...test preparation for the ACT, SAT, and GRE. I have nine years of tutoring experience, tutoring students from elementary age to graduate level, as well as working with students with special needs. I particularly enjoy tutoring mathematics, biology, and helping students prepare for standardized tests. I can also tutor in writing and reading, since I have experience as a professional copy editor. My focus when tutoring is student understanding. I believe academic goals are more...
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...and graduated with a bachelor's and master's of biomedical engineering from Arizona State University. I recently completed three years of my MD curriculum and am now returning to tutoring during my MBA studies. I struggled throughout high school until finally preparing for the SAT and ACT, so I'm adept with picking up just what you're struggling with - I was there once, too. Now having performed in the upper 10% of all standardized exams I...
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...Oakland area in Language Arts and Mathematics and served as a mentor for many high school students. I have also been an undergraduate student instructor for the General Biology lab course offered at U.C. Berkeley, a prerequisite for students wishing to pursue Biology as a major. Since I have a wide range of teaching experiences in both academic subjects and test preparation, I am highly adaptable to different learning styles and cater my teaching methods...
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...do their best at school and at home, which directly applies to my approach to tutoring. I love to learn and I love helping others feel successful in their classes. I have been informally tutoring peers and my younger siblings from a young age, and continue to do so today. In high school, I was recognized as a National Merit Finalist by the College Board for my PSAT and SAT scores. I took nine different...
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...at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology working on novel drug delivery systems for the gastrointestinal tract. I am hoping to attend medical school in pursuit of becoming a physician. I am currently interested in pediatrics and psychiatry but I am looking forward to exploring a range of available disciplines. I enjoy tutoring because I find it to be an engaging and dynamic process--I love working with students of all ages on a broad spectrum of...
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Can also tutor:ACT, PSAT, TOEFL and 93 more subjects.
...undergraduate experience including: an English Literacy tutor for grammar school students, an SAT Math instructor, and a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) tutor for college students. I believe my strongest subject to tutor is Standardized Test Prep (SAT, ACT, and GRE). Performing well on these tests can truly bolster a student???s application for undergraduate or graduate education, and I truly enjoy helping him or her achieve their best. I am also passionate about tutoring...
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...graduated from MIT with a bachelor's and a master's degree in Environmental Engineering. 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 I'm not working or studying, I love playing volleyball (indoors or...
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...and especially help others do their best. I am always open to help someone in need of help. I have helped friends and family increase their performance in math ever since I was in the 8th grade. I feel that any student can achieve anything if they are equipped with the correct tools and skills. I work well with others, and I can connect with almost anybody. I am a natural leader. I'm a great...
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I am currently a student at Ithaca College pursuing a degree in physics. I am very passionate about math and science especially, and I have found that teaching students is another passion. I have experience tutoring high school students in areas including algebra, algebra 2 and AP Physics 1. I love working with students to help them achieve their goals, and finding exactly what teaching style works best for which students.
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...am a Chicago native who is studying for the bar after graduating cum laude from Northwestern University Law School this May. I studied at St. Ignatius College Prep and graduated summa cum laude from Villanova University (including a two-term stint at Cambridge University). Between Villanova and Northwestern I worked at an academic non-profit organization and evaluated hundreds of fellowship candidates' writing and academic work. I will work with each student to craft a personalized plan...
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...that I made it a point to return to tutoring after graduation! My tutoring style is heavily influenced by my problem-solving-oriented engineering background. In school, I learned how to break down problems, analyze each component, and then proceed step-by-step to a solution. This same approach has helped me excel as a tutor because breaking down problems for students and guiding them as they grapple with the concepts involved helps identify sticking points and facilitates a...
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...and SAT, and I am passionate about helping students score well on these exams to pursue their higher education goals. I have always been a high-achieving student, and I was my high school's valedictorian, a National Merit Commended Scholar, and a Presidential Scholar Qualifier. I have over 3 years of mathematics tutoring experience with students in grades K-12, and I love to help students build confidence in analytical and applied mathematics at all levels, from...
