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Certified Tutor
8+ years
I have tutored students for the GMAT, GRE, SAT, ACT and LSAT for more than 15 years. I love it! As I tailor my instructions toward the unique needs of each student, my goal is to improve not only the student's performance but also the student's confidence as test day approaches.
Northwestern University
MBA
Duke University
MBA

Certified Tutor
9+ years
I specialize in high-level GMAT diagnostic and execution coaching for stalled high-achievers. I don't just teach content; I identify the execution, timing, and decision-making patterns preventing score improvement and build customized strategies to break through plateaus under time pressure. After ...
Georgetown University
MBA
San Diego State University
MBA
Certified Tutor
11+ years
I am currently a PhD candidate completing my doctorate at Yale University in the Medieval Studies department and has previously obtained masters degrees in English Literature and Medieval Studies from Yale, The University of Georgia, and the University of Glasgow. An Atlanta native, I returned from ...
Yale University
Undergraduate Degree
University of Georgia
Undergraduate Degree
Certified Tutor
10+ years
I enjoy helping students by explaining concepts in ways that make sense to them, by eliciting their feedback and tailoring my approach to their individual needs, and by conveying my enthusiasm for the learning process. It's great to see the light come on and to see their progress. I have an undergr...
London Business School
Undergraduate Degree
Princeton University
Undergraduate Degree
Certified Tutor
8+ years
I enjoy empowering students by making learning fun and believe that everyone has an "inner genius" that just takes the right technique to unlock. I bring a patient and friendly approach to teaching, specializing in the sciences, technology and math, and believe in teaching students to "learn for th...
Duke University
MS
Certified Tutor
5+ years
I have always been driven to share my own passion for learning. While I was in high school, I tutored my peers after school. At college, I continued tutoring, but I also taught a class to middle-schoolers for a semester. Now, professionally, I teach seminars on Government and Politics. I went to T...
Tulane University of Louisiana
BS
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
10+ years
Aaron
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 e...
The University of Texas at Dallas
Bachelors, Mechanical Engineering
Duke University
Current Grad Student, Mechanical Engineering
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
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...
Harvard University
PHD, Education
Wesleyan University
Bachelor in Arts, Sociology
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Top 20 Graduate Test Prep Subjects
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Christopher
AP Calculus AB Tutor • +51 Subjects
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. Hobbies: writing, art, books, reading, gardening, music
Solange
Calculus Tutor • +31 Subjects
I'm Solange - a recent graduate from Harvard where I studied Sociology & Women's Studies. I've been tutoring for eight years now, and have worked with a wide range of ages and in a wide range of subjects. Some of my specialties are college prep/test taking II worked in the admissions office on campus); social sciences; and literature/writing. Hobbies: books, hiking, reading, music, writing, art
Michelle
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +28 Subjects
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 Medicine.
Clara
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +31 Subjects
I am tutoring I tend to ask my students to try to "teach" me concepts they are struggling with, or walk me through a problem that is challenging them, so that any conceptual mistakes or assumptions they are making become clear. In addition, I am a firm believer in never providing the answer to a specific problem, but instead empowering students to work toward it by asking directed questions and teaching them to use their resources.
