Dr. Stuart Donnelly, Ph.D. (Oxford)
Dr. Stuart Donnelly is the founder of Doctor GED and one of the most experienced private high school equivalency tutors in the United States. With a Ph.D. from the University of Oxford and over 20 years of private tutoring and teaching experience, Stuart has helped more than 500 students earn their GED, HiSET, and TASC diplomas.
Stuart is the author of two best-selling test preparation books published by Wiley: "GED Test Prep For Dummies" and "TASC For Dummies." These books have helped thousands of students across the country prepare for their high school equivalency exams. His deep understanding of what each exam tests — and how it tests it — makes his tutoring uniquely effective.
Many leading educators consider Dr. Donnelly to be "one of the most experienced and qualified private tutors in the country."
20+
Years Experience
500+
Students Helped
5-Star
Rated Tutor
Oxford
Ph.D.
Academic Qualifications
Dr. Donnelly was awarded his Ph.D. from the University of Oxford at the age of 25. His academic training instilled a rigorous, analytical approach to teaching that sets him apart from other tutors. Stuart's educational background includes:
- Ph.D. — University of Oxford, England
- Master's Degree — University of Oxford, England
- Bachelor's Degree (Honours) — First-class honors
Stuart is also a published author with Wiley, one of the world's largest academic publishers. His books include:
- "GED Test Prep For Dummies" (Wiley)
- "TASC For Dummies" (Wiley)
- "1001 GED Practice Questions For Dummies" (Wiley)
Teaching & Tutoring
Over the past two decades, Dr. Donnelly has accumulated an unparalleled depth of experience in private tutoring and test preparation. His career includes:
- 20+ years of private tutoring for GED, HiSET, TASC, MCAT, GRE, and other standardized tests
- 500+ students successfully prepared for high school equivalency exams
- Teaching experience at the university level in the United States and internationally
- Curriculum development for Wiley Publishing (For Dummies series)
- Experience tutoring students of all ages and backgrounds, from teenagers to adult learners returning to education
Stuart is based in San Diego, CA at 5425 Oberlin Drive, Suite 202N, 92121. He offers both in-person tutoring in San Diego and online tutoring via Zoom for students anywhere in the country.
How Dr. Donnelly Helps You Succeed
Diagnostic Assessment
Every engagement begins with a thorough diagnostic assessment. Dr. Donnelly evaluates your current knowledge across all subjects, identifies your specific strengths and weaknesses, and creates a detailed study plan that allocates your time where it will have the greatest impact on your scores.
Personalized Instruction
Unlike one-size-fits-all prep courses, every lesson is tailored to your individual needs. If you struggle with math but excel at reading, your sessions will reflect that. Dr. Donnelly adapts his teaching style to match how you learn best — whether that means visual explanations, practice problems, or conceptual discussions.
Test-Taking Strategies
Beyond content knowledge, Dr. Donnelly teaches proven test-taking strategies: time management, process of elimination, reading comprehension techniques, essay frameworks, and methods for tackling unfamiliar questions. These strategies can boost your score even in areas where your content knowledge is limited.
What Students Say About Dr. Donnelly
"Dr. Donnelly is a wonderful teacher. He is quick to pinpoint weaknesses and, in many cases, turn them into strengths. He always has a structured lesson plan and pertinent homework assignments. His patience, humor, and kindheartedness makes an otherwise uncomfortable standardized test almost enjoyable."
Mia P., Manhattan, NY
"My daughter has worked with Dr. Donnelly for the last three months, and it has been wonderful. He has been able to focus on her weaknesses and provide enormous insight. His advice with regard to strategy has been invaluable. Within 3 months, her scores improved significantly."
Deborah W., Bergen, NJ
"Dr. Donnelly has a real knack for explaining topics in plain English and for making them come alive with real-life examples. I would encourage anyone who needs to get up to speed in their preparation for studies to give Dr. Donnelly a call. You won't regret it!"
Mike H., Greenwich, CT