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Award-Winning ISEE Tutors

Zane

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Zane

MS
Zane's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra
College Algebra
Algebra 3/4

The ISEE Upper Level exam expects quantitative reasoning and reading comprehension skills that most middle schoolers haven't been explicitly taught yet. Zane bridges that gap by walking through the specific logic behind quantitative comparison questions and teaching students how to eliminate answer ...

Education

University of Nevada-Reno

MS

Brooke

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Brooke

AM
Brooke's other Tutor Subjects
Middle School Math
Elementary School Math
Quantitative Reasoning
PSAT Writing Skills

Covering every ISEE level from Primary through Upper, Brooke adjusts her approach depending on whether a student is a 6-year-old encountering a standardized test for the first time or a 9th grader competing for a selective high school seat. She digs into the verbal reasoning and reading comprehensio...

Education

Georgia State University

AM

New York University

AM

Amanda

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Amanda

AB
Amanda's other Tutor Subjects
PSAT Writing Skills
SAT Subject Test in Literature
SAT Reading
COMPASS Writing Skills

The ISEE tests vocabulary, reading comprehension, and essay writing simultaneously — a combination that plays directly to Amanda's strengths as a Kenyon College English graduate who earned perfect verbal scores on both the SAT and GRE. She tailors her approach to the specific ISEE level a student is...

Education

Kenyon College

AB

Leah

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Leah

Bachelor
Leah's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Linear Algebra
Middle School Math
Geometry

Preparing for the ISEE means juggling verbal reasoning, reading comprehension, quantitative skills, and a timed essay — and younger test-takers often need someone who understands both the content and the anxiety that comes with it. Leah's Early Childhood Education training gives her a natural abilit...

Education

Kennesaw State University

Bachelor

Nnang

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Nnang

BS
Nnang's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
College Algebra
Pre-Calculus
Geometry

Having navigated the transition from South African secondary school to rigorous American honors and AP coursework in a single year, Nnang understands what it feels like to face an unfamiliar testing format with high stakes — exactly the situation most ISEE candidates are in. He applies that experien...

Education

Columbia University in the City of New York

BS

Olivia

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Olivia

Bachelor's
Olivia's other Tutor Subjects
11th Grade AP English Language
10th Grade AP English Literature
10th Grade AP English
Pre-Algebra

The ISEE's Verbal Reasoning and Reading Comprehension sections demand a vocabulary and analytical maturity that many young students haven't built yet — and that's exactly where Olivia's literary background pays off. She teaches context-clue strategies for unfamiliar words and shows students how to i...

Education

University

Bachelor's

Chelsey

Certified Tutor

Chelsey

Bachelors
Chelsey's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
ISEE- Middle Level
ISEE- Lower Level

I'm a recent graduate of Northwestern University, a native New Yorker, and a recent addition to Varsity Tutors. I grew up in Westchester County, where I volunteered as an assistant creative writing teacher in high school. After high school, I moved to Evanston, Illinois for school. I studied a wide ...

Education

Northwestern University

Bachelors

Test Scores
ACT
35
Allan

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
Alexis

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
Justin

Certified Tutor

Justin

Current Grad Student, Philosophy
Justin's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
Quantitative Reasoning
SSAT- Upper Level

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 en...

Education

University of Chicago

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy

University of New Mexico-Main Campus

Current Grad Student, Philosophy

Test Scores
ACT
34

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Meet Our Expert Tutors

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Noah

Calculus Tutor • +31 Subjects

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 consulting company in Cairo Egypt, I applied my teaching experience to a leading role developing SAT curricula for a variety of skill levels.

