Award-Winning ISEE-Lower Level Verbal Reasoning Tutors

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Award-Winning ISEE-Lower Level Verbal Reasoning Tutors

Olivia

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Olivia

Bachelors, American Studies
Olivia's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
PSAT Writing Skills
SSAT- Middle Level

Younger students taking the ISEE Lower Level often struggle not with vocabulary itself but with the reasoning layer underneath — figuring out relationships between words in synonym questions or tracking an argument across a short reading passage. Olivia's American Studies background gave her deep ex...

Education

Yale University

Bachelors, American Studies

Test Scores
SAT
1560
ACT
34
Peter

Certified Tutor

Peter

Masters in Education, English Education
Peter's other Tutor Subjects
10th Grade Reading
Pre-Algebra
Arithmetic
Middle School Math

Younger students tackling the ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning section often struggle not with vocabulary itself but with the logic of sentence completions and synonym relationships. Peter's background in English education means he can explain how context clues and word roots work in terms a fourth...

Education

Ohio State

Masters in Education, English Education

Syracuse University

Bachelor of Science, Journalism

Test Scores
SAT
1470
Lena

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Lena

Current Undergrad, Political Science and Environmental Studies
Lena's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
PSAT Writing Skills
SAT Subject Test in French with Listening

Lower Level verbal reasoning questions introduce kids to the challenge of choosing the right word when two options look similar. Lena makes this less intimidating by turning vocabulary practice into a pattern-matching game — grouping words by meaning families and teaching even young students to spot...

Education

Brown University

Current Undergrad, Political Science and Environmental Studies

Test Scores
SAT
1570
Phillip

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Phillip

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

The ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning section tests vocabulary in context and sentence completion — skills that reward strategic elimination as much as raw word knowledge. Phillip teaches younger students how to break unfamiliar words into roots, prefixes, and suffixes so they can reason through ans...

Education

Brown University

Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering

Test Scores
SAT
1560
Arielle

Certified Tutor

7+ years

Arielle

Current Grad Student, Early Childhood Education
Arielle's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
Elementary School Math
Elementary School Science

Verbal reasoning at the Lower Level ISEE tests vocabulary in context and sentence completion — tricky territory for younger students who haven't yet built a large academic word bank. Arielle's background in child development shapes how she introduces new words through association and context clues r...

Education

Yale University

Bachelor of Arts in History and Child Development

Johns Hopkins University

Current Grad Student, Early Childhood Education

Test Scores
SAT
1380
Samantha

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Samantha

Current Undergrad Student, Psychology
Samantha's other Tutor Subjects
Applied Mathematics
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra

Lower Level Verbal Reasoning on the ISEE tests vocabulary and sentence completion in ways that can frustrate young students who haven't seen many of the words before. Samantha turns this into a detective game, teaching kids to use surrounding clues and word parts to narrow down answers even when a w...

Education

Princeton University

Current Undergrad Student, Psychology

Test Scores
SAT
1480
Terry

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Terry

Juris Doctor, Criminal Justice
Terry's other Tutor Subjects
Applied Mathematics
Pre-Algebra
Finite Mathematics
Competition Math

Verbal reasoning on the ISEE-Lower Level asks young students to recognize relationships between words — synonyms, analogies, and context-based meaning — which is a very different skill from everyday reading. Terry, whose history degree required constant work with unfamiliar terminology in primary so...

Education

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Bachelor of Fine Arts, History

Seton Hall University

Juris Doctor, Criminal Justice

Test Scores
SAT
1470
Victoria

Certified Tutor

5+ years

Victoria

Current Undergrad Student, Anthropology
Victoria's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
SAT Reading
SAT Writing and Language

Verbal reasoning on the Lower Level ISEE is essentially a vocabulary and logic puzzle — kids need to figure out synonym relationships and complete sentences using context clues, often with words they've never encountered. Victoria approaches this by teaching patterns: Latin and Greek roots, prefix f...

Education

Carleton College

Current Undergrad Student, Anthropology

Test Scores
SAT
1420
Francesca

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Francesca

Bachelor of Economics, Political Science and Government
Francesca's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Pre-Calculus
Middle School Math
Geometry

Synonym and sentence-completion questions on the ISEE Lower Level Verbal Reasoning section reward students who can use context clues rather than relying on vocabulary they may not have encountered yet. Francesca teaches elimination strategies and word-root patterns that give younger test-takers a sy...

