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Kiersten
Certified SSAT Tutor
Kiersten
BA University
1+ Years Tutoring

I am a junior studying Writing for Screen and Television at the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts. For the past two spring semesters I worked as a CollegeSpring Mentor, tutoring Green Dot Charter high school juniors for the SAT and teaching them predatory skills for college. In addition to my experience tutoring for the SAT, as a screenwriting major I most enjoy teaching my favorite subject, English. I love showing students the power language endows upon them to communicate their ideas and beliefs with others. I believe every student deserves the chance to succeed and to try to capitalize on their strengths while encouraging them to improve in areas they may traditionally find challenging. Endowing a student with confidence in themselves through patience and support is the best way not only to improve academic performance, but also transform them into lifelong learners. I try to share not only my passion for knowledge with students, but also my love of sports (football, baseball, and softball), action films, and global affairs. Seeing students not only improve academically but also show improved confidence and happiness is the most rewarding part of my job.

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Ari
Certified SSAT Tutor
Ari
BA Wesleyan University
9+ Years Tutoring

I'm Arian. I graduated from Wesleyan University with degrees in English and Environmental Studies, with a focus on creative writing. For my senior thesis, I wrote a 50-page epic poem that intertwined the geobiological evolution of the earth with my family history.

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Naama
BA New York University
14+ Years Tutoring

I'm a New York transplant to LA, and a freelance composer and musician by nature. I am an artist and a teacher-- these are my two passions! I'm also a translator, linguistics nerd, avid reader, and fabulous teacher. I went to NYU and studied Linguistics, and am continuing my studies for an Applied Linguistics Masters here in California.

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Michael
BA New York University
1+ Years Tutoring

I am a recent graduate of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts where I received my B.F.A. in Drama with a minor in Applied Theatre. During my time at NYU, I studied at the Atlantic Acting School and the Experimental Theatre Wing, sang in a choir called Drama Cantorum, and co-founded a nationally-ranked improv team called Captain Soldier. I also spent an unforgettable semester abroad at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. Nowadays, I work with a theatre company called Grey Room NYC and a non-profit organization called Leave Out Violence. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, playing and watching basketball (Go Bulls!), enjoying funny television shows (Louie is my favorite), and playing music (guitar & piano).

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Certified SSAT Tutor
John
BA Carnegie Mellon University
1+ Years Tutoring

I am most passionate about English, History, Math, and the SAT. I am fascinated by the SAT. I love teaching struggling test takers how to view the SAT as an approachable, accessible set of riddles and games instead of as an intellectual brick wall. I firmly believe that the majority of people can find great joy in academics once they discover the individual approach that works for them. I see it as my job to help them find that path. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, rock climbing, running, travel, and reading. I am also a section editor for the Los Angeles Review of Books and the literary manager for two theater companies based in New York and Los Angeles.

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Ema
BA Harvard University
10+ Years Tutoring

I am a recent graduate of Harvard University, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in English Literature with an emphasis on screenwriting. Although I love literature and writing, I am most passionate about tutoring math. I have five years of experience as a math tutor, during which time I helped students ages 3-17 with math ranging from basic arithmetic to pre-calculus. My favorite math topic is algebra, particularly because of its usefulness in solving real-world word problems. In addition to mathematics, I find joy in teaching/elucidating Shakespeare to high-school students. As a classically trained actor, I find it fun to tackle Shakespeare’s dense texts from a performance and character-driven perspective. In my spare time, I enjoy vegan baking and roller-blading.

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Claire
BA Pomona College
1+ Years Tutoring

I am a credentialed teacher with ten years of experience. I have an M.A. in Teaching from USC (Multiple Subject/K-6) and a B.A. in Music from Pomona College. I have taught individual and group violin lessons from age 3 to adults throughout L.A., and I have taught general music in the Lawndale School District and at YOLA (Youth Orchestra L.A.) at HOLA (Heart of LA youth center in the Rampart District). I student-taught in general elementary school classrooms (2nd and 5th grade), and have tutored students at YOLA.

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Travis
BA University
1+ Years Tutoring

I am confident that by tailoring personalized learning sessions to individual student needs and giving students the resources and skills they need to succeed, any student can ace their next exam, get the best grade, or get into the college of their dreams.

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Whitney
BA Pomona College
13+ Years Tutoring

I am a graduate of Pomona College, where I majored in Neuroscience. I am preparing to apply to medical school and hope to continue working with kids as a pediatrician.

