Award-Winning HSPT Tutors serving Manhattan, NY

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Mia
Certified HSPT Tutor
Mia
BA Pace University

Hi, I'm Mia and I am passionate about helping students excel academically! My teaching philosophy focuses on giving students the tools they need to succeed in their courses, rather than simply having them memorize the material. I have experience tutoring high school students, notably in SAT Reading and Writing. I was Valedictorian of my high school class and have extensive experience in the college admissions process, earning admission to prestigious schools like Northwestern University and Cornell University. I'm currently a student of Psychology and Women's and Gender Studies at Pace University, and I hope to become a children's and adolescent counselor. When I'm not tutoring, I love songwriting and producing my own tracks!

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Hudson
Certified HSPT Tutor
Hudson
BA New York University

Hey I'm Hudson! I self-studied for every exam I took in high school, including the SAT, ACT, and 10+ AP Courses, so I have a very thorough understanding of standardized tests. I just graduated high school earlier this year, so I still remember exactly what it was like to be in your shoes. Because of this, I believe I'll be able to help you boost your scores in very niche and underrated ways. Test prep shouldn't be stressful, you should feel confident and prepared when the time comes. SAT prep is my specialty.

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Certified HSPT Tutor
Sinan
MS Boston University

As a student, I know how it can be difficult to study on your own sometimes. You don't really know you what you don't know, so making progress could be hard! I focus on breaking down concepts to foster a deep understanding that allows you to apply it to any possible question. I aim to understand what ways you learn best and guide you to perform well in your studies.

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Mamadou
BA University

I believe that every student can reach their full potential with the right guidance. It is one of my goals to make education as easily accessible and consumable for as many people as possible. I look forward to working with you!

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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.

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Margot
BA Dartmouth College
1+ Years Tutoring

I am originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, where I attended Menlo School, one of the top private high schools in California. Given my educational background, I am no stranger to the pressures facing today's students--from schoolwork to extracurriculars to college applications and test prep, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. That's why one of my main goals as a tutor is to ease the stress in students' lives. I'm here to help your workload feel manageable (and hopefully fun!) and to encourage you to do your best work. I take this attitude and my teaching style and adapt it to the needs of each individual student. We'll work together to figure out how YOU learn best, what approaches work well for you, and ultimately, how we can achieve your goals. Whether you're a struggling student who needs a patient and a new way of explaining concepts, or a star student who wants a tutor who will challenge you at new levels, I can help you get there. I am passionate about making every student feel confident and prepared, no matter the academic situation.

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Varun
BA Dartmouth College
10+ Years Tutoring

I am enthusiastic about helping others reach their educational goals. Whatever the task, no matter how long it takes, I will make sure you get the most out of your sessions and will tailor my personal approach to whatever you need.

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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!

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Jing
BA The university of York
9+ Years Tutoring

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 and magazines when I was studying in China. Chinese literature and history have always been my greatest passion. I want to help everyone really understand the Chinese culture and learn to use this beautiful language to express themselves whenever they are traveling, studying, doing business with Chinese. I am really good at other subjects too, I passed the GMAT exam with 99% math/quantitative section. Math has always been one of strongest academic subject too. Tutoring is a great responsibility, further to me it can also be one of life's most rewarding experiences. I am naturally attracted to different cultures and love to share mine with everyone. I was also a Junior Olympian (swimmer) for 8 years and love to go outdoors as I love nature.

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Melissa
PhD University of California-Berkeley • BA Vassar College
1+ Years Tutoring

I am a PhD Candidate in History at the University of California, Berkeley but am currently living in New York while finishing my dissertation on the British Empire in India in the late 18th Century. I am originally from New York City and attended a very academically oriented private school, so I have first-hand experience with the stresses and concerns many students face, regardless of the school they attend. I benefited from private tuition myself and would like to consider my story a successful one, therefore I hope to carry on the benefits of tutoring to my own students.

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Arun
BA University
1+ Years Tutoring

I am well aware of that, and as a tutor, I consider it my job to give my students the confidence to apply the knowledge they have gained. That confidence will serve them well not only now but in future endeavors as well.

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Naomi
BA Brandeis University
1+ Years Tutoring

I am happy to tutor for Varsity Tutors. I study English literature and philosophy, so reading and writing are my strongest suits, but I am glad to help in any of my listed subjects. Please send me a message to let me know how I can be of assistance!

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Marion
BA University
1+ Years Tutoring

I am especially enjoy working with students on Math, English, and Writing. I always work on first ensuring that students understand the underlying fundamental concepts before tackling more complex problems. I love to use real-world, relevant examples to make concepts come to life, and I always try to instill a love and excitement for the subject by making my sessions as animated and exciting as possible. In my spare time, I love to read, do yoga, and go running in Prospect Park.