Education

Loyola University-Chicago

Bachelor of Economics, Political Science and Government

Test Scores
ACT
33
Ben

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Ben

Current Grad Student, Creative Writing
Ben's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Geometry
Calculus
Algebra

Lower Level Verbal Reasoning asks young students to pick synonyms and complete sentences with words that may be just beyond their everyday vocabulary. Ben turns this into a detective game — teaching kids to spot clue words in the sentence and eliminate answers that don't fit the tone or meaning. He'...

Education

Ball State University

Bachelor of Science, History

Northwestern University

Current Grad Student, Creative Writing

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Kahini

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +67 Subjects

I am currently a neuroscience PhD student at Columbia University. I majored in English and Psychology from Brown University, with a 4.0 and honours in Psychology. Following this, I worked at a lab at UPenn for three years, slowly transitioning to software engineering and computational neuroscience.

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Marty

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +33 Subjects

I'm the guy for you! As a kid, I experienced a lot of test anxiety, so I know how important a strong background can be to get the grade that you deserve.

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Kaitlyn

6th Grade math Tutor • +173 Subjects

I am a medical student committed to helping your student succeed. I have been a tutor for 5+ years, and have experience teaching Math, Science, Spanish and Test Prep to students of all ages and ability. I believe every child has the potential to learn with positive one on one attention and I am committing to helping you student learn how they study best, and become a more independent learner. I look forward to meeting you, and helping you achieve your goals! Hobbies: writing, reading, music, art, books

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Jane

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +40 Subjects

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.

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Janki

Trigonometry Tutor • +36 Subjects

I am pursuing a B.S. degree in Neuroscience at the University of Kentucky that I will successfully complete in the Fall of 2020. I have tutored a wide range of students, both my peers and younger, in mostly STEM related fields. Although I tutor in a few different subjects, the subjects I am most passionate about are College level Biology, Organic Chemistry, and Biochemistry. Learning about a difficult topic may seem challenging at times, but I believe that everyone has the ability and motivation to successfully tackle difficult concepts with some help!

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Nicole

Calculus Tutor • +74 Subjects

I am currently a graduate student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling master's program at Nova Southeastern University, and I received my B.A. in English with a minor in Spanish from the University of Miami in 2016. I am a native speaker of English and Russian. Throughout the course of my education, I have helped my fellow students improve their analytical and writing skills through collaboration. I am able to tutor a broad range of subjects, including standardized test preparation, English literature up to the college level, essay and academic writing and grammar, Russian and Spanish language skills. Having scored in the top percentiles on the verbal and essay writing sections of standardized tests, such as the SAT and GRE, I also possess the perspective and expertise to help others excel on these and similar exams. I am passionate about empowering students to achieve their full potential through education, and I strongly believe tutoring can be a valuable tool for any student's academic growth. In my free time, I enjoy reading, crafting, and journaling.

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Nastassia

Calculus Tutor • +34 Subjects

I am comfortable working with students of all ages and backgrounds and understand how to help students learn effectively depending on their individual needs and desires. Due to my academic background, I can effectively transfer the tutoring skills I strengthened through volunteering to a different subject area: English, or more broadly, reading and writing.

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Emily

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +55 Subjects

I am a graduate student at Columbia University, working towards Masters degrees in Public Health and Social Work. I am a graduate of Brandeis University with Bachelor's degrees in Anthropology and Environmental Science. I have been teaching students ages 9 and up for approximately 8 years, and I would love to help you reach your academic potential! My favorite subjects to tutor are reading comprehension, environmental science, and essay-writing.

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Sarah

Calculus Tutor • +61 Subjects

I'm dedicated to ensuring that each of my students leaves our sessions with greater knowledge and a deeper love of learning.

