Award-Winning GRE Quantitative Tutors
serving Des Moines, IA
Award-Winning
GRE Quantitative
Tutors in Des Moines
Private 1-on-1 tutoring, weekly live classes for academic support, test prep & enrichment, practice tests and diagnostics, and more to elevate grades and test scores.
Based on 3.4M Learner Ratings
UniversitiesSchools & Universities
DeliveredHours Delivered
ProficiencyGrowth in Proficiency
Who needs tutoring?
No obligation. Takes ~1 minute.

Between a biochemistry degree and a master's in biology, Thomas has run enough statistical analyses and quantitative problem sets to recognize the GRE Quant section for what it is — recycled algebra, ratios, geometry, and data interpretation dressed up in deliberately tricky phrasing. He teaches across the full math ladder from pre-algebra through differential equations, which means he can spot exactly where a rusty concept is causing downstream errors and fix it at the root. Rated 4.8 by students.

Scoring 770 on her own Quantitative section, Elizabeth knows the GRE math isn't about advanced concepts — it's about recognizing which arithmetic, algebra, geometry, or data analysis principle a question is really testing beneath its wording. She taught GRE prep as an adjunct professor at American University and developed formula guides and shortcut strategies specifically for the Quantitative Comparison and Data Interpretation question types. Her students learn to spot the traps ETS builds into answer choices rather than grinding through brute-force calculations.
My teaching philosophy is focused on a single objective - that students learn. I have a Ph.D. in Criminology from the University of Pennsylvania and a J.D. from Temple Law School. My GRE score was a 326, and my LSAT score was a 173. I've tutored over 60 students through Varsity Tutors. I'm committed to helping students reach their full potentials.
Having taught high school math abroad through the Peace Corps and later completed quantitative coursework in her MPH at Emory, Irina has cycled through the exact algebra, ratios, and data analysis concepts the GRE Quant section recycles — multiple times, in multiple contexts. She's especially sharp at diagnosing the specific rusty spots that trip up students who haven't touched formal math since undergrad, then building targeted practice around those gaps.
I am a graduate of Grinnell College, a private liberal arts college located in Grinnell, Iowa. I have a Bachelor of the Arts in Computer Science from Grinnell's Department of Math and Computer Science. Since graduation I have tutored students of a wide variety of ages and background in a number of subjects. I have tutored middle school students in the Chicago area in Math and science and high school students in advanced Math, chemistry, writing, and helped them prepare for standardized tests for college admittance. I have also tutored adults preparing for academic proficiency tests for their jobs and with GRE prep for those interested in going to graduate school. Additionally I have taught English grammar, reading, and conversational skills to ESL students in Chicago, Ecuador, and Colombia. While I tutor a number of subjects, I particularly enjoy helping students with standardized test strategy and following their scores as they increase towards their goal. When I tutor, I aim to lead students to an answer by example so that they can see the reasoning involved themselves, rather than me just telling them the answer. The more the students can come to their own solutions, the more memorable the lessons will be. In my spare time I enjoy reading, playing skill games like scrabble, bridge, and poker, and outdoor activities like biking, camping, and canoeing when the weather is nice.
Hello, my name is Destiny and I graduated from Howard University. I majored in Psychology with a minor in Biology and Administration of Justice. One of the most important lessons I've learned from school is the value of asking for help. This can be the difference between simply memorizing some facts and truly understanding the material given to you. In many cases, learning in a traditional school setting is not effective and students should feel free to reach out for extra guidance. I strive to be that source of guidance for all students who need it. I believe that everyone learns in their own way and that the key to helping someone else lies in finding their unique style of learning. I take great pleasure in finding those styles and using them to enrich students minds. My main areas of expertise are Psychology and English. Ive been reading at a college level since middle school and scored 5s on both AP English tests. I also scored a 5 on the AP Psychology exam in addition to receiving As in all my psychology classes. I have extensive experience with essay writing, essay editing, and researching. Other subjects I can assist with include Algebra I and II, Geometry, and SAT/ACT prep. Outside of class, I like to stay busy with school activities and hobbies. I spend most of my time playing the trumpet in my schools marching band or studying. But when I have free time, I typically catch up with my shows or read.
Reviews from students: "I loved how you explained math. You were able to explain formulas so they made sense and it was engaging. Thank you for making math interesting." - Ferol Conklin "I have published over 20 articles, and no one has ever edited my articles as thoroughly or as helpfully as you did." - Mark Ragel "The instructor was the best I had at this university." - Spanish student, University of Illinois "Elle was kind, patient, and funny. She seemed to really enjoy teaching." - Spanish student, University of Illinois I have three years professional teaching experience and several years of tutoring experience. I have always been a teacher at heart. I feel my biggest strength as a tutor is looking at material from the perspective of the student. I have also been described as a calm, patient, passionate, and fun tutor. I think lesson plans should be interesting to motivate students to care about the subject and engage in the process of learning. I worked as a Spanish TA at the University of Illinois for two years as as the main instructor for over 200 students. I have also worked as a middle school teacher. I have experience tutoring a variety of subjects, including test prep, reading and writing, and various levels of math. My degrees are in Linguistics, Spanish, and Journalism, with a minor in Math.
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 subjects, I take a creative, inquiry-based and learner-centered approach, designing opportunities for each unique individual to meet their learning goals.
