Search
Kristen S.'s Photo
Kristen S.'s Photo Kristen S.'s Photo Kristen S.'s Photo

MD, 99% Percentile SAT/ACT Math/English/Science
Kristen S.

5.0 (659 ratings)

2,017 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
Hourly Rate: $67
Contact Kristen
Response time: 3 hours
Meet Kristen S.
Report Video

About Kristen

Bio

Hi and thank you for taking the time to check out my profile. If I can help you with what you're looking for, please get in touch!

What distinguishes me from many other tutors?

I am a Florida native, a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, a former Peace Corps volunteer (I spent two years in Zambia, Africa) and a 2017 graduate of Florida Atlantic University's medical school. As a result of the tremendous volume of information that medical students are expected to retain,...

Hi and thank you for taking the time to check out my profile. If I can help you with what you're looking for, please get in touch!

What distinguishes me from many other tutors?

I am a Florida native, a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, a former Peace Corps volunteer (I spent two years in Zambia, Africa) and a 2017 graduate of Florida Atlantic University's medical school. As a result of the tremendous volume of information that medical students are expected to retain, I've had to learn to use techniques, tips and tricks that help convert new information into long term memory so that I can learn more new information as it comes at me!

Many students who are struggling in school feel discouraged and learn to dislike school and learning, but often they just need someone to show them the right way to study. Learning to love to learn is pivotal in mastering any new set of skills in life, both inside and outside the classroom, and is a skill worth investing in early.

Math is one of my favorite subjects to tutor. When I was younger, in high school and in college, I remember being so intimidated by math. I had great teachers willing to patiently help me, and I loved the feeling of mastery that came when I understood how to do problems that seemed impossible. Now that I teach math, I love to see students feel that same sense of mastery when they get it!

I also really enjoy helping students prepare for standardized testing such as the SAT and the ACT. I've been through many years of rigorous testing and I have hundreds of hours of experience in helping students prepare for standardized tests. Although these tests are daunting, the great thing about them is their predictability!

My years of tutoring have given me a comfort level with math and I really enjoy transferring that confidence to students as they learn to master skills they thought were unobtainable.

Read more

Education

United States Air Force Academy
Philosophy
Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine
MD

Policies

Schedule

Loading...

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Approved Subjects

ACT English

ACT English

The ACT English test assesses your grammar knowledge. Like any test, it can seem very overwhelming! However, the ACT English test is actually very predictable. There are certain grammatical errors that are tested over and over again: misplaced modifiers, all things semicolon & colon related, the dreaded possessive apostrophe, and a few more. This likely sounds like a foreign language right now, but trust that with a little practice and expert guidance, you can easily identify the type of error being tested - and exactly what to look for in the answer choices. The ACT is as much about knowing what the test wants as it is about being smart. You CAN improve!
ACT Math

ACT Math

There is no way around it - there is A LOT of material on the ACT math test. Fortunately, though, it is not difficult math. Concepts are tested at a much more superficial level than on the SAT math. You’ll need a tried & true method to help you retain skills as you accumulate them in the process of prepping for this test. That’s where my background in medicine comes in handy. Spaced repetition is a science backed method for information retention that involves reviewing material on specific, set intervals - just when the brain is beginning to forget it. Students who work with me have spreadsheets specific to that student which will have dates and links that the student follows to access review questions. The review is usually quite easy & quick for the student, as we will have already covered the content together, but the repetition is needed for retention. After all, it is the volume of concepts covered - not the difficulty level - that presents the biggest challenge on the math portion of the test. The math test covers concepts from algebra, geometry & trigonometry, and basic statistics & probability, and requires memorization of quite a few formulas - but it is not hard. It simply requires an educated and informed approach to retention using well-established techniques for learning & memory. I’ve helped students get perfect and near perfect scores on math with this method. Get in touch if I can help you achieve your goal score!
ACT Reading