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Alexandra

Middle School Math Tutor • +182 Subjects

I am a rising senior at The University of North Texas in Denton. I am working towards my Bachelor of Arts in Spanish as well as English with a concentration in Creative Writing. I was raised in an academically competitive environment in Fort Bend County and my rigorous secondary education prepared me for success in college. I am a fortunate member of the Terry Scholarship Foundation, which has provided me and hundreds of other Texans with a private, four-year, full-ride scholarship. As a Terry Scholar, I am well-versed in all subjects and have taken on the role of mentor to many of the incoming freshmen. I have spent most of my free time in college as a nanny and tutor to families around the DFW area. I have experience with all age groups and there is nothing that intimidates me! While I tutor a broad range of subjects, I am most passionate about English, Literature, History, Spanish, and Government/Social Studies. Through my experiences helping struggling students and peers, I have realized the value of adaptability. Most people reach out to a tutor because the traditional classroom method is not best suited for their learning needs. There is nothing more joyful than when a student finally understands the material in a way that makes sense to them. Many times, students need flexibility and patience in order to grasp a foreign concept. I am a firm believer in the power of education and I hope to share my love of learning with all of my students. After graduation I plan on returning to Houston to obtain my Master of Arts in Teaching from Rice University. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and writing anything from poetry to screenplays. I have also been involved in competitive dance for most of my adolescence, so I understand the balance of academics and extracurriculars. Hobbies: reading, music, writing, art, books, dancing, yoga

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Frequently Asked Questions

Students typically struggle most with the Sentence Completion section, where they need to identify the best word to fill a blank based on context clues. Many also find Analogies challenging because they require understanding relationships between word pairs and applying that logic to new pairs. Reading Comprehension passages can feel overwhelming due to time pressure and the need to locate specific details quickly. A tutor can help students develop strategies for each question type rather than just memorizing vocabulary.

The Verbal Reasoning section has strict time limits, and many students rush through easier questions or get stuck on harder ones, losing valuable time. Effective pacing strategies include tackling Sentence Completions first (usually quickest), then Analogies, and saving Reading Comprehension for last since it requires deeper focus. A tutor can help students practice with timed drills to build speed without sacrificing accuracy, and teach them when to skip a difficult question strategically rather than waste time.

Many students rely too heavily on vocabulary knowledge and miss the context clues embedded in the sentence itself. Strong readers learn to identify signal words like "however," "although," "because," and "therefore" that reveal whether the blank should contain a word similar or opposite to other words in the sentence. Tutors teach students to cover the answer choices first, predict what word might fit, and then match that prediction to the available options—this approach dramatically improves accuracy by reducing guessing.

Analogies require students to identify the relationship between the first pair of words, then find a pair with the same relationship. Common relationships include synonyms, antonyms, part-to-whole, cause-and-effect, and function. Rather than trying all answer choices randomly, tutors teach students to articulate the relationship in a sentence ("A is to B as C is to D") and test each option against that sentence. This systematic approach helps students avoid traps where answer pairs are related but not in the same way as the original pair.

Many students try to memorize entire passages, which wastes time and leads to confusion. Instead, effective readers skim for main ideas first, then refer back to the passage to locate specific details for each question. Students should practice identifying where in the passage to find answers (beginning, middle, or end) and avoid choosing answers that sound true but aren't directly supported by the text. Tutors help students distinguish between main idea questions, detail questions, and inference questions, each requiring a slightly different reading strategy.

While vocabulary knowledge helps, the ISEE-Lower Level Verbal Reasoning section is designed to test reasoning skills more than pure vocabulary. Students who only memorize word lists often struggle because they lack context for how words are used, and they miss the reasoning strategies needed for Analogies and Reading Comprehension. Effective tutoring focuses on teaching word families, roots, and prefixes so students can decode unfamiliar words, combined with strategic reading and reasoning techniques for each question type.

Taking full-length timed practice tests reveals pacing issues and question-type weaknesses, but students should also complete untimed practice to focus on accuracy and strategy without time pressure. After each practice test, reviewing incorrect answers is crucial—students should understand not just what the right answer is, but why their choice was wrong and how they could have spotted the correct answer. Tutors help students track patterns in their mistakes (Do they struggle more with Analogies? Do they misread details?) and create targeted practice plans based on those patterns.

Test anxiety often stems from unfamiliarity with question formats and uncertainty about strategies. When students practice with expert guidance, they develop confidence through mastery of specific techniques—like the sentence prediction method for Sentence Completions or the relationship articulation method for Analogies. Regular practice with feedback, combined with understanding what to expect on test day, significantly reduces anxiety and helps students perform closer to their actual ability level.

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