Award-Winning OAT Reading Comprehension
Tutors
Who needs tutoring?
FEATURED BY
TUTORS FROM
- YaleUniversity
- PrincetonUniversity
- StanfordUniversity
- CornellUniversity
Award-Winning OAT Reading Comprehension Tutors

Certified Tutor
4+ years
Abrahim
Reading comprehension on the OAT isn't casual reading — it demands extracting specific claims from dense scientific and humanities passages under strict time constraints. Abrahim approaches each passage type with a different annotation strategy, teaching students to identify the author's argument an...
University of California Los Angeles
Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
Medical College of Wisconsin
Doctor of Medicine, Premedicine

Certified Tutor
9+ years
Rithi
A neuroscience and biotechnology background means Rithi already reads the kind of dense, jargon-heavy scientific prose that fills OAT Reading Comprehension passages — research papers, clinical reviews, grant abstracts — so she can zero in on teaching the actual test skill: pulling an author's argume...
Johns Hopkins University
Masters, Biotechnology
Duke University
Bachelors
Certified Tutor
10+ years
Arianna
Arianna's neuroscience training at Dartmouth means she's spent years pulling apart the same kind of dense, terminology-laden research writing that fills OAT Reading Comprehension passages — so the content never slows her down. She zeroes in on the test mechanics instead: teaching students to tag eac...
Dartmouth College
Bachelor of Science
Certified Tutor
8+ years
Richard
Richard's ACT prep experience — particularly coaching students through the Reading and English sections — built a transferable toolkit for timed passage analysis that applies directly to OAT Reading Comprehension. He teaches students to convert each paragraph into a one-line purpose note during thei...
The University of Texas at Arlington
Bachelor in Arts, Business Administration and Management
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
6+ years
Alexandra
A creative writing and Spanish double major, Alexandra has trained herself to read closely across genres and languages — a skill that transfers directly to breaking apart the dense, jargon-heavy passages on the OAT Reading Comprehension section. She teaches students to treat each passage like a piec...
University of North Texas
Bachelor in Arts, Creative Writing
Certified Tutor
Kevin
Between a human biology degree at UCSD and medical school at UCF, Kevin has spent years digesting the exact kind of dense scientific prose that fills OAT Reading Comprehension passages — research abstracts, clinical reviews, and textbook chapters packed with terminology. He teaches students to stop ...
University of California-San Diego
Bachelor of Science, Human Biology/Education Studies
Certified Tutor
6+ years
Sam
The OAT Reading Comprehension section throws dense scientific and humanities passages at students under tight time pressure. Sam has spent years parsing complex research papers in biochemistry and molecular biology, and he teaches the same active-reading strategies he uses daily — skimming for passa...
Messiah College
Bachelor of Science, Molecular Biology
Drexel University
Doctor of Philosophy, Biochemistry
Certified Tutor
10+ years
Aaron
I'm not tutoring or buried in my textbooks, you will either find me rock climbing at the Triangle Rock Club, playing Ultimate Frisbee, working on my car, or enjoying the great outdoors (beaches, mountains, forests--you name it, I love it). On rainy weekends I enjoy tinkering with computers and old e...
The University of Texas at Dallas
Bachelors, Mechanical Engineering
Duke University
Current Grad Student, Mechanical Engineering
Certified Tutor
6+ years
Mimi
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 su...
Harvard University
Masters in Education, Education
Dartmouth College
B.A.
Certified Tutor
10+ years
Nina
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 ...
Columbia University
Masters in biostatistics
Northwestern University
Bachelor of Arts in biological sciences (focus in neurobiology)
Columbia University in the City of New York
Current Grad Student, Biostatistics
Certified Tutor
I am a graduate of Wesleyan University, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with High Honors. With eight years of experience working in education, I've tutored students in math, science, history, and English, as well as helped students prepare for standardized tests. I've guided adults...
Harvard University
PHD, Education
Wesleyan University
Bachelor in Arts, Sociology
Certified Tutor
8+ years
Solange
I'm Solange - a recent graduate from Harvard where I studied Sociology & Women's Studies. I've been tutoring for eight years now, and have worked with a wide range of ages and in a wide range of subjects. Some of my specialties are college prep/test taking II worked in the admissions office on campu...
