Award-Winning PSAT Critical Reading Tutors

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Award-Winning PSAT Critical Reading Tutors

John

Certified Tutor

16+ years

John

Bachelor of Fine Arts, English/Drama
John's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus AB
College Algebra
Middle School Math
Geometry

Most PSAT Critical Reading mistakes come from the same place: students pick the answer that sounds right instead of the one supported by the text. John teaches a line-reference method that turns every question into a scavenger hunt for evidence, which removes the guesswork from both literature and s...

Education

University of St Thomas

Bachelor of Fine Arts, English/Drama

American Academy of Dramatic Arts

Associates, Acting

Test Scores
Perfect Score
SAT
1420
ACT
36
Mimi

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Mimi

Masters in Education, Education
Mimi's other Tutor Subjects
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra
Elementary School Math

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...

Education

Harvard University

Masters in Education, Education

Dartmouth College

B.A.

Test Scores
SAT
1560

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Alex

Bachelor of Science, Chemical Engineering
Alex's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Pre-Calculus
Calculus
Algebra

The PSAT Critical Reading section rewards a very specific skill: finding the one answer choice fully supported by the passage, even when two or three look plausible. Alex teaches students to identify the textual evidence that eliminates distractors, a technique he refined through his own 1590 SAT pe...

Education

Washington and Lee University

Bachelor of Science, Chemical Engineering

Test Scores
Perfect Score
SAT
1590
ACT
36

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Nina

Masters in biostatistics
Nina's other Tutor Subjects
Statistics Graduate Level
Statistics
Calculus
Algebra

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 ...

Education

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

Test Scores
SAT
1550

Certified Tutor

Michelle

Current Grad Student, M.D.
Michelle's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Pre-Calculus
Geometry
Calculus

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...

Education

Baylor College of Medicine

Current Grad Student, M.D.

Rice University

Bachelor's in Biochemistry and Cell Biology

Test Scores
SAT
1570

Certified Tutor

Elena

Juris Doctor, Law
Elena's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
SAT Mathematics
SAT Reading and Writing

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 La...

Education

Cornell University

Bachelor in Arts

University of Chicago Law School

Juris Doctor, Law

Test Scores
Perfect Score
SAT
1600

Certified Tutor

8+ years

Anna

Bachelor in Arts, Anthropology
Anna's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
Middle School Science
PSAT Writing Skills

Medical school admissions required Anna to digest vast amounts of dense, argument-driven prose under pressure — a skill that maps directly onto the PSAT Critical Reading section's evidence-based questions. She teaches students to identify exactly where a passage's reasoning shifts, which is the mome...

Education

Northwestern University

Bachelor in Arts, Anthropology

Northwestern University

Graduated (Honors Program in Medical Education)

Test Scores
Perfect Score
SAT
1590
ACT
36

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Elliot

Doctor of Philosophy, Neuroscience
Elliot's other Tutor Subjects
Statistics Graduate Level
Pre-Algebra
Statistics
Middle School Math

Critical reading on the PSAT comes down to one skill most students underestimate: identifying what the author is actually arguing versus what the passage merely mentions. Elliot's training in cognitive science — where parsing dense academic writing is a daily requirement — makes him particularly eff...

Education

Hampshire College

Bachelor in Arts, Cognitive Science

Vanderbilt University

Doctor of Philosophy, Neuroscience

Test Scores
Perfect Score
SAT
1540
ACT
36

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Chelain

PHD, PhD: Molecular Pharmacology and Structural Biology; MD: Medicine. Currently a Resident in Radiation Oncology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. C
Chelain's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
College Essays
Literature

I am currently a resident physician at Northwestern Hospital.

Education

Thomas Jefferson University

PHD, PhD: Molecular Pharmacology and Structural Biology; MD: Medicine. Currently a Resident in Radiation Oncology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. C

Swarthmore College

Bachelors, Biology, Psychology

Test Scores
SAT
1550
ACT
33

Certified Tutor

Kiersten

Bachelor's
Kiersten's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
SAT Mathematics
SAT Reading and Writing

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 colleg...

Education

University

Bachelor's

Test Scores
SAT
1550

Certified Tutor

Violet

Bachelor of Science, Mathematics
Violet's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus AB
College Algebra
Algebra 3/4
Multivariable Calculus

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. M...

Education

Brown University (transferring from the University of St Andrews)

Bachelor of Science, Mathematics

Test Scores
SAT
1550

Certified Tutor

Edward

Bachelor's
Edward's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus AB
College Algebra
Multivariable Calculus
Trigonometry

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 perspect...

Education

University

Bachelor's

Test Scores
Perfect Score
SAT
1520
ACT
36

Certified Tutor

Eric

Bachelor in Business Administration, Business
Eric's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
College Algebra
Algebra 3/4
Middle School Math

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 pr...

Education

University of Michigan

Bachelor in Business Administration, Business

Test Scores
Perfect Score
SAT
1570
ACT
36

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Emily

Master of Public Health (MPH), concentration in Epidemiology and Global Health
Emily's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra

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 ...

Education

Yale University

Master of Public Health (MPH), concentration in Epidemiology and Global Health

Yale School of Public Health

Master in Public Health, Public Health

Yale University

Bachelor of Science (B.S.), double major in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and French

Test Scores
Perfect Score
SAT
1550
ACT
36

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Logan

Master of Divinity, Ministry
Logan's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Geometry
Calculus
Algebra

I'm eager to teach students how to make connections and understand any part of the world they need!

