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Award-Winning ISEE Tutors

Alessia

Certified Tutor

8+ years

Alessia

Bachelor in Arts, Political Science and Government
Alessia's other Tutor Subjects
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra
ISEE-Upper Level Writing

I am originally from New York City and am a student at the University of Pennsylvania studying Political Science, Economics, and Psychology. Having gone through high school and the whole college process within recent memory, I am at the unique intersection of having a very current understanding of t...

Education

University of Pennsylvania

Bachelor in Arts, Political Science and Government

Adam

Certified Tutor

7+ years

Adam

MRE
Adam's other Tutor Subjects
SHSAT
SAT
ISEE
ISEE-Upper Level Quantitative Reasoning

I have been tutoring for over 12 years. I have worked with many different students in many different subjects. I've worked as a classroom teacher and instructional content creator, as well. My favorite part of tutoring is knowing that I am making a real difference for my students. I am looking for...

Education

George Mason University

MRE

University of Mary Washington

MRE

Test Scores
SAT
1390

Certified Tutor

Jessica

PHD, Medicine
Jessica's other Tutor Subjects
College Algebra
Calculus
Algebra
Honors Chemistry

I am a licensed physician from Florida who is currently changing careers. I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2009 and have extensive tutoring and editing experience. While a student, I became a certified writing tutor through the Critical Writing Department. Since I completed my writ...

Education

Nova Southeastern University

PHD, Medicine

University of Pennsylvania

Bachelors, History

University of Pennsylvania

undergraduate

Test Scores
SAT
1540

Certified Tutor

Vania

Bachelors, Mechanical Engineering
Vania's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
AP Physics 1
Physics

I am an avid classical pianist, EMT, swimmer, and tinkerer. I love explaining things and paying forward my knowledge to those around me!

Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Bachelors, Mechanical Engineering

Test Scores
SAT
1590

Certified Tutor

Alexis

Bachelor in Arts
Alexis's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
SSAT- Upper Level
SSAT- Middle Level

I am currently in the process of applying to Law School. I have tutored middle school and high school students in subjects ranging from 5th grade reading to geometry to the SAT. While I am happy and able to tutor a number of subjects, I am most passionate about Test Prep because these scores are ver...

Education

Princeton University

Bachelor in Arts

Test Scores
SAT
1470
ACT
32

Certified Tutor

Harry

Bachelor in Arts, Theater
Harry's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Arithmetic
Middle School Math
Calculus

I am a graduate of Northwestern University with a BA from the School of Communications, GPA 3.6, with a specialty in Theater and Education. Since then, I have worked as an educator at the Rubin Museum of Art, tutored the SAT, regularly traveled to India where I study Tibetan Language and conduct ind...

Education

Northwestern University

Bachelor in Arts, Theater

Northwestern University

BA (School of Communications)

Certified Tutor

Chhavi

Bachelor's
Chhavi's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra
Competition Math

I have helped many students achieve excellent grades in math by focusing on what really matters: building confidence and a clear understanding of concepts. My teaching style is simple I make sure students fully understand the basics, then guide them step by step to solve problems on their own. I e...

Education

University

Bachelor's

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Phillip

Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering
Phillip's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Geometry
Calculus

I'm a rising junior at Brown University studying biomedical engineering. I have lots of experience in middle school through college level instruction in STEM and SAT/ACT prep. My goal is to provide a fun and productive learning environment by only teaching subjects that I am passionate about.

Education

Brown University

Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering

Test Scores
SAT
1560

Certified Tutor

Scott

Bachelor's degree in Cultural Anthropology (College Honors)
Scott's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Arithmetic
Middle School Math
Calculus

I am an experienced tutor specializing in one-on-one SAT test prep. I graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, earning a bachelor's degree in Cultural Anthropology with College Honors, and I am currently working toward my PhD. I have been tutoring for six years, working for well-known test...

Education

Washington University in St. Louis

Bachelor's degree in Cultural Anthropology (College Honors)

Test Scores
SAT
1580

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Dalton

Bachelor in Arts, Mass Communications
Dalton's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra
College Algebra
Trigonometry

I am no stranger to people getting tutors in order to succeed. An ambition to accomplish any academic goal was encouraged all my life; thus, I am accustomed to studying hard on top of participating in countless extra-curricular activities. I graduated highs school and received a diploma from the ext...

Education

University of Pennsylvania

Bachelor in Arts, Mass Communications

Test Scores
ACT
35

Certified Tutor

Jean

Bachelor of Arts in Latin American History
Jean's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
College Algebra
Arithmetic
Middle School Math

I am a graduate of Duke University with a Bachelor of Arts in Latin American History. I recently received my Juris Doctor degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and began my career as an attorney. I am passionate about continuing my work in education through tutoring. I enjoy tu...

Education

Duke University

Bachelor of Arts in Latin American History

Test Scores
SAT
1500

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Bina

Bachelors
Bina's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
SSAT- Middle Level
ISEE- Middle Level

I am currently a law student and am on the road to appreciating a new kind of study: that of various legal doctrines, statutory interpretation and methods of argumentation.

