Award-Winning ISEE- Lower Level
Tutors
Who needs tutoring?
FEATURED BY
TUTORS FROM
- YaleUniversity
- PrincetonUniversity
- StanfordUniversity
- CornellUniversity
Award-Winning ISEE- Lower Level Tutors

Certified Tutor
Justin
Lower Level ISEE prep is about giving younger students a thinking toolkit they can actually use under mild time pressure. Justin introduces simple strategies for the quantitative and verbal sections — like identifying key words in a question before looking at answer choices — that feel more like puz...
University of Chicago
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
University of New Mexico-Main Campus
Current Grad Student, Philosophy

Certified Tutor
James
Younger students taking the Lower Level ISEE need a tutor who can make test prep feel approachable instead of intimidating. James breaks down the quantitative and verbal sections into manageable pieces, using concrete examples to teach number sense, basic operations, and vocabulary in context — skil...
Harvard University
Bachelor in Arts, Chemistry
Certified Tutor
The ISEE Lower Level can be a child's very first standardized test, which makes comfort with the format just as important as knowing the content. Jessica taught group and individual test-prep classes at a learning center for students starting at age eight, so she understands how to introduce timed s...
Nova Southeastern University
PHD, Medicine
University of Pennsylvania
Bachelors, History
University of Pennsylvania
undergraduate
Certified Tutor
Scott
For younger students tackling the Lower Level ISEE, the challenge is often learning how to take a standardized test at all — managing time, reading questions carefully, and not freezing on unfamiliar problems. Scott makes this process concrete by walking through each section type with age-appropriat...
Washington University in St. Louis
Bachelor's degree in Cultural Anthropology (College Honors)
Certified Tutor
Hannah
Younger students preparing for the ISEE Lower Level need someone who can make test strategy feel approachable, not stressful. Hannah adapts her teaching to the age group, walking through reading comprehension, vocabulary-in-context, and quantitative reasoning with patience and clear, concrete exampl...
Temple University
Master of Fine Arts, Creative Writing
University of Pennsylvania
Bachelor in Arts
Certified Tutor
Jean
At the lower level, the ISEE is often a student's first encounter with a high-stakes standardized test, and the reading comprehension section can feel intimidating. Jean eases younger students into the format by teaching them how to preview questions before reading a passage and how to find answers ...
Duke University
Bachelor of Arts in Latin American History
Certified Tutor
Margaret
Younger test-takers often struggle less with the content on the Lower Level ISEE than with the format itself — unfamiliar question structures, strict timing, and the pressure of a high-stakes exam. Margaret introduces each section gradually, building familiarity with reading comprehension prompts an...
Princeton University
Bachelor in Arts
Certified Tutor
9+ years
Alex
The ISEE Lower Level can feel intimidating for young test-takers, but Alex breaks it down into manageable pieces — from basic arithmetic and word problems to reading comprehension and vocabulary in context. As a Stanford applied math student who tutors across all three ISEE levels, he knows how to m...
Stanford University
Bachelor in Arts, Applied Mathematics
Certified Tutor
9+ years
Dalton
The ISEE Lower Level tests quantitative reasoning and reading comprehension at a level that can surprise younger students unfamiliar with standardized formats. Dalton's broad teaching range — from elementary math and reading through test prep — means he can simultaneously sharpen the underlying acad...
University of Pennsylvania
Bachelor in Arts, Mass Communications
Certified Tutor
7+ years
Arielle
ISEE Lower Level prep for younger students requires a tutor who understands both the exam's structure and how children that age process new information. Arielle's Yale degree in Child Development and her three years of elementary classroom teaching make her especially effective at tackling the quant...
Yale University
Bachelor of Arts in History and Child Development
Johns Hopkins University
Current Grad Student, Early Childhood Education
Top 20 Test Prep Subjects
Meet Varsity Tutors Experts
Connect with highly-rated educators ready to help you succeed.
Michelle
Middle School Math Tutor • +41 Subjects
I am not tutoring, I enjoy baking, eating anything with chocolate, taking and editing pictures, reading, and singing.
Miranda
Calculus Tutor • +34 Subjects
I am a new graduate of Pomona College, in Claremont, CA, where I studied Religion and Philosophy. While there, I wrote many papers of a wide variety, working on strong arguments, organization, and phrasing. I peer edited as well as volunteering with groups that mentored high school students, focusing on college admissions work, continuing and expanding my experiences from high school of tutoring for standardized testing. Additionally, I taught beginning violin to younger children.
Chelsey
Calculus Tutor • +31 Subjects
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 variety of subjects in college: from Medieval Literature to Buddhist Psychology. I moved back to New York after graduating to pursue a career in the arts. I currently work as a reader for the literary director of an Off-Broadway theatre company.
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.
Harry
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +51 Subjects
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 independent research, and have written, produced, and performed in several music and theatrical productions throughout New York City. The foundation of my tutoring philosophy is personalization and understanding. Different students have different learning styles; some learn best by listening, some by seeing, others must do. To that end, I try to tailor my lessons to fit the needs of each individual student. Ultimately, I believe that the ability to excel in educational pursuits rests largely on mental strategy, organization, and skill, all techniques that are very teachable. While absorbing content is important, the way we look at the question being asked and the way we understand the test itself is just as crucial to success, especially in standardized testing. Therefore, no matter what subject I tutor, it is my goal not just to help the student memorize information and facts, but to lead them towards understanding the underlying goals and structure of the test or assignment itself. To this end, in my lessons I often incorporate cutting-edge mindfulness-awareness and associative memory techniques based both on ancient tradition and cutting-edge brain science to aid my students towards deeper understanding, increased scholastic confidence, and reduced stress. I specialize in SAT, SSAT, and SAT II prep for Math, Verbal, Writing, and Literature, as well as High School History, English, Literature, and Writing, any K-8 subject, and college admissions coaching. In my spare time, I compose music, write and direct theater, and perform around New York City.