Charles
AP Calculus AB Tutor • +25 Subjects
I am a junior Mechanical Engineering major at Yale, and I hope to become a Naval Aviator after college. I am also a varsity sailor, and enjoy playing music with friends when I can get some free time. I have been tutoring my fellow students throughout my entire academic career, and I would best describe my tutoring style as one that adapts to each students' needs. For example, I have always tried to frame questions in a different way so that the student can better understand the question. Some students need visual representations of numbers and systems to understand them, and others benefit more by understanding the concepts behind each formula. I prefer to tutor in math and physics, and especially with real world application problems. I hope to help students improve their standardized test scores and their understanding of the math and sciences so that they can achieve their academic goals! Hobbies: art, books, running, reading, music, writing
Liz
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +41 Subjects
I am a graduate of Washington University in St Louis, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in History with minors in Humanities and Anthropology. Since graduation, I have worked as a tutor, teacher, and director of tutors at a charter public middle school in Boston. During this time I also received my Masters in Mild to Moderate Disabilities from Simmons College. I have worked extensively with students with a range of abilities, including students with specific learning disabilities, emotional impairments, dyslexia, and ADHD. My teaching experience has given me a deep understanding of the knowledge and habits essential to academic success and has given me the opportunity to hone a variety of strategies that ensure students at each level can achieve their academic goals. While I tutor a broad range of subjects, my favorite ones are Reading, Elementary/Middle School Math, History, and Test Prep. In my experience, tutoring is the most rewarding when a student has that "aha!" moment and achieves a new level of understanding and confidence in his/her abilities. I am a firm believer in the transformative power of education, and I see my role to be that of a facilitator and coach who is there to help the student reach his/her goals through individualized support and rigorous practice. In my free time, I enjoy reading, running, practicing my Spanish, and discovering new music. I am also an avid traveler and just got back from a 3 month trip to South America. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you!
Justin
AP Calculus BC Tutor • +48 Subjects
I am an aspiring applied mathematician, with particular interest in image processing and climate science. I graduated in May 2017 from Washington University in St. Louis with a bachelor's in physics and mathematics, and am beginning a PhD program in September 2017 at the University of Chicago in Computational and Applied Mathematics. I've tutored introductory physics students for three years and enjoyed it thoroughly, as a chance to help other students while revisiting fundamental concepts to enhance my own knowledge. I'm eager to continue reaching out and helping students of math and physics to succeed and, furthermore, to appreciate the beauty and power of these subjects.
Daniel
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +26 Subjects
I am excited to be home and help fellow straphangers on their educational paths! My largest wealth of tutoring experience is in foreign languages--particularly French--but I also feel very comfortable editing essays of any kind and working through standardized test concepts. My availability is extremely flexible, and anywhere in New York City works for me. I look forward to working with you.
Isabella
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +27 Subjects
I am a graduate of MIT. I received my Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with minors in Management Science and Ancient and Medieval Studies. Since graduation, I have started my PhD at Georgia Tech in Operations Research. Throughout my career I have TA'd several math and computer science courses at the college level. I have also taught at summer programs for gifted middle school and high school students. I am passionate about tutoring kids in math and science because I think that a strong foundation in STEM at an early age can set the tone for their future. In my spare time I like to engage in athletics, and was a Division 1 rower in college. Hobbies: reading, swimming, writing, books, music, running, art
Asta
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +74 Subjects
I am a graduate of the University of Chicago where I received my undergraduate degree in political science. Right after graduation, I worked as an academic and test prep tutor as well as admissions consultant in Hong Kong. For the past two years, I worked with a number of students to help prepare them for college in the United States.
Top 20 Subjects
Frequently Asked Questions
Reading Comprehension typically poses the biggest challenge because it requires both speed and deep understanding—students must synthesize complex passages on unfamiliar topics (science, business, humanities) in just 3-4 minutes per passage. Critical Reasoning questions trip up many test-takers because they demand precise logical analysis; students often misread what the argument actually claims versus what they assume it claims. Sentence Correction challenges those unfamiliar with advanced grammar rules and idioms, especially non-native English speakers. A tutor can diagnose which of these three areas is your specific bottleneck and build targeted strategies rather than generic test prep.
The GMAT Verbal section gives you 65 minutes for 36 questions, meaning roughly 1 minute 45 seconds per question—but Reading Comprehension passages demand more time upfront while Critical Reasoning questions are often faster. Effective pacing means spending 3-4 minutes reading and understanding a passage (not rushing through it), then answering its questions more quickly because you've built solid comprehension. A tutor can help you practice the skill of strategic skimming for main ideas and structure rather than memorizing details, and teach you to recognize high-confidence versus low-confidence questions so you don't waste time on trap answers. Many students improve pacing dramatically once they stop trying to understand every sentence perfectly and instead focus on the test's actual demands.