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...lane students on the side. After that, I went on to work at Mathnasium, where I tutored groups of up to 5 students at a time in math ranging from 1st grade to 8th grade. I am very familiar with how to motivate students who are bored or dont feel like doing work! As a freshman in college, I also volunteered by teaching reading and math to underprivileged students through Each One Teach One. In...
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...like in a big city. During my college career, I was a part of several study groups and helped classmates with their writing informally, but during my senior year, I tutored another student formally in their chemistry class. Becoming a tutor for the first time made me realize how much I valued and enjoyed teaching. The opportunity to help another student with their own learning journey was a very positive experience, and it ignited an interest...
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...prep for the SATs and ACTs, as well as math for all ages. I excel particularly in writing and editing and love tutoring in the humanities. My teaching philosophy is one of guidance rather than direct instruction, helping students to discover answers on their own. I am very patient and understand that sometimes all it takes to understand a difficult concept is to explain it in a few different ways. We all learn differently, so...
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...do not need to look to anyone else for answers. I tutor a range of subjects, but I especially enjoy teaching middle school math and SAT prep. I have a strong grasp of the approaches necessary to succeed in those areas. It is fun to share those approaches with students and watch the AHA! moments unfold. Why do I teach? Successful learning requires awareness of HOW you think: how you create and organize your own...
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...in those subjects. I also know how to face the endless standardized tests and leave the battle in victory, not resignation. I've been speaking French since I was old enough to read and I have a Russian heritage that can help out with colloquialisms and grammar. Languages and linguistics are fascinating to me and I don't get to speak mine enough, so please speak them with me! My physics background, as well as my years...
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...Math was always my favorite subject in high school and I continued my love of math at Duke. I have also been a middle school and high school tutor throughout my time at Duke through the Program in Education. One of my crowning achievements at Duke was winning the DT Stallings Award, which is awarded to a Duke senior who has shown sustained and dedicated service to tutoring local school children. When I am tutoring...
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...and half, I worked as a peer tutor at my university. As part of a university club, I volunteered at local low-income pre-schools. I planned lessons that my club members and I used to teach pre-school classes. The topics included historical events and science. Working with preschoolers was interesting as you could see the curiosity in their eyes. These lessons gave them a spark, and the importance of this spark is evident in students of...
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...I tutor a variety of subjects, including SAT Prep, but my true passion is Classics. As a child, my favorite book was D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths. I have been fascinated by the language, literature, and culture of the ancient Mediterranean ever since. This passion is reflected in my coursework and high level of achievement throughout my academic career. I graduated from the University of Chicago with honors in Classics and received a special commendation...
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Our interview process, stringent qualifications, and background screening ensure that only the best SAT tutors work with Varsity Tutors. To assure a successful experience, you're paired with one of these qualified tutors by an expert director - and we stand behind that match with our money-back guarantee.
Receive personally tailored SAT lessons from exceptional tutors in a one-on-one setting. We help you connect with the best tutor for your particular needs while offering flexible scheduling to fit your busy life.
SAT Tutoring FAQ
Connect with an expert SAT tutor who can help your student learn the techniques and find the confidence to master the SAT. Study smarter, not harder.
The concepts students learn with an SAT tutor
Effective tips for better time management and test pacing
Trusted SAT math strategies like "Number Picking" and "Plug in Numbers"
Question teardowns to understand what's said, how it's said, and why it's said
Methods specific to prepping for the SAT’s optional essay section
Techniques to identify common grammar mistakes
Strategies to analyze and solve reading comprehension challenges
What advantages can SAT tutoring provide?
Perhaps the best thing about the one-on-one attention from an SAT tutor is that it can give your student the advantage of receiving personalized materials, practice sessions, and learning methodologies that should help in improving their scores. Students can spend as much time as they need on content they find particularly challenging, without using up unnecessary time reviewing subjects they’ve already mastered. Additionally, working with a private SAT tutor allows a student to develop a trusting study relationship, which can then provide a number of benefits.
