Award-Winning SSAT- Upper Level
Tutors
Award-Winning
SSAT- Upper Level
Tutors
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.

I'm a huge Red Sox fan and love watching detective shows when I have free time.

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.
I am happy to accommodate and work with learners on the spectrum.
I'm a current medical student at the University of Arizona College of Medicine with undergraduate degrees from Washington and Lee in chemical engineering and anthropology. I have extensive experience in tutoring and teaching since 2010, and am ready to help you with your learning needs! I focus on standardized testing (SAT/ACT) and also tutor in a wide range of math, English, and Spanish classes. In my free time, I like to run, do CrossFit, volunteer, and watch TV!
I am currently a resident physician at Northwestern Hospital.
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 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'm Anna! I'm currently a student in the MD/MBA program between Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine and the Kellogg School of Management, and graduated from Northwestern University as part of the Honors Program in Medical Education. I attended the Bergen County Academies in New Jersey, a selective, application-based magnet school, for high school.
I am a second year law student at the University of Chicago who hails from the San Francisco Bay Area! I tutor the SAT, ESL, and Spanish. I was an AVID tutor in high school, and after college I taught an ESL class and tutored a high school student in Spanish. In law school, I am involved with the Lawyers in the Classroom program. My tutoring philosophy is based on listening to students work through problems and helping them to spot their confusions or incorrect assumptions. I believe students learn much better when they aren't simply told the right answer or right reasoning; they need to get there on their own.
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.
I am a junior studying Writing for Screen and Television at the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts. For the past two spring semesters I worked as a CollegeSpring Mentor, tutoring Green Dot Charter high school juniors for the SAT and teaching them predatory skills for college. In addition to my experience tutoring for the SAT, as a screenwriting major I most enjoy teaching my favorite subject, English. I love showing students the power language endows upon them to communicate their ideas and beliefs with others. I believe every student deserves the chance to succeed and to try to capitalize on their strengths while encouraging them to improve in areas they may traditionally find challenging. Endowing a student with confidence in themselves through patience and support is the best way not only to improve academic performance, but also transform them into lifelong learners. I try to share not only my passion for knowledge with students, but also my love of sports (football, baseball, and softball), action films, and global affairs. Seeing students not only improve academically but also show improved confidence and happiness is the most rewarding part of my job.
I am an incoming medical student at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. I graduated from Rice University in 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology with minors in Medical Humanities and Business.
I'm eager to teach students how to make connections and understand any part of the world they need!
I am available to tutor a range of middle school and high school subjects, but I am most excited about tutoring test prep. I remember how stressful preparing for college can be and I am eager to do my part in helping students fulfill their college goals. I believe that learning is a collaborative process and I am committed to being as actively involved in the student's learning as I can. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, going to the movies (I try to see each Oscar nominee before the ceremony every year.), and am a huge Michigan sports fan.
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.
As a Phillips Exeter Academy graduate, Violet went through the boarding school admissions process herself, including the SSAT. She knows the upper-level quantitative and verbal sections inside out and teaches targeted strategies for the analogies and reading comprehension passages that tend to cost students the most points. She also advises on the broader admissions picture, from the writing sample to interview prep.
I am currently studying chemical engineering at the University of Michigan. I have always helped out my fellow students with schoolwork, and I have tutored in the National Honor Society for three years. My tutoring strengths include my abilities to stay calm, be patient, and offer different perspectives on the learning process. I do not just help my students learn the material, but I also teach them how to learn it. I tutor math and test prep courses. Outside of school and tutoring, I play the piano. I have played classical piano for 13 years and jazz piano for 7.
I'm a rising junior at Brown University studying biomedical engineering. I have lots of experience in middle school through college level instruction in STEM and SAT/ACT prep. My goal is to provide a fun and productive learning environment by only teaching subjects that I am passionate about.
The SSAT Upper Level packs verbal reasoning, reading comprehension, and quantitative problem-solving into a single high-stakes morning, and each section rewards a different kind of thinking. Miranda's background in standardized test tutoring since high school means she knows how to build section-specific strategies — like tackling analogy questions through word relationships rather than guessing from context. Rated 5.0 by students.