ACT Reading

The most important thing to keep in mind when doing the ACT reading section is that the right answer will always be supported by evidence that you can point to in the passage. If you can't find the line or lines that support that your answer choice is the right one, then it likely isn't the right answer! Other important things to keep in mind when taking the reading section of the test include the importance of pacing, as well as the importance of reading the question carefully. You want to ensure that you are answering the question being asked! It is very easy to choose an answer because it sounds grammatically correct, or because it seems true based on knowledge you're bringing into the test rather than what you've read in the passage. Generally, the reading section requires time & practice to improve upon. There are a few questions “types” consistently asked. Among these are main idea, words in context, important detail, and organization questions. My recommendation is to get more comfortable being an “active” reader. The biggest problems students tend to have are 1) losing focus as they read, despite the enthralling subject matter presented in the passages and 2) pacing, likely as a result of needing to re-read the absolutely gripping tales the ACT is presenting students with (because we lost focus the first time around). To solve these problems, read actively. The main idea should be evident in the first paragraph - there will always be a question about this, so look for the main idea and jot it down. After each paragraph, jot down a few words to remind you of what the paragraph is about. Pay close attention to transitions between paragraphs, and how the author is relating the paragraph to the one preceding it. You want to build a very fast “outline” of the passage/s. If there are multiple perspectives offered, notice the nuances of where authors agree & where they don’t. Finally, limit yourself to 8-9 minutes per passage, and discipline yourself to move on to the next passage if you’r
ACT Science

ACT Science

The ACT Science section seems VERY intimidating. All the big science-y words and complicated figures are enough to make anyone (and everyone!) dread it. But the reality is that you need almost NO background science knowledge to do well on this section. Is it a prokaryote or a eukaryote? Who cares, as far as the ACT is concerned! The ACT Science is all about 1) finding differences or similarities in the opinions of scientists or 2) interpreting trends in data presented in graphs or figures. Finding this information is a very learnable skill - and quickly learnable, at that! I’ve seen students jump up 8 points on this section after just a couple hours of tutoring. I’ll show you how to quickly wade through the scientific jargon to find the information that really matters to the test makers. I’ve often heard students say they prefer to take the SAT because they don’t want to do the ACT science section. This is a mistake - of all the content tested on both tests, the ACT science is by far the easiest & fastest to improve!
Algebra 1

Algebra 1

About 90% of what I tutor is Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry. Many students seek help with these math subjects. I tutor home-schooled students as well as students that go to local high schools and middle schools. I have helped many students become more comfortable with math resulting in less anxiety and better grades. Check out the reviews from students I've tutored in the past, and let me know if I can help!
Algebra 2

Algebra 2

I tutor more math than anything else. Many students seek help with Algebra and Geometry, and I find that most students are bright and capable but find themselves in classes so large that they can't ask questions, or with teachers who don't communicate in the way the students wish for. I have tutored home schooled students, students taking online courses, and students that go to local high schools, middle schools and colleges.
English

English

English can be a tough subject for some students. Words like subject pronoun, object pronoun, adjective, predicate, helping verb, adverb, preposition, and many many more, tend to intimidate students. Isn't a sentence just a sentence? However, there are some easy tricks that can make a big difference in a student's experience of English class. Often a little clarification and practice is all that's needed.
Geometry

Geometry

About 90% of what I tutor is math. Many students seek help with these math subjects. I have tutored home schooled students, students taking online courses, and students that go to local high schools, middle schools and colleges. Please reach out if I can answer any questions for you!
GRE

