The best tutors in San Jose, CA

Yes. California students take the CAASPP Smarter Balanced tests in English language arts and math in grades 3–8 and 11, plus the California Science Test in grades 5 and 8 and once in high school. Filter by Math or Reading to find tutors who work on these skills, and ask whether a tutor knows your district's curriculum (San Jose USD, Cupertino Union, Palo Alto USD, Fremont USD and so on).

Silicon Valley has many competition-math programs. In this directory, AoPS Academy (Fremont and Saratoga), Random Math (Cupertino) and AlphaStar Academy (Santa Clara and San Jose) focus on contest math such as AMC 8, AMC 10/12 and AIME, and the Russian School of Mathematics runs a selective competitions program at its centers. Ask each program how students are placed and which contests it prepares for.

The University of California and California State University do not use SAT or ACT scores in admissions decisions, but many private and out-of-state colleges accept or require them, and the PSAT/NMSQT is used for National Merit. Families applying beyond the UC and CSU systems often still prepare. Check each college's current testing policy before deciding.

Bay Area independent schools generally use the ISEE or SSAT, and Catholic high schools often use the HSPT. C2 Education, Elite Prep and AJ Tutoring list private-school entrance exam prep. Check each school's admissions page for the test it requires and its deadlines.

Yes. San José Public Library's Literacy and Learning Services and the Santa Clara County Library District's Reading Program both offer free tutoring for adults who want to improve their reading and writing, in person or (for the county program) online. Both are listed here with contact details.