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Derrick
BA Cornell University
1+ Years Tutoring

I am a recent graduate of Cornell University where I majored in Industrial and Labor Relations. Additionally, I minored in International Relations, Law and Society, Latin American Studies and Business. I first gained experience in tutoring working with younger children at a private tutoring company. It was exciting to see them improve and make great strides on a weekly basis. My personal favorite subjects as a student were history and english, but I find helping students who struggle with math equally as gratifying. I also enjoy tutoring for standardized exams such as the SAT because of how easy it is for students to improve once they are taught techniques and begin to practice them. As the son of a teacher I was always taught that education was vital and necessary to succeed. I passionately believe this and in tutoring try my best to give students the tools so that they could garner the most out of their education. My favorite hobbies include traveling, reading, and going to the gym.

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Anna
BA University
9+ Years Tutoring

I am a recent college graduate with a goal of becoming a physician. I majored in Neuroscience and and have a passion for math as well. I think a good way to help students learn is to get them to stay motivated by being encouraging and showing them the fun in learning. Everything may seem hard at first, but hard work really does pay off in the end. I think the best way to learn is to be open minded and willing to learn.

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Amy
BA Middlebury College
1+ Years Tutoring

I am an incredibly dedicated tutor with years of experience and education to help students reach their academic goals. Beginning in high school, I tutored elementary through high school students in mathematics and the sciences. In college, I taught a weekly class to local high school students interested in learning about neuroscience. Since college, I have continued tutoring students on a weekly basis in a wide variety of subjects.

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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.

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Nikhil
BA University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
6+ Years Tutoring

I am a patient, intellectual, and calm college student at the University of Michigan passionate about tutoring others to improve their proficiency in a wide variety of subjects. I teach students by creating individualized plans that cater to the strengths and weaknesses of the student. I work hard and as long as it takes to ensure that the student derives maximum benefit. I love teaching a wide variety of subjects, and have a speciality in standardized tests.

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Taylor
BA University
1+ Years Tutoring

I am a recent graduate of the University of Rochester in upstate New York, with degrees in English Literature and French. I have experience tutoring students of all ages, from those who have just finished kindergarten all the way up to college students. I tutor in English (including reading for both younger and older students, essay prep including college essays, and editing), French of all levels, and test prep including SAT, PSAT, and AP tests in English and French. I believe that individualized teaching is most effective, and work to find methods that work best for each individual student. Some of my most rewarding teaching experiences have been young students learning to read, but also love to see a student who goes from struggling to success on their standardized tests. I believe that an education is one of the most influential things a person can possess, and am passionate about helping students succeed academically and helping them overcome frustration they may feel to begin to enjoy their education, too. Beyond academics, I passionately love to read, cook, and do yoga, which takes up much of my free time.

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Taylor
BA Boise State University
1+ Years Tutoring

For over two years, I've supported students and professional writers alike as a tutor and consultant, and for five years, I've worked on novels as a developmental editor. I graduated from Boise State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Public and Professional Writing, and I specialize in ACT English, college English, technical writing, and creative writing. I tailor my strategies to each student's needs, using a collaborative, student-centered style based on research, including research I conducted and presented at the 2024 National Conference for Peer Tutoring in Writing. My passion for writing and communication motivates me to guide students in finding their voices and achieving their academic goals. I aim to help students grow beyond my tutoring and gain experience that will serve them for the rest of their lives.

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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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Elena
MS University of Edinburgh • BA Mcgill University
1+ Years Tutoring

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 and high-schools, and am particularly adept at communicating and explaining concepts in a quirky, engaging, and intelligent manner. I was named Scotland International Young Thinker of the Year 2014 for exactly that sort of work. Much of my tutoring background is in test-prep and essay coaching, which I enjoy because it allows the tutor and student to think strategically together, and work as a team to achieve concrete results. I have worked with students ranging in age from 6-32, and believe that, in an educational context, a few jokes never hurt anybody. I love reading and learning, and my educational approach is centered around making the material just as engaging to students as it is to me. I think J.K. Rowlings, the writer of Harry Potter, is just as brilliant as Stephen Hawking, and in my free time, I manage my (terrible) fantasy baseball team, write songs for my comedy band, and crack jokes about terrible science-fiction movies with my friends.