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Duane

Applied Mathematics Tutor • +41 Subjects

Besides having fun, going out, playing video games, traveling to different parts of the city, reading, playing billiards (or pool) and everything else. I am just a regular college graduate looking to advance and expand my knowledge to fulfill my career goal as an engineer. As of now, I am in possession of two degrees. In 2014 I received my Bachelor's of Science in Mathematics at Allegheny College, located in Meadville, Pennsylvania. I recently received my certificate of completion of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Design in the New York City College of Technology Green Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative Certificate Program in Brooklyn, NY. As of now, I work multiple jobs mostly in education and tutoring. For starters, I have been tutoring since June 2013. I work with a group of students that are widely diverse in age, grade level and subject difficulty. My experience with teaching made me realize how much merit there is to helping other students succeed with their academic endeavors. Personally, I know how it is to struggle with difficult subjects and having no one to assist in understanding the concepts better and I want to make sure nobody else falls in that predicament. For as long as I can remember, Mathematics has always been my favorite subject. Hence the reason I went to college to study it in the first place. And as of now I have been teaching and tutoring students on Mathematics and Science, working with people such as yourselves on an individual level to make sure you understand all of the subject material clearly and concisely. My teaching philosophy is to explain everything simply and thoroughly along with some practice both inside and outside the classroom. As of now, my teaching style has been very flexible to accommodate every student's individual learning needs and styles to ensure full efficiency. Besides being flexible, I also like to explain things in an alternative perspective to show students different ways of thinking outside the box. My father always used to tell me never do a half done job for anybody. If it is worth doing, it should be done right. As your tutor/ teacher, my job is not done until you succeed. I look forward to working with you all and I will help you to the best of my abilities.

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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.

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Kim

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +43 Subjects

I am able to determine what obstacles are preventing a student from grasping a concept, and create different means of overcoming those obstacles. Creating a partnership with the student and understanding what he or she needs to overcome is what makes me a great tutor.

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Sarah

12th Grade math Tutor • +40 Subjects

I am an experienced tutor and classroom teacher with a passion for helping students learn - especially when it doesn't come easy. I love teaching math, especially since I know that it can be hard. While I specialize in working with middle and high school students, I have worked with students as young as kindergarten and those well into adulthood. Hobbies: books, reading, music, writing, art

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Lucy Je

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +46 Subjects

I am a certified Middle School Math Teacher with three years of classroom and tutoring experience, and a Korean and Japanese language instructor with over 15 years of teaching experience. I hold four Bachelor's degrees earned through dual-degree programs at two universities, with academic backgrounds in Korean, Japanese, Education, and Business, as well as an MBA and a TKSOL certification. I focus on breaking down complex concepts into clear and manageable steps in both math and language learning, tailoring instruction to meet each student's individual needs.

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Varun

AP Calculus AB Tutor • +56 Subjects

My name is Varun, and I'm a Biochemistry and Neuroscience graduate from UMass Amherst! I love tutoring and helping spread my love for all subjects, especially science!

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Richard

Applied Mathematics Tutor • +140 Subjects

I am a graduate of the University of Toronto, Reichman University, and Western Governors University. I have been teaching children, youth, and adults in various academic settings since 2008. My teaching philosophy and tutoring style is that of open discourse and conversation, actively involving students in their own learning journey by connecting lesson material to their own interests and hobbies. I specialize in homework assistance and exam preparation.

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Katherine

Middle School Math Tutor • +35 Subjects

I am currently a junior at NYU Stern, working toward an undergraduate degree in Business and Finance. Since middle school, I have been involved in tutoring and helping my peers and younger classmates grow. I was especially involved in high school as a peer tutor. While I cover a wide range of subjects, I am most passionate about test (SAT/ACT) prep, K-12 math, and writing analysis. It is always rewarding to see the efforts of both tutor and tutee come into fruition, and I consistently drill the importance of perseverance and optimistic mentality while studying.

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Syed Farasat

Applied Mathematics Tutor • +222 Subjects

As a graduate student in Artificial Intelligence at Western University with a bachelor's degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from LUMS, I bring a rich and multidisciplinary perspective to tutoring. My journey spans engineering, mathematics, computer science, creative writing, and the artsdiverse fields that I draw on to inspire students and make learning relatable and engaging. I have extensive teaching experience across a variety of settings. I've taught high school students individually, helping them prepare for exams, and delivered crash courses for standardized tests like the GRE, TOEFL, IELTS, and SAT. In professional environments, I've trained interns and new recruits in object-oriented programming and design patterns during my tenure as a lead software engineer. Academically, I've served as a teaching assistant for computer science courses at Western University, where I taught concepts like pointers and object-oriented programming through tutorials, instructional materials, and assessments. My favorite subjects to teach are Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, and English. I prioritize helping students develop strong learning methods, linking abstract concepts to tangible examples, and building a solid foundation for self-sufficiency and lifelong learning. Beyond academics, my hobbies, such as game development, playing guitar, and exploring esoteric music, enrich my teaching approach with creativity and enthusiasm.

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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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