Award-Winning PRAXIS English
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Award-Winning PRAXIS English Tutors

Certified Tutor
9+ years
Mati
A published author with a creative writing degree and decades of professional writing experience, Mati tackles the PRAXIS English exam from the inside out — she's spent her career doing what this test measures. She digs into the literary analysis and rhetorical strategy questions, teaching candidate...
New York University
Bachelor in Arts, Creative Writing

Certified Tutor
5+ years
Karen
The PRAXIS English exam covers everything from rhetorical analysis to language acquisition theory to poetry interpretation, and Karen earned her teaching license by mastering exactly that range. Her dual background in Secondary Education and English Literature at Vanderbilt means she can unpack both...
Vanderbilt University
Bachelor of Science (Secondary Education; English Literature)
Certified Tutor
4+ years
Megan
The Praxis English Content Knowledge exam digs into literary analysis, rhetorical strategies, and the history of the English language in ways that go well beyond a standard literature course. Megan's B.A. in English from Sewanee gave her deep exposure to close reading across genres and periods, and ...
Lipscomb University
Master of Arts, Educational Administration
Vanderbilt University
Masters in Education, Special Education
Sewanee: The University of the South
Bachelor in Arts, English
Certified Tutor
6+ years
Ariana
Few PRAXIS English tutors bring Ariana's combination of a certified English 6–12 teaching background and a master's-level understanding of language acquisition. She digs into the areas that trip up test-takers most — the linguistics and grammar terminology questions, the literature survey breadth, a...
Kansas State University
Master of Arts, Teaching French as a Second or Foreign Language
Kansas State University
Bachelor in Arts, French
Certified Tutor
8+ years
I have over 9 years of experience tutoring students preparing for teacher certification exams and hold degrees in English and Education, as well as a technical writing certification. I enjoy helping students strengthen their reading comprehension so they can break down test questions and avoid commo...
The University of Alabama
AM
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
Certified Tutor
8+ years
Solange
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 campu...
Harvard University
Bachelor in Arts (Sociology & Women's Studies)
Certified Tutor
Liz
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 ...
Simmons College
Masters, Special Education: Mild to Moderate Disabilities 5-12
Washington University in St. Louis
Bachelor of Arts in History (minors in Humanities and Anthropology)
Certified Tutor
Charles
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 descr...
Yale University
Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
Certified Tutor
Michelle
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 Medici...
Baylor College of Medicine
Current Grad Student, M.D.
Rice University
Bachelor's in Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Certified Tutor
Christopher
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 tut...
Harvard College
Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
Certified Tutor
9+ years
Justin
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 Com...
Washington University in St. Louis
Bachelor's in Physics and Mathematics
University of Chicago
Doctor of Philosophy, Computational Mathematics
Top 20 Professional Certifications Subjects
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Liz
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +40 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!
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
Michelle
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +27 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.
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
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.
Henry
Calculus Tutor • +41 Subjects
I'm eager to help you in your education. I'm a recent graduate of Harvard College looking to apply to law school. My senior thesis was written on John Dewey's ideas of education, which I deeply believe has incredible power to transform individuals and society.
Asta
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +73 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.
Andrew
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +26 Subjects
I am comfortable tutoring math subjects up to multivariable calculus and differential equations, as well as college physics. Hobbies: books, music, art, reading, writing
Sabira
Middle School Math Tutor • +35 Subjects
I am currently attending Johns Hopkins University, pursuing a dual degree in Computer Science and Applied Math and Statistics. I love helping students and I love the feeling I get knowing that I was able to use my knowledge to make someone else happier. My favorite subject to teach is math because there are so many ways to learn it and if one way does not help I can use another. I used to teach taekwondo and interacted with all kinds of students, and I'm excited to help out more! Hobbies: books, reading, music, writing, art
Elena
Calculus Tutor • +31 Subjects
I am a graduate of McGill University (BA First Class Honors) and the University of Edinburgh (MSc First Class Honors with Distinction) with over eight years of tutoring experience. I am currently a curriculum developer for a company which creates relatable and culturally-literate courses for middle and high-schools, and am particularly adept at communicating and explaining concepts in a quirky, engaging, and intelligent manner. I was named Scotland International Young Thinker of the Year 2014 for exactly that sort of work. Much of my tutoring background is in test-prep and essay coaching, which I enjoy because it allows the tutor and student to think strategically together, and work as a team to achieve concrete results. I have worked with students ranging in age from 6-32, and believe that, in an educational context, a few jokes never hurt anybody. I love reading and learning, and my educational approach is centered around making the material just as engaging to students as it is to me. I think J.K. Rowlings, the writer of Harry Potter, is just as brilliant as Stephen Hawking, and in my free time, I manage my (terrible) fantasy baseball team, write songs for my comedy band, and crack jokes about terrible science-fiction movies with my friends.