Secondly, a student may feel more comfortable during their SAT tutoring sessions, which can lead them to asking questions as they arise. Another benefit is that their SAT tutor can gain an understanding of the student's attributes such as their most effective learning styles, their personal strengths and challenges, their goals, and what motivates them. This allows SAT tutors to provide precise, customized lessons based on your student's unique set of needs. They also have the flexibility to change each lesson when necessary based on their close observation of your student’s progress.
How much does SAT tutoring cost?
The cost of a private SAT tutor depends on a variety of factors, including the subject matter you want to go over, the point in the process of studying of which you or your student are at, and the goals you are trying to achieve. Other factors are time, location, and amount of tutoring.
We'd love to learn more about your needs and see how we can match you with the best SAT tutor that matches your needs. Sign up on our website or call us to learn more about pricing.
How do we know you’ll get a great SAT tutor or instructor? Well, we only choose to work with the absolute best, which starts with an intensive vetting process (interviews, background checks, simulated tutoring sessions). Then we use uber-smart algorithms to pair you with the right one.
The purpose of the SAT is to provide an assessment of your student’s level of preparedness to take on college-level studies that they can include with their application materials. Most colleges and universities accept SAT scores as a part of an applicant’s admissions packet, because it provides a common data point they can use to compare all potential students. Admissions boards use SAT scores as one of the pieces of information they consider when making admissions decisions.
Here’s a quick overview of the SAT:
3 hour exam
50 extra minutes for the SAT Essay
Content Areas
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
50% of exam
Reading Test
Writing and Language Test
Math
50% of Exam
Calculator allowed sortion
No calculator section
The SAT exam is made up of three required sections and an optional essay. The required sections include the Reading section, Writing and Language section, and the Math section.
The Reading section presents your student with text passages followed by questions about them. The questions measure skills like their command of evidence, ability to understand words in context, and ability to analyze historic or scientific passages, among others. The Writing and Language section also presents text passages, but this time your student must fix mistakes and weaknesses they find. This can include grammar, punctuation, word usage, paragraph organization, and more.
The Math section focuses on algebra, data analysis and problem solving, advanced math using more complex equations, and other math topics like geometry and trigonometry. The Math section is further divided into a sub-section that allows your student to use a calculator and another sub-section that does not. Finally, although the Essay section is labeled optional, your student’s SAT tutor can help them find out if any of the programs they’re applying to require it. When they take the Essay section, they’ll be given a passage and then required to explain how the writer builds their argument, and support their explanation with evidence found in the passage. Students don't need to provide their own thoughts or opinions on the topic, as they only need to analyze how the author made their position persuasive.
In addition to acting as a college admissions exam, the SAT provides benchmarks that help school administrators and college admissions offices know how to help students. The list below shows what the SAT benchmarks can do:
Identify students who are thriving and require greater challenges.
Identify students who require additional academic support.
Inform instructional and curricular enhancements throughout an institution.
How can SAT tutoring near me help my student improve their test-taking skills?
Most of the questions on the SAT are presented in multiple-choice format. There are some grid-in questions on the Math section, and of course the Essay involves writing. One important way their SAT tutor can help your student is by providing them with examples of the types of questions they’ll find on the exam. SAT tutoring includes instruction on how to take a standardized exam. By helping your student become familiar with the structure and question format, their SAT tutor can give them tools to study for future standardized exams, both during college and for any licensing or credentialing exams throughout their career.
Reading Test
65 minutes
52 questions
Multiple-choice
Tests reading comprehension with text passages and questions about them.
Writing and Language Test
35 minutes
44 questions
Multiple-choice
Tests ability to correct and improve written sentences and passages.
Math Test
80 minutes
58 questions
Multiple-choice
Grid-in
Tests ability to solve problems in algebra, geometry, data analysis, trigonometry, and related areas.
Essay Test
50 minutes
1 writing prompt
Read a passage and write an essay about how the author built their argument.
How can SAT tutors near me help my student perform to their ability on the exam in time?
