Whether your student is in the 8th or 9th grade or is a sophomore or junior, they can benefit from a PSAT class offered by Varsity Tutors. Working with a tutor in PSAT prep classes can be helpful to your student if they are preparing to take the PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, or PSAT/NMSQT. If you're interested in a PSAT course for your student, feel free to contact Varsity Tutors for more details.
The PSAT/NMSQT serves as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. It was designed to be administered to high school sophomores and juniors during the fall. The PSAT 10 is offered in the Spring. However, this exam would not make your student eligible to become a National Merit Scholar. The PSAT 8/9 is designed for eighth and ninth grade students to identify areas where they may need more academic focus for any college readiness exams they'll take in the future.
The PSAT was designed to help students prepare for taking the SAT by completing preliminary practice exams. Being tutored one-on-one in a distraction-free environment can provide your child with the ideal learning situation for their PSAT class. They won't have to compete for the tutor's attention as they would in a classroom setting. When your child asks any questions, they can receive a timely answer from the tutor.
At the start of the first session in PSAT courses, an assessment of your child's academic skills can be completed. The tutor can ascertain any weak or strong areas so the right lesson plan can be implemented in the PSAT classes. This baseline can be instrumental in helping the tutor establish benchmarks for the study sessions. Tutors want to optimize each lesson so that your student can get the most out of the process and increase their confidence level for taking the PSAT.
There are some variations among the PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, and PSAT/NMSQT. The chart below shows the differences between these PSAT exams. A PSAT prep course tutor can help your child understand the differences and prepare them for the proper test:
PSAT Exam | PSAT 8/9 | PSAT 10 | PSAT/NMSQT |
Who takes it? | 8th and 9th Grade Students | 10th Grade Students | 10th and 11th Grade Students |
When is the test available? | Fall through Spring | Spring | Fall |
Is the exam National Merit Scholarship eligible? | No | No | Yes |
Are students eligible for other scholarships by taking this test? | No | Yes | Yes |
Both you and your child's time is valuable. We can connect you with a tutor who is flexible with your busy schedule. PSAT prep courses can be taken online through our Live Learning Platform. All you need is a laptop, tablet, or even a smartphone, along with an internet connection for these classes.
Your student will need to have a competency in Reading, Writing and Language, and Math in order to do well on the PSAT. When they take PSAT prep classes, they can learn how to study more effectively so they can retain more of the material. Some students may get nervous when taking standardized tests. This could keep students from performing at their level of potential, but if your student has this issue, a tutor can work with them in the PSAT course to learn relaxation exercises, which can help them calm down and focus on the exam day. Staying calm is important if they want to be able to recall information that they've learned.
Each student has a different learning style. A tutor can work with your student's specific learning needs and abilities to customize lessons that help students learn in ways that work for them. This kind of training helps students comprehend ideas more efficiently.

Chelain: Naperville PSAT course instructor
...favorite part about teaching is trying to convey to my students how I think through a problem and adapting that to their learning process. I think I am talented at helping people understand topics by explaining each step, as necessary, to demonstrate how to go about solving a problem. My education has provided me with expertise in the biological sciences, medicine, math, statistics, english, writing, and test preparation, among other subjects. I have experience teaching...
Education & Certification
- Swarthmore College - Bachelors, Biology, Psychology
- Thomas Jefferson University - PHD, PhD: Molecular Pharmacology and Structural Biology; MD: Medicine. Currently a Resident in Radiation Oncology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Completed Internship in Internal Medicine.
Subject Expertise
- PSAT
- Advanced Placement
- SAT
- ACT
- +90 subjects

Jack: Naperville PSAT course instructor
I'm a recent grad from Northwestern (B.A. in Theatre and Economics) who loves teaching and learning. I love helping other people achieve their goals and helping students find ways to be their best selves. Excited to meet and work with Chicagoland's students!... First sessions always start with discussion of a subject's foundations. If we nail these, the rest of the learning becomes ten times easier.... I'm big on listening. It's my job to hear what a client needs instead of jumping right into practice problems or revisions. First, we talk about goals. Then, we set up a timeline and steps for how to achieve those goals.
Education & Certification
- Northwestern University - Bachelors, Economics/Theatre
Subject Expertise
- PSAT
- ACT
- Advanced Placement
- Geometry
- +67 subjects

Ilana: Naperville PSAT course instructor
...to understand a difficult concept is to explain it in a few different ways. We all learn differently, so I aim to develop an individualized approach for each student in order to make the most of our time together. While I am not being a tutor, I am a musician. In addition to singing, I play the violin and viola and dabble in everything from Bach to bluegrass to covers of pop songs. As an opera...
Education & Certification
- Northwestern University - Bachelor of Science, Cognitive Science
Subject Expertise
- PSAT
- CLEP
- ACT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +80 subjects

