Award-Winning OAT Physics
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Award-Winning OAT Physics Tutors

Certified Tutor
4+ years
Abrahim
As a medical student who scored a 34 on the ACT and earned a cum laude biology degree from UCLA, Abrahim knows what it takes to perform under timed, high-stakes science exams. He breaks OAT Physics problems — particularly optics and electricity — into quick conceptual checks that eliminate wrong ans...
University of California Los Angeles
Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
Medical College of Wisconsin
Doctor of Medicine, Premedicine

Certified Tutor
8+ years
Sanjul
Medical school sharpens one skill that translates directly to OAT Physics: quickly reasoning through multi-step problems under time pressure. Sanjul applies that same discipline to the OAT's optics and thermodynamics questions, teaching students to sketch the physical setup first — ray diagrams, fre...
Cleveland State University
Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
University of Medicine and Health Sciences
Doctor of Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
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
Kevin
Optics, vectors, and thermodynamics dominate OAT Physics, and most pre-optometry students haven't touched these topics since introductory coursework. Kevin tackles each concept by connecting it to real scenarios — how lenses refract light, how energy transfers in biological systems — making the form...
University of California-San Diego
Bachelor of Science, Human Biology/Education Studies
Certified Tutor
9+ years
Noah
The OAT Physics section covers mechanics, optics, thermodynamics, and electricity — all territory Noah navigated extensively through his mechanical engineering degree. He tackles the conceptual reasoning and unit-analysis shortcuts that let students move through OAT physics problems quickly and accu...
The University of Alabama
Mechanical Engineer, 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
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
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
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)
Certified Tutor
Michelle
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 Medici...
Baylor College of Medicine
Current Grad Student, M.D.
Rice University
Bachelor's in Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Certified Tutor
Charles
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 descr...
Yale University
Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
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
9+ years
Justin
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 Com...
Washington University in St. Louis
Bachelor's in Physics and Mathematics
University of Chicago
Doctor of Philosophy, Computational Mathematics
Top 20 Graduate Test Prep Subjects
Meet Varsity Tutors Experts
Connect with highly-rated educators ready to help you succeed.
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
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
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.
Asta
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +73 Subjects
I am a graduate of the University of Chicago where I received my undergraduate degree in political science. Right after graduation, I worked as an academic and test prep tutor as well as admissions consultant in Hong Kong. For the past two years, I worked with a number of students to help prepare them for college in the United States.
Henry
Calculus Tutor • +41 Subjects
I'm eager to help you in your education. I'm a recent graduate of Harvard College looking to apply to law school. My senior thesis was written on John Dewey's ideas of education, which I deeply believe has incredible power to transform individuals and society.
Daniel
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +26 Subjects
I am excited to be home and help fellow straphangers on their educational paths! My largest wealth of tutoring experience is in foreign languages--particularly French--but I also feel very comfortable editing essays of any kind and working through standardized test concepts. My availability is extremely flexible, and anywhere in New York City works for me. I look forward to working with you.
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.
Sabira
Middle School Math Tutor • +35 Subjects
I am currently attending Johns Hopkins University, pursuing a dual degree in Computer Science and Applied Math and Statistics. I love helping students and I love the feeling I get knowing that I was able to use my knowledge to make someone else happier. My favorite subject to teach is math because there are so many ways to learn it and if one way does not help I can use another. I used to teach taekwondo and interacted with all kinds of students, and I'm excited to help out more! Hobbies: books, reading, music, writing, art
Top 20 Subjects
Frequently Asked Questions
Score improvement depends on your starting point, commitment level, and how long you've been studying. Most students see meaningful gains—often 2-4 points on the 1-30 Physics scale—within 4-8 weeks of focused tutoring, especially when working with a tutor who can identify and target your specific weak areas. The real advantage of personalized instruction is that tutors help you spend study time efficiently, eliminating gaps in conceptual understanding rather than just drilling practice problems. Realistic timelines matter: if you're struggling with foundational physics concepts, allow more time than if you're fine-tuning test strategy.
The most common struggles include:
- Conceptual gaps: Many students memorize formulas without truly understanding the physics principles behind them, which becomes a problem when questions test application rather than recall
- Pacing: OAT Physics questions require careful reading and often multiple calculation steps, making time management critical
- Question interpretation: The OAT uses complex, multi-part scenarios that test whether you can identify what physics concept applies and which variables matter
- Bridging theory to practice: Understanding optics or mechanics in a textbook is different from recognizing those concepts in a clinical scenario
A tutor can help you strengthen conceptual understanding, practice efficient problem-solving strategies, and build confidence interpreting unfamiliar question formats.
The best OAT Physics tutors combine deep subject knowledge with practical test expertise. Look for tutors who:
- Understand both the physics content AND the specific ways the OAT tests it—these aren't always the same
- Can explain concepts clearly from first principles, not just show you how to solve problems
- Have real experience with the OAT format and timing constraints
- Adapt their teaching style to your learning needs and identify your specific weak areas quickly
- Help you develop test-taking strategies (like how to approach multi-part questions or when to skip and come back)
Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who meet these standards and can personalize their approach to your goals and timeline.
Most students benefit from 6-12 weeks of focused Physics preparation, depending on their starting knowledge and target score. A realistic weekly schedule might look like 3-5 hours of tutoring or focused study, with additional practice problem work in between sessions. The key is consistency rather than cramming—spacing your study over time helps concepts stick and builds the problem-solving fluency you need on test day. If you're starting with significant conceptual gaps, you may need longer; if you're refining test strategy for an already solid foundation, you might need less. A tutor can help you create a timeline that fits your specific situation and adjust as you progress.
Test anxiety often stems from uncertainty—not knowing if you'll recognize question types, manage the clock, or remember concepts under pressure. Tutoring helps because it builds the confidence that comes from actually understanding the material and practicing realistic scenarios. Specific strategies include:
- Working through full-length practice tests under timed conditions so test day feels familiar
- Developing a systematic approach to each question type so you have a reliable process when anxiety strikes
- Identifying your actual weak areas (versus imagined ones) so you can stop worrying about everything
- Practicing pacing strategies specific to Physics so you know you can finish in time
Many students find that combining tutoring with consistent practice test experience significantly reduces anxiety because they've proven to themselves they can handle the material.
Practice tests are essential—they serve multiple purposes. They help you identify which physics concepts and question types challenge you most, they build stamina and timing skills, and they give you realistic feedback on your actual performance versus where you need to improve. Most students should aim to complete at least 3-4 full-length practice tests throughout their prep, spacing them a few weeks apart so you have time to address weak areas between attempts. A tutor can review your practice test results with you, showing you patterns in mistakes (conceptual misunderstanding vs. careless errors vs. timing issues) and helping you adjust your strategy. The OAT's question formats and pacing demands are specific enough that practice tests are much more valuable than generic physics problem sets.
Start by categorizing your mistakes: Are they due to not understanding a concept, misinterpreting the question, running out of time, or careless calculation errors? This is crucial because the fix is different for each. A tutor can help you analyze this systematically by reviewing your practice problems and tests with you. Once you've identified patterns—maybe you struggle with optics concepts, or you consistently rush through multi-step kinematics problems—you can target those areas with focused practice and review. The most efficient approach is to strengthen conceptual understanding first (so you actually know the physics), then practice application in test-like formats, then work on pacing and strategy. Jumping straight to more practice problems without addressing the root cause wastes study time.
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