Experienced English and Reading Test Prep Tutor with a PhD

Ian L.

Hi, I'm Ian! I hold a PhD in English and a BA with High Honors in English and Philosophy. I am a published writer, and I have over ten years of experience as a tutor and teacher. When I applied to graduate school, I earned a perfect score on the verbal section of the GRE. That score helped me get acceptance letters to several highly competitive PhD programs, and it was one of the reasons that I was awarded two years of fellowship funding from the graduate school I ultimately chose to attend. My experiences with standardized testing taught me that great test scores can really open doors for students during the college application process.

I began teaching in 2011 when I was a graduate student at UCI. There I taught university courses in English, literature, and composition. Shortly thereafter, I also began working with high school students one-on-one as a test prep tutor, specializing in the English and Reading sections of the ACT and SAT. Since then, I have helped hundreds of students reach their goals on both tests. Many of my students have used their test scores to win scholarships and get accepted to their target schools. A handful have even earned a perfect score.

As a tutor, I tailor my curriculum to fit your starting point, schedule, and goals. I emphasize your capacity for growth. A lot of students mistakenly think that standardized test scores are a reflection of their overall intelligence. They're not! They test your knowledge of a small number of concepts and your ability to apply that knowledge efficiently. That's where I come in. I can teach you exactly what you need to know to excel on the test, without wasting time on stuff that never shows up.

In addition to working with students on the ACT and SAT, I have also helped students earn 4s and 5s on a variety of AP tests, including AP Language, AP Literature, APUSH, AP European History, and AP World History. I look forward to working with you!