Ariela: Naperville PSAT course instructor
...so that they become comprehensible to someone who may not understand them the first time around. It is not just my success at standardized tests or in my classes that will make me a great tutor, but also this skill and enthusiasm about learning. I understand that sometimes, the way you package and organize information is the most important part of teaching it to someone else, and that understanding someone's method of processing this information...
Education & Certification
- University of Chicago - Current Undergrad, Theater & Performance Studies
Subject Expertise
- PSAT
- ISEE
- SAT
- Advanced Placement
- +50 subjects

Katie: Naperville PSAT course instructor
...of education; I am happy to help students prepare for these exams. I enjoy students of all ages and am excited to tutor a wide range of subjects, although my first loves are math and English (especially grammar). I truly believe my sincere energy and enthusiasm can help make students excited about learning. I welcome questions and value honesty while tutoring. My personal interests include international education, traveling, hiking, camping, and Notre Dame football.
Education & Certification
- University of Notre Dame - Bachelor in Arts, American Studies, Gender Studies
- University of Connecticut - Master of Arts, Higher Education and Student Affaris
Subject Expertise
- PSAT
- GED
- HSPT
- ISEE
- +40 subjects

Ellie: Naperville PSAT course instructor
...a platform to change issues about which they are most passionate. This experience inspires my desire to educate young students; to provide them the tools to be leaders, whether that be in the classroom, on the playing field, or in their community. My time as a youth soccer coach and tutor of my little brother and his friends has further bolstered my love of teaching. Given my extensive experience and longtime passion for math and...
Education & Certification
- University of Chicago - Bachelor in Arts, Economics
Subject Expertise
- PSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- SAT
- Calculus 3
- +53 subjects

Ruth: Naperville PSAT course instructor
...am a high school English teacher, currently working primarily with 10th grade students. I have previously worked at middle and elementary schools as well. I graduated from the University of Chicago in 2016 with a B.A. in English and Theatre. I then got my M.S.Ed from Northwestern. I have worked with children of all ages in various capacities, including teaching, and I find that the best way for students to learn is to have fun...
Education & Certification
- University of Chicago - Bachelor in Arts, English Lang./Lit. and Theatre and Performance Studies
Subject Expertise
- PSAT
- ACT
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +43 subjects

Raunak: Naperville PSAT course instructor
...up to Differential Equations/Linear Algebra. I tutor because I enjoy making tough concepts, like math, simple and accessible. My foundation in math is solid, backed by top grades and a genuine mastery of the material. I've always found math intuitive and enjoy connecting it to real-world ideas. My approach is straightforward: students need to truly understand the basics before tackling harder problems. Strong fundamentals are the key to confidence and long-term success in math.
Education & Certification
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - Bachelor of Science, Computer Engineering Technology
Subject Expertise
- PSAT
- SAT
- ACT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +24 subjects

Gabriel: Naperville PSAT course instructor
...Algebra and essay construction and taught undergraduates Biostatistics and the literature of Valdimir Nabokov, so I'm prepared to work with any age or skill level. When I'm not tutoring this summer, I'll be doing electrophysiological research at NYU's Center for Neural Science and preparing to write my BA on James Joyce's Ulysses. I'm extremely versatile with expertise in a range of subjects and really enjoy helping students learn. I also excel at standardized testing and...
Education & Certification
- University of Chicago - Bachelor in Arts, Fundamentals & Computational Neuroscience
Subject Expertise
- PSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- SAT
- Advanced Placement
- +54 subjects

Nandini: Naperville PSAT course instructor
...first realized I enjoy teaching when I became preceptor for Anatomy in undergrad. I find it to be incredibly rewarding. As I am continuing my education, tutoring is an enjoyable way for me to give back to the academic community and help other students achieve their goals! I thoroughly enjoyed learning anatomy in both undergrad and PT school, and it is definitely a strong suit of mine. I have accumulated lots of helpful learning diagrams...
Education & Certification
- University of Arizona - Bachelor of Science, Health Sciences, General
Subject Expertise
- PSAT
- SAT
- SHSAT
- SSAT
- +51 subjects

Gregory: Naperville PSAT course instructor
empty... Relaxed and accommodating, but direct and impact-driven.... Get to know their background and the best way they retain information.... Provide self-prep materials, and evaluate their performance.... Show impact of results and progress.... Find alternative approaches, and practice.... Help them practice reading and understand main concepts.... Give them effective instruction, but also time.... Provide fun examples or real-life applications.... Asking questions throughout teaching the session.... With conversation about the subject and practice-test results.... What is their most effective way of learning, and what are their biggest struggles and strengths?
Education & Certification
- University of Chicago - Bachelors, Economics
Subject Expertise
- PSAT
- ACT
- SAT
- ISEE
- +38 subjects