GRE

Thankfully (or maybe not so thankfully?) the GRE has quite a bit in common with the standardized tests you’ve likely taken in the past, so you’ve likely had exposure & practice in thinking the way the GRE wants you to think. The GRE math, for example, covers a quite finite amount of material from high school math classes. On the official GRE website, you can find (free!) four guides to help you 1) assess your knowledge in each content area and 2) brush up on any skills that need brushing up on. Once you’ve remastered these foundational concepts, you can consider actual GRE practice questions, which tend to have a bit of a twist - they usually involve multiple variables, and ask that you use what you know to determine how mathematical expressions relate to one another. The major technique that is effective here involves plugging in real numbers for the variables. Once you do that, the problem becomes far less abstract, and you can see much more clearly what the question is asking. This skill takes some practice - but it makes problems SO much more manageable and intuitive. It turns problems that feel like riddles into math problems that you know how to handle. Get in touch if I can help you master old concepts or learn new tricks!
Nursing

Nursing

As a graduate of medical school, I’ve had to learn - in depth - about normal human anatomy & physiology, pathophysiology, and diagnosis/treatment of patients in many settings. If I can help you take a better approach to mastering the material on your tests, please do reach out.
Precalculus

Precalculus

Many students are intimidated by this class, but it's really not as bad as it seems! I have years of experience tutoring all levels of math. Contact me if I can help you get through Precalculus!
PSAT

PSAT

The PSAT is a very important test. Not only does it give a person some indication of how he will do on the all-important SAT, it also determines his eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship. The good news is that there are plenty of resources to help you prep for the test, so the sooner you get started - the better!
SAT Math

SAT Math

The SAT is incredibly important, and the math section covers algebra, geometry, problem solving & data analysis, and advanced math. There are a few “tips & tricks” that can be very helpful - notably, using Desmos appropriately and liberally and plugging in numbers for questions that are variable-heavy. But my focus is on teaching students the precise math they need to know for this test. After all, there are only a limited number of concepts the SAT cares about. I use the resources that the College Board recommends in conjunction with the official SAT problem bank (no imitations accepted). I assess the student’s current skill-level and tailor our review accordingly. Spaced repetition - the science-backed method to achieve information retention long term - is the foundation of my approach. Together we create a review plan (in spreadsheet form) that incorporates both brief independent review and in-session review. This way, you only have to learn the material once rather than again-and-again. You CAN improve your SAT math score - and have a bit of fun in the process!
SAT Reading

SAT Reading

The SAT Reading Section should be approached by reading the questions first, then reading the passages. There are very effective tips - for example, find the thesis statement and topic sentences of each paragraph. This will ensure that you understand the main idea and author's tone - which are questions that are always asked. The toughest part of the reading sections is the timing - but there are certainly ways of increasing your pace, and improving your score.
SAT Writing

SAT Writing

The SAT Writing section offers one of the best opportunities for improving one's SAT score. There are fantastic resources - one of my favorites is UP Your Score, a funny but extremely effective guide to the SAT written by Ivy League students. Within the book are 13 essential rules for recognizing and correcting SAT Writing errors. If writing is your weakness, take heart - and go out and buy Up Your Score.
Trigonometry

Trigonometry

Trigonometry is one of the most feared math classes. Many students feel like they are learning a whole new language when they approach sines, cosines, tangents, secants, cosecants, and cotangents. Don't worry, though - with a little bit of help I've seen many students who feel lost become quite confident working with trig! From graphing trig functions to proving identities, a little bit of help goes a long way in this subject.
GED
GMAT
Prealgebra
Proofreading

Examples of Expertise

Kristen has provided examples of their subject expertise by answering 6 questions submitted by students on Wyzant’s Ask an Expert.

See all of Kristen ’s answers ›
Kristen S.'s Photo

Questions? Contact Kristen before you book.

Still have questions?

Contact Kristen
Response time: 3 hours

Ratings and Reviews

Rating

5.0 (659 ratings)
5 star
(656)
4 star
(2)
3 star
(1)
2 star
(0)
1 star
(0)

Reviews

Absolutely Amazing SAT Math Lessons with Kristen!

