Award-Winning ISEE Tutors

America's #1 Tutoring Platform

Who needs tutoring?

FOXNBCCBSUS NewsTIMEUSA Today

TUTORS FROM

  • YaleUniversity
  • PrincetonUniversity
  • StanfordUniversity
  • CornellUniversity

Award-Winning ISEE Tutors

Chhavi

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

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

Maxwell

Bachelor's (in progress)
Maxwell's other Tutor Subjects
Elementary School Math
SSAT- Upper Level
ACT Reading
ISEE

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 ...

Education

Knox College

Bachelor's (in progress)

Test Scores
ACT
31

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

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Karin

MFA
Karin's other Tutor Subjects
TOEFL
SAT Reading
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

Allan

Bachelors, Biological Sciences
Allan's other Tutor Subjects
1st-12th Grade math
1st-12th Grade Writing
1st-12th Grade Reading
3rd-8th Grade Science

I'm a big Boston Celtics fan and I speak three languages. I can get you the test results you need to succeed because I went through the exams myself and performed well. The first time I took the SAT I actually wasn't satisfied with my score, so I spent 2 months working hard to get my score to where ...

Education

Northwestern University

Bachelors, Biological Sciences

Test Scores
SAT
1540

Certified Tutor

Noah

Bachelor in Arts
Noah's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
PSAT Writing Skills
SSAT- Upper Level

I am primarily an SAT and writing tutor with two years of experience and over 60 former students. I have spent hundreds of hours familiarizing myself with dozens of real SAT tests and SAT format-specific strategies. While a tutor, and later general manager, at a boutique university admissions consul...

Education

University of Chicago

Bachelor in Arts

Test Scores
SAT
1540

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Ariela

Current Undergrad, Theater & Performance Studies
Ariela's other Tutor Subjects
9th-12th Grade math
9th-12th Grade Writing
Pre-Algebra
Calculus

I am good at test taking, is my ability to organize information. It's a skill I use both in my academic life, as well as professionally; as a stage manager, it is often my job to take in complicated and conflicting pieces of information (the blocking, a quick change in costumes, changes in a script)...

Education

University of Chicago

Current Undergrad, Theater & Performance Studies

Test Scores
SAT
1590

Certified Tutor

Hannah

Master of Fine Arts, Creative Writing
Hannah's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
SSAT- Elementary Level
SAT Reading

I'm currently pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing at Temple University. I love working with children and young adults, and I'm thrilled to be spending some time tutoring this spring.

Education

Temple University

Master of Fine Arts, Creative Writing

University of Pennsylvania

Bachelor in Arts

Test Scores
SAT
1590

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)

Practice ISEE

Free practice tests, flashcards, and AI tutoring for ISEE

ISEE Practice Hub
Practice tests, flashcards, AI tutor & more

Meet Varsity Tutors Experts

Connect with highly-rated educators ready to help you succeed.

Alexis

Calculus Tutor • +29 Subjects

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 very important to students, and I enjoy helping them to conquer the test and succeed. My teaching philosophy can be described as a coaching style in which, like athletics, I believe learning the subject matter, good techniques, and constant practice are the best ways to achieving better scores.

View Profile

Ethan

Calculus Tutor • +40 Subjects

I am an undergraduate student studying Economics and Public Policy at the University of Chicago. I attended the Horace Mann School in New York City. I love teaching and working with students because I feel that there is nothing more rewarding than being able to provide the extra push that students might need to be successful. I am passionate about helping students learn and making sure they are having fun doing so. I'm also happy to talk about anything a student might want to talk about, academically, extracurricularly, or otherwise.

View Profile

Margaret

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +39 Subjects

I am applying to medical school and I'm enrolled at the BU Medical school getting my Master's in Medical Science. As a recent graduate of Princeton University, I have realized the importance of the learning process. Often times the difficulty of the material comes from the unfamiliarity of the approach to it, rather than the inherent difficulty of the material. As a tutor, I hope to help my students realize that they can master the material when they learn the best learning strategies to approaching their various assignments.

View Profile

Andrew

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +107 Subjects

I am a great tutor because not only are my fundamental verbal and quantitative skills strong, but I am able to communicate my reasoning and problem solving skills quickly and clearly.

View Profile

Alex

AP Calculus BC Tutor • +64 Subjects

I am currently a student at Stanford University studying math and political science. I am passionate about sharing my knowledge and experience with younger students. I have helped students of different ages and from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, and so I am very conscious of the needs and prior knowledge my students and tailor my tutoring method and style individually.

View Profile

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)

View Profile

James

AP Calculus AB Tutor • +41 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.

View Profile

Elena

Calculus Tutor • +32 Subjects

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.

View Profile

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.

View Profile

Jessica

College Algebra Tutor • +51 Subjects

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 writing requirement at the University prior to matriculating, I was the first freshman tutor to be accepted into this selective program. The tutoring program involved a preliminary peer-tutor training course prior to beginning tutoring, in order to certify that I had the appropriate background to provide professional feedback to fellow students on their literary works and projects. After graduation, I worked for a full-service learning center where I created and implemented high school lesson plans for home-schooled students, provided academic support for students ranging in ages from 8 to 20 years old, and taught group and individual standardized testing preparation classes. I have also assisted students with application essays for various undergraduate and graduate programs.

View Profile

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.

Connect with ISEE Tutors

Get matched with expert tutors in your subject