Award-Winning SAT Math Tutors
serving Des Moines, IA
SAT Math
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 will be getting tutoring?
No obligation. Takes ~1 minute.
I'm a computer science major at Penn State with a lot of application-oriented programming experience, but also academic experience. Some highlights include 1560 on the SAT and 5 on AP Comp Sci A.
I am a junior at Purdue University studying Aerospace Engineering and am part of the Air Force ROTC program. I have 6 years of tutoring experience at places including Kumon, Mathnasium, and Purdue University. I have worked with kids of all ages from kindergarten to sophomores in college, each with their own set of unique strengths, and tutored a variety of subjects, including calculus, trigonometry, geometry, thermodynamics, chemistry, and physics. Like many of my previous students, I struggled to understand concepts that I was being taught and was a terrible test taker. However, I found ways to overcome my obstacles and develop an better intuition for what I was learning. I believe that it is only this intuition and understanding that helps overcome these obstacles. My least favorite thing to see people be discouraged, so with a little bit of guidance and reassurance, I want to show people that they are capable of anything they put their mind to.
I am a first year medical student at the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University. I have been a private tutor in the past in subjects such as math, biology, chemistry, and the SATs and every single one of my more than twenty students have shown significant improvement. Most importantly, I have a passion for teaching, and your needs and preferences as the learner will always be paramount. I hope to help every one of my students reach every bit of their potential, and along the way, to utterly shatter any self-induced limitations that have been placed upon what they can accomplish.
Emily scored a 1480 SAT and brings a math-heavy academic background that includes minors in both mathematics and chemistry. She tackles SAT Math by drilling the specific algebra, data analysis, and advanced math concepts that the College Board tests most frequently — and teaches students to distinguish between problems that deserve full work and ones that reward estimation or back-solving.
Two semesters of SAT prep mentoring through CollegeSpring gave Kiersten a clear picture of where students lose points on SAT Math: usually in translating word problems into equations and managing time on the no-calculator section. She scored a 1550 on the SAT herself and teaches specific techniques for setting up algebraic models quickly and checking answers without second-guessing.
I am 22 years old and just graduated from the University of Kentucky with a double degree in French and Biochemistry. I have been a tutor for over a year now at UK's tutoring center. I believe that anyone can learn anything with enough practice and encouragement, and I love helping students overcome challenges and gain more self-confidence!
I'm currently a student at Northeastern University. Originally from Tennessee, I attended an all-male boarding and day school for high school, and was given a lot of opportunities to pursue advanced coursework and opportunities that weren't available to 99% of students in the area. As a result, I've joined Varsity Tutors as an effort to give back and try to help students get excited about learning various subjects, employing many of the methods that allowed me to succeed. While I tutor a wide range of subjects, I am most passionate about standardized test prep, math (all levels), writing, and economics.
Miranda earned a 1560 SAT composite, which means she tackled the Math section's trickiest territory — passport-to-advanced-math problems involving quadratics, systems, and nonlinear modeling. She teaches students to recognize what each question is actually asking beneath its wording, a skill that turns intimidating multi-step problems into familiar patterns.
I'm a hardworking, compassionate, and patient individual who has been tutoring since high school and helping my little sister with her homework long before. I'll work with every new student individually to recognize his or her strengths and weaknesses to make sure that material is actually being learned, not just memorized.
I am passionate about helping students with math, science, test prep, and more! As sophomore undergraduate at Brown University studying Mathematics and Biophysics, I am well experienced with many topics. I received a perfect 36 on my ACT, so I am very confident with test taking.
Engineering coursework at Washington and Lee gave Alex daily practice with the exact math the SAT tests at its hardest level: systems of equations, quadratic modeling, and interpreting complex data tables. He scored a 1590 composite and now teaches students to distinguish between problems that reward algebraic manipulation and those better solved by plugging in values or back-solving. That strategic flexibility is often what separates a 700 from a 780.
David scored a 1570 SAT and brings a computer scientist's precision to the Math section, particularly the no-calculator portion where algebraic fluency and number sense matter most. He emphasizes understanding why a technique works — whether it's completing the square or setting up a system of equations — so students can recognize which tool fits each problem without second-guessing.
I am excited to help anyone who might need it!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Score improvement varies based on your starting point and commitment level, but students typically see meaningful gains within 8-12 weeks of consistent practice. A tutor can help you identify which topics are costing you the most points—whether that's algebra, geometry, or problem-solving strategies—and focus your study time there. The key is targeted practice on your specific weak areas rather than reviewing material you already know well.
Timing issues usually stem from two sources: spending too long on difficult problems early in the test, or not recognizing question patterns that let you solve faster. Expert tutors work with you on strategic pacing—knowing when to skip a tough problem and return to it later, and recognizing which problems you can solve in under a minute versus those needing more thought. Practice tests are essential here; they help you build speed and confidence so you're not rushing through the final questions.
Your first session focuses on understanding where you stand. A tutor will review your recent practice tests or official SAT scores to identify patterns in the types of problems you're missing—whether they're calculation errors, conceptual gaps, or strategy mistakes. You'll discuss your target score, timeline, and any specific topics that feel most confusing, so the tutor can create a personalized study plan that addresses your unique needs.
The most reliable way is to take a full-length practice test under timed conditions, then review every problem you missed or guessed on—not just to see the answer, but to understand why you got it wrong. A tutor can help you categorize these mistakes into patterns: Are they mostly algebra problems? Geometry? Word problems? Once you know your weak spots, you can focus your study time efficiently rather than reviewing topics you've already mastered.
Confidence comes from familiarity and preparation. When you work with a tutor on SAT Math, you're not just learning content—you're practicing the exact format, timing, and types of questions you'll see on test day. This repetition reduces anxiety because you know what to expect. Tutors also teach you strategies for managing stress during the test, like how to breathe through tough problems and avoid panic when you encounter something unfamiliar.
Not necessarily. The SAT Math section includes both calculator and no-calculator portions, and even in the calculator section, some problems are faster to solve by hand. Expert tutors teach you how to recognize which tool is best for each problem type—when a calculator saves time versus when it slows you down. This strategic thinking is what separates students who rush through calculations from those who work efficiently and accurately.
Most students benefit from taking 4-6 full-length practice tests over their study period, spaced out so you have time to review mistakes and work on weak areas between tests. Each test should be taken under real conditions—timed, in a quiet space, with no breaks except the official ones. A tutor can help you interpret your results and adjust your study plan based on what each test reveals about your progress and remaining gaps.
Word problems require two skills: understanding the English and setting up the math correctly. Many students can solve the math once it's set up, but they misread the problem or miss what's actually being asked. Tutors help you develop a systematic approach—reading carefully, identifying what information matters, translating words into equations, and double-checking that your answer makes sense in context. With practice, this process becomes automatic and much faster.
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