Award-Winning U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad
Tutors
Who needs tutoring?
FEATURED BY
TUTORS FROM
- YaleUniversity
- PrincetonUniversity
- StanfordUniversity
- CornellUniversity
Award-Winning U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad Tutors
Certified Tutor
I am a licensed physician from Florida who is currently changing careers. I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2009 and have extensive tutoring and editing experience. While a student, I became a certified writing tutor through the Critical Writing Department. Since I completed my writ...
Nova Southeastern University
PHD, Medicine
University of Pennsylvania
Bachelors, History
University of Pennsylvania
undergraduate
Certified Tutor
Kate
I'm available to tutor biology, chemistry, physics, math from Algebra up through AP Calculus, SAT test prep, and French. I've been tutoring students in science and math for 7 years. I also spent 8 months working and studying in France, and have tutored high school and adult students in French. When ...
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Masters, Environmental Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Bachelors
Certified Tutor
9+ years
Jai
I'm a recent Stanford graduate (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science), and have been working at a major Management Consulting firm for a few years now. I personally scored a 2360 (out of 2400) on the SAT and 35 on the ACT and was successful in gaining admission to several top universities. I'...
Stanford University
Bachelors in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Certified Tutor
6+ years
Jeffrey
I am enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering PhD program at Rice University which will begin Fall 2020, and I am hoping to return to academia as a professor after earning my PhD. In the meantime, I am looking to share my passion for gaining knowledge, specifically in STEM, by educating the up and com...
University of Notre Dame
Bachelor of Science
Rice University
Doctor of Philosophy, Mechanical Engineering
Certified Tutor
6+ years
Rhea
I am a current student at the University of Chicago. I am working towards a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, and I am on the pre-medical track. I am extremely passionate about tutoring, and I have several years of experience tutoring students in my high school's learning center in various...
University of Chicago
Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
Certified Tutor
Erika
I am available to tutor middle and high school math, history and test prep. I have tutored math and history in the past and I previously taught a test prep course at a school in Hanoi, Vietnam. I have a lot of experience teaching all the need-to-know tricks to doing great on the SATS/ACTS! When I am...
Harvard University
Master of Public Policy, Public Policy
Certified Tutor
13+ years
MaryAnn
I am a published author who has enjoyed “coaching” our daughter, as she navigated through high school, college and graduate school. I mentor college juniors who are seeking careers in financial services, and I serve as a peer resource to professionals who are transitioning from private industry to t...
University of Pittsburgh
Bachelor of Science, English, Psychology
Certified Tutor
6+ years
Samuel
I am a freshman at Caltech majoring in Applied and Computational Mathematics. My favorite subject to tutor is math because I find it very rewarding to simplify complex topics to aid in understanding. I have lots of tutoring experience. In high school, I ran and taught an SAT prep class and was vice ...
California Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Science, Applied Mathematics
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
5+ years
Tiffany
I am available to tutor a broad range of subjects, I am passionate about test preparation, Accountancy, and Algebra.
University of Notre Dame
Bachelor in Business Administration, Accounting
University of Chicago
Juris Doctor, Legal Studies
Top 20 Test Prep Subjects
Meet Our Expert Tutors
Connect with highly-rated educators ready to help you succeed.
Sharon
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +29 Subjects
I am a graduate of the University of Chicago, and I will be starting a graduate program at Columbia in August. I am about to complete a year of service with City Year, an education non-profit that places young adults into under-served schools. As a City Year member, I worked full-time in the classroom with middle-school students who were in approximately the 10th percentile for math (meaning they score lower than 90% of students). One-fourth of those students were able to grow around 15 percentile points by the end of the year! Hobbies: reading, cooking, gardening, music, art, nature, books, writing
Earnest
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +26 Subjects
I am comfortable with either setting. I'm confident that I can help you (or your student) achieve to the best of their ability, so please don't hesitate to get in touch!
Pinelopi
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +25 Subjects
I am a Duke University graduate with a Bachelors degree in Psychology. I have experience tutoring all levels of Spanish language, all sections of the SAT, as well as algebra, pre algebra, geometry, and pre-calculus! I love kids & I have a very flexible schedule and a lot of patience! Let me help you :)
Sami
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +19 Subjects
I am a Duke University graduate in Economics and Computer Science. I am currently pursuing an MBA degree at the Yale School of Management. I have worked in the financial field, both at a management consulting firm and a fortune 500 company. My hobbies include playing and coaching soccer. Hobbies: reading, writing, art, books, music
Annie
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +28 Subjects
I am currently a second year medical student. I was a Physiological Sciences major at UCLA (class of 2015), and pursued research during my gap year between undergrad and medical school.
Samantha
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +38 Subjects
I'm a first-year medical student and recent graduate from Duke University, where I studied Global Health Determinants, Behaviors, and Interventions. From running a piano program at a nonprofit children's theatre to private tutoring in math, science, and standardized test prep, I enjoy helping my students become confident and self-sufficient learners! Hobbies: photography, travel, reading, music, writing, running, art, books, traveling
Quinn
Calculus Tutor • +17 Subjects
I am willing to address any issue with an open mind and I try to develop strategies that play to a student's strengths. I would like to think I am very approachable and personable, and I have had very positive experiences with many students in the past using this philosophy. Outside of academics, I love playing basketball and watching sports, as well as chilling with friends, listening to music, and keeping up with politics and current affairs.
