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Award-Winning MCAT Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior Tutors

Rhea

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Rhea

Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
Rhea's other Tutor Subjects
AP Statistics
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra

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...

Education

University of Chicago

Bachelor of Science, Biology, General

Test Scores
Perfect Score
SAT
1550
ACT
36
Zachary

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Zachary

Bachelors, Biochemistry and Biophysics
Zachary's other Tutor Subjects
Trigonometry
Statistics
Calculus
Algebra

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...

Education

Yale University

Bachelors, Biochemistry and Biophysics

Test Scores
SAT
1530
ACT
33
Tony

Certified Tutor

Tony

Bachelor of Science in Biology
Tony's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
Biology
High School Biology

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, Engl...

Education

Yale University

Bachelor of Science in Biology

Test Scores
SAT
1540
David

Certified Tutor

6+ years

David

Current Grad Student, Bioethics and Medical Ethics
David's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
AP Chemistry
Biochemistry

I am a graduate of Yale University, where I received my Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience. While I tutor a broad range of STEM subjects, I am most passionate about helping students achieve their best possible score on tests like the ACT and MCAT.

Education

Yale University

Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience

Harvard University

Current Grad Student, Bioethics and Medical Ethics

Test Scores
ACT
33
Laura

Certified Tutor

Laura

Bachelors, Economics
Laura's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
College Algebra
Statistics
Middle School Math

I am a good "fit" for that student, so that we are able to work together to reach the student's goal.

Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Bachelors, Economics

Test Scores
SAT
1510
Benjamin

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Benjamin

Bachelor's degree in neuroscience and Russian
Benjamin's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Calculus
Calculus
Algebra

I'm from a small town in southeast Michigan, where I went to high school before moving to Nashville for university. I just graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor's degree in neuroscience and Russian. During my time in high school and college, I tutored in a volunteer capacity on a wide...

Education

Vanderbilt University

Bachelor's degree in neuroscience and Russian

Test Scores
ACT
34
Sanjay

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Sanjay

Bachelor in Arts
Sanjay's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
Microbiology
Biology

I am passionate about students learning the wonderful Spanish language! I teach all levels of Spanish, including Conversational Spanish and SAT Subject Tests. While I am not Hispanic, I took Spanish classes every year from the second grade through high school. I then went to Rice University for coll...

Education

Rice University

Bachelor in Arts

Amanda

Certified Tutor

8+ years

Amanda

Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
Amanda's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Trigonometry
Pre-Calculus
Geometry

I'm currently a fourth year medical student at a private medical school in Texas. I've been involved with tutoring since middle school continuing all the way through medical school. There are so many different ways to teach based on how students learn best and I am passionate about meeting the indiv...

Education

The University of Alabama

Bachelor of Science, Biology, General

Baylor College of Medicine

Doctor of Medicine, Public Health

Test Scores
ACT
34
Matthew

Certified Tutor

15+ years

Matthew

Master of Science, Mechanical Engineering
Matthew's other Tutor Subjects
College Algebra
Pre-Calculus
Middle School Math
Geometry

I'm particularly fond of math and science, I can provide assistance in almost any subject (from Latin to world geography to art history), and can also help in preparing students for standardized tests such as the SAT, GRE, and MCAT.

Education

Stanford University

Master of Science, Mechanical Engineering

The University of Texas at Austin

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering

Test Scores
SAT
1580
Jason

Certified Tutor

14+ years

Jason

PHD, Medicine and Education
Jason's other Tutor Subjects
College Algebra
Arithmetic
Statistics
Middle School Math

I'm a fourth year medical student at the University of Pennsylvania who is applying to pediatrics residency programs. I graduated in 2006 from Yale University with a bachelors degree in History. I subsequently completed a post-baccalaureate program at Bryn Mawr College to complete the premedical cou...

Education

University of Pennsylvania

PHD, Medicine and Education

University of Pennsylvania

Master's degree in Education

Yale University

Bachelor's degree in History

Test Scores
SAT
1470
ACT
34

Meet Our Expert Tutors

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Sugi

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +54 Subjects

I am currently a 4th year medical student at Baylor College of Medicine and previously graduated from Rice University, Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor's degree in Cognitive Science and Biochemistry & Cell Biology. I have served on admissions interview committees for Rice and Baylor College of Medicine, have mentored and edited essays for numerous college and graduate school applicants, and served as a private tutor and classroom instructor for Advanced Biology and Chemistry courses for 3+ years.

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Timothy

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +38 Subjects

I am one of many Varsity Tutors. I attended Jesuit High School in Carmichael, CA where I graduated with a 4.3 GPA taking multiple AP and honors courses (AP Bio, Chem, Physics B, Gov, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, English Lit, and English Lang). I also participated in several tutoring organizations throughout high school.

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Daniel

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +41 Subjects

I am currently entering my fourth year of medical school at Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. I obtained a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Wheaton College in Illinois, where I graduated in 2017 with high honors. Throughout my undergraduate years, I tutored extensively in several academic fields with a focus on the sciences and preparation for the MCAT.

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Connie

Calculus Tutor • +21 Subjects

I am currently a medical resident at Brockton Hospital and will be continuing my training in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital next summer. I received my medical degree from Boston University School of Medicine and completed my undergraduate training at Northwestern University with a Bachelor's degree in Biology.