Education

University of Pennsylvania

Bachelors

Test Scores
SAT
1470

Certified Tutor

Micah

Bachelors, Biology, General
Micah's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
Biology
High School Biology

I am a graduate from Washington University in St. Louis with a degree in Biology. I have three younger siblings, so I have had experience helping children with their homework from a pretty young age. Throughout college I participated in several tutoring and mentorship programs, helping students who ...

Education

Washington University in St. Louis

Bachelors, Biology, General

Washington University in St. Louis

Degree in Biology

Test Scores
ACT
34

Certified Tutor

Alex

Masters, Theological Studies
Alex's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
SSAT- Upper Level
SSAT- Middle Level

I am proficient at US History and can help an AP US History student towards a 4 or 5 on his or her exam. My concentration for both of my post-high school degrees was religion, and I would love to tutor students who are taking religion courses. My favorite hobby is reading, and I believe it is import...

Education

Duke University

Masters, Theological Studies

Emory and Henry College

Bachelors, Religion

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Katherine

Undergraduate Degree
Katherine's other Tutor Subjects
Middle School Math
ACT Math
SAT Math
ISEE

The ISEE throws a mix of verbal reasoning, quantitative comparisons, and reading comprehension at students who are often encountering these question formats for the first time. Katherine breaks each section into repeatable strategies — like eliminating trap answers on synonym questions and setting u...

Education

New York University

Undergraduate Degree

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Jean

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +67 Subjects

I am a graduate of Duke University with a Bachelor of Arts in Latin American History. I recently received my Juris Doctor degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and began my career as an attorney. I am passionate about continuing my work in education through tutoring. I enjoy tutoring many subjects, particularly History, SAT Reading and Writing, College Essays, and Spanish. I love assisting students in implementing simple but effective changes in their preparation for Standardized Tests that show immediate results. I find this motivates students to continue through struggles in their educational pursuits. When I am not working, I enjoy yoga, running, cooking, traveling and playing the cello.

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Bina

Calculus Tutor • +27 Subjects

I am currently a law student and am on the road to appreciating a new kind of study: that of various legal doctrines, statutory interpretation and methods of argumentation.

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Micah

Calculus Tutor • +29 Subjects

I am a graduate from Washington University in St. Louis with a degree in Biology. I have three younger siblings, so I have had experience helping children with their homework from a pretty young age. Throughout college I participated in several tutoring and mentorship programs, helping students who were behind in math and reading raise their test scores and grades. As an instructor I have worked with students in every age level in all kinds of academic subjects, from math and physics to brainstorming and re- drafting English essays, and am truly passionate about helping students achieve their potential.

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Alex

Calculus Tutor • +26 Subjects

I am proficient at US History and can help an AP US History student towards a 4 or 5 on his or her exam. My concentration for both of my post-high school degrees was religion, and I would love to tutor students who are taking religion courses. My favorite hobby is reading, and I believe it is important to instill an enjoyment of reading in students as early as possible. I can help young people who need extra support to become better readers.

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Katherine

Middle School Math Tutor • +4 Subjects

The ISEE throws a mix of verbal reasoning, quantitative comparisons, and reading comprehension at students who are often encountering these question formats for the first time. Katherine breaks each section into repeatable strategies — like eliminating trap answers on synonym questions and setting up equations for word problems — so test day feels familiar rather than overwhelming. Her background in both math and writing analysis means she can coach across every section without switching tutors.

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Malik

12th Grade Math Tutor • +154 Subjects

As a second-year medical student with a strong foundation in science and a passion for education, I specialize in making tough subjects easier to understand. I excel in math, biology, physics, and other challenging topics that often intimidate students and I genuinely enjoy helping others master them. My approach combines patience, clarity, and high-level understanding to break down complex ideas into manageable, confidence-boosting lessons. Whether it's reviewing homework or prepping for exams, I'm here to support and motivate students at any level below mine to reach their full academic potential. My interests include: Weightlifting and fitness training (especially strength and hypertrophy programs) Morning cardio and physical conditioning Studying medicine with a focus on anatomy, physiology, and clinical problem-solving Teaching and tutoring tough academic subjects like math, biology, and physics Watching anime as a way to relax and recharge (especially after a long day) Cooking (with a focus on high-protein, keto/carnivore meals)

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Maxwell

Elementary School Math Tutor • +3 Subjects

I am a Sophomore at Knox College seeking a double major in Philosophy and Creative Writing. My favorite subjects to tutor are English, Writing, and Psychology. I also enjoy helping students prepare for the ACT and the SAT. I invest fully in each student. This means attentive listening, personalized study plans, and genuine care. Outside of tutoring, I enjoy writing poetry, running, and playing chess.

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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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Justin

Calculus Tutor • +38 Subjects

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 engaging in my passions for learning and teaching. While in school, I have spent countless hours coaching high school speech and debate both in person and working online with students across the country. My focus in coaching has been to emphasize philosophy and critical thought to prepare students to think through novel arguments on their own. I am passionate about teaching and tutoring because I love seeing students learn to be intellectually independent and think through problems on their own terms by developing their critical thinking skills. I have devoted my life to education because I am passionate about it, and I try to share some of my passion for learning with the students I work with. I tutor all sorts of Standardized Tests, and I particularly enjoy working on logic-based problems like analogies and math sections. When I am not tutoring or reading for school, I enjoy strategy games (both board games and video games), listening to music, hiking, playing basketball, and just relaxing with friends.

