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6+ years
Michael
I'm now a few years removed from academia, I still consider myself an intellect at heart. Stints at New York University's Stern School of Business and Northwestern University have given me extensive scholastic training, and running my own private tutoring service throughout college as a means of mak...
Northwestern University
Bachelor in Arts

Certified Tutor
Meghan
I am a 2015 graduate of Northwestern University, with an undergraduate journalism major/Spanish minor and a graduate degree in journalism. During my time at NU, I spent a semester at Madrid's top-ranked university, taking upper-level history and literature courses with Spanish students. I now work a...
Northwestern University
Masters, Journalism
Northwestern University
Bachelors, Journalism
Northwestern University
Undergraduate degree in journalism (major) with a Spanish minor

Certified Tutor
Jack
I'm a recent grad from Northwestern (B.A. in Theatre and Economics) who loves teaching and learning. I love helping other people achieve their goals and helping students find ways to be their best selves. Excited to meet and work with Chicagoland's students!
Northwestern University
B.A. in Theatre and Economics

Certified Tutor
Maddy
I'm a recent graduate of Harvard University and a natural teacher, and I'd be thrilled to help you build your skills, gain academic confidence, and get results! My B.A. is in American history and literature with a minor in theater. I spent my college years producing and directing student theater, wr...
Harvard University
B.A. in American History and Literature (minor in Theater)

Certified Tutor
9+ years
Merav
I'm Merav! I graduated magna cum laude from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Science in Theatre and a Minor in Psychology.
London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art
Master of Fine Arts, Theater Arts
Northwestern University
Bachelor of Science in Theatre (Minor in Psychology)

Certified Tutor
Jonathan
I am a recent graduate from The University of Chicago. I graduated with a degree in Political Science with much additional coursework in literature and philosophy. My favorite part about being a tutor is the moment of satisfaction that comes with seeing one of my students greatly improve after a lot...
The University of Chicago
Bachelor in Arts, Political Science and Government

Certified Tutor
9+ years
Dalton
I am no stranger to people getting tutors in order to succeed. An ambition to accomplish any academic goal was encouraged all my life; thus, I am accustomed to studying hard on top of participating in countless extra-curricular activities. I graduated highs school and received a diploma from the ext...
University of Pennsylvania
Bachelor in Arts, Mass Communications

Certified Tutor
14+ years
Kirstie
I am friendly, reliable, and most importantlycommitted to helping you learn! It is my top priority to create a positive learning experience that will help boost your test scores without boring you to tears. After all, shouldn't learning be fun?
Harvard University
Masters in Education, Education
St Johns College
Bachelors, Liberal Arts

Certified Tutor
Paula
I am extremely passionate about academics and learning; the value of each was inculcated into me at a very young age. I tutor a variety of subjects largely because I have so many areas of interests and have been privileged enough to pursue knowledge in those areas. I even enjoy tucking away "useless...
Vanderbilt University
Bachelor in Arts