Harvard University
Bachelor in Arts (Sociology & Women's Studies)
Certified Tutor
Christopher
I am a rising sophomore at Harvard College and am about to declare as a Mechanical Engineering concentrator, working towards a Bachelor of Science degree. I've always enjoyed sharing my knowledge with my peers and those around me and have done so in both formal and informal settings. I've been a tut...
Harvard College
Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
Certified Tutor
Liz
I am a graduate of Washington University in St Louis, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in History with minors in Humanities and Anthropology. Since graduation, I have worked as a tutor, teacher, and director of tutors at a charter public middle school in Boston. During this time I also received ...
Simmons College
Masters, Special Education: Mild to Moderate Disabilities 5-12
Washington University in St. Louis
Bachelor of Arts in History (minors in Humanities and Anthropology)
Top 20 Graduate Test Prep Subjects
Meet Varsity Tutors Experts
Connect with highly-rated educators ready to help you succeed.
Nina
Statistics Graduate Level Tutor • +23 Subjects
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.
Reid
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +35 Subjects
I am a graduate of Wesleyan University, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with High Honors. With eight years of experience working in education, I've tutored students in math, science, history, and English, as well as helped students prepare for standardized tests. I've guided adults towards passing the US Citizenship Exam and taught English in India, where I lived for six months. Whenever I work with a student I personalize the lessons to fit their particular learning style, since I know every student is unique and having the right fit can make all the difference in making learning fun and effective. My strengths are tutoring the social sciences and humanities, as well as making math and standardized tests approachable to students that normally don't like those subjects. In my spare time I like traveling, spending time in the outdoors (climbing & backpacking), meditation, and playing soccer. Next fall I will be beginning my PhD in Education at Harvard University.
Solange
Calculus Tutor • +31 Subjects
I'm Solange - a recent graduate from Harvard where I studied Sociology & Women's Studies. I've been tutoring for eight years now, and have worked with a wide range of ages and in a wide range of subjects. Some of my specialties are college prep/test taking II worked in the admissions office on campus); social sciences; and literature/writing. Hobbies: books, hiking, reading, music, writing, art
Christopher
AP Calculus AB Tutor • +51 Subjects
I am a rising sophomore at Harvard College and am about to declare as a Mechanical Engineering concentrator, working towards a Bachelor of Science degree. I've always enjoyed sharing my knowledge with my peers and those around me and have done so in both formal and informal settings. I've been a tutor for both Math and Spanish programs in high school and enjoyed the strides I made with students. I am willing to tutor any subject I have a background in, but am strong in mathematics, the sciences, Spanish, history, writing, and ACT prep. I enjoy teaching mathematics most due to the joy I can see in children once they master a topic and can answer even pointed questions meant to stump them, and maybe even put their knowledge to real world use. As a tutor, I like to give a strong foundation to orient my student, and then gradually grant them more freedom and independence until they can feel themselves grasp the concept, pointing out pitfalls or common errors along the way; teachers who used these methods on me always left the most lasting impressions. Outside of my studies, I really enjoy listening to music, both old favorites and new interests, reading classics, and gaming/playing basketball with my friends. Hobbies: writing, art, books, reading, gardening, music
Liz
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +40 Subjects
I am a graduate of Washington University in St Louis, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in History with minors in Humanities and Anthropology. Since graduation, I have worked as a tutor, teacher, and director of tutors at a charter public middle school in Boston. During this time I also received my Masters in Mild to Moderate Disabilities from Simmons College. I have worked extensively with students with a range of abilities, including students with specific learning disabilities, emotional impairments, dyslexia, and ADHD. My teaching experience has given me a deep understanding of the knowledge and habits essential to academic success and has given me the opportunity to hone a variety of strategies that ensure students at each level can achieve their academic goals. While I tutor a broad range of subjects, my favorite ones are Reading, Elementary/Middle School Math, History, and Test Prep. In my experience, tutoring is the most rewarding when a student has that "aha!" moment and achieves a new level of understanding and confidence in his/her abilities. I am a firm believer in the transformative power of education, and I see my role to be that of a facilitator and coach who is there to help the student reach his/her goals through individualized support and rigorous practice. In my free time, I enjoy reading, running, practicing my Spanish, and discovering new music. I am also an avid traveler and just got back from a 3 month trip to South America. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you!
Michelle
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +27 Subjects
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.
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
Justin
AP Calculus BC Tutor • +48 Subjects
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.
