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Andrew
Certified ISEE Tutor
Andrew
BA University of California-San Diego
1+ Years Tutoring

I'm on your wavelength. In college I was a classroom volunteer tutor for the Preuss Charter School in San Diego, and I've been working for nearly two years now as a professional tutor, and have thorough experience with a range of subjects and standardized test formats. I also write pop culture articles on the side, and aspire to be a college professor of literature; consequently, I most enjoy teaching English and composition, and pride myself on being able to break down essay-writing to its most fundamental, obvious-as-peanuts basics. When I am not saving children from the abyss of school-related anxiety, I indulge in film photography, kung fu movies, and guitar.

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Gray
Certified ISEE Tutor
Gray
BA University of Virginia-Main Campus
9+ Years Tutoring

I am a recent graduate of the University of Virginia living in Los Angeles. While at UVA, I earned a 3.95 GPA and graduated my major program with Highest Distinction. I have eight years of tutoring experience (including starting my own tutoring program) and have worked with students of all ages. I'm looking forward to helping people with their studies in any way I can.

SAT Scores
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Certified ISEE Tutor
Julia
BA University of California-Santa Barbara
1+ Years Tutoring

I am currently an undergraduate student at UC Santa Barbara working on my Bachelor's of Science degree in General Biological Sciences. After graduation I plan to expand my health care education and pursue a career as a health care professional, either as a nurse practitioner or physician's assistant. I am passionate about teaching because it has been my previous teachers who have inspired my inquisitiveness about the world around me and my excitement to learn. I now strive to pass on my knowledge to new students because I believe that education is important for a healthy, happy, and self-dependent life. As a result of my experience mentoring young children as a summer camp counselor and advising incoming freshmen at my university as an orientation advisor, I have developed a personal approach to helping others, specifically on a one-on-one basis. I teach students by working together, encouraging practice, requiring them to demonstrate what they've learned, and verbalizing positivity towards their success. I am a tutor for HSPT, ISEE, SSAT, SAT Writing, SAT Mathematics, and Algebra 1 and below. My favorite subject to tutor is math because it is a subject where you can, without ambiguity, prove that something is exact and correct. In my spare time, I enjoy playing soccer, zumba, baking, card games, and playing with pets.

SAT Scores
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Certified ISEE Tutor
Sarah
BA University of California Los Angeles
1+ Years Tutoring
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Certified ISEE Tutor
Jane
Current Undergrad Student, English Princeton University
9+ Years Tutoring

I am a current student at Princeton University, obtaining a major in English with minors in Environmental Studies and Musical Theater. I graduated from Sewickley Academy in 2016 as a member of the Cum Laude Society with highest honors for all semesters. I am an AP Scholar with Honors, an Academic All American, and a recipient of the Harvard Book Award. When on breaks from school, I take care of children ages 5-11 and teach them reading, writing, and mathematics. Though I enjoy teaching a wide range of subjects, I am most passionate about English. I have the most fun teaching students reading, writing, and grammar for test preparation and general school help. I believe that the ability to read and write proficiently is a foundation for a well-rounded individual and allows the student to have the best chances in any academic or employment field they may pursue. To be able to express oneself eloquently and concisely is essential for academic and personal success. This does not come without skill in logical mathematic thinking, however. I firmly believe that anyone can succeed no matter where they are in the educative process as long as they have the tools and strategies for efficient learning. The best advise any teacher gave me was "study smarter, not harder". There are strategies that take time to learn, but once mastered, studying and preparing for any academic venture become much easier. In my free time, I enjoy participating in musical theater, golfing, reading, and yoga.

ACT Scores
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SAT Scores
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Certified ISEE Tutor
Mariya
BA University of Chicago
6+ Years Tutoring

I am a very patient tutor who tries to understand exactly where the student is struggling and how they can improve. Outside of the classroom, you can often find me baking or drawing!

