About Christine

Hi, I’m Christine Stec, a professional test prep coach specializing in the SAT and ACT. Since 2011, I’ve helped hundreds of students in the Chicago metropolitan area achieve their academic goals with personalized strategies and expert guidance. My approach is rooted in building confidence, mastering content, and fostering the critical thinking skills that lead to long-term success.

I graduated with distinction from the University of Virginia as an Echols Scholar, earning a double major in Economics and Government and a minor in History in just three years (thanks to credits from 11 Advanced Placement courses!).

My love of teaching began during my time as a teaching assistant at the UVA, where I discovered the joy of helping others grasp challenging concepts. This inspired me to pursue a teaching certification through the Chicago Teaching Fellows program, after which I taught in Chicago Public Schools.

As a tutor, I have devoted countless hours to studying and analyzing standardized tests, delving into their content and structure to understand what makes them challenging; this has helped me build an arsenal of strategies to accommodate students of all learning styles and ability levels.

In the time I have been tutoring, I have personally achieved the following:

  • Six perfect scores on the ACT

  • A perfect score on the SAT

  • Perfect scores on the (now retired) SAT Math Level 1 & 2 Subject Tests

  • 99th percentile scores on the GMAT and LSAT

While I now focus almost exclusively on SAT and ACT preparation, my background includes tutoring a wide range of subjects, from high school math and science to history, writing, and college admissions essays. I’ve worked with students of all levels, including those facing unique learning challenges, and I love finding creative ways to make learning accessible and enjoyable.

Headshot of an SAT and ACT tutor looking toward the screen with a professional and approachable expression.