I'm not tutoring or buried in my textbooks, you will either find me rock climbing at the Triangle Rock Club, playing Ultimate Frisbee, working on my car, or enjoying the great outdoors (beaches, mountains, forests--you name it, I love it). On rainy weekends I enjoy tinkering with computers and old electronics, playing Pokemon, or picking at my guitar.
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 at Columbia University in my department and also have tutored graduate students and undergraduates privately as well. My primary areas of tutoring are math and statistics coursework in addition to math sections on standardized tests such as the GRE and GMAT. I am very passionate about helping students feel more confident and excited about math. In my spare time, I enjoy running, playing piano, and spending time with friends and family.
I am a graduate of Wesleyan University, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with High Honors. With eight years of experience working in education, I've tutored students in math, science, history, and English, as well as helped students prepare for standardized tests. I've guided adults towards passing the US Citizenship Exam and taught English in India, where I lived for six months. Whenever I work with a student I personalize the lessons to fit their particular learning style, since I know every student is unique and having the right fit can make all the difference in making learning fun and effective. My strengths are tutoring the social sciences and humanities, as well as making math and standardized tests approachable to students that normally don't like those subjects. In my spare time I like traveling, spending time in the outdoors (climbing & backpacking), meditation, and playing soccer. Next fall I will be beginning my PhD in Education at Harvard University.
I am a rising sophomore at Harvard College and am about to declare as a Mechanical Engineering concentrator, working towards a Bachelor of Science degree. I've always enjoyed sharing my knowledge with my peers and those around me and have done so in both formal and informal settings. I've been a tutor for both Math and Spanish programs in high school and enjoyed the strides I made with students. I am willing to tutor any subject I have a background in, but am strong in mathematics, the sciences, Spanish, history, writing, and ACT prep. I enjoy teaching mathematics most due to the joy I can see in children once they master a topic and can answer even pointed questions meant to stump them, and maybe even put their knowledge to real world use. As a tutor, I like to give a strong foundation to orient my student, and then gradually grant them more freedom and independence until they can feel themselves grasp the concept, pointing out pitfalls or common errors along the way; teachers who used these methods on me always left the most lasting impressions. Outside of my studies, I really enjoy listening to music, both old favorites and new interests, reading classics, and gaming/playing basketball with my friends.
Testimonials
Because the right GRE Quantitative tutor makes all the difference.
Average Session Rating – Based on 3.4M Learner Ratings
Practice GRE Quantitative
Free practice tests, flashcards, and AI tutoring for GRE Quantitative
Nearby GRE Quantitative Tutors
Other Des Moines Tutors
Related Graduate Test Prep Tutors in Des Moines
Frequently Asked Questions
Score improvement depends on your starting point and commitment level, but most students see meaningful gains within 8-12 weeks of focused preparation. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction helps identify your specific weak areas—whether that's geometry, data interpretation, or algebra—and targets them directly. Many students improve by 5-10 points on the 130-170 scale, though your actual improvement will depend on your baseline and study intensity.
The Quantitative section gives you 62 minutes for 40 questions, which means pacing is critical—many students rush through easier questions and run out of time on harder ones. Expert tutors help you develop a strategic approach: knowing when to skip and return to questions, recognizing question patterns that eat time, and building speed through targeted practice. With personalized instruction, you'll learn to balance accuracy with efficiency rather than just working faster.
The most frequent errors include misreading what a question is actually asking, making careless arithmetic mistakes under time pressure, and not recognizing when to use estimation instead of exact calculation. Students also struggle with data interpretation questions that require reading graphs and tables quickly, and with geometry problems that need spatial reasoning. Personalized tutoring helps you identify which mistake patterns are costing you points and develop habits to catch them before test day.
Most students benefit from 8-12 weeks of consistent preparation, with 3-5 hours of study per week for solid improvement. If you're starting from a lower baseline or aiming for a top-tier score (165+), you may want 12-16 weeks. Personalized tutoring accelerates learning by focusing your study time on actual weak areas rather than reviewing material you already know, making your preparation more efficient than self-study alone.
Practice tests are essential—they help you get comfortable with the format, build stamina for the full exam, and reveal your specific weak areas under timed conditions. The GRE offers official practice tests that closely mirror the real test, and taking them every 2-3 weeks helps you track progress. Expert tutors use your practice test results to guide instruction, focusing on the question types and content areas where you're losing points rather than generic review.
Your first session is diagnostic—a tutor will review your GRE goals, assess your current quantitative skills, and identify which topics (algebra, geometry, data interpretation, etc.) are holding you back. You'll likely take a diagnostic quiz or review a recent practice test together to pinpoint patterns in your mistakes. From there, the tutor creates a personalized study plan focused on your specific needs and timeline, so every session builds toward your target score.
Test anxiety often stems from unfamiliarity with question types or fear of running out of time—both issues that personalized tutoring directly addresses. By practicing with authentic GRE questions repeatedly, building confidence in your problem-solving process, and learning strategic approaches to difficult problems, you'll feel more prepared and less panicked on test day. Tutors also teach stress-management techniques specific to timed math sections, like how to reset mentally between questions.
Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in GRE Quantitative preparation and understand the specific challenges students face on this section. You can share your score goals, availability, and learning preferences, and we'll match you with a tutor who fits your needs. The process is straightforward—reach out to get started, and you'll be working with a qualified tutor quickly to begin your score improvement.
Let’s find your perfect tutor
Answer a few quick questions. We’ll recommend the right plan and match you with a top 5% tutor.