Award-Winning PSAT Tutors
serving Columbia, SC
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Award-Winning PSAT Tutors serving Columbia, SC

Certified Tutor
5+ years
I am an undergraduate student at UC Berkeley in pursuit of a degree in Data Science. Prior experience has taught me that the difference between a wish and a goal is consistency. This ethos has enabled me to excel in primary school and allows me to continuously enjoy watching others make progress tow...
University
Bachelor's

Certified Tutor
3+ years
I've helped several hundred students in a wide variety of subjects, from executive functioning to computer science to standardized testing. I also help students with general support in math and English. Most of my students are around 9-17, but I work well with students who are older and a little you...
University
Bachelor's
Certified Tutor
9+ years
Saad
I am well familiar with all the techniques to achieve a higher score. I can also show a student how to study effectively so that they do well in school.
Prairie View A & M University
Current Undergrad, Mechanical Engineering
Certified Tutor
6+ years
I am currently learning how to do is to play the piano, and I can tell you first hand that practice and determination does make a difference! Outside of tutoring, I also love to dance, ski, and watch airplanes! Hope we can connect sometime soon. :)
University
Bachelor's
Certified Tutor
I am currently pursuing a degree in Chemical Engineering and Spanish at Virginia Tech. I have a strong academic record in my fields. I enjoy sharing knowledge and helping others overcome learning challenges. Through previous tutoring, I have developed excellent communication, organization, and probl...
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
BS
Certified Tutor
16+ years
John
John's English and Drama training sharpened the close-reading and rhetorical analysis skills that the PSAT's Evidence-Based Reading section rewards — identifying how authors structure arguments, use tone shifts, and deploy evidence across paired passages. His 36 ACT and experience teaching both SAT ...
University of St Thomas
Bachelor of Fine Arts, English/Drama
American Academy of Dramatic Arts
Associates, Acting
Certified Tutor
8+ years
Anna
Anna's MD/MBA path through Northwestern's Feinberg and Kellogg programs means she's spent years toggling between dense scientific literature and business case analysis — the exact mix of reading speed and quantitative precision the PSAT demands across both its Evidence-Based Reading and math section...
Northwestern University
Bachelor in Arts, Anthropology
Northwestern University
Graduated (Honors Program in Medical Education)
Certified Tutor
6+ years
Alex
Chemical engineering at Washington and Lee drilled the kind of systematic problem-solving that makes the PSAT's no-calculator math section click — setting up equations from word problems, manipulating expressions without reaching for a graphing calculator, and catching algebraic traps before they co...
Washington and Lee University
Bachelor of Science, Chemical Engineering
Certified Tutor
10+ years
Chelain
I am currently a resident physician at Northwestern Hospital.
Thomas Jefferson University
PHD, PhD: Molecular Pharmacology and Structural Biology; MD: Medicine. Currently a Resident in Radiation Oncology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. C
Swarthmore College
Bachelors, Biology, Psychology
Certified Tutor
10+ years
Nina
I am a recent graduate from a masters program in biostatistics at Columbia University. I received my Bachelor of Arts in biological sciences, with a focus in neurobiology at Northwestern University. In August, I will be starting a doctoral program in biostatistics at NYU. I was a teaching assistant ...
Columbia University
Masters in biostatistics
Northwestern University
Bachelor of Arts in biological sciences (focus in neurobiology)
Columbia University in the City of New York
Current Grad Student, Biostatistics
Certified Tutor
Elena
I am a second year law student at the University of Chicago who hails from the San Francisco Bay Area! I tutor the SAT, ESL, and Spanish. I was an AVID tutor in high school, and after college I taught an ESL class and tutored a high school student in Spanish. In law school, I am involved with the La...
Cornell University
Bachelor in Arts
University of Chicago Law School
Juris Doctor, Law
Certified Tutor
9+ years
Elliot
Elliot's neuroscience PhD means he's spent years doing exactly what the PSAT's reading passages demand — digesting complex arguments quickly, weighing evidence, and identifying the claims that actually hold up. That scientific rigor carries into the math sections too, where his quantitative reasonin...
