Award-Winning PSAT Writing Skills
Tutors
Award-Winning
PSAT Writing Skills
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.

The PSAT Writing Skills section tests a specific set of grammar and rhetoric rules that repeat predictably — subject-verb agreement buried in long sentences, comma splices, and transitions between paragraphs. Anna scored a 1590 on the SAT and teaches students to identify these patterns quickly so they can eliminate wrong answers with confidence. Rated 5.0 by her students.
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 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 currently a resident physician at Northwestern Hospital.
Chemical engineering lab reports at Washington and Lee demanded the same ruthless concision the PSAT Writing section rewards — every sentence justified, every modifier in the right place, zero tolerance for wordiness. Alex pairs that training with a 1590 SAT and a 36 ACT, so he can pinpoint exactly which punctuation and sentence structure rules the test recycles and teach students to recognize them on sight. Rated 4.8 by students.
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 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.
Neuroscience PhD work demands writing that's surgically precise — every clause tightened, every modifier anchored, every transition earning its place — which is the same skill set the PSAT Writing section quietly tests behind its grammar questions. Elliot scored a 1540 on the SAT and brings that firsthand command of standardized writing conventions to the rhetoric and concision questions students tend to rush through. Rated 5.0 by students.
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 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.
Years of writing and peer-editing rigorous philosophy and religion papers at Pomona College trained Miranda to catch exactly the kinds of errors the PSAT Writing section recycles — awkward transitions, bloated phrasing, and punctuation choices that change an argument's meaning. Her 1560 SAT and 5.0 tutoring rating back up that instinct, and she teaches students to approach each question by identifying what rule is being tested before even glancing at the answer choices.
I'm eager to teach students how to make connections and understand any part of the world they need!
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 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.
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.
PSAT Writing questions test a narrow set of grammar and rhetoric rules — subject-verb agreement buried in long sentences, comma usage with nonessential clauses, logical transitions between paragraphs. As a National Merit Scholar who qualified on the strength of these same skills, Emily walks students through each rule with real test passages so they learn to spot errors quickly under timed conditions.
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 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 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 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.
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 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 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'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 a freshman at Stanford University pursuing a degree in mathematical and computational science. I've been tutoring students from grades 3-12 throughout high school, and I look forward to continue in college. Nothing excites me more than learning something new, and I strive to share my excitement with my tutees.
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 Penn State Graduate (B.S.) and am currently a student at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Jefferson University. My goal as a tutor is to help make the subjects I love approachable to other students, and to teach the study techniques that have served me well in school. I have tutored people in Biology, Physiology, general and Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Writing proficiency, and Physics. I also teach SHSAT prep to 7th graders. I am qualified to teach strategy and content for the SAT and MCAT, as well as high school Science, Writing, and Math classes. My greatest strength as a tutor is my ability to simplify abstract concepts using analogies and real-life comparisons so that anybody can learn them. Showing students how their studies relate to the rest of the world is the best way to create long term interest and understanding. My main focus is typically "teaching toward the test," as making sure my students get the grades they need is always the priority.
I am working toward an MD at Stanford University. I am happy to help with MCAT, SAT, SAT subject, AP test prep, and general academic subjects. Throughout my 8 years of experiencing tutoring middle school and high school students, I aim to help students raise their test scores through targeting points of weakness and developing the tools to conquer those areas. Outside of tutoring, I enjoy running, listening to music, traveling, and reading.
After scoring a 1530 on the SAT and a 35 on the ACT, Asta turned around and spent years coaching students through the same tests — so she knows exactly which Writing Skills patterns trip people up, from misplaced modifiers to the tricky rhetoric questions about adding or deleting sentences. Her University of Chicago political science training, which demanded tight, argument-driven prose, built the kind of sentence-level precision the PSAT Writing section rewards. Rated 5.0 by students.
I am a rising sophomore at Case Western Reserve University studying engineering. I have taken most high-school level standardized tests, and have scored consistently above the 95th percentile. I have tutored small groups of students throughout high school, and also have experience as a private tutor. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy playing Ultimate Frisbee with my college club team.
I'm Dennis. I study physics, math, and computer science. I have done research about cosmic ray acceleration at supernova shock fronts in the Princeton University Department of Astrophysics, simulating how the turbulent plasmas push protons and ions. I have also worked at the Norfolk State University Department of Engineering, designing, simulating, optimizing, and building light filters for wavelength-division optical-electronic multiplexers. Another field I study is the mathematics of quasicrystals and aperiodic tilings, such as the Penrose tiling of rhombuses.
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.
I'm a first-year med student at Pitt Med. I graduated from Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts with a BS in Biology this past May. As much as I love medicine and the hard sciences, most of my tutoring experience is in general ACT prep, in addition to academic and creative writing, middle school math and reading, and high school and college math. Some of my favorite all-time classes were medical sociology in college and AP US Government and Politics in high school. Through Tufts, I taught English as a second language (3 semesters) and citizenship exam prep (1 semester) to Hispanic immigrants and refugees, which taught me a lot about how to gauge students' understanding, teach tough subjects, plan activities, provide flashcards and the best possible study materials, and make the most of the students' time. I love tutoring because I know how much a tutor's patience one-on-one can make the difference. I love sharing my study tips and test-taking strategies so they can study efficiently and make the best use of their time to get that desired result. I want students to feel heard and supported and help them find methods best suited to them. I want to help students enjoy learning and find more confidence in themselves through mastering tough subject matter.