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Katrina
BA Yale University
10+ Years Tutoring

I'm Katrina--a recent transplant to LA and also a recent grad of Yale University! Reading and writing have been integral to my life over the past few years as a Film and Media Studies and Sociology double major. I believe that crafting text can be a fun hobby and a very useful skill. Yet, it can often be challenging. I know what it is like to need help with schoolwork, and I know what it is like to provide that help for others. I believe that with patience and effort, we can solve any problem!

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Tom
Current Undergrad, Visual and Environmental Studies Harvard College
9+ Years Tutoring

I am focused on improving fundamental study skills through a practical, hands-on approach. This includes imbedding real-world applications into every lesson to inspire students and spark their latent curiosity. I received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard in 2018 and currently live in Los Angeles, CA.

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Sean
BA Western Governor's University
1+ Years Tutoring

I'm pursuing, I am learning to paint, snowboard, golf, and am also learning to play the guitar. I just graduated from the professional program at Second City which provides invaluable skills in adapting to different students' styles and for keeping things light and fun; two things which math is not famous for.

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Testimonials

Because the right SSAT tutor makes all the difference.

4.9

Average Session Rating – Based on 3.4M Learner Ratings

Worked with a SSAT 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.

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Julio Aranovich
Worked with a SSAT 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.

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Angela Hussein
Worked with a SSAT 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.

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Tara R
Worked with a SSAT 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.

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Michael Chen
Worked with a SSAT 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 a SSAT 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.

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Rebecca Williams

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Frequently Asked Questions

Score improvement depends on your starting point and how consistently you engage with tutoring. Many students see meaningful gains of 50-100 points within 2-3 months of working with a tutor, though some improve more quickly depending on their initial performance and the areas they need to strengthen. The key is identifying your specific weak spots—whether that's reading comprehension, quantitative reasoning, or writing—and developing targeted strategies to address them.

Reading comprehension and quantitative reasoning are the sections where most students struggle the most. Reading comprehension requires both speed and analytical thinking to track main ideas and details, while quantitative reasoning demands problem-solving under time pressure. The verbal section, while shorter, can be challenging because it tests vocabulary and analogical thinking that many students haven't formally practiced. Working with a tutor helps you develop section-specific strategies—like active reading techniques for reading comp or working backwards on tricky math problems—rather than approaching all sections the same way.

Most students benefit from taking 4-6 full-length practice tests during their SSAT prep, spaced out over several weeks. This gives you enough exposure to understand your patterns and pacing challenges without oversaturating yourself. The first practice test establishes your baseline, the middle tests help you apply new strategies, and the final tests simulate actual test day conditions. Between full practice tests, you should work on targeted drills for sections where you're struggling. A tutor can help you analyze your practice test results to identify whether your errors come from careless mistakes, conceptual gaps, or time management issues.

Most students prepare for 2-4 months before their test date, meeting with a tutor once or twice per week. If you're starting with a lower baseline score or aiming for a highly competitive school, you might benefit from starting earlier or increasing frequency. The actual timeline depends on your goals, your current skills, and how much you practice between tutoring sessions. For students in Los Angeles with access to excellent schools and selective admissions, a structured 3-month prep plan often provides the balance between thorough preparation and maintaining your regular coursework.

Pacing is one of the most common challenges on the SSAT because you're racing against the clock while maintaining accuracy. The most effective approach is to know which question types you can solve quickly and which ones require more thinking, then adjust your strategy accordingly. For example, some students blaze through reading comp questions but get bogged down on difficult math problems—so they learn to skip and return. A tutor can help you develop a personalized pacing plan based on your strengths, teach you to recognize when a problem is taking too long, and show you techniques like process of elimination to gain time back. Practice tests are essential for calibrating your pace under real timing conditions.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or uncertain about what to expect. Working with a tutor builds confidence by familiarizing you with every aspect of the test—the format, question types, timing, and strategies—so nothing feels surprising on test day. Tutors also help you identify which sections trigger the most anxiety and develop targeted coping strategies. Additionally, taking multiple practice tests under timed conditions is one of the best ways to reduce anxiety because it mentally rehearses the experience, making the actual test feel more manageable. Many students find that concrete preparation and a clear plan significantly reduce their stress.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors in Los Angeles who specialize in SSAT prep and understand the competitive school landscape in the area. When selecting a tutor, look for someone with proven experience helping students improve their scores, familiarity with the specific schools you're targeting, and the ability to teach test strategy in addition to content. A good SSAT tutor should assess your baseline performance, identify your specific weak areas, and create a customized prep plan rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach. Many tutors offer an initial consultation to see if there's a good fit before you commit to sessions.

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