SAT ScoresPerfect Score
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Certified ISEE Tutor
Arielle
BA Yale University • Current Grad Student, Early Childhood Education Johns Hopkins University
7+ Years Tutoring

I am a Yale grad, Johns Hopkins master's candidate, and certified early childhood educator. At Yale, I studied History and Child Development. I went on to teach with Teach For America, and I am currently in my 3rd year of teaching. Tutoring has been an interest of mine for many years. I started tutoring when I was in middle school, and I haven't stopped. I thoroughly enjoy working with students of all ages to help supplement their learning. I am looking forward to helping your child to meet his/her goals!

SAT Scores
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Jean
BA Harvard College • Doctor of Medicine, Medicine Harvard Medical School
1+ Years Tutoring

I am a fourth year student at Harvard Medical School, and will start working as a pediatrician in July of 2016. However, if I had not decided to become a physician, I would have strongly considered becoming a teacher. Teaching is one of the most enjoyable activities I do, and I have taught in some capacity every year for the past ten years. I have taught subjects ranging from English to algebra, from physics to dance, and have taught students ranging in age from toddlers to adults. I have also provided advice on application essays, resumes, and interview strategies for Harvard College students applying to highly competitive scholarships. Each of these experiences has taught me how to communicate concepts in clear and engaging ways. For instance, while tutoring adolescents enrolled in the Boston-based Artists for Humanity program, I would often teach students whom I had never worked with before, and thus became adept at quickly discovering and implementing the strategies that worked best for a particular student (e.g., visual/tactile examples, analogies, and breaking down complex problems into smaller parts). While tutoring a janitorial staff member in preparation for the mathematics portion of her GED high school equivalency exam, I learned how to quickly identify the highest yield topics for a standardized exam and focus our efforts on those. Each of these experiences has been incredibly rewarding, and has inspired me to teach in some capacity throughout my career as a doctor.

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Certified ISEE Tutor
Alex
BA Stanford University
9+ Years Tutoring

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.

ACT Scores
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Certified ISEE Tutor
Ian
BA Yale University
9+ Years Tutoring

I am a senior physics major at Yale, and I have been tutoring non-stop since high school. I have three years of formal, test-prep tutoring experience with top companies in the New York City area. I absolutely love to help people out -- the most important thing I can do as a tutor is to find a new way of explaining something that just makes it click for you!

SAT Scores
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Certified ISEE Tutor
Samantha
BA Northwestern University • Current Undergrad, Political Science & Legal Studies Northwestern University
1+ Years Tutoring

I am currently a senior at Northwestern University and I will be receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Legal Studies this spring. In the fall, I will begin attending law school at Northwestern Law. For many years, I tutored a wide range of students in Spanish, English literature, and writing. I have also continued to help many high school seniors with college application essays. While I tutor a variety of subjects, I am very passionate about helping students improve their reading and writing skills, and I really enjoy helping students with Critical Reading and Writing portions of Standardized Tests. I love working with students and helping them realize their full academic potential. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, exploring Chicago, reading, and cooking.

ACT Scores
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SAT Scores
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Certified ISEE Tutor
Badeel
BA University of Punjab
9+ Years Tutoring

I am a working professional with a passion for teaching. I have been tutoring for 5+ years and have had great success with students ranging from middle school to college-age, as well as non-traditional students. I began tutoring by helping my peers, which in the later years, converted into more formative private tutoring. My experience so far includes teaching Urdu and English Literature, exam prep for all ages (especially ACT and SAT), general help with homework, and support for both enrichment and struggling students. I prefer one-on-one tutoring and enjoy engaging my students with fun and challenging problems. I like to apply problems to real world situations to allow my students to get a command on the concept and get comfortable with the topic in question.

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Certified ISEE Tutor
Micah
BA Washington University in St. Louis • Degree in Biology Washington University in St. Louis
1+ Years Tutoring

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.