Education

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Master of Divinity, Ministry

University of Kentucky

Bachelor in Arts, Communication, General

Test Scores
Perfect Score
SAT
1400
ACT
36

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Violet

AP Calculus AB Tutor • +28 Subjects

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. Hobbies: books, music, art, travel, reading, writing

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Edward

AP Calculus AB Tutor • +31 Subjects

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. Hobbies: reading, music, art, books, writing

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Eric

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +37 Subjects

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.

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Emily

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +38 Subjects

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! Hobbies: writing, art, books, music, dancing, baking, reading

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Logan

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +31 Subjects

I'm eager to teach students how to make connections and understand any part of the world they need! Hobbies: art, books, writing, reading, music

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Austin

Elementary Math Tutor • +34 Subjects

Hobbies: reading, music, writing, art, books, traveling, travel, outdoors

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Nishad

Calculus Tutor • +24 Subjects

The PSAT Critical Reading section rewards students who can distinguish an author's central claim from supporting details under tight time pressure. Nishad, who earned a 1580 SAT composite, breaks down passage types — science, social science, literature, historical documents — and teaches a different attack strategy for each. That structural awareness is what separates National Merit contenders from students who plateau in practice.

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Peter

AP Calculus BC Tutor • +29 Subjects

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. Hobbies: art, books, reading, music, writing

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Miranda

Calculus Tutor • +33 Subjects

I am a new graduate of Pomona College, in Claremont, CA, where I studied Religion and Philosophy. While there, I wrote many papers of a wide variety, working on strong arguments, organization, and phrasing. I peer edited as well as volunteering with groups that mentored high school students, focusing on college admissions work, continuing and expanding my experiences from high school of tutoring for standardized testing. Additionally, I taught beginning violin to younger children.

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Sherry

Middle School Math Tutor • +34 Subjects

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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Frequently Asked Questions

Score improvement depends on your starting point and commitment level, but most students see meaningful gains within 8-12 weeks of focused preparation. If you're scoring in the mid-range, improving by 50-100 points is realistic with consistent practice and strategic instruction. Students starting lower often see larger percentage improvements, while those already scoring 700+ may see more modest gains as they approach the ceiling. The key is identifying your specific weak areas—whether that's vocabulary in context, inference questions, or pacing—and targeting those directly.

Most students struggle with pacing and time management, especially on longer passages. Many read too slowly, leaving insufficient time to answer all questions carefully, while others rush through and miss important context clues. The second major challenge is distinguishing between answers that are partially correct versus fully supported by the text—PSAT questions reward precision, and even strong readers can second-guess themselves. Working with a tutor helps you develop efficient reading strategies and learn to identify what the test makers are actually testing for, rather than choosing answers that simply sound good.

A solid study plan spans 8-12 weeks with 3-4 focused sessions per week. Start by taking a full-length practice test to identify your baseline and specific weak areas—whether you struggle more with paired passages, vocabulary-in-context questions, or evidence-based questions. Week 1-2 should focus on understanding question formats and learning test-specific strategies; weeks 3-8 involve drilling individual question types and passages matched to your difficulty level; the final weeks emphasize full-section practice under timed conditions. Regular practice tests (every 2-3 weeks) help you track progress and adjust your focus as needed.

An effective PSAT Critical Reading tutor understands not just the content, but the test makers' logic—they can explain why a correct answer is right and why the tempting wrong answers exist. They should assess your reading speed, comprehension level, and test-taking habits early on, then customize strategies to your learning style rather than using one-size-fits-all approaches. The best tutors also teach you to annotate strategically, manage time pressure, and build confidence through incremental wins on progressively harder questions. Look for someone who emphasizes reasoning over memorization and gives you tools you can use on test day.

Test anxiety in Critical Reading often stems from time pressure, difficult vocabulary, or uncertainty about whether you're interpreting passages correctly. Building confidence through repeated, timed practice under low-stakes conditions is the most effective antidote—your brain learns that you can handle the pressure. Developing a consistent pre-test ritual (deep breathing, positive self-talk, reviewing your strategy) also helps. During the actual test, remember that you don't need to understand every word or get every question right to score well; practicing selective reading and strategic guessing on your lowest-confidence questions can reduce anxiety while protecting your score.

Vocabulary matters less on the modern PSAT than it did previously, since most challenging words appear in context and the test emphasizes comprehension over memorization. That said, building a working knowledge of common academic and test-prep vocabulary (words like "ambiguous," "analogous," "pragmatic") helps you understand both the passages and answer choices faster. Rather than traditional vocab lists, effective preparation focuses on learning vocabulary-in-context questions—where tutors teach you to use surrounding text clues to determine word meaning. This dual approach (modest vocabulary building plus strong context-clue skills) is more efficient than memorizing hundreds of words you may never see.

The PSAT uses the same question formats and reasoning skills as the SAT's Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section, making them highly compatible for preparation. The main differences are that PSAT passages are slightly shorter, vocabulary is less challenging, and the curve is different—but the underlying test design is identical. If you're preparing for the PSAT now, you're building skills that transfer directly to the SAT, so strong PSAT prep sets you up well for future testing. Many students actually find this reassuring: mastering PSAT Critical Reading means you're already on track for SAT success.

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