If you'd like a recommendation from Abacus Guide, our favorite tutors are listed below.  We know these tutors - we've worked with them or have heard from their satisfied clientele.  They are among the best-known and most respected in New York.

If you or your child would like more information about working with one of these top tutors, or other tutors in New York City, Westchester, Long Island, New Jersey, or Connecticut, please email Abacus Guide with this form for a referral.  Please note: these tutors are quite sought after, so we recommend that you contact us soon.

Help With Standardized Test Scores

  Brendan Mernin

Brendan, who graduated from Columbia College and completed graduate work at the University of Chicago, has over the past fifteen years helped thousands of students raise their test scores. His credits include numerous appearances at Stuyvesant High School, where he offered the rapt junior class his words of wisdom about the SAT, SAT II, and PSAT, as well as training many new tutors for the company for which he works. Dedicated to his private students, Brendan is truly the maestro of test prep.

Specialties:   

6th - 12th Grade Admissions Testing:  ISEE and SSAT (for private school), Sci High Exam (for Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, and Brooklyn Tech)  

College Admissions Testing:  SAT, PSAT, SAT II Writing, SAT II Math IC and Math IIC, SAT II Literature, SAT II American History  

Fee:  $325 per hour

Area:  Manhattan, Brooklyn 

  Jonathan Arak

Jonathan, a graduate of Hunter College High School and Oberlin College, is the author of the most informative book available on getting into Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, and Brooklyn Tech.  A tutor for ten years, Jonathan is admired by his students and colleagues for his dynamic demeanor and strong command of his material.  

Specialties:   

6th - 12th Grade Admissions Testing:  ISEE and SSAT (for private school), Sci High Exam (for Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, and Brooklyn Tech), Hunter Test (for Hunter College High School)  

College Admissions Testing:  SAT, PSAT, SAT II Writing, SAT II Math IC and Math IIC, SAT II American History  

Foreign Students:  TOEFL

Fee:  $325 per hour

Area:  Manhattan, Bronx 

  Mindy Myers

Mindy, a graduate of Cornell, has taught and tutored hundreds of students. Mindy has been instrumental in the development of a highly respected, national program for the new SAT and PSAT. When not working as a tutor, Mindy enjoys her other life as a dancer and choreographer.

College Admissions Testing:  SAT, PSAT, SAT II Writing, SAT II Math IC and Math IIC, SAT II French

Foreign Students:  TOEFL

Fee:  $325 per hour

Area:  Manhattan

  James Matthews

James, who graduated from Wesleyan University, has tutored for twelve years.  His extensive test prep experience includes a stint teaching in Korea.  When he's not helping students raise their scores, James has assisted in the creation of well respected test prep materials

6th - 12th Grade Admissions Testing:  ISEE and SSAT (for private school), Sci High Exam (for Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, and Brooklyn Tech)

College Admissions Testing:  SAT, PSAT, SAT II Writing, SAT II Math IC and Math IIC

Fee:  $225 per hour

Area:  Manhattan

  Jennyfer Bagnall

Jennyfer, a graduate of New York University, has tutored since 1994.  She has made significant contributions to the development of ISEE and SSAT course and retail books, including the #1 book on the the SSAT and ISEE.  

6th - 12th Grade Admissions Testing: ISEE and SSAT (for private school), Sci High Exam (for Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, and Brooklyn Tech), Hunter Test (for Hunter College High School) , COOP (The Cooperative Admissions Examination Program for Catholic Schools).

College Admissions Testing: SAT, PSAT, SAT II Math IC, SAT II Literature, SAT II American History

Fee:  $225 per hour

Area:  Manhattan

  John Moscatiello

John, who graduated cum laude from New York University, is an experienced SAT teacher and tutor.  By using his extensive high school AP credits, John completed his degree from NYU in 3 years, consistently maintaining his position on the Dean’s List, as well as earning a place on the National Dean’s List.  He is fluent in both Spanish and German.  He intends to pursue a Ph.D. in Medieval Studies. 

6th - 12th Grade Admissions Testing and Academics : ISEE and SSAT (for private school), SHSAT (for Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, and Brooklyn Tech), Math, English Literature, English Writing, Spanish

College Admissions Testing: SAT, PSAT, SAT II Math IC, SAT II Spanish , AP English, AP Spanish

Fee:  $225 per hour

Area:  Manhattan  

  Jennifer Spitzer

Jennifer, who graduated from Wesleyan University, is also a fully certified New York State public school teacher.  Jennifer worked as a tutor throughout her high school and college career and enjoys a readership with The Paris Review, a New York-based literary magazine.  Having completed a comparative Senior Thesis on Elizabethan Drama and The Sopranos, Jennifer intends to pursue a Masters degree in literature.

6th - 12th Grade Admissions Testing and Academics: SmartStart (a comprehensive skill-building program for students in grades 7-10,  a good precursor to more formal SAT/PSAT/ACT preparation), academic essay writing, English Literature and Spanish.

College Admissions Testing: SAT

Fee:  $125 per hour

Area:  Manhattan

Help With College Applications

  Pilar Jennings

During her six years at Barnard, Pilar was a senior member of the admissions committee, personally responsible for evaluating over 6,000 applicants from around the country.  Since 1999, Pilar has worked with hundreds of college applicants, providing them with an insider's understanding of the application process.  Pilar’s students have been successfully placed at their first choice schools, maintaining exceptional records of achievement throughout their undergraduate careers.  With her twelve years in college admissions, Pilar offers students an exceptional opportunity to better understand how admissions officers evaluate college applicants.

Fee:  $200 per hour

If you or your child would like more information about working with one of these top tutors, please call Abacus Guide's Tutoring Hotline at 212-712-2228 or fill out this email form for a referral.  Please note: these tutors are quite sought after, so we recommend that you contact us soon.