Rather than reading passively and hoping to remember details, effective GMAT readers actively map the passage structure: they identify the main idea, note where the author shifts tone or introduces counterarguments, and mark key claims. This active reading takes slightly longer upfront but saves time answering questions because you already know where to find supporting evidence. Many students waste time re-reading passages multiple times; instead, a tutor can teach you to read once with purpose, annotate strategically, and use your mental map to navigate questions efficiently. The passages cover dense topics (evolutionary biology, corporate finance, literary criticism) specifically to test whether you can extract meaning from unfamiliar material—not whether you're an expert in the subject.
Critical Reasoning questions test your ability to identify logical structure, not just read English—they ask you to spot assumptions, evaluate evidence strength, or identify reasoning flaws in arguments. The trap answers often sound plausible because they're related to the passage topic, but they don't actually address the logical argument being made. For example, a question might ask "Which of the following, if true, most weakens the argument?" and offer an answer that's true about the topic but doesn't actually undermine the specific logical chain. A tutor helps you slow down and map the argument (premise → assumption → conclusion), then evaluate each answer choice against that logical structure rather than your gut feeling. This skill improves rapidly with targeted practice on argument types you find hardest.
GMAT Sentence Correction tests a specific subset of grammar and idiom—not every rule of English, but the ones that appear frequently on the test. Rather than memorizing grammar textbooks, effective test-takers learn to spot the most common errors: subject-verb agreement, pronoun clarity, parallelism, and verb tense consistency. A tutor can help you build pattern recognition by analyzing which error types appear most often in your practice tests, then drilling those specific patterns until you spot them automatically. For idioms (like "attribute X to Y" versus "attribute X as Y"), the fastest approach is targeted flashcards and exposure rather than trying to memorize a complete idiom list. Many students improve significantly by learning to eliminate answer choices systematically rather than trying to identify the "correct" grammar rule.
Score improvement depends on your starting point and effort. Students who begin in the 35-40 percentile often see 5-8 point jumps (roughly 8-15 percentile points) with focused tutoring and consistent practice, since they typically have identifiable gaps in fundamentals. Students already scoring 45+ (85th percentile) often improve 2-4 points, as the gains require mastery of nuanced question types and near-perfect accuracy. The GMAT Verbal section scores from 6-51, so a 5-point improvement at the lower end is more achievable than at the higher end. Realistic timelines typically involve 8-12 weeks of tutoring combined with 10-15 hours weekly of independent practice—tutoring accelerates your learning by diagnosing weak areas and teaching efficient strategies, but the practice hours are what build the skills.
Practice tests serve two purposes: diagnosis and confidence-building. Early in your prep, take a full practice test to identify which question types and topics drain your score the most—this data guides your tutoring focus. Mid-prep, take tests to track improvement and refine pacing strategies. Late in prep (final 2-3 weeks), take tests under exam conditions to build stamina and mental toughness. Many students make the mistake of taking practice tests passively, then moving on without analyzing wrong answers; instead, every wrong answer should trigger investigation: Did you misread the question? Misunderstand the passage? Fall for a trap answer? A tutor can teach you how to extract maximum learning from each practice test rather than just accumulating scores. The official GMAC practice tests are most predictive because they use actual retired GMAT questions.
Test anxiety on GMAT Verbal often stems from two sources: uncertainty about whether you're answering correctly (since there's no immediate feedback), and time pressure triggering rushed decisions. A tutor helps build confidence by ensuring you understand the logic behind correct answers, not just memorizing them—when you can explain why an answer is right, you trust your reasoning more. Pacing drills and timed practice builds familiarity with the time constraint so it feels less threatening on test day. Many students also benefit from learning to let go of individual questions; the GMAT is designed so that even strong test-takers won't be certain about every question, and dwelling on one uncertain answer tanks your performance on the next three. Practicing this mental skill—moving forward decisively—is as important as content mastery.
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