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Martha
I am a PhD student at the University of Michigan, studying social psychology. Before this, I was at Duke University completing a BS in psychology as well as a MS in global health. My research combines the fields of global health and psychology by examining the effects of culture on self-related psyc...
Duke University
Bachelors, Psychology
Duke University
Current Grad Student, Global Health
Duke University
BS in psychology
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Rebecca
10th Grade math Tutor • +54 Subjects
I am a graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelors of Arts in English and Philosophy. At Notre Dame, I worked as a tutor at the University Writing Center, helping both undergraduate and graduate students with their writing. I also tutored local middle school students in reading and writing to prepare them for standardized tests. I had the opportunity to live in Spain for 6 months, where I became fluent in Spanish and developed a love for tutoring English language learners. Since graduation, I have worked with students at Midtown Educational Foundation and other extracurricular programs, and am currently pursuing a Masters of Arts in Teaching English. I tutor a wide range of subjects, although I am most passionate about English, Spanish, and Writing. I am an advocate of student-centered tutoring, and my goal is to support and guide students so that they have the satisfaction and confidence of knowing how to think through a problem and reach the correct answer. In my free time, I love to bake, read, play soccer, and act in plays.
Brittany
Calculus Tutor • +16 Subjects
I am a Yale University graduate with professional teaching experience at the college level. I know the SAT Writing and Reading sections like the back of my hand, and I know English, writing, and history as subjects just the same, but what I know most is how stressful and daunting the college admissions process can be. I am most passionate about helping you succeed in your school and test prep endeavors and to do that, I will teach you the test taking methods, study habits and study tricks that work best for you individually. No cookie-cutters tactics, no frustration. I am here to instruct, support, build confidence, encourage, and most of all, to be a patient guide in getting you where you want to be.
Sarah
Calculus Tutor • +64 Subjects
I am a graduate of Oberlin College and Wesleyan University and I am currently a PhD student at Harvard University. I received my BA in English, my BM in Jazz Studies, and my MA in Ethnomusicology. My PhD research is in West African music. I have many years of experience as a tutor, beginning as a writing tutor for a college writing center, then giving private music lessons, and working as a teaching assistant for undergraduate students in music and African studies courses. I tutor in many different areas, but my passion is in working with students in writing, literature, critical reading, music, and French. In working to prepare students for standardized tests, I can offer a wide variety of strategies for vocabulary, writing, and time management. As an educator, I am particularly interested in the transitions from high school to college, and from college into the professional world. Outside of teaching, I enjoy playing and listening to music, hiking, playing soccer, and spending time outdoors.
Meagen
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +32 Subjects
I am a sophomore, English and Computer Science double major at Carleton College who is ecstatic about teaching and spreading my love of learning. I am also greatly interested in sociology and gender studies, and have yet to decide if I will minor in one of those fields, too. I love helping students discover a passion for reading and expressing themselves through writing. My favorite areas to tutor are those having to do with English; I enjoy everything from AP Literature to essay writing for class. When I'm not at school or tutoring, I spend my time reading, playing piano and guitar, and rock climbing. Hobbies: books, music, art, reading, writing
David
Calculus Tutor • +46 Subjects
I'm comfortable tutoring on a number of subjects, I particularly enjoy teaching English, writing, and critical reading. I like working one on one with students, helping them to think through problems, formulate opinions, and articulate their thoughts. This involves working on vocabulary, grammar, and writing mechanics. These are invaluable skills, essential for writing essays and preparing for Standardized Tests, like the SAT.
Emerson
AP Statistics Tutor • +57 Subjects
I am an undergraduate student at the University of Chicago, working towards a pre-med double major in Psychology and Biology (with a specialization in Neuroscience). Beginning in my early teens, I began working and volunteering as a tutor in a variety of environments: I began as a volunteer at a summer program for underprivileged children at the Learning and Tutoring Center of East Austin, and since I have worked as a private elementary school tutor, a private SAT-prep tutor, and a preschool tutor for the Neighborhood Schools Program in South Side Chicago. I have taken, and succeeded in, a broad range of Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) classes, and am familiar with the latest formats, question varieties, and scoring guidelines of these standardized tests, along with the SAT. My teaching philosophy is to go beyond "teaching to the test". Although test-taking skills are crucial for any assessment, I believe the most valuable thing a tutor can do is to enhance and help develop conceptual understanding in our clients. I believe that once a student understands something at the conceptual level, he or she will be much better prepared for the topic, not only in the specific test we are preparing for, but anywhere else it may come up. Memorizing words or equations might help somebody in the short term, but understanding why that word means what it means, or what an equation is actually depicting is worth the extra effort. Besides test-prep I think I can be a great help in writing and editing, as I have experience in everything from short, timed essays such as the SAT essay, to college essays, to research papers such as the IB Extended Essay. I am fully fluent in Spanish for anyone who wishes to communicate in or practice the language.
David
Calculus Tutor • +33 Subjects
I am enrolled in the Simmons College Graduate School of Library and Information Science, and upon completing my Master's degree, I hope to work in a special collections library with rare books and manuscripts.
Rebecca
Calculus Tutor • +35 Subjects
I am experienced in a broad range of subjects. I am enthusiastic about helping students to learn course material ranging from Biology and Chemistry to English and Writing.
Priscilla
Calculus Tutor • +39 Subjects
