Award-Winning OAT Physics
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Award-Winning OAT Physics Tutors

Certified Tutor
8+ years
Sanjul
Medical school sharpens one skill that translates directly to OAT Physics: quickly reasoning through multi-step problems under time pressure. Sanjul applies that same discipline to the OAT's optics and thermodynamics questions, teaching students to sketch the physical setup first — ray diagrams, fre...
Cleveland State University
Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
University of Medicine and Health Sciences
Doctor of Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine (DO)

Certified Tutor
4+ years
Abrahim
As a medical student who scored a 34 on the ACT and earned a cum laude biology degree from UCLA, Abrahim knows what it takes to perform under timed, high-stakes science exams. He breaks OAT Physics problems — particularly optics and electricity — into quick conceptual checks that eliminate wrong ans...
University of California Los Angeles
Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
Medical College of Wisconsin
Doctor of Medicine, Premedicine

Certified Tutor
Kevin
Optics, vectors, and thermodynamics dominate OAT Physics, and most pre-optometry students haven't touched these topics since introductory coursework. Kevin tackles each concept by connecting it to real scenarios — how lenses refract light, how energy transfers in biological systems — making the form...
University of California-San Diego
Bachelor of Science, Human Biology/Education Studies

Certified Tutor
9+ years
Carsen
I'm a 2016 graduate of Pepperdine University with my Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry. Currently I'm preparing to apply to optometry school; I hope to be accepted for the 2018-19 academic year. During my time in college, I was involved as a teaching assistant for General Chemistry I and II laboratory, ...
Pepperdine University
Bachelor in Arts, Chemistry

Certified Tutor
9+ years
Noah
The OAT Physics section covers mechanics, optics, thermodynamics, and electricity — all territory Noah navigated extensively through his mechanical engineering degree. He tackles the conceptual reasoning and unit-analysis shortcuts that let students move through OAT physics problems quickly and accu...
The University of Alabama
Mechanical Engineer, Mechanical Engineering

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Engineering coursework gave Phillip daily practice with the exact mechanics, optics, and thermodynamics problems that make up the bulk of OAT Physics — and his experience teaching AP Physics 1 and 2 means he's used to translating those concepts for students who haven't worked with them in a while. H...
University
Bachelor's