As mentioned, SAT tutoring involves more than just reviewing content. That’s probably going to be the biggest part of your student’s tutoring sessions, but there are other important ways SAT tutors can prepare students for the exam. Standardized tests like the SAT are different than the tests your student takes for their high school classes. A variety of content is covered all in one day, and each section has time limits. This can make demands on your student’s stamina that they're not used to, and they may have difficulties answering all the questions within the time limits.
Therefore, tutors may demonstrate time management strategies your student can use during the exam. For example, if they can't decide between two answers that seem equally correct, it’s better to make their best guess than to leave the question blank, because there’s no penalty for wrong answers on the SAT. Their SAT tutor may even know of strategies to determine which answer is most likely correct. Many tutors will regularly administer full, timed practice sections, or even full exams, to discover any pacing issues your student has so they can work together on solving those issues before test day.
Can SAT tutoring near me help my student understand questions worded in a confusing way?
Another difference many students notice on the SAT exam is that questions are worded differently than other test questions they've seen so far. Some students may even feel the questions want to “trick” them into choosing the wrong answer. That’s why many SAT tutors spend a lot of time showing students how to read an SAT question in such a way that they understand what the test is asking of them. This may include seemingly obvious things, like the necessity of reading every word. If your student misses a “not” in the middle of a question, that can lead them to the exact opposite of the correct answer.
In addition to carefully reading each question, your student’s SAT tutor can provide examples of questions that could be considered confusing and go through them with your student to show what phrasing twists are likely to show up and how to interpret them. This is another way your student can benefit from various practice sections their tutor may provide. Once they've gotten enough practice answering sample questions with the same type of wording found on the SAT exam, your student may come to easily recognize what questions are asking. If not, they'll have strategies they can utilize in order to figure them out.
How can studying with SAT tutors near me help my student in the long run?
The results of the SAT can have a significant impact on the path your student’s academic career takes. If they don't reach the score required by the pre-med or fine arts program they’re applying for the first time they take the SAT, it’s not a huge problem because they can take it again. However, unless they make changes in how they prepare for the exam, they may face the same frustration no matter how often they retake the test. The stakes are high, and it’s important to do whatever is necessary to help them work towards the future they dream of for themselves.
The following table shows 2018 SAT scores nationwide:
Total mean score
1068
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW) mean score
536
Math mean score
531
Met Both Benchmarks
47%
Met ERW Benchmark (480+)
70%
Met Math Benchmark (530+)
49%
Met No Benchmarks
27%
This is another reason to be glad that your student’s SAT tutor can provide much more than customized content review. Part of preparing for the SAT can definitely include researching career choices, the appropriate college and university programs, and what requirements your student must meet, including any involving SAT scores. Rather than give up on their future plans, your student can work closely with their tutor on first setting the appropriate goal score, and then taking each step they need to towards reaching that score. Because SAT tutors are familiar with the exam, they can spend time assisting your student as they work on overcoming each challenge until they feel confident they’ve worked their hardest, conquered their obstacles, and that they're ready to reach their goal.
Varsity Tutors makes every effort to set your student up with an SAT tutor who’s available when it’s most convenient for your family’s schedule. Since they’ll be meeting online using the Varsity Tutors Live Learning Platform, you'll probably find more room for flexibility. Contact Varsity Tutors today to learn more about how a professional SAT tutor can help your student prepare for the test, and we can get them started right away.
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Recent SAT Tutoring Session Notes
The student and I started looking at the Critical Reading section today. I demonstrated how to read the SAT passages and practiced this skill with him over several sections.
The student is much more engaged and working harder to understand the material than when we first started meeting. He's beginning to really think through problems and take his full time on things.
Today the student and I reviewed math and writing for the SAT. He struggles a little bit with math so we focused on that today, practicing the strategies of backsolving and picking numbers, which helped him out when he wasn't sure how to otherwise approach the problem mathematically. He was confused by complex algebra and the wording on some problems, so we broke the problems down together to make sure he understood them. We also went over the writing section. He tended to make minor errors because he was reading the sentence incorrectly and was thus confused about what the sentence meant. We worked on reading more carefully and talked about common grammar errors.