Ariela
12th Grade math Tutor • +41 Subjects
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) and quickly organize that information so that I can convey it to someone else. I enjoy and excel at condensing and re-communicating facts or tasks, so that they become comprehensible to someone who may not understand them the first time around. Hobbies: art, books, photography, reading, music, writing
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.
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.
Moriah
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +51 Subjects
I am a graduate of Cornell University and received a Bachelor of Arts in Music. Currently, I am working as an Assistant Director at a preparatory school managing and teaching students simultaneously. In the recent years at the school, I have been focusing more on the Reading portions of standardized tests but have at times assisted students in the math and science portions as well usually one-on-one. I strongly believe that every students has their own style of learning and must learn at their own pace. Although, sometimes giving them too much leeway may not always be the best solution, I am there to also provide encouragement and challenge to make the learning process enjoyable and beneficial. Apart from work, I do enjoy reading, jogging, exploring New York City, and playing the violin during my spare time.
Abby
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +45 Subjects
I am about to graduate from Brown University with a B.A. in Education Studies. I love working with students one-on-one and helping them feel like they can tackle challenging material. In the past I have tutored elementary school students in English and Math, middle school students in English as a second language, and helped peers in an informal context. My experiences teaching visual art and dance classes have also helped me develop creative and engaging ways to present information. While I tutor many different subjects, I am particularly excited about working with students on writing and French. I have studied French for 11 years and lived abroad in a Francophone country, and I am a total geek when it comes to French grammar. Similarly, I love playing with and examining the English language, whether in preparation for the reading section of a Standardized Test or for a college essay. I believe that students learn best when they are able to uncover the "why," not just the "what," and it is my goal to create an environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and making mistakes. In my free time, I enjoy making pottery, swing dancing, and experimenting in the kitchen.
Top 20 Subjects
Frequently Asked Questions
The ISEE Lower Level math section requires balancing speed with accuracy across 30 questions in 30 minutes. Tutors help students develop section-specific strategies like working backwards from answer choices on harder problems, identifying which questions to attempt first based on difficulty, and using estimation to eliminate obviously wrong answers quickly. Many students benefit from practicing with actual ISEE question formats to internalize timing patterns rather than relying on general math problem-solving approaches.
ISEE Lower Level reading passages are shorter than upper levels, but students often struggle with inference questions and vocabulary-in-context items. Tutors teach active annotation techniques—marking key details, author's tone, and main ideas while reading—to improve comprehension without rereading entire passages. They also help students distinguish between what's explicitly stated versus what requires inference, a common source of errors on this test.
ISEE Lower Level verbal reasoning tests word relationships and analogies, not just definitions. Tutors focus on teaching students to identify the relationship between word pairs (synonym, antonym, part-to-whole, cause-and-effect) and apply that logic to find correct answers. This requires strategic thinking beyond memorizing vocabulary lists—students learn to eliminate answers by understanding how words connect conceptually.
The ISEE Lower Level essay is unscored but reviewed by schools, so it needs to demonstrate clear thinking and organization rather than perfection. Tutors help students develop a simple outline structure (introduction with a clear position, 2-3 supporting examples, brief conclusion) and practice writing under timed conditions. The focus is on coherence and supporting ideas with specific examples, which schools value more than advanced vocabulary or complex sentence structures.
Familiarity reduces anxiety significantly. Tutors use repeated exposure to actual ISEE question formats, timed practice tests, and section-by-section drills so students know exactly what to expect on test day. They also teach practical anxiety management techniques like pacing strategies, confidence-building through identifying personal strengths, and how to handle difficult questions without panic—all specific to the ISEE's structure and timing.
Tutors start with diagnostic practice tests to pinpoint whether struggles are in math computation, reading speed, verbal reasoning patterns, or test-taking strategy. From there, they create focused practice plans—for example, if a student misses inference questions consistently, tutoring targets that specific skill rather than general reading. This targeted approach is more efficient than broad test prep and helps students see measurable improvement in their weak areas.
Score improvement depends on starting point and preparation time, but students typically see 5-10 percentile point gains with focused tutoring over 4-8 weeks. Students who start with significant gaps in math fundamentals or reading skills may see larger improvements, while those already scoring in the 70th+ percentile often see smaller gains since the highest scores require near-perfect execution. Consistent practice with actual ISEE questions and targeted strategy work are the biggest drivers of improvement.
Most tutors recommend full practice tests every 2-3 weeks to track progress and identify emerging patterns, with section-specific practice tests weekly in between. Early in prep, students benefit from untimed practice to build accuracy, then gradually shift to timed sections as they develop speed. This balanced approach prevents students from becoming overly focused on speed at the expense of accuracy or vice versa.
Connect with ISEE- Lower Level Tutors
Get matched with expert tutors in your subject


