Award-Winning GRE Tutors
serving Columbia, SC
Award-Winning
GRE
Tutors in Columbia
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.
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Thomas covers both the quantitative and verbal sides of the GRE, drawing on a math-heavy science background that spans calculus through statistics and a graduate education built on reading and writing analytically. For the Quantitative Reasoning section, he digs into probability, number properties, and data interpretation — areas where many test-takers lose easy points. On the Verbal side, he teaches strategies for breaking apart dense reading passages and eliminating answer choices systematically.

Elizabeth scored 730 Verbal and 770 Quantitative on the GRE and teaches exclusively from ETS materials, since those mirror test-day question styles more closely than third-party prep books. She built her approach over years of classroom instruction at American University and Princeton Review, creating structured guides for every section — from Data Analysis formulas to Issue Essay frameworks — so students always know exactly what to study next.
Ruth has taken the GRE from both sides — as a test-taker entering her PhD program in Criminology and as someone who now teaches all three sections. Her doctoral training sharpens the Analytical Writing component, while her math teaching background means she can break down Quantitative Reasoning problems involving probability, combinatorics, and data interpretation without relying on shortcut tricks. Rated 4.9 by students, she builds section-specific strategies that adapt to each person's score gaps.
Preparing for the GRE as a whole means juggling Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical Writing — three sections that reward very different skills but share a common thread of logical reasoning. Irina's science background covers the quantitative side, while her years of teaching English abroad and earning an MPH give her genuine range across the verbal and writing sections. She builds study plans around diagnostic weaknesses rather than generic timelines.
I am a graduate of Grinnell College, a private liberal arts college located in Grinnell, Iowa. I have a Bachelor of the Arts in Computer Science from Grinnell's Department of Math and Computer Science. Since graduation I have tutored students of a wide variety of ages and background in a number of subjects. I have tutored middle school students in the Chicago area in Math and science and high school students in advanced Math, chemistry, writing, and helped them prepare for standardized tests for college admittance. I have also tutored adults preparing for academic proficiency tests for their jobs and with GRE prep for those interested in going to graduate school. Additionally I have taught English grammar, reading, and conversational skills to ESL students in Chicago, Ecuador, and Colombia. While I tutor a number of subjects, I particularly enjoy helping students with standardized test strategy and following their scores as they increase towards their goal. When I tutor, I aim to lead students to an answer by example so that they can see the reasoning involved themselves, rather than me just telling them the answer. The more the students can come to their own solutions, the more memorable the lessons will be. In my spare time I enjoy reading, playing skill games like scrabble, bridge, and poker, and outdoor activities like biking, camping, and canoeing when the weather is nice.
Scoring 5s on both AP English exams and the AP Psychology exam, Destiny knows how to dissect reading passages under pressure and construct tight analytical arguments — two skills that drive GRE Verbal and Analytical Writing scores. Her psychology background at Howard University also built the quantitative reasoning habits (interpreting data, working through statistical relationships) that carry over to the GRE's math section. She breaks the test into repeatable strategies so students spend less time second-guessing and more time executing.
Reviews from students: "I loved how you explained math. You were able to explain formulas so they made sense and it was engaging. Thank you for making math interesting." - Ferol Conklin "I have published over 20 articles, and no one has ever edited my articles as thoroughly or as helpfully as you did." - Mark Ragel "The instructor was the best I had at this university." - Spanish student, University of Illinois "Elle was kind, patient, and funny. She seemed to really enjoy teaching." - Spanish student, University of Illinois I have three years professional teaching experience and several years of tutoring experience. I have always been a teacher at heart. I feel my biggest strength as a tutor is looking at material from the perspective of the student. I have also been described as a calm, patient, passionate, and fun tutor. I think lesson plans should be interesting to motivate students to care about the subject and engage in the process of learning. I worked as a Spanish TA at the University of Illinois for two years as as the main instructor for over 200 students. I have also worked as a middle school teacher. I have experience tutoring a variety of subjects, including test prep, reading and writing, and various levels of math. My degrees are in Linguistics, Spanish, and Journalism, with a minor in Math.
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 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 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 towards passing the US Citizenship Exam and taught English in India, where I lived for six months. Whenever I work with a student I personalize the lessons to fit their particular learning style, since I know every student is unique and having the right fit can make all the difference in making learning fun and effective. My strengths are tutoring the social sciences and humanities, as well as making math and standardized tests approachable to students that normally don't like those subjects. In my spare time I like traveling, spending time in the outdoors (climbing & backpacking), meditation, and playing soccer. Next fall I will be beginning my PhD in Education at Harvard University.
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Score improvement depends on your starting point and study commitment, but most students see meaningful gains within 8-12 weeks of focused preparation. Tutors help identify your specific weak areas—whether that's quantitative reasoning, verbal comprehension, or analytical writing—and create a targeted study plan to address them. Many students improve by 5-10 points on the 130-170 scale per section when they work with a tutor who understands their learning style.
Your first session typically involves a diagnostic assessment to understand your current strengths and weaknesses across all three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. The tutor will discuss your target score, graduate program goals, and timeline, then create a personalized study plan that fits your schedule. This foundation helps ensure every subsequent session builds directly toward your goals.
Many test-takers struggle most with Quantitative Reasoning, especially questions involving data interpretation and word problems—even those with strong math backgrounds. Verbal Reasoning challenges students because it requires both vocabulary knowledge and critical reading skills under time pressure. A tutor can break down question types, teach strategic approaches for each format, and help you practice pacing so you're not rushing through difficult problems.
Test anxiety often stems from unfamiliarity with question formats and uncertainty about pacing—both things tutoring directly addresses. By practicing full-length tests under timed conditions and reviewing your performance, you build confidence in your abilities and develop a realistic sense of how to allocate time across sections. Tutors also teach specific strategies like process-of-elimination and educated guessing, which reduce the pressure of finding perfect answers.
Most students benefit from taking 4-6 full-length practice tests spaced throughout their study period, with the final one about a week before test day. This gives you enough data to identify patterns in your mistakes and enough repetition to build test-day stamina. Your tutor can help you interpret practice test results, focus on high-impact areas, and adjust your study plan based on what the tests reveal about your readiness.
Most students study for 8-12 weeks, though this varies based on your starting score and target score. If you're aiming for a top-tier graduate program, you may need 12-16 weeks of consistent preparation. A tutor helps you create a realistic timeline and keeps you accountable, breaking your study into manageable weekly goals so you're not cramming at the last minute.
Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in GRE preparation and understand the specific challenges of standardized test prep. When you reach out, you'll be matched with a tutor based on your goals, learning style, and availability. Many tutors offer flexible scheduling to work around your job or other commitments while you prepare for graduate school.
The Analytical Writing section requires you to analyze arguments and develop clear, well-reasoned essays under time pressure. Most students benefit from learning the specific rubric ETS uses to score these essays, then practicing writing timed responses and getting feedback on their reasoning and clarity. A tutor can show you how to quickly identify logical flaws in arguments and structure essays that demonstrate strong critical thinking—skills that directly improve your score.
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