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James

AP Calculus AB Tutor • +40 Subjects

I am currently a senior at Harvard College where I study chemistry, and I'll be attending Columbia Medical School next year. I have years of experience tutoring college students in math (mostly calculus) and chemistry including both general and organic chemistry. In addition, I am very familiar with all sections of the SAT and ACT having prepared several high school students for these tests. I believe that every student is capable of boosting his or her baseline score on these tests, so long as he or she works hard to get to know the format of the tests and the most popular types of questions. I tutor because I love seeing students develop a genuine passion for the subjects they once disliked (such as math and science), once they understand the power of these subjects and their applications to the real world.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Reading Comprehension section consistently challenges students because it requires both speed and accuracy—you have limited time to read dense passages and answer questions that test inference, vocabulary in context, and main idea comprehension. The Quantitative Reasoning section trips up many students who haven't practiced the specific question formats, particularly those involving data interpretation and word problems that require multiple steps. The Writing sample, while unscored, often causes anxiety because students struggle to organize their thoughts quickly under time pressure. A tutor can identify which section is your specific weakness and develop targeted strategies to address it.

Pacing is one of the biggest obstacles on the ISEE because you have roughly 1.5-2 minutes per question depending on the section. The key is practicing with timed sections repeatedly so you develop an internal clock and learn which question types to tackle first versus which to return to. Many students benefit from a "triage" strategy: quickly identify easier questions and build confidence with those, then tackle harder questions with remaining time. A tutor can teach you how to recognize when you're spending too long on a single question and help you practice the discipline of moving forward strategically.

Vocabulary appears throughout the ISEE—in dedicated Verbal Reasoning questions and embedded in Reading Comprehension passages—making it a significant component of your score. However, memorizing random word lists is inefficient; instead, focus on words in context by reading challenging material and noting unfamiliar words, then learning how they're used. The ISEE also tests your ability to infer meaning from context, so practicing that skill matters as much as knowing definitions. A tutor can help you build a personalized vocabulary strategy that targets the word difficulty level you'll actually see on test day, rather than wasting time on obscure words that won't appear.

Most students benefit from taking 3-4 full-length practice tests spaced throughout their prep timeline—enough to identify patterns in your mistakes without burning out on test fatigue. Early in prep, focus on untimed or section-by-section practice to build skills; then move to timed full-length tests every 2-3 weeks as you get closer to test day. The real value comes from reviewing every single question you missed or found difficult, understanding why you got it wrong, and adjusting your strategy. A tutor can help you interpret your practice test results to pinpoint whether your errors stem from knowledge gaps, careless mistakes, or timing issues—each requires a different fix.

Test anxiety on the ISEE often stems from unfamiliarity with the format and question types, which tutoring directly addresses by building genuine competence and confidence through repeated exposure. When you've practiced the exact types of questions you'll see and developed strategies that work, anxiety naturally decreases because you know what to expect. A tutor can also teach you specific techniques like how to manage your breathing during the test, when to skip a question without panic, and how to use the scratch paper effectively to stay organized. Many students find that working 1-on-1 with a tutor who can normalize the difficulty and celebrate progress builds the mental resilience needed to perform well under pressure.

Score improvement depends heavily on your starting point and how much you practice—a student starting at the 40th percentile might improve 10-15 percentile points with consistent tutoring and practice over 8-12 weeks, while a student already at the 75th percentile may see smaller gains because there's less room to improve. The most significant gains typically come from fixing fundamental skill gaps and learning test-specific strategies rather than last-minute cramming. Realistic expectations matter: if you're aiming for a specific school's typical ISEE range, your tutor can help you understand what score you need and create a focused plan to reach it. Consistency matters more than intensity—regular sessions with homework practice between them produce better results than sporadic intensive sessions.

ISEE word problems test reading comprehension and mathematical reasoning simultaneously—you have to extract the relevant information from wordy scenarios, set up the problem correctly, and solve it under time pressure. Many students rush through reading the problem and misidentify what's being asked, or they set up the equation correctly but make a calculation error. The ISEE also includes multi-step problems where you need to find an intermediate answer before solving the final question, and students often stop after the first calculation. A tutor can teach you a systematic approach: read carefully, identify what you know and what you're solving for, write out your setup before calculating, and double-check that your answer makes sense in context.

Main idea questions ask you to identify the overall purpose or central point of a passage—the answer is usually explicitly stated or clearly supported by the passage's structure. Inference questions require you to read between the lines and draw conclusions based on evidence that isn't directly stated, which demands deeper analytical thinking and trips up many students. For example, a passage might describe a character's actions without saying they're nervous, but you'd need to infer nervousness from the evidence provided. A tutor can teach you the difference by having you practice identifying what the passage explicitly says versus what you can reasonably conclude, and showing you how to avoid over-inferencing (reading too much into the text) while still making valid logical connections.

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