I am a Yale graduate with over 8 years experience tutoring students from a variety of backgrounds. I recently graduated from the Yale School of Public Health with a MPH concentrating in Epidemiology and Global Health. I also received my B.S. from Yale with a double major in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and French. I have experience both leading group classes and working with students one on one. I will respond to a student's strengths, weaknesses, and learning style in order to help them succeed and make the most of our time together. I earned a perfect score of 36 on the ACT, 2280 on the SAT, and qualified as a National Merit Scholar on the PSAT. I look forward to working with you!
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.
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.
I am a graduate from Georgetown University, where I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics with a minor in Music. I'm currently pursuing a Master's of Science in Business Analytics at Carnegie Mellon University. I've been tutoring since I started high school, focusing on mathematics and writing. Throughout my college career I was employed both privately and by Georgetown University to tutor peers and high school students in the Washington, D.C. area. I worked with students taking classes in all levels of mathematics falling under Algebra, Calculus, Combinatorics, and Problem Solving.
I am a student at Cornell University pursuing a double major in Biological Sciences, concentrating in computational biology, and Computer Science. I have tutored math, biology, physics, and French to middle school and high school students. I have also facilitated group discussion sessions for English language learners. I love learning new things and helping others understand these concepts as well.
I am an undergraduate at Washington University in St. Louis majoring in Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology on the Premed track. I have two years worth of experience peer tutoring. I feel the most confident tutoring ACT preparation. During my time as a high school student, I worked from an ACT score of 25 to a 36 and developed many effective strategies that I will tailor to the students I tutor and understand the ins and outs of the test. In addition to working with high school peers, I have also enjoyed teaching private piano and violin lessons for elementary students. Helping people knock down their roadblocks is a passion of mine. Standardized tests and basic education may feel removed from our passions, but developing those foundations are essential for opening up opportunities and becoming capable of taking on our pursuits.
I'm not tutoring, I love walking through New York for design inspiration and taking carpentry, metalworking, and illustration classes.
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'm a college student attending the University of Michigan and I'm majoring in chemistry and computer science. I have two years of extensive experience tutoring high schoolers in chemistry and all subjects of the SAT and ACT. I can also say that I understand completely how difficult the process of test prep and high school chemistry can be because I recently survived the whole process myself having taken IB chem and the ACT/SAT in the last 1-2 years and studying and prepping extensively for them. That being said, I'm always super eager not just to tutor students in those subjects, but also to offer the best advice and guidance I can in tackling those challenges as a high schooler and as someone planning for college. I believe it's super important as a tutor not just to spoon-feed answers but to teach how to problem-solve, so I take care to solidify our understanding of the methods to approach a problem. Most of all, I try to be as flexible and communicative as possible.
I am currently pursuing a Master's degree in violin performance at the Juilliard School. I have tutored privately and through Chegg Tutoring, Varsity Tutors, PrepExpert, and iLearn World throughout high school and college, with most of my experience being in standardized test prep and English. The most fulfilling moments that I have with my students are when I see them applying previous lessons and skills to new challenges. I believe that a good teacher not only helps a student tackle specific, formulaic kinds of questions, but also imparts the skills necessary for adapting to the diverse intellectual challenges that life presents. My goal is always for my students to leave their sessions having learned something that will be useful for years to come, not just on the next test that they are preparing for. After all, education is a lifelong process!
I am a 2019 graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, where I received a dual degree BFA in Vocal Performance and BA in Creative Writing. I also achieved a GPA of 3.92, 3 semesters on the Dean's List, induction into Phi Beta Kappa as well as Sigma Tau Delta (the English honors society) and Pi Kappa Lambda (the Music honors society), Carnegie Mellon University Honors, and Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences Honors. I graduated Bloomfield Hills High School with a 3.96 GPA in 2015, and was a National Merit Finalist as well as a Presidential Scholarship candidate, thanks to my top test scores.
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.
I am a recent graduate of Williams College, where I studied political science with sidelines in history and English. Next fall, I am headed to Ithaca to study at Cornell Law School. I have experience tutoring in all subjects for high school standardized tests and in writing and history at higher levels, and am excited to pass on the benefits of my study as a tutor for the LSAT. I look forward to working with you!
I am no longer needed.
I am especially passionate about reading, writing, and foreign languages. I hope to share my passion for knowledge with those around me.
I am in the process now of applying for PhD programs in Computational Biology. I have done research in the field of freshwater ecology and am anticipating the publication of a paper I co-authored in the next several months.