I am available to tutor in a broad range of subjects, though I am most passionate about Economics, History, and Civics. Please feel free to contact me and I would be happy to arrange a session.
I am currently a sophomore pursuing a bachelor of arts degree in Medicine, Health, and Society. Being a student, Ive understood the frustration of not knowing what to do or who to turn to in the moment I dont understand something. This feeling can be very disheartening, but having the right person to guide you can make all the difference. For struggling students, I want to be that person to help them reach their full potential. In high school, I tutored people (mostly high school students like myself at the time) within the community, and it was personally rewarding every time I saw a student gain confidence in their studies.
I am a recent college graduate currently pursuing a career in publishing in New York City. My interest in tutoring and the publishing industry stem from the same source: I want to help instill in others the same love of learning I have felt throughout my life. Whether it's getting lost in a good book or feeling the thrill of excitement at finally solving a difficult math problem, I feel that learning should be fun and viewed as a challenge, not a chore. Throughout my academic career, I have been a well-rounded student, excelling in math as well as language and literature. I am a notoriously good test-taker, a skill developed from solid study habits that I hope to pass on to future students. For me, tutoring is my way of giving back to my community and paying forward the help I've gotten from teachers, mentors, and fellow students throughout my life.
I am no longer needed.
Testimonials
Because the right PSAT Writing Skills 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 current skill level, but students typically see meaningful gains within 4-8 weeks of focused tutoring. If you're struggling with grammar fundamentals, you might improve 50-100+ points. If you're already scoring well and aiming for excellence, improvements may be smaller but still valuable—even 10-20 points can impact your percentile rank significantly.
The key is identifying exactly which writing skills are holding you back—whether that's comma usage, verb tense, sentence structure, or strategy on timed questions—and then targeting those specific areas with deliberate practice.
Most students find these areas challenging:
- Grammar rules application—Knowing the rule is one thing; applying it under time pressure is another, especially with comma splices, modifier placement, and pronoun-antecedent agreement
- Sentence structure and wordiness—Recognizing redundancy or unnecessarily complex sentences that could be more concise
- Verb tense and agreement—Keeping tense consistent and ensuring subjects and verbs match, particularly in longer sentences
- Pacing—Spending too much time on difficult questions and not leaving enough time to review or finish the section
- Question format confusion—Misunderstanding what certain question types (like "which revision") are actually asking you to do
A strong strategy balances accuracy with efficiency. Start by reading the passage and question carefully—many errors become obvious once you understand the context. For grammar-focused questions, identify what's being tested before looking at answer choices; this prevents you from being distracted by answers that "sound right" but don't fix the actual error.
Use process of elimination actively: eliminate obviously wrong answers first, then compare the remaining options. On timed sections, aim to spend about 45 seconds per question, flagging anything that takes longer and returning to it if time allows. Finally, review your answers in the last 1-2 minutes if possible—even a quick scan catches careless errors.
Accuracy and speed aren't mutually exclusive—they reinforce each other. The faster you recognize common grammar patterns and errors, the quicker you'll answer. Start by mastering the top 10-12 grammar rules that appear most frequently on the PSAT (commas, verb tense, pronouns, modifiers, etc.) through targeted practice. Once these feel automatic, you'll naturally work faster.
Practice with timed drills on specific rules, then move to full practice passages. Track which rule categories slow you down, and spend extra time on those. Over time, you'll develop pattern recognition that lets you spot errors quickly without sacrificing accuracy.
Take a full practice test every 2-3 weeks to track progress, but focus most of your prep on targeted drills between tests. Full tests are valuable for assessing overall pacing and identifying weak areas, but they're not the most efficient use of study time if you're just starting out.
Once you've diagnosed your specific weaknesses, spend time on focused practice sets for those areas—you'll improve faster this way. Then use practice tests to confirm improvement and build test-day confidence. If test anxiety is a concern, more frequent practice tests can help you get comfortable with the format and build confidence under timed conditions.
Look for a tutor who understands the specific format and demands of the PSAT Writing section and can diagnose your exact weak spots—not just your overall score. The best tutors teach grammar and conventions in the context of how they appear on the test, explain why common answer choices are distractors, and teach you to think strategically about questions rather than relying on "gut feel."
You want someone who can explain rules clearly, provide ample practice with timely feedback, and help you build both skill and confidence. Experience with test prep and familiarity with common student misconceptions makes a real difference in how quickly you improve.
Confidence comes from two things: understanding the rules deeply and practicing consistently. When you truly understand why an answer is correct—not just that it is—you'll second-guess yourself less. Spend time learning the grammar rules behind the questions, not just memorizing answers.
Next, practice in conditions that mirror test day: timed, with full sections, without immediately checking your answers. When you see that your method works repeatedly, confidence grows naturally. If you're still uncertain on test day, trust your strategy: eliminate wrong answers, compare remaining options methodically, and move on. You don't need to feel 100% certain on every question to do well overall.
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.