Top 20 Subjects
Frequently Asked Questions
The PRAXIS English exam (5038) tests your ability to teach English effectively, not just your personal English skills. It assesses content knowledge across literature, composition, grammar, and rhetoric—but from a pedagogical perspective. You need to understand why certain writing techniques work, how to analyze texts critically, and how to teach these concepts to diverse learners. This requires both deep subject knowledge and an understanding of how students learn, which is quite different from tests like the SAT or ACT that measure general proficiency.
The most common challenge is balancing breadth with depth—the exam covers everything from Shakespeare to contemporary rhetoric, and test-takers often struggle with knowing how much detail to memorize versus understand conceptually. Many candidates also underestimate the composition section, which requires writing polished, well-reasoned essays under time pressure. Additionally, transitioning from thinking about English as a student to thinking about it as a teacher can be mentally demanding. Personalized tutoring helps you identify your specific weak areas and develop a targeted study strategy rather than trying to review everything equally.
Rather than memorizing plot summaries, focus on understanding literary devices, themes, and how authors construct meaning. The PRAXIS emphasizes analysis over recall—you need to recognize why an author uses certain techniques and what effect they create. Study across multiple genres and time periods, but concentrate on canonical works that frequently appear on the exam. Practice writing timed literary analysis responses where you identify devices and explain their purpose, since you'll need to demonstrate this skill in the free-response section. A tutor can help you develop a systematic approach to text analysis and provide feedback on your written responses.
The composition and rhetoric section tests your ability to evaluate writing quality, identify grammatical issues, and understand effective communication strategies. Start by reviewing grammar rules systematically—not as isolated facts, but as tools that writers use purposefully. Then practice analyzing sample passages and explaining why certain word choices or sentence structures are more effective than others. The free-response essays require you to write clear, well-organized arguments under timed conditions, so regular practice writing full essays is essential. Personalized instruction helps you understand the grading rubric deeply and receive targeted feedback on your own writing to improve clarity, organization, and persuasiveness.
Personalized 1-on-1 instruction is particularly effective for PRAXIS preparation because a tutor can diagnose exactly where you're struggling—whether it's analyzing poetry, mastering grammar concepts, or organizing timed essays—and create a focused study plan rather than having you study everything equally. Research on learning shows that targeted practice with immediate feedback significantly accelerates progress. A tutor can also help you understand the test's specific expectations and teach you strategies for managing time and tackling challenging question types. You'll also get feedback on practice essays and literary analysis responses, which is crucial for improvement in the free-response sections.
You should have exposure across multiple eras—the exam tests breadth of knowledge—but depth matters more than trying to master everything equally. Focus most heavily on canonical American and British literature since these appear most frequently, but make sure you can discuss major works and authors from at least the early modern period through contemporary literature. Understanding major literary movements (Romanticism, Realism, Modernism, etc.) helps you contextualize individual works and recognize patterns. Rather than memorizing isolated facts, study literature thematically or by literary device so you build connections across time periods. This approach helps you answer questions you haven't specifically studied because you understand underlying literary principles.
Most test-takers benefit from 2-3 months of focused preparation, though this varies based on your starting point and target score. With consistent, strategic study—especially with personalized instruction—students typically see score improvements of 20-50 points, depending on their baseline. The key is quality over quantity: targeted practice on your specific weak areas yields better results than generalized review. Early in preparation, a diagnostic practice test helps you identify priorities. Then you can focus your remaining study time on the content and question types where you need the most work, making your preparation more efficient and effective.
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