Zachary
Trigonometry Tutor • +35 Subjects
I am passionate about teaching and tutoring and I thoroughly enjoy helping students gain an understanding and a drive for their studies. I have a long history of working with students of all grade levels and abilities (elementary school through college), and I have a good understanding of strategies to excel in both general academics and standardized tests.
Matthew
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +39 Subjects
I'm a highly creative person who works best with visual thinkers. Very recently graduated from Stanford University, I majored in Human Biology with a concentration in Bioinformatics and Stem Cell Science. Technical though my background may be, I am currently gigging as a singer/songwriter/composer in NYC and tackle even the most hard-science of problems with a top-down, big-picture, holistic approach. If you have a propensity to look at problems in a cross- or inter-disciplinary manner (or want to learn how to do so), I'm the tutor for you!
Tony
Calculus Tutor • +28 Subjects
I am a recent graduate of Yale University and incoming first year medical student at Columbia University. Originally from the DC area, I have always had a passion for science and medicine and pursued a degree in Biology while at Yale. During the 2008-2009 academic year, I tutored science, math, English, history, and Mandarin Chinese part-time with a DC-based tutoring company. At Yale, I worked as a freshman counselor to provide academic and career advice to incoming freshmen. I have taken both SAT and MCAT test prep classes and am familiar with both tests as well as the preparation necessary to score well. My personal career goals include attending medical school to pursue either immunology/infectious diseases or psych/neurology, teaching biology at the university level, and working in public/global health with either the CDC or the WHO.
Top 20 Subjects
Frequently Asked Questions
The U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad is open to high school students in grades 9-12 who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents attending schools in the United States. Most competitors participate through their school's chemistry program, though eligibility varies by state—some states require students to first compete in local or regional competitions to qualify for nationals. If you're interested in competing, check with your school's chemistry department or your state's American Chemical Society (ACS) affiliate to understand the specific qualification pathway in your region.
The exam typically consists of two parts: a 50-minute Section I with 30 multiple-choice questions covering general chemistry concepts, and a 90-minute Section II with free-response and problem-solving questions that test deeper conceptual understanding and analytical skills. The competition emphasizes not just memorization but the ability to apply chemistry principles to novel situations, interpret lab data, and work through multi-step problems. Success requires both speed and accuracy, making practice with timed conditions essential for competition readiness.
Many students struggle with the breadth of content required—the exam covers everything from atomic structure and bonding to organic chemistry and laboratory techniques. Another major challenge is the time constraint: managing 50 minutes for 30 multiple-choice questions while maintaining accuracy requires both strong fundamentals and test-taking strategy. Students also often underestimate the depth of problem-solving required in Section II, where questions may involve interpreting spectra, analyzing equilibrium scenarios, or calculating thermodynamic properties in unfamiliar contexts. Building a strategic study plan that addresses weak areas early, practicing under timed conditions, and developing comfort with application-based questions are key to overcoming these obstacles.
An effective U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad tutor combines deep chemistry content knowledge with competition-specific expertise—they understand the exam format, common question patterns, and the depth of reasoning required. They should be skilled at identifying your specific weak areas (whether that's thermodynamics, kinetics, or organic mechanisms) and creating a focused study plan rather than broad review. Additionally, strong tutors know how to build problem-solving strategies and test-taking confidence, helping you manage pacing and approach novel questions systematically. Look for someone who uses practice problems and past exams strategically to simulate competition conditions and refine your approach.
Most competitive students begin serious preparation 3-6 months before their state or regional competition, though starting earlier (6-9 months) gives you more time to build strong fundamentals and work through challenging material without rushing. If you're aiming for nationals, you may want to extend preparation to 8-12 months to ensure you've mastered the breadth of content and had sufficient time for application-based problem solving. The key isn't just hours spent, but consistent, strategic study—focusing on understanding concepts deeply, working through progressively harder problems, and practicing under timed conditions regularly. A personalized study schedule that aligns with your current knowledge level and competition timeline will keep you on track.
Start with past U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad exams and your state's local/regional competition papers—these are invaluable for understanding question styles and difficulty levels. Supplement with the official study guide materials provided by the American Chemical Society, general chemistry textbooks that go beyond AP level (such as those used in college general chemistry courses), and problem sets that focus on application and reasoning. Many students also benefit from chemistry olympiad-specific problem books and online forums where competitors discuss strategies. The most effective preparation combines official materials with guided practice, allowing you to learn from mistakes and progressively tackle harder conceptual problems.
Score improvement depends heavily on your starting point, preparation timeline, and commitment level. Students often see meaningful gains—10-15 percentage point improvements—when they work with a tutor to identify specific weak areas and develop targeted strategies, particularly if preparation begins 3+ months before competition. However, the U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad is a challenging assessment designed to differentiate top performers, so reaching highly competitive scores requires mastery of advanced concepts and consistent problem-solving practice. Rather than focusing solely on score targets, think about your personal goals: whether you're aiming to qualify for your state competition, reach nationals, or simply build chemistry expertise. A realistic expectation is that focused tutoring helps you reach your potential faster by eliminating wasted study time and building confidence in unfamiliar question types.
Connect with U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad Tutors
Get matched with expert tutors in your subject