I am a student at Harvard College, studying government with a secondary focus in economics. I am currently teaching a class on civic engagement and government to fifth graders. In the past, I have also run simulations with high school students for academic conferences. While volunteering in Peru, I tutored students at an all-girls orphanage in a bilingual environment. Throughout high school, I also helped students prepare for standardized examinations such as the SAT, ACT, SAT subject tests, AP Exams and Regents examinations. I am eager to work with students in these areas, with a particular emphasis on reading, writing, and history. My experience working with children expands beyond tutoring. I also have worked with students on their college essays. I absolutely enjoy working with them and deeply care about promoting their education. In my free time, I keep up with the current events, read, run, sail, and watch Netflix.
Hasan
8th Grade math Tutor • +97 Subjects
I am a graduate of Brown University, where I earned my B.A. in Literary Arts and Visual Arts, taking courses in a wide array of subjects ranging from contemporary American fiction to ancient Indian classics. My first teaching experience came in college when I had the privilege of creating and teaching a series of literature courses at a local community center. There are few experiences I find more enriching than facilitating a meaningful dialogue centered around great works of literature and art. While literature and art are my passion, I also tutor in variety of other subjects, including math, science, and test preparation. I currently work as a lead teacher in the after-school program at Archway Classical Academy in Phoenix.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The three most common pain points are: (1) analyzing complex poetry and prose under time pressure—students often miss layers of meaning or struggle to connect textual evidence to broader themes; (2) managing the 3-hour exam pacing, especially the poetry analysis section where students have limited time to deeply engage with unfamiliar texts; and (3) distinguishing between identifying literary devices and actually explaining their rhetorical effect, which the exam requires. Many students can spot a metaphor but struggle to articulate why the author chose it and what it accomplishes in context.
The poetry analysis question rewards students who move beyond listing devices to explaining their cumulative effect on meaning. A strong approach is to identify 3-4 key literary elements (imagery, tone, syntax, sound devices) that work together, then build your thesis around how these elements create a specific emotional or thematic impact. Practice writing under timed conditions—you have about 40 minutes for this essay—and focus on embedding evidence seamlessly rather than quoting long passages. Many tutors recommend analyzing 2-3 poems per week, annotating for purpose rather than just identifying techniques, to build speed and analytical depth.
You have about 1 minute per question for 55 multiple-choice items across two prose passages and one poem—a tight pace that requires strategic reading. Rather than reading the entire passage first, many high-scorers skim for structure and tone, then read questions and return to specific lines for evidence. This approach prevents getting lost in dense prose while ensuring you ground answers in the text. Practice with official AP exams to build familiarity with question patterns (tone/attitude questions, inference questions, and function-in-context questions are most common) so you can quickly identify what each question is really asking.
The exam distinguishes between students who identify literary devices and those who explain their rhetorical purpose—why the author made that choice and what it communicates. When you encounter a technique, ask yourself: "What feeling or idea does this create? How does it support the author's larger message?" For example, don't just note that a passage uses short, fragmented sentences; explain that the fragmentation creates urgency or disorientation that mirrors the character's mental state. Tutors often recommend practicing with released AP essays to see how top-scoring responses connect micro-level textual choices to macro-level themes and author's purpose.
Unfamiliar texts are intentional—the exam tests your ability to analyze any text, not your prior knowledge. Build a reliable analytical framework: start by identifying the speaker, setting, and tone; then track how key images or ideas develop and shift; finally, consider what the patterns suggest about meaning. Practice with poems and prose passages outside your classroom reading list weekly, using the same annotation system each time so it becomes automatic under pressure. This consistent practice builds pattern recognition and reduces the anxiety that comes with seeing a new text—you'll trust your process rather than panic about not knowing the work.
Score improvement depends on your starting point and consistency. Students who work with tutors on targeted weaknesses—like moving from surface-level analysis to deeper interpretation, or improving Free Response organization—typically see 1-3 score point gains (on the 1-5 scale) over 8-12 weeks of regular practice. The biggest gains come from students who practice full timed exams weekly, get detailed feedback on essay structure and evidence integration, and actively revise their approach based on that feedback. If you're scoring a 2-3, reaching a 4 is very achievable with focused work; jumping from 4 to 5 requires mastery of nuance and consistency across all three essay types.
Your thesis should make a specific claim about how literary elements work together to create meaning—not just "the author uses imagery"—but "the author's shifting imagery of light and shadow traces the character's moral awakening." Structure-wise, the AP rewards essays that weave evidence directly into analysis rather than quoting first and explaining after. Each body paragraph should focus on one major literary element or thematic strand, with 2-3 pieces of textual evidence embedded within your explanation of their effect. Avoid plot summary; instead, use specific moments to support your interpretation. Tutors often have students outline their essays before writing to ensure the argument flows logically and each paragraph advances the thesis.
The comparative essay requires you to analyze how two texts treat a similar theme or concept, and many students struggle because they write two separate analyses instead of a true comparison. The strongest essays identify a specific interpretive lens—for example, how both texts use nature imagery to explore human vulnerability—then analyze each text through that lens, constantly comparing their approaches. Rather than "Text A does X, Text B does Y," aim for "Both texts use X, but Text A emphasizes Y while Text B emphasizes Z, revealing different perspectives on the theme." Practice identifying meaningful similarities and differences before writing, and use comparative language (similarly, conversely, in contrast) to signal your comparative thinking throughout the essay.
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