Todd: Naperville PSAT course instructor
...Complete Guide to ACT Reading and the Ultimate Guide to the Math ACT. Outside of tutoring, I am the director of counseling services at an agency that serves the homeless, where I spend most of my time training and teaching staff and clients. I believe service to others is one of the highest callings, and want to pay my success forward. For fun, I like to read, play soccer, chill out with a good movie...
Education & Certification
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
- University of Chicago - Master of Social Work, Social Work
Subject Expertise
- PSAT
- ACT
- SAT Subject Tests
- SAT
- +72 subjects

Katherine: Naperville PSAT course instructor
...from the University of Wisconsin, Madison (3.7 GPA). I have a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, Poetry, from Arizona State University (4.0 GPA). I have been teaching English and French classes for the past decade. Most of that time has been as a Professor of English and Writing. At the university level, I have taught Freshman Composition (Argument, Research, Evaluation, Critique, Analysis, Synthesis), Creative Writing, and Creative Non-fiction, Literature, Film, and Cultural Awareness....
Education & Certification
- University of Wisconsin-Madison - Bachelors, English & French
- Arizona State University - Masters, Creative Writing
Subject Expertise
- PSAT
- ASPIRE
- ACT
- SAT
- +35 subjects

Karishma: Naperville PSAT course instructor
...that will serve them throughout school. I previously tutored with Boys Hope Girls Hope in Evanston, IL. I tutored middle and high school students in Spanish and English, and I was able to help them develop study strategies such as using flashcards or translating a sentence they had spoken aloud that day in their heads for extra language practice. I am very excited to be able to tutor again and to work with students. There...
Education & Certification
- Northwestern University - Bachelor in Arts, English/Psychology
Subject Expertise
- PSAT
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- ACT
- +58 subjects

Blake: Naperville PSAT course instructor
...for five years, and have tutored all ages and ability levels in all core academic subjects. I moved back to the States in late 2015, and now recruit public school teachers for one of the largest urban, public school districts in the country, Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Kentucky. I specialize in standardized test prep, English grammar and essay structure, and all levels of EFL instruction. It's a pleasure to meet you, and I...
Education & Certification
- Middlebury College - Bachelors, History of Art and Architecture
Subject Expertise
- PSAT
- ACT
- SAT
- TOEFL
- +25 subjects

Oliver: Naperville PSAT course instructor
My name is Oliver. I'm a current student at Northwestern University and standardized test tutor. I've been tutoring for the past 3 years and have helped many students score well on the SAT, ACT, PSAT, and similar exams. I am also fluent in French.
Education & Certification
- Northwestern University - Engineer, Industrial Engineering
Subject Expertise
- PSAT
- OLSAT
- SAT
- ACT
- +22 subjects

Jessica: Naperville PSAT course instructor
...more beneficial than classroom learning simply because the teacher can personalize their lessons to fit each student. Moreover, as long as the student really does want to master the material, even lofty goals are reachable given enough time and a breakdown of the material into small pieces. When both parties are willing to put in effort, it’s hard to fail. And if the student doesn’t truly want to learn the material, then it’s important to...
Education & Certification
- University of Chicago - Current Undergrad, Economics, Cancer Biology
Subject Expertise
- PSAT
- Advanced Placement
- SAT Subject Tests
- SAT
- +62 subjects

Bryson: Naperville PSAT course instructor
...have taught nearly every subject in middle school classrooms, and I have taught both biology and algebra to high schoolers. My favorite subjects to tutor are mathematics and Spanish, as I find them to be the most engaging, but I enjoy and can help with nearly all content areas. When I was in school, I was (and still am!) a self-described "nerd" who really enjoyed expanding my knowledge base and taking on academic challenges. I...
Education & Certification
- New York University - Bachelor in Arts, Spanish
- Loyola Marymount University - Master of Arts, Urban Education and Leadership
Subject Expertise
- PSAT
- ISEE
- SAT
- ACT
- +51 subjects

Jaya: Naperville PSAT course instructor
...help patients and siblings with homework and reading there, as well. I am passionate about the life sciences and the French language, and I love helping others foster a deeper understanding in these two particular subjects! I also genuinely enjoy algebra and statistics and am quite the grammarian. From preschool to college, I actually loved going to school every day and learning, and I hope to bring that love to others, also! I spent the...
Education & Certification
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities - Bachelors, Genetics & French
Subject Expertise
- PSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- ACT
- SAT
- +65 subjects

Sarah: Naperville PSAT course instructor
...with middle and high school students, I have worked with students as young as kindergarten and those well into adulthood. For those of you based in the Chicagoland area, I am an experienced Test Prep tutor who has successfully helped several students gain admittance to selective enrollment high schools and highly competitive universities such as the University of Michigan, Georgetown University, Northwestern and the University of Chicago. (I'm also an alum of the University of...
Education & Certification
- University of Notre Dame - Bachelors, Psychology
- Providence College - Masters, Secondary Education
Subject Expertise
- PSAT
- ACT
- ASPIRE
- GED
- +48 subjects