mix basic arithmetic, algebra, and geometry in ways that test problem-solving speed, not just computation. Tutors break down each format, show you the patterns and tricks to recognize, and have you practice until these question types feel natural rather than surprising.

Score improvement depends on your starting point and how consistently you practice. Students who work with a tutor for 4-8 weeks with regular practice typically see 50-100 point gains, though this varies based on your baseline and the areas you're targeting. The biggest improvements come when you identify specific weak sections—say, Reading Comprehension or Quantitative Skills—and focus there rather than trying to improve everything at once. Consistent practice with timed drills and full-length tests, combined with targeted instruction on question formats and strategy, creates the conditions for meaningful gains.

Test anxiety often stems from unfamiliarity with question formats or uncertainty about timing strategy—both things tutoring directly addresses. When you've practiced the exact types of questions you'll see, worked through pacing strategies under timed conditions, and built confidence in your ability to recognize patterns, anxiety naturally decreases. Tutors also help you develop a realistic sense of which questions to prioritize, when to move on, and how to manage your mental energy across all five sections, so you feel in control rather than overwhelmed on test day.

Practice tests are essential because they reveal your actual pacing, timing, and weak areas under conditions that mirror the real exam. Rather than taking a practice test once and moving on, use them diagnostically: take one untimed to identify content gaps, then take several under timed conditions to work on speed and strategy. Between practice tests, focus on drilling the specific sections where you stumbled—for instance, if Reading Comprehension dragged you down, do targeted passages and timing work. Your tutor can review your practice test results to pinpoint patterns, like whether you're running out of time or making careless errors, and adjust your study plan accordingly.

A strong HSPT tutor understands the test's unique structure—the five sections, their different question formats, and the specific timing constraints—and can teach you strategies tailored to each. They should be able to diagnose exactly where you're losing points, whether it's vocabulary knowledge in Verbal Skills, conceptual gaps in Quantitative, or reading speed in Comprehension. Beyond content, they should be skilled at teaching you to recognize question patterns, manage time strategically, and build the confidence that comes from practicing under realistic test conditions. Look for someone who uses actual HSPT materials, tracks your progress across sections, and adjusts the approach based on what's actually holding back your score.

Most students benefit from 4-8 weeks of focused HSPT prep, though this depends on your starting point and target score. A typical weekly schedule might include 2-3 tutoring sessions focused on strategy and weak areas, plus 3-4 hours of independent practice with drills and timed sections between sessions. Starting with diagnostic practice to identify weak areas, moving into targeted skill-building, and finishing with full-length timed practice tests creates a logical progression. Your tutor can customize the timeline and intensity—if you're starting further behind or aiming for a very competitive score, you might need more time; if you're already strong in most areas, you might focus heavily on one or two sections.

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