Hampshire College
Bachelor in Arts, Cognitive Science
Vanderbilt University
Doctor of Philosophy, Neuroscience
Certified Tutor
6+ years
Mimi
I am an interdisciplinary educator with an Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a B.A. from Dartmouth College. My background is primarily in integrated arts learning and museum education and I specialize in visual arts, history and art history, and object-based learning. In all su...
Harvard University
Masters in Education, Education
Dartmouth College
B.A.
Certified Tutor
Michelle
I am proud to be a part of Varsity Tutors! I am originally from San Antonio, TX; I completed my undergraduate education at Rice University in Houston where I received a bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Currently, I am in my second year of medical school at Baylor College of Medici...
Baylor College of Medicine
Current Grad Student, M.D.
Rice University
Bachelor's in Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Certified Tutor
9+ years
Emily
Emily's double major in biology and French at Yale means she's spent years toggling between scientific data analysis and close literary reading — the exact split the PSAT tests across its math and Evidence-Based Reading sections. Her perfect 36 ACT and 1550 SAT confirm she knows how standardized tes...
Yale University
Master of Public Health (MPH), concentration in Epidemiology and Global Health
Yale School of Public Health
Master in Public Health, Public Health
Yale University
Bachelor of Science (B.S.), double major in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and French
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Frequently Asked Questions
The PSAT is a standardized test that measures reading, writing, and math skills for students typically in grades 9-10. It serves as a practice test for the SAT and helps identify academic strengths and areas for improvement. For students in Columbia, taking the PSAT is an excellent way to get familiar with test formats, pacing, and question types before tackling the SAT, which plays a key role in college admissions.
Score improvement varies based on starting point and effort, but students who work with a tutor often see meaningful gains—typically 50-100+ points—by addressing specific weak areas and building test-taking confidence. The key is identifying which sections (reading, writing, or math) need the most work and developing targeted strategies. With consistent practice and personalized guidance, most students see noticeable progress within 4-8 weeks of tutoring.
Your first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment to identify your current strengths and weaknesses across reading, writing, and math sections. The tutor will discuss your goals, review your test-taking habits, and create a personalized study plan tailored to your needs. This foundation helps ensure all future sessions focus on the areas where you'll see the most improvement.
Pacing is one of the biggest challenges students face, and it's highly learnable. A tutor can teach you strategies like skimming techniques for reading passages, identifying question types quickly, and knowing when to skip and return to difficult problems. Practice tests under timed conditions are essential—they help you develop a rhythm and build confidence so you're not rushing or second-guessing yourself on test day.
Reading and writing tend to be challenging for many students because they require both speed and comprehension, while the math section often trips up students who haven't practiced specific question formats or need to refresh foundational concepts. The good news is that each section responds well to targeted tutoring—a tutor can pinpoint whether you're struggling with content knowledge, test strategy, or time pressure, and address the root cause.
Most students benefit from taking 3-5 full-length practice tests under timed conditions during their prep period. The first practice test establishes your baseline and identifies weak areas, while subsequent tests help you track progress and refine your strategy. Between practice tests, focus on drilling specific question types and reviewing mistakes—this targeted work is often more valuable than taking test after test without analysis.
Test anxiety often stems from unfamiliarity with the test format or uncertainty about your abilities. Working with a tutor builds confidence through repeated exposure to authentic questions, mastery of strategies, and consistent practice under realistic conditions. Tutors also teach breathing techniques and mental strategies to manage stress on test day, so you can approach the PSAT feeling prepared rather than panicked.
Look for tutors who have strong backgrounds in standardized test prep, understand the specific skills the PSAT measures, and can explain concepts clearly. Ideally, they've helped other students improve their scores and can provide examples of their approach. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in PSAT prep and understand how to tailor instruction to your learning style and goals.
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