The student and I covered the basics of SAT Verbal test-taking, and working on the Critical Reading section fill in the blank question types. I believe the student needs to improve his vocabulary and critical reading skills, but by the end of the session we had discussed multiple fill-in-the-blank strategies to help him increase his Critical Reading score. The student was great to work with, enthusiastic, patient, and willing to do the homework I assigned him.
We spent the full lesson covering the Introduction to the Math Section, then we went over the general topics of Number Theory, Operations, Number Lines, and Algebra. We went through a number of practice problems, then, together, we completed the math section of a sample SAT in the back of the book. The student struggled with higher numbered questions, but she showed skill at implementing strategies such as plugging in real numbers where there was a single or double variable; she also learned how to use the answer choices given to help answer problems, especially word problems involving ratios and rates. Although we didn't cover the Geometry section specifically, she performed well on a number of problems involving triangles, circle circumferences, and areas. To finish, we went through a couple of brief Passage Based Reading questions, and several Sentence Completion questions, which she scored well on.
We started over from the very beginning of SAT test session - the numbers and fractions and the percentage. Her foundation seems a little bit weak, so we need to put more time to review everything. Overall, she did a great job.
The student and I first reviewed geometry formulas and concepts on the SAT. I emphasized learning 45-45-90 and 30-60-90 triangle properties. After that, we discussed grammar concepts, and I had her read an overview of major grammar concepts on the SAT, which I'd reviewed with her last time. I then had her do more "identifying sentence error" questions; reading the grammar concepts seemed to help her improve. We also went through a free response section in math. I gave her some tips for saving time.
If you're having a hard time finding quality SAT tutoring, Varsity Tutors can help set you up with an exceptional SAT tutor to assist you in preparing properly for the exam. When you sign up for private SAT instruction, you can receive the assistance needed to take your test prep sessions to the next level. Your SAT study sessions can help you refresh your knowledge of the content found on the exam, provide useful tactics to use during the test, and assist you in honing your overall academic skills for future standardized tests. There's no reason for you to try to study alone because we can connect you with an instructor to meet your particular SAT prep needs.
The purpose of the SAT is to provide schools with an assessment of your level of readiness to take on college-level courses. This exam is accepted by all United States colleges and universities as part of the applications process. This is because it can provide an equitable source of data to compare potential students. The SAT is a three-hour exam that consists of four assessments: Math, Reading, Writing and Language, and an optional SAT Essay. When you elect to take the Essay, you will receive an additional 50 minutes to complete the SAT. The three required sections consist of multiple-choice questions, plus some grid-in questions on the Math assessment. Your score is based on the number of correct answers and there is no penalty for guessing, so you'll want to answer every question. For each section, you will receive an individual subscore. This can provide you with insight into your personal areas of opportunity and academic strengths.
Although it is not the only factor taken into consideration by colleges and universities for admissions purposes, it is important to put your best foot forward by working hard to earn your best possible SAT score. With hard work and an exceptional SAT coach, you can work towards your academic goals.
What skills and content can be covered by an SAT tutor?
The SAT is a fairly comprehensive exam and can be overwhelming for students when they first start to review. SAT tutors can help with this by providing guidance in creating an effective study plan and assisting you in reviewing the various content and skills found in each section of the exam. Let's take a closer look at each section and the content you will want to review with your instructor in order to pursue your potential.
The Math assessment consists of two separate portions, and you will only be able to access a calculator for one of them. This part of the SAT measures your problem-solving and analytical abilities as well as your algebraic skills. This section focuses specifically on algebra, data analysis and problem-solving, advanced math with complex equations, and other mathematical content such as trigonometry and geometry. This is your opportunity to demonstrate your concept of different mathematical concepts, relations, and operations.
The SAT Reading section assesses your reasoning skills as well as your ability to comprehend written text. You will need to be able to answer questions based on the given passages. Your SAT instructor can help you practice using context clues to surmise a word or phrase's meaning. You may also want to review how word choice can affect the style, tone, and meaning of a passage. Content in the passages of this section can come from various literature, historical documents, or social science selections and will require you to be able to draw inferences and conclusions.