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
Top 20 Graduate Test Prep Subjects
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Rhea
AP Statistics Tutor • +49 Subjects
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 subjects as well as tutoring private clients in Standardized Test preparation. Given that I graduated high school recently, I have taken several Standardized Tests and high school subjects myself, so I have a comprehensive understanding of not only how to tutor these subjects and exams, but also what it is like to take them. While I have a wide range of interests and am able to tutor various subjects, I am most passionate about tutoring in Standardized Test preparation (including ACT, SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and AP Exams), Biology, Chemistry, Math, and Spanish. I truly believe that students should have the opportunity to learn in the way that works best for them, and I love being able to help them succeed by creating a comfortable tutoring environment in which we can best assess their particular needs and use strategies specific to them. My passion for learning drives everything that I do, and tutoring is the platform that I use to try to spread that passion to others. In my free time, you can find me playing badminton, listening to music, or baking something (hopefully) delicious.
Erika
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +36 Subjects
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 not in school myself, I love rowing, equestrian and exploring my new city of Boston! I look forward to meeting and working with you soon!
Tiffany
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +56 Subjects
I am available to tutor a broad range of subjects, I am passionate about test preparation, Accountancy, and Algebra.
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
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.
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
Samuel
AP Calculus AB Tutor • +29 Subjects
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 president of my school's NHS chapter where I ran our tutoring program, and I, myself, tutored. I also was a teaching assistant in the summer of 2020 for a class in discrete mathematics through a program called PACT (Program in Algorithmic and Combinatorial Thinking). I love learning and hope to make the process enjoyable for you!
Charles
AP Calculus AB Tutor • +25 Subjects
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 describe my tutoring style as one that adapts to each students' needs. For example, I have always tried to frame questions in a different way so that the student can better understand the question. Some students need visual representations of numbers and systems to understand them, and others benefit more by understanding the concepts behind each formula. I prefer to tutor in math and physics, and especially with real world application problems. I hope to help students improve their standardized test scores and their understanding of the math and sciences so that they can achieve their academic goals! Hobbies: art, books, running, reading, music, writing
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.
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.
Top 20 Subjects
Frequently Asked Questions
Score improvement depends on your starting point, commitment level, and how long you've been studying. Most students see meaningful gains—often 2-4 points on the 1-30 Physics scale—within 4-8 weeks of focused tutoring, especially when working with a tutor who can identify and target your specific weak areas. The real advantage of personalized instruction is that tutors help you spend study time efficiently, eliminating gaps in conceptual understanding rather than just drilling practice problems. Realistic timelines matter: if you're struggling with foundational physics concepts, allow more time than if you're fine-tuning test strategy.
The most common struggles include:
- Conceptual gaps: Many students memorize formulas without truly understanding the physics principles behind them, which becomes a problem when questions test application rather than recall
- Pacing: OAT Physics questions require careful reading and often multiple calculation steps, making time management critical
- Question interpretation: The OAT uses complex, multi-part scenarios that test whether you can identify what physics concept applies and which variables matter
- Bridging theory to practice: Understanding optics or mechanics in a textbook is different from recognizing those concepts in a clinical scenario
A tutor can help you strengthen conceptual understanding, practice efficient problem-solving strategies, and build confidence interpreting unfamiliar question formats.
The best OAT Physics tutors combine deep subject knowledge with practical test expertise. Look for tutors who:
- Understand both the physics content AND the specific ways the OAT tests it—these aren't always the same
- Can explain concepts clearly from first principles, not just show you how to solve problems
- Have real experience with the OAT format and timing constraints
- Adapt their teaching style to your learning needs and identify your specific weak areas quickly
- Help you develop test-taking strategies (like how to approach multi-part questions or when to skip and come back)
Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who meet these standards and can personalize their approach to your goals and timeline.
Most students benefit from 6-12 weeks of focused Physics preparation, depending on their starting knowledge and target score. A realistic weekly schedule might look like 3-5 hours of tutoring or focused study, with additional practice problem work in between sessions. The key is consistency rather than cramming—spacing your study over time helps concepts stick and builds the problem-solving fluency you need on test day. If you're starting with significant conceptual gaps, you may need longer; if you're refining test strategy for an already solid foundation, you might need less. A tutor can help you create a timeline that fits your specific situation and adjust as you progress.
Test anxiety often stems from uncertainty—not knowing if you'll recognize question types, manage the clock, or remember concepts under pressure. Tutoring helps because it builds the confidence that comes from actually understanding the material and practicing realistic scenarios. Specific strategies include:
- Working through full-length practice tests under timed conditions so test day feels familiar
- Developing a systematic approach to each question type so you have a reliable process when anxiety strikes
- Identifying your actual weak areas (versus imagined ones) so you can stop worrying about everything
- Practicing pacing strategies specific to Physics so you know you can finish in time
Many students find that combining tutoring with consistent practice test experience significantly reduces anxiety because they've proven to themselves they can handle the material.
Practice tests are essential—they serve multiple purposes. They help you identify which physics concepts and question types challenge you most, they build stamina and timing skills, and they give you realistic feedback on your actual performance versus where you need to improve. Most students should aim to complete at least 3-4 full-length practice tests throughout their prep, spacing them a few weeks apart so you have time to address weak areas between attempts. A tutor can review your practice test results with you, showing you patterns in mistakes (conceptual misunderstanding vs. careless errors vs. timing issues) and helping you adjust your strategy. The OAT's question formats and pacing demands are specific enough that practice tests are much more valuable than generic physics problem sets.
Start by categorizing your mistakes: Are they due to not understanding a concept, misinterpreting the question, running out of time, or careless calculation errors? This is crucial because the fix is different for each. A tutor can help you analyze this systematically by reviewing your practice problems and tests with you. Once you've identified patterns—maybe you struggle with optics concepts, or you consistently rush through multi-step kinematics problems—you can target those areas with focused practice and review. The most efficient approach is to strengthen conceptual understanding first (so you actually know the physics), then practice application in test-like formats, then work on pacing and strategy. Jumping straight to more practice problems without addressing the root cause wastes study time.
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