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Garrett

Calculus Tutor • +30 Subjects

Hobbies: reading, music, writing, art, movies, books, travel

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Kathleen

Calculus Tutor • +30 Subjects

I am a high school science teacher with certifications in secondary Biology and Chemistry. I teach 10th grade Biochemistry and 12th grade Chemistry at a high performing magnet school in the School District of Philadelphia. I hold a M.S.Ed in Secondary Science Education from the University of Pennsylvania. I believe all students have the ability to be self-motivated towards success, and I look forward to helping you achieve your goals.

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Mosab

College Algebra Tutor • +53 Subjects

I am currently applying to medical school and enjoy powerlifting, grand strategy games, historical fiction, and chocolate.

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Greg

Middle School Math Tutor • +15 Subjects

I am a recent chemistry graduate from Cornell University. I have always loved teaching and believe that one-on-one guidance can be a strong aid not just for school, but really for any life activity. I have experience tutoring elementary, middle, and high school students but am willing to teach at any level. My specialties lie in the sciences and with my strong research background I am not a stranger to navigating and explaining what seems like daunting concepts.

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CHRISTOPHER

Middle School Math Tutor • +23 Subjects

I am a graduate of Rice University in Houston, Texas where I received my Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry and Cell Biology with a minor in Neuroscience. I then earned my MD from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. I am now in residency and training to become a dermatologist . My tutoring experience includes being a neuroscience T.A. during undergrad, an anatomy tutor during medical school, and as a volunteer tutor for middle school-aged children through various organizations. While I tutor a broad range of subjects, I am most passionate about math and science. I understand that each student requires different strategies to learn and am prepared to provide a unique and adaptable approach to each student. In my spare time, I enjoy playing tennis or ping pong, watching anime and youtube, and playing with my dog. Hobbies: art, books, reading, cooking, music, writing

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Ruth

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +28 Subjects

I am a current medical student at the University of Michigan Medical School. I studied biology, business and Spanish at the University of Alabama, graduating summa cum laude. During college, I worked as a tutor with a tutoring company similar to Varsity Tutors where I taught college/high school/middle school Spanish, Chemistry, English, Biology, and Math. I also worked as an English as a Second Language volunteer instructor for 3 years during college and was an English Teaching Assistant at the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana in Medellin, Colombia.

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Frequently Asked Questions

This section tests your understanding of psychological principles, social behavior, and biological systems that influence human behavior. It covers topics like sensation and perception, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, personality, social psychology, cultural factors, and the biological basis of behavior including neuroscience and genetics.

The section represents about 10% of your total MCAT score and includes 59 questions that blend pure psychology with sociology, anthropology, and biology concepts. Many students find this section challenging because it requires connecting behavior to both psychological theory and biological mechanisms.

You'll have about 95 minutes to complete 59 questions, which averages roughly 1 minute and 36 seconds per question. However, not all questions take equal time—some passage-based questions require more reading and synthesis, while others are more straightforward.

A strong pacing strategy involves spending 3-4 minutes reading and analyzing each passage, then 30-45 seconds on most standalone questions. If you hit a question you can't answer quickly, flag it and move on rather than getting stuck. During practice tests, track which question types slow you down so your tutor can focus on building speed in those areas.

Many students struggle with three main areas: (1) distinguishing between similar psychological concepts and applying the right theory to the right scenario, (2) integrating biological mechanisms with behavioral explanations, and (3) managing the reading load while maintaining accuracy.

Additionally, the section heavily tests discrete facts and terminology alongside conceptual reasoning, so students who study only broad concepts often miss questions about specific definitions or research findings. Practice tests reveal whether your challenges are content gaps, timing issues, or difficulty interpreting how questions are worded.

An excellent tutor for this section understands not just psychology but how the MCAT tests it—they know which concepts appear frequently, which are commonly misunderstood, and how questions blend multiple disciplines. They should be able to explain the 'why' behind answer choices and help you build mental models that connect behavior to its biological and social underpinnings.

Look for someone who emphasizes strategy alongside content, including teaching you how to read passages efficiently, identify question traps, and manage time effectively. They should also use your practice test performance data to pinpoint specific weak areas rather than generically reviewing material.

Improvement depends on your starting point and effort level, but most students see meaningful gains within 4-8 weeks of focused preparation. If you're scoring in the 120-123 range, targeted tutoring can often help you reach 125-127. Students starting lower or with significant content gaps may need longer to rebuild foundational understanding.

The most realistic gains come from combining tutoring with consistent practice test work—your tutor identifies weak areas, explains concepts, and teaches test-specific strategies, but you need regular practice to internalize these skills. Students who work with tutors and complete 3-4 full-length practice tests typically see the most substantial improvements.

A balanced approach typically includes 3-4 tutoring sessions per week (60-90 minutes each) combined with 4-5 hours of independent practice between sessions. Use tutoring time to tackle difficult concepts, review practice test mistakes, and learn test-taking strategies. Use independent time to drill passages, review notes, and take full-length practice tests.

Spacing out your learning is crucial—studying the same content repeatedly on one day is less effective than reviewing it over multiple days. Many students benefit from a 6-8 week prep timeline if starting from a solid foundation, though students rebuilding content knowledge may need 10-12 weeks.

Test anxiety often stems from either content uncertainty or pacing stress. A good tutor builds confidence by ensuring you truly understand material rather than partially memorizing it—when you know you've practiced thoroughly, anxiety naturally decreases. They also teach stress-management strategies like controlled breathing, strategic skipping (flagging hard questions), and positive self-talk during timed practice.

Practicing under real test conditions is essential; your tutor should guide you through full-length practice tests and help you analyze what happens when you feel anxious. Often, anxiety reveals a specific content gap or timing issue that, once addressed, significantly reduces your stress on test day.

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