Justin
Calculus Tutor • +38 Subjects
I am a graduate of the University of Chicago where I received my Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. Currently, I am in the master's program at the University of New Mexico where I am continuing my education in philosophy. Ultimately, I hope to go on to earn a PhD in Philosophy so that I can continue engaging in my passions for learning and teaching. While in school, I have spent countless hours coaching high school speech and debate both in person and working online with students across the country. My focus in coaching has been to emphasize philosophy and critical thought to prepare students to think through novel arguments on their own. I am passionate about teaching and tutoring because I love seeing students learn to be intellectually independent and think through problems on their own terms by developing their critical thinking skills. I have devoted my life to education because I am passionate about it, and I try to share some of my passion for learning with the students I work with. I tutor all sorts of Standardized Tests, and I particularly enjoy working on logic-based problems like analogies and math sections. When I am not tutoring or reading for school, I enjoy strategy games (both board games and video games), listening to music, hiking, playing basketball, and just relaxing with friends.
Isabella
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +27 Subjects
I am a graduate of MIT. I received my Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with minors in Management Science and Ancient and Medieval Studies. Since graduation, I have started my PhD at Georgia Tech in Operations Research. Throughout my career I have TA'd several math and computer science courses at the college level. I have also taught at summer programs for gifted middle school and high school students. I am passionate about tutoring kids in math and science because I think that a strong foundation in STEM at an early age can set the tone for their future. In my spare time I like to engage in athletics, and was a Division 1 rower in college. Hobbies: reading, swimming, writing, books, music, running, art
Top 20 Subjects
Frequently Asked Questions
Most students see meaningful improvement within 4-8 weeks of focused preparation, though the timeline depends on your starting point and study frequency. If you're struggling with foundational reading skills or test-taking strategies, you might need 8-12 weeks to build confidence and accuracy. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction helps identify your specific weaknesses—whether that's pace management, understanding complex scientific passages, or mastering question types—so you can focus your efforts where they matter most.
Pacing is one of the biggest challenges students face, especially with dense scientific passages. The key is developing a strategic reading approach: skimming for structure first, then targeting specific details only when questions ask for them. A tutor can help you practice this technique with real OAT passages, teach you to recognize question patterns that let you predict what information matters, and build your speed through repeated, timed practice. Many students find that improving their question-answering strategy actually saves more time than trying to read faster.
OAT Reading Comprehension passages cover natural sciences (biology, chemistry, physics, organic chemistry), social sciences, and humanities topics. Science passages require you to understand experimental design, data interpretation, and terminology, while non-science passages test your ability to identify main ideas and author perspective. A personalized tutoring approach means focusing more on your weaker passage types—if you struggle with biology concepts, for example, a tutor can help you build content familiarity while teaching comprehension strategies specific to that subject matter.
The best way is through diagnostic practice testing, which reveals patterns in your mistakes: Are you missing main idea questions? Struggling with inference questions? Reading too slowly? Getting tripped up by scientific terminology? A tutor can help you take and review practice tests strategically, categorizing your errors by question type and passage subject, rather than just looking at your overall score. This targeted analysis is what allows you to spend study time on the gaps that will actually boost your score.
Absolutely. Test anxiety often stems from uncertainty about your preparation or unfamiliarity with question formats. Working with a tutor builds genuine confidence through repeated, timed practice with real OAT-style passages and questions. You'll learn what to expect, develop reliable strategies you can trust under pressure, and get feedback on your actual performance rather than worrying about what might go wrong. Many students find that mastery—knowing exactly how to approach each question type—is the most powerful antidote to test day nerves.
The best tutors combine deep knowledge of the OAT's specific question formats and passage types with the ability to diagnose exactly where you're losing points. They should teach you strategy—not just how to read faster, but how to read strategically for the test's purposes. Look for someone who uses real OAT materials, provides timed practice with meaningful feedback, and adapts their approach based on your individual challenges, whether that's vocabulary, scientific concepts, or question-type mastery.
Most students benefit from taking a diagnostic practice test early to establish a baseline, then 2-3 full practice tests spread across their study period—enough to track improvement and build test-day stamina without burning out your resources. Between full tests, focus on targeted drills for specific question types and passages. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who can guide your practice test schedule, help you review mistakes in depth, and adjust your strategy based on what the tests reveal about your progress.
Connect with OAT Reading Comprehension Tutors
Get matched with expert tutors in your subject


