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Award-Winning HSPT Tutors

Melinda

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Melinda

PhD
Melinda's other Tutor Subjects
PSAT Writing Skills
SAT Reading
ACT Reading
SAT

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 pe...

Education

University of Pennsylvania

PhD

Sanjiv

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Sanjiv

BS
Sanjiv's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus AB
Competition Math
Pre-Calculus
Geometry

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

Straley

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Straley

Master's/Graduate
Straley's other Tutor Subjects
Trigonometry
Elementary School Math
College Statistics
GED

I hold a Master's degree from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a Bachelor's degree from Johns Hopkins University. I tutored GED math for 3 years in college, so I have experience breaking down concepts for students with a variety of learning styles. I've also informally tutored oth...

Education

Johns Hopkins University

Master's/Graduate

Johns Hopkins University

Bachelor

Curran

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Curran

AB
Curran's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Geometry
Algebra

As a professional educator with over a decade of experience, I specialize in delivering personalized, high-impact instruction across the humanities, test preparation, and college readiness. I've taught everything from early literacy and middle school ELA to AP-level history, civics, and economicsand...

Education

University of Notre Dame

AB

Soung

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Soung

DSC
Soung's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra
College Algebra
Pre-Calculus

I'm a highly skilled, professional tutor with over 20 years experience. I have an exceptional ability to teach math to students with severe learning challenges. I make all levels of math understandable and foster confidence in the student. I'm also expert in SAT/ACT test preparation and high school ...

Education

Northwestern University

DSC

University of Chicago

DSC

Edward

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Edward

MBA
Edward's other Tutor Subjects
ACT English
ACT Reading
ACT Science
PSAT

As both a student and an employee, I have been involved in higher education for over twenty years. I earned my bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago (English-Writing), my master's degree from Regis University (Nonprofit Management), and currently hold a college administrative ...

Education

Regis University

MBA

University of Illinois at Chicago

MBA

Stephen

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Stephen

Bachelor's
Stephen's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra
Trigonometry

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

Owen

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Owen

BS
Owen's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Geometry
Algebra

My tutoring journey began shortly after cracking the 99th percentile on the SAT as a high school senior. This was the start of what has now been an 8 year journey! I have worked with 50+ students, mostly in the areas of math, science and standardized testing. After college, I spent two years worki...

Education

CUNY Brooklyn College

BS

Janet

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Janet

MED
Janet's other Tutor Subjects
Middle School Math
Geometry
Algebra
Elementary School Math

I graduated from Southwestern Illinois University in Edwardsville with a BS in Mathematics Education. My first job was teaching junior high school math in East St. Louis. Some of my students were nearly as old as I. It was quite an experience for a first year teacher. Very challenging. I moved to th...

Education

Northern Illinois University

MED

Abrar

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Abrar

AA
Abrar's other Tutor Subjects
Geometry
Algebra
SSAT- Upper Level
SSAT- Middle Level

The world is not going to end if you do not get a perfect score. A perfect score should simply be a goal to strive towards. I believe in making mistakes. The best way to learn is to correct and review mistakes. This ensures that fewer and fewer errors are made in subsequent performances. Practice a...

Education

CUNY LaGuardia Community College

AA

Gannon University

AA

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Byron

Applied Mathematics Tutor • +51 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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Joseph

AP Calculus BC Tutor • +37 Subjects

I am motivated to help students reach a better understanding of math, regardless of the level they may be at. I like to work with the student and adapt to whatever their needs may be. I do believe that anyone has the potential to improve their abilities in math. Approach: Believing in my students Teaching at the student's level Encouraging my students Selfless flexibility Listening Education & Certification PhD in Applied Mathematics, University of Waterloo Certificate in University Teaching, University of Waterloo

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Karin

TOEFL Tutor • +40 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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Bo Hyun

Algebra Tutor • +8 Subjects

Hi! I am passionate about tutoring and mentoring students. I want to make learning fun and want to work together to reach your academic goals! Look forward to connecting with you!! :)

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Judah

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +14 Subjects

Hello! my name is Judah Renshaw founder and head tutor of "ACT like you mean it" tutoring company. I gradated high school early with honors, distinction a 4.6 GPA and am currently in my 3rd year of undergrad working towards a Bachelors in business. Every year of my schooling I have been asked to tutor or otherwise assist my peers academically. I enjoy tutoring any subject as long as I am informed of the topic beforehand. But I most enjoy helping students prepare for and improve their scores on the ACT exam. My most recent students all improved their scores by 5 (composite) points or more! My primary goal is to help each student successfully obtain (and redefine if currently lackluster) their academic goals. At times students need to rediscover their curiosity. I can help them work past frustration to refocus and/or differentiate other blocks to learning. I do not take the responsibility of helping you or child along your/their educational journey lightly. I am open to input and working with guardians/teachers as well!

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Matthew

IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches Tutor • +8 Subjects

Hi! My name is Matt Hlavin. I am currently working on my Master's degree in Materials Science and Engineering. I would consider myself a lifelong learner. Education has always had a special place in my heart, and now I am excited to share my love for learning with you!

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Karen

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +17 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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Keith

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +35 Subjects

I am a professional tutor and certified teacher with a Master's degree in Math Education. I specialize in 5th/6th/7th/8th grade Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2. I am engaging, enthusiastic, and keep communication a high priority. I also tutor SAT and ACT test prep as well as PSAT, SSAT and HSPTs

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Rachel

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +6 Subjects

I am a Northeastern University graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Psychology. I focus on tutoring math and SAT. Throughout my years, I have aided peers, friends, and other students in all levels of math. Mathematics is my favorite to tutor because it has always been fun and something that can be explained in a multitude of ways. Math makes sense and I love numbers and hope to instill this in my students. I would describe my teaching style as fun but stern. I tend to do a variety of questions but am aware of when students need breaks. I believe in active listening and communication, and incorporate this belief into my tutoring style.

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Claire

Middle School Math Tutor • +21 Subjects

I am a certified K-12 educator, musician, and artist with a passion for teaching and helping others. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education/Jazz Studies from Augustana College. I currently work as a 5th-8th grade teacher during the day with teaching licenses in two states. I teach private music lessons to 4th-12th grade students on all concert band instruments and offer music theory/music education tutoring. I have been tutoring test prep for the past year on all levels of the ISEE, SSAT, ACT, and HSPT. I also tutor students in English and reading along with general homework help. Since I am certified in two states to teach K-12 students, I work well with students of all ages. I work especially well with upper elementary and middle school students because those are the students I teach most frequently. I love teaching these middle ages because it is important to grow academically and personally during this time as the students start to become aware of who they are and who they want to become. As a school teacher, I love watching students grow and achieve their goals. While music is my specialty, I am an effective and positive tutor in test prep and reading subjects. I teach with a playful and relaxing style that helps students take control of their own learning while providing a comfortable environment to learn and grow.

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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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