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Philipp
Certified PSAT Tutor
Philipp
Current Undergrad, East Asian Studies Columbia College
10+ Years Tutoring

I'm an undergraduate at Columbia College. I love tutoring students in math, German, SHSAT, and SAT. I believe that I have good communication and pedagogical skills, and a firm understanding of the subject matter. Having come from Germany at the age of eleven, I know the frustration that can come with feeling overwhelmed by coursework. I performed well on standardized exams like the SHSAT and the SAT and can teach test-taking skills that will ultimately lead students to institutions like Stuyvesant H.S. and Columbia.

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Sandy
Certified PSAT Tutor
Sandy
BA University of Pennsylvania
10+ Years Tutoring

Sandy's finance background sharpens her approach to the PSAT's math sections, where percent-change, ratio, and data-interpretation questions reward the kind of quantitative fluency that business coursework demands daily. She also teaches the Writing and Language section by treating each passage as an editing exercise — spotting wordiness, fixing pronoun agreement, and tightening transitions in context. Her 1500 SAT and 4.9 rating from students back up the approach.

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Mimi
MS Harvard University • BA Dartmouth College
6+ Years Tutoring

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.

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Nina
MS Columbia University • BA Northwestern University
10+ Years Tutoring

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.

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Miranda
BA Pomona College
1+ Years Tutoring

Years of writing and peer-editing rigorous philosophy and religion papers at Pomona gave Miranda an instinct for the PSAT's Writing and Language section — she spots rhetorical weaknesses and grammar-in-context errors the way she'd mark up an undergraduate thesis draft. Her 1560 SAT confirms she handles the full test architecture the PSAT mirrors, including the math sections where her calculus and algebra background keeps things comfortable. Rated 5.0 by students.

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Joey
BA Columbia University in the City of New York
9+ Years Tutoring

I am a graduate of Columbia University with a degree in Drama and Theatre Arts. I taught math and essay writing to my peers in high school and college, and have tutored a close friend in her mathematics courses since junior year of high school. I am most comfortable and passionate about tutoring SAT prep, particularly the Math section and subject tests. I believe in supporting and encouraging my students and making material as accessible as possible, breaking down what may be difficult subject matter into terms and concepts that they already understand. I firmly believe in the potential of every student to grasp material that they may think is out of reach, and aim to reduce the stress factor of studying as much as possible. Outside of tutoring, I am a professional actor and playwright, and in my free time (a rare, mystical thing these days) I enjoy playing guitar and mandolin, practicing yoga, and my PS4.

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Violet
BA Brown University (transferring from the University of St Andrews)
1+ Years Tutoring

I am a member of the Brown Class of 2018, pursuing a bachelors degree in mathematics. I graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy in 2014. (I am able to help anyone with the boarding school admissions process.) Outside of academia, I pursue my passions in dance, travel, volunteering, reading and art. My tutoring subjects are mathematics (from elementary school to college level) and standardized testing (SAT, SAT subject tests, PSAT, and SSAT). I have tutored mainly high school students in the New York State Regents exams and AP Calculus, although I also have experience with students in middle and elementary school. Since I have been through many school systems, including public, private, studying abroad, and boarding school, I have learned many different techniques and can attack a problem from various angles. Ultimately, my teaching style is full of tips and tricks to break down complicated topics into simple, more understandable ideas.

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Sherry
BA University of Chicago
10+ Years Tutoring

I am a graduate of the University of Chicago, with a bachelor's degree in psychology and linguistics. Currently, I am pursuing a master's degree in speech-language pathology at Teachers College, Columbia University. In the past, I have worked as a teacher's aide in a public school classroom, a mentor to middle school girls, an instructor and tutor at the literacy education organization 826, and a summer camp counselor. I tutor a diverse range of subjects, and I find that I especially enjoy tutoring language arts, reading, and writing at all levels, from elementary school all the way up to college/grad school test prep. As a tutor, I am committed to helping students reach their full potential as learners. Throughout my years as an educator, I have seen firsthand the remarkable academic growth that can occur when tutors provide students with the individualized support that they need. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, journaling, and learning about other languages and cultures.