I'm a writer and editor with a passion for learning that I love to share -- I've been told my tag line should be "let's find out!" I'm a native Austinite, but I lived in New York while I got my Bachelor's in Comparative Literature and minored in Linguistics. After I graduated I moved back home to Austin and got my Masters in Global Policy Studies at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at UT. Now I'm in Fort Worth, with an MBA I picked up along the way (also from UT Austin) -- apparently I can't stay out of school for long.
I'm experienced in and passionate about (especially computer skills, Python, and math) with others. I try to convey the principles and thought process that are the basis of my own understanding of the subject, not just rules to follow or things to memorize. Being able to explain your answer is even more important than simply getting it right! My tutoring style is personalized, with plenty of examples and frequent knowledge checks to ensure I and my student(s) are in sync. In my spare time I enjoy cycling, skiing, woodworking, reading, and vacationing to Lake Superior.
Testimonials
Because the right SSAT- Upper Level tutor makes all the difference.
Average Session Rating – Based on 3.4M Learner Ratings
Top 20 Test Prep Subjects
Top 20 Subjects
Frequently Asked Questions
Score improvement depends on your starting point and commitment level, but most students see meaningful gains within 8-12 weeks of consistent practice and personalized instruction. Students typically improve by 100-200+ percentile points, though the exact amount varies based on your baseline score and target schools.
The key is identifying which sections are holding you back—whether that's reading comprehension, quantitative reasoning, or verbal skills—and developing targeted strategies to address those weaknesses rather than studying everything equally.
Pacing is one of the biggest challenges students face on the SSAT Upper Level, especially in the quantitative section where complex problems can eat up valuable time. The strategy isn't to rush—it's to recognize which questions are within your skill level and solve those first, then attempt harder problems if time allows.
A tutor can help you practice timed sections systematically, teaching you how to quickly identify question difficulty, skip strategically, and allocate your 25-30 minutes per section effectively. With practice tests as part of your preparation, you'll develop an intuitive sense of your pace.
Many students make the mistake of trying to memorize every detail in the passage. Instead, effective SSAT reading requires active reading where you identify the main idea, author's purpose, and tone while skimming for specific details. Questions often test inference and understanding of structure rather than fact recall.
A personalized approach involves learning which question types appear most frequently on your test, practicing active annotation techniques, and working through passages under timed conditions. Your tutor can show you how to spot common question patterns and avoid the answer traps the test makers set for students who read too quickly or miss nuance.
The quantitative section tests a mix of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and word problems, and most students have uneven mastery across these topics. Rather than spending equal time on everything, you need to pinpoint exactly where your gaps are—whether it's algebraic reasoning, geometry concepts, or translating word problems into equations.
Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who use diagnostic practice tests to map your specific weaknesses, then focus instruction on those areas while maintaining your strengths. This targeted approach is far more efficient than generic test prep and leads to faster score improvement.
The essay section isn't about writing a perfect composition—it's about demonstrating clear thinking, organization, and voice under pressure. Graders focus on whether you understood the prompt, developed your ideas logically, and wrote with clarity and grammar appropriate for your grade level.
The best preparation involves writing multiple timed essays (usually 25 minutes), learning to brainstorm quickly, and getting feedback on your structure and argumentation. A tutor can help you develop a reliable essay template that works for different prompts, manage your time so you have time to proofread, and build confidence in expressing ideas clearly.
Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or uncertain about strategies. The best antidote is confidence built through practice—working through dozens of real SSAT questions and full practice tests before test day so nothing surprises you.
Beyond preparation, you can develop specific coping strategies like pacing yourself deliberately, reminding yourself that it's okay to skip difficult questions, and practicing deep breathing during your prep. Many tutors work with students on the mental side of test-taking, helping you shift from perfectionism (every question matters) to strategic thinking (getting questions right that you can get right).
Most students benefit from 8-12 weeks of focused preparation, though this varies based on your starting level and target schools. Students aiming for top independent schools (90th percentile+) typically need more intensive work than those aiming for solid performance.
Rather than counting hours, what matters more is consistent, focused practice 3-4 times per week with a mix of concept review, targeted question practice, and full practice tests. Your tutor can help you create a personalized study plan based on your baseline score, timeline, and specific weak areas, ensuring you're making efficient use of your preparation time.
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.