The Writing and Language section of the SAT measures your sentence structure, punctuation, grammar, and other conventional English skills. This part of the exam is not testing you on your prior knowledge of the information in the passages. Rather, it is assessing your ability to change words, sentences, punctuation, or clauses in order to improve the clarity of a sentence or paragraph. You will also want to practice improving word choice through context clues and your ability to sharpen argumentative writing.
If you decide to take the SAT Essay, you will only need to answer one question. You will read a given passage and consider whether you believe the author has made adequate use of the evidence to support his or her claims. You must use reasoning skills to develop ideas and connect the author's case with evidence. This is not an essay in which you explain whether you agree with the given argument. You simply need to be able to assess an argument.
Your SAT instructor can assist you in working through practice questions for each of these sections. Your instructor can also assist you in becoming more familiar with the question formats and the structure of the exam. Knowing what to expect on exam day can help you walk in feeling confident in your abilities.
In addition to reviewing the specific content found on each of the sections, your instructor can help you with basic test-taking strategies. For example, you may wish to devote several study sessions to working on time management strategies or practicing stress reduction. Your instructor can help you with strategies such as the process of elimination to help you work through multiple choice questions more efficiently and improve your chances of choosing the correct answer. Many instructors will even assist you by delivering a full practice exam to assist you in working on your pacing before the actual test day. Additionally, many students struggle with stress during exams. If you find yourself having anxiety in the middle of the test, it could cause you to do poorly. This can inaccurately reflect your potential to do well in college. SAT tutors can help you with different stress reduction strategies, such as positive self-talk or deep breathing techniques. These are skills that you can take with you into future exams as well.
How is SAT tutoring different than being in a typical classroom setting?
Perhaps the biggest advantage of tutoring is the opportunity to receive one-on-one attention from an SAT coach. This gives you the advantage of personalized study sessions. You have the ability to spend as much time as you need on any content you find especially challenging and do not need to spend additional time reviewing subjects you have already mastered. In addition, when you work with private SAT coaches, you will be able to develop a personal relationship with your instructor, which can provide a number of benefits. One benefit of this tutoring relationship is your SAT instructor's ability to take the time to determine your personal strengths and weaknesses, your goals, and your preferred learning method. Your instructor can also learn about what interests you and what motivates you. All this information combined can allow your instructor to provide personalized lessons based on your particular set of academic needs. Since you are the only student, you also have the flexibility to adjust lessons as necessary based on your specific progress.
Another one of the benefits of working with private SAT tutors is the ability to schedule sessions at your convenience. Varsity Tutors can provide the option to meet with your instructor either online or in person. Students who decide to meet with an instructor online will be able to attend face-to-face instructional sessions using our Live Learning Platform. This unique learning environment brings private instruction to your favorite study spot as long as you have access to a computer and Wi-Fi. The online option also opens up the number of tutors available since you are not limited to working with an instructor in your immediate area. Of course, you prefer to meet with your instructor in person and have the opportunity to select the time and location of your choice. This means you can schedule your study sessions for the evening at the local library, in the morning at your favorite coffee shop, or on the weekends in the comfort of your own home. With the option of fitting private instruction into your schedule at your convenience, there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to work with a private teacher.
How can I get signed up to work with exceptional SAT tutors?
The SAT is one of the first hurdles you will face when attempting to earn admission into the college or university of your choice. Many students dread taking this exam, but if you prepare properly and effectively, you can prepare to put your best foot forward with your SAT scores. No matter where you are in your SAT prep journey, we are here to support you. All you need to do to get started is to contact Varsity Tutors and speak with one of our educational directors. We will assist you in signing up and will do our best to set you up with a knowledgeable instructor so you can make the most of your SAT tutoring sessions. Pick up the phone right now and call Varsity Tutors so we can connect you with an exceptional SAT tutor to help you reach for your academic goals.