ACT Scores
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Certified ISEE Tutor
Jonathan
BA Cornell University
1+ Years Tutoring

I am a student at Cornell University studying Chemical Engineering and Computer Science. I'm living in Tarrytown right now and can help your son or daughter in math, science, or SAT/ACT prep! Over the past 5 years, I've accumulated many hours of tutoring experience. Some of the subjects I tutor include:

ACT Scores
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Certified ISEE Tutor
Allan
BA Northwestern University
1+ Years Tutoring

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 I wanted it to be. The second time I took the exam I saw a 200-point increase. Previously, I have had experience teaching the SSAT and the SAT. The student I tutored in SSAT successfully passed the exam is now attending a private high school abroad. With VarsityTutor's online learning platform, I will be able to transfer knowledge in a visual, easy-to-understand manner. I look forward to being your tutor and helping you reach your academic goals. :)

SAT Scores
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Certified ISEE Tutor
Peter
MS Ohio State • BA Syracuse University
1+ Years Tutoring

I'm looking forward to helping your student find personal success in their academic lives!

SAT Scores
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Testimonials

Because the right ISEE tutor makes all the difference.

4.9

Average Session Rating – Based on 3.4M Learner Ratings

Worked with an ISEE 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 an ISEE 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 an ISEE 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 an ISEE 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 an ISEE 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.

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Priya Patel
Worked with an ISEE 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 ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) is a standardized test used by independent and private schools to evaluate student readiness for admission. For students in Sacramento, the ISEE is often required or recommended by selective private schools in the area as part of their admissions process. The exam assesses verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, and mathematics achievement across different levels (Primary, Lower, Middle, and Upper) depending on grade and school type.

The ISEE consists of four main sections: Verbal Reasoning (vocabulary and logic), Quantitative Reasoning (problem-solving with figures and patterns), Reading Comprehension (understanding passages), and Mathematics Achievement (grade-level math skills). Each section tests different cognitive abilities, with Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning being the most heavily weighted for admissions decisions. The exam also includes an unscored essay section that schools use to evaluate writing ability.

Most students benefit from 2-3 months of focused preparation, though this varies based on starting level and target schools. Students who begin with strong foundational skills may need less time, while those working to strengthen specific areas like verbal reasoning or advanced math concepts benefit from longer, consistent practice. Personalized tutoring allows tutors to assess your child's current abilities and create a timeline tailored to their needs and school deadlines.

Many students struggle with the Verbal Reasoning section, which requires both strong vocabulary and the ability to identify logical relationships quickly. The Quantitative Reasoning section also challenges students because it emphasizes pattern recognition and spatial reasoning rather than straightforward computation. Additionally, the time pressure and unfamiliar question formats can affect performance—students who haven't practiced with actual ISEE materials often underestimate the exam's difficulty.

Personalized 1-on-1 instruction allows tutors to identify your child's specific weak areas—whether that's vocabulary retention, math problem-solving strategies, or reading speed—and focus intensively on those gaps. In group classes, instruction moves at a fixed pace and covers general strategies, but personalized tutoring adapts in real-time based on how your student learns best. This targeted approach typically results in faster improvement and more confident test-taking.

Score improvements depend on starting level and preparation consistency, but students who work with tutors typically see meaningful gains in 8-12 weeks of regular sessions. Many students improve their weakest section by 3-5 points on the ISEE scale, while those addressing foundational skill gaps may see larger improvements. The key is identifying exactly which concepts or question types are causing problems and practicing with actual ISEE materials under timed conditions.

The first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment to understand your student's current strengths, weaknesses, and test-taking habits. Tutors will review practice test results, ask about your child's academic background, and discuss target schools and score goals. From there, tutors create a customized study plan focusing on the areas that will have the biggest impact on your child's final score.

Effective ISEE tutors have strong expertise in the exam format, understand how each section is scored, and have experience helping students improve specific skills like vocabulary acquisition or quantitative reasoning. Look for tutors who use actual ISEE practice materials, track student progress with real data, and can explain test-taking strategies clearly. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who have proven success preparing students for independent school entrance exams.

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