I cannot recommend Kristen highly enough! From the moment we joined her SAT Math lessons, it was clear that she possesses a rare combination of deep expertise, enthusiasm, and an ability to connect with students at all levels. Her teaching style is engaging, clear, and incredibly supportive, which makes even the most challenging concepts in math feel manageable and even fun! Kristen tailors her approach to suit each student’s needs, breaking down complex problems into easy-to-understand steps. She goes beyond just teaching formulas—she helps you truly understand the why behind each concept. Her patience and willingness to ensure I fully grasped each topic before moving on really set her apart from other tutors I've had. In addition to her excellent teaching skills, Kristen also provided countless tips and strategies that helped me work through problems more efficiently and with greater confidence. She never rushed through the material and always made herself available for follow-up questions, which was so reassuring as I prepared for the SAT. Thanks to Kristen, I saw a significant improvement in my daughter’s practice test scores and my overall confidence in math. I highly recommend her to anyone who is serious about excelling on the SAT and wants a tutor who truly cares about her students' success.

Boris, 12 lessons with Kristen

Best First Session

From the moment it started, I knew I found the right tutor. She is very encouraging and easy to converse with. She is very good at explaining concepts to where you can understand. I feel confident that I will get the GMAT score I need

Anthony, 30 lessons with Kristen

A Gem of a Tutor and person!

My son has been working with Kristen for two sessions so far (SAT prep) and we couldn’t be more pleased with the experience. She is incredibly organized and brings a clear structure to every session, which makes the learning process smooth and focused. Her guidance is thoughtful and personalized, always tailored to address my son’s specific challenges. He said it is so nice to work with a tutor that knows the material well but also someone that I feel comfortable speaking to. Kristen has a positive and encouraging approach, she consistently provides detailed summaries that helps boost my son’s confidence. Additionally, the homework assignments she gives are very manageable, ensuring that he stays on track without feeling overwhelmed. We feel incredibly fortunate to have found Kristen.

Jen, 21 lessons with Kristen

The best!

Kristen has been a tremendous help prepping my son for the ACT. She’s knowledgeable, patient, enthusiastic and kind. She is very organized, teaches concepts effectively and efficiently, and has gotten my son off to a great start. She developed a study schedule for him and we will continue to use her throughout the summer. I highly recommend her!

Vi, 16 lessons with Kristen

Kind, Patient, knowledgeable and very Helpful!

My grades have improved since I started with Kristen. She is amazing, she has tailored the lessons to focus on the areas I need the most help with. She is very knowledgeable and explains algebra II in a way that makes sense to me. I am very grateful to have found her and highly recommend her!!

Danielle, 18 lessons with Kristen

Kind, Patient, knowledgeable and very Helpful!

My grades have improved since I started with Kristen. She is amazing, she has tailored the lessons to focus on the areas I need the most help with. She is very knowledgeable and explains algebra II in a way that makes sense to me. I am very grateful to have found her and highly recommend her!!

Danielle, 18 lessons with Kristen

Kind, Patient, knowledgeable and very Helpful!

My grades have improved since I started with Kristen. She is amazing, she has tailored the lessons to focus on the areas I need the most help with. She is very knowledgeable and explains algebra II in a way that makes sense to me. I am very grateful to have found her and highly recommend her!!

Danielle, 18 lessons with Kristen

Best First Session

From the moment it started, I knew I found the right tutor. She is very encouraging and easy to converse with. She is very good at explaining concepts to where you can understand. I feel confident that I will get the GMAT score I need

Anthony, 30 lessons with Kristen

Outstanding and takes a genuine interest

Kristen takes the time in advance to review classwork so she is prepared to support my child’s learning. She is detailed and a knowledgeable teacher who helps bring new strategies to solving geometry problems. We are very happy with the results of her efforts.

Paresh and Trish, 8 lessons with Kristen

Learned Precalculus

My daughter says Kristen efficiently teaches her, can be able to solve the problems in a short period of time. She is a great teacher who is very considerate for her students.

Aiko, 6 lessons with Kristen
Hourly Rate: $67
Response time: 3 hours
Contact Kristen