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Mary
BA Indiana University-Bloomington
7+ Years Tutoring

I am a graduate of Indiana University Bloomington. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures with a focus on Russian, Russian Literature, and International Relations. Since graduating, I have worked at a YMCA Learning Center as a Preschool Teacher Assistant, camp counselor, after-school counselor, art program leader and childcare provider for all ages. I tutored children (K-8) in the after-school program in all subjects, overseeing study time and assisting students with homework. I also worked as a data analyst for the Data Recognition Corporation: reading, assessing and scoring standardized tests in a variety of subjects for grades K-12. I worked on WIDA projects where I evaluated and scored English proficiency tests (verbal and written) for multilingual learners. As a WIDA analyst, I gained insight into the national system of standardized testing. While I tutor in a broad range of subjects, I am especially interested in Literature, Language, History and Philosophy. I am passionate about teaching and about learning, and I firmly believe that the pursuit of knowledge is lifelong.

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Anatole
BA CUNY Hunter College
3+ Years Tutoring

During sophomore year of college, I had the opportunity to help high school students from underprivileged backgrounds study for the SAT. There were about 30 students in each room with just two teachers, and I knew I had my work cut out for me, but I wanted to make a difference in an important time in their lives as they studied the math and English skills needed to do well on the exam and get accepted to the colleges they desired. Every time I saw a score increase on a practice test, I knew I was making a difference, and that gave me deep satisfaction. On the elementary and middle school level, I've helped family friends who were having difficulty in their classes understand concepts through easy-to-learn tools that simplified what may have seemed complicated before. When they do well on an exam, I know I served them well. I look back on the quote I chose in my high school yearbook from Jackie Robinson, the first Major League Baseball player to cross the color barrier: "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." I hope I can make a positive impact on the lives of you and your child.

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Tim
BA Skidmore College • Current Grad Student, Philosophy The New School for Social Research
1+ Years Tutoring

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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Nathan
BA University

Hey I'm Nathan, a Junior at the University of Michigan studying Economics and Spanish. I believe the best tutoring is interactive, encouraging, and tailored to each student. Rather than simply giving answers, I ask questions that help students work through problems themselves and understand why an approach works. Outside of school I love watching/playing sports, Catan, poker, house music, and DJing.

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Elisa
BA Duke University
10+ Years Tutoring

I am constantly looking for opportunities to learn new things. Additionally, in my spare time I enjoy reading, board games, and rock climbing. I am excited to work as a tutor once again in order to give students a chance to learn one-on-one to get a deeper and more clear understanding of their study material. By having the ability to clear up confusion with material every week via a tutor, the student will find it easier in the future to build on these concepts and to keep up with work as it gets more challenging.

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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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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 exam used by many Catholic and independent schools in the New York area to assess students' readiness for high school. For students in Manhattan applying to selective high schools, strong HSPT performance is often a key factor in admission decisions and scholarship opportunities.

The HSPT consists of five sections: Verbal Skills, Quantitative Skills, Reading, Mathematics, and Language. The exam is scored on a scale of 200-800, with separate scores for each section. Understanding the format and what each section tests is essential for effective preparation, which is why many students benefit from personalized tutoring that targets their specific strengths and weaknesses.

Many students struggle with time management, as the HSPT requires quick thinking across multiple question types. Others find the Verbal Skills section challenging due to unfamiliar vocabulary and analogies, or struggle with the pacing of the Mathematics section. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction allows tutors to identify exactly where a student is losing points and develop targeted strategies to address those specific gaps.

Classroom test prep often moves at a fixed pace that doesn't match individual learning needs. Personalized tutoring allows a tutor to focus on your specific weak areas, teach test-taking strategies tailored to how you think, and provide immediate feedback on practice questions. This targeted approach typically leads to more significant score improvements than generic prep courses.

Most students benefit from 2-4 months of focused preparation, though this varies based on starting point and target score. Students in Manhattan can get matched with tutors who create a customized study plan, often meeting 1-2 times per week to build skills progressively and practice under timed conditions as the test date approaches.

The first session typically involves an assessment to understand your current strengths, identify areas needing improvement, and discuss your target schools and score goals. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who use this initial meeting to develop a personalized study plan and establish the foundation for effective preparation.

The Verbal Skills section tests analogies, synonyms, and logic—skills that improve with targeted practice and strategic thinking rather than just memorization. Tutors often teach students to recognize common word patterns, eliminate answer choices efficiently, and approach analogies by identifying relationships. With personalized instruction, students can master these techniques and build confidence in this section.

The HSPT Mathematics section tests arithmetic, algebra, and geometry concepts, often with tricky wording designed to test comprehension as much as calculation skills. Personalized tutoring helps students review foundational concepts, practice problem-solving strategies, and learn to avoid common mistakes under time pressure. Many students see significant improvements by focusing on their specific problem areas rather than reviewing material they already know well.

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