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Dennis
BA New York University
1+ Years Tutoring

I am currently attending New York University where I am pursuing a degree in Finance and Statistics. I have previous experience tutoring individuals in math, a subject I have always excelled at academically. My knowledge and interest in mathematics, makes it easy for me to frame and deconstruct seemingly complicated concepts and theories in ways students will be able to understand and remember. Outside of academia I enjoy playing tennis, going to movies, and spending time with friends and family.

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Katherine
BA University of California-Berkeley
15+ Years Tutoring
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James
BA Harvard University
1+ Years Tutoring

I am currently a senior at Harvard College where I study chemistry, and I'll be attending Columbia Medical School next year. I have years of experience tutoring college students in math (mostly calculus) and chemistry including both general and organic chemistry. In addition, I am very familiar with all sections of the SAT and ACT having prepared several high school students for these tests. I believe that every student is capable of boosting his or her baseline score on these tests, so long as he or she works hard to get to know the format of the tests and the most popular types of questions. I tutor because I love seeing students develop a genuine passion for the subjects they once disliked (such as math and science), once they understand the power of these subjects and their applications to the real world.

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Christopher
BA Columbia University in the City of New York
10+ Years Tutoring

I'm a graduate of Columbia University with a B.A. in History. I'm passionate about history and English, but I'm a competent math tutor as well. I have received outstanding scores on my SAT and AP tests, and am confident in my ability to pass on these skills to the next generation.

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Testimonials

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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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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 PSAT 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 PSAT 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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Frequently Asked Questions

Score improvement depends on your starting point and effort level, but students typically see gains of 50-150 points when working with a tutor who helps them identify weak areas and develop targeted strategies. Many Manhattan students improve their Reading & Writing and Math sections at different rates—some find one section clicks faster than the other. A tutor can help you focus practice where it matters most and track progress through practice tests.

Your first session is about understanding where you stand. Varsity Tutors connects you with a tutor who will review your recent practice test results (or administer one if you haven't taken the PSAT yet), identify your strongest and weakest question types, and discuss your goals—whether that's improving your National Merit chances or preparing for the SAT. From there, your tutor creates a personalized study plan that fits your timeline and learning style.

Pacing is one of the most common challenges—the PSAT gives you about 1-1.5 minutes per question, which feels rushed if you're unsure of your approach. A tutor helps you develop section-specific strategies: skipping difficult questions strategically, recognizing question patterns you can solve quickly, and practicing timed drills to build speed without sacrificing accuracy. With consistent practice, pacing becomes automatic.

The Reading & Writing section tests comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary in context—and the key is understanding what each question type actually asks. Tutors help you develop a system: previewing the passage strategically, identifying the main idea quickly, and recognizing common grammar patterns (subject-verb agreement, pronoun clarity, etc.). Many students improve fastest when they focus on understanding *why* an answer is correct, not just memorizing rules.

The PSAT Math section covers algebra, advanced math, problem-solving, data analysis, geometry, and trigonometry—and most students struggle with 2-3 specific topics. Your tutor will analyze your practice test errors to spot patterns: Are you missing algebra questions? Struggling with word problems? Making careless mistakes under time pressure? Once you identify your weak spots, targeted practice on those topics usually yields the biggest score gains.

Most students benefit from taking 4-6 full practice tests spaced throughout their prep—ideally one every 2-3 weeks so you can identify patterns and adjust your strategy. Your tutor will help you use these tests strategically: the first reveals your baseline, middle tests track progress and target weak areas, and the final ones build test-day confidence. Quality matters more than quantity—reviewing mistakes thoroughly is what drives improvement.

Test anxiety often stems from uncertainty—not knowing what to expect, feeling unprepared, or second-guessing yourself under pressure. Working with a tutor builds confidence through familiarity: you practice the exact question formats you'll see, develop reliable strategies you trust, and take timed practice tests that simulate test-day conditions. By test day, the PSAT feels like something you've done many times before, which naturally reduces anxiety.

Yes—National Merit cutoffs vary by state, but for New York, you typically need a PSAT score around 215-220 to have a strong chance at recognition. A tutor can help you understand the specific score you need, focus your prep on high-impact improvements, and build the test-taking skills that maximize your performance. Even if you're close to the cutoff, targeted tutoring often makes the difference.

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