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If you're looking for Austin SAT prep to gain an academic edge, Varsity Tutors is the only company you need to know about. The SAT is a well-known college admission test that is accepted by nearly all colleges and universities with a standardized testing requirement. Students at local schools such as St. Andrew's Episcopal School and the Liberal Arts & Science Academy usually take it for the first time during their junior year. Each institution values your score differently, but this is one test where you definitely want to put your best foot forward.
We can help if your test prep could be going better. For example, we can find you an Austin SAT prep course if you want to study in a structured classroom environment. Alternatively, we can match you with a private Austin SAT tutor who allows you to learn at your own pace. Either way, you'll wonder how you ever studied for an exam without expert assistance!
What subjects can I review during Austin SAT preparation?
The SAT is a traditional paper-based examination with three mandatory sections: Writing/Language, Math, and Reading. Students receive a score from 200-800 on the Math section, while the Writing/Language and Reading sections are tallied into an "Evidence-Based Reading and Writing" score on the same scale. The sum of these two figures represents your composite score or your final grade on the SAT. These three sections take a total of three hours.
There's also an optional Essay on the SAT. If you choose to take it, your work will be scored on a scale from 6-24 and reported separately from the rest of the test. Certain schools require applicants to include an Essay score on their applications, so double-check to see if you need it!
Here is a closer look at what you can expect on each section of the exam:
1. Writing/Language
The Writing and Language section contains 44 multiple-choice questions over a testing session of 35 minutes. Your command of English language mechanics is the section's principal focus, leading to a lot of questions on topics such as sentence structure, grammar, and punctuation. This section also evaluates your ability to use context clues to define unfamiliar phrases and determine how an author could make their writing more effective. Attention to detail is very important in this section, so make sure to read everything carefully.
2. Math
The Math section contains 58 multiple-choice items over 80 minutes, and it's subdivided into two sections. On the non-calculator subsection, you have 25 minutes to answer 20 questions. On the calculator subsection, you have 55 minutes to answer 38 questions. Note that you can only use approved calculators on the calculator subsection, which means you cannot use your cell phone. Both subsections evaluate your quantitative problem-solving skills, analytical thinking abilities, and understanding of algebraic expressions.
3. Reading
The Reading section consists of 52 multiple-choice items over 65 minutes. Each question is based on a reading passage to assess a student's reading comprehension and critical thinking skills. Every exam has one passage drawn from contemporary or classic literature, 1-2 passages sourced from the Founding of our country, one passage about a social science like economics or psychology, and 2-3 scientific passages about topics such as biology or physics. You may get a chart or graph on this section, but you won't need to do any math.
4. Essay
The SAT Essay prompt requires test-takers to perform a critical analysis of another author's argument, paying special attention to their use of reasoning, evidence, and stylistic choices. You're scored on a myriad of factors, including grammar, topical analysis, cohesion, and argumentation. You have 50 minutes to construct your response.
How do I determine which Austin SAT prep option is the best choice for me?
If you select an Austin SAT prep class, you'll attend weekly class meetings on a live virtual platform that will make you feel as though you are sharing a physical classroom with your instructor and other students. Every teacher we partner with is vetted, so you can trust that they both know their stuff and how to explain it to you. Each instructor is also available for private study sessions if you feel like you need extra help with a tricky concept.
While working with other students may feel counter-productive at first, many students end up finding it beneficial. You can share test-taking tips and even general information about the exam, such as what type of calculator you are allowed to bring for the Math section. Explaining something to somebody else can also reinforce your own understanding of a particular topic. Likewise, the fact that you can all pitch in on the bill makes expert test prep more affordable than it otherwise would be.
If you would rather study in a learning environment that revolves around your specific needs, a private instructor may be for you. A private educator can take the time to learn your specific goals and design sessions with them in mind, potentially improving your study efficiency. You are also free to proceed at your own pace, whether that means moving more quickly or more slowly than a traditional class.
Furthermore, private study sessions are the perfect place to take practice assessments to help you develop a solid understanding of what you can expect on test day. If you're still feeling a little nervous, your tutor can also show you meditation techniques to help ease any test anxiety you are experiencing.
Varsity Tutors also tries to make both options as convenient as possible. For example, we offer two and four-week courses to make it easier to find one that fits into your lifestyle. We also launch new courses every week, so it's never too late to get started! If you would prefer to work with a private instructor, our Live Learning Platform facilitates digital study sessions that are just as effective as meeting in person.
Can I enroll in Austin SAT prep today?
Contact Varsity Tutors today to enroll in your preferred Austin SAT prep package or to ask any questions you may have. Let's work toward your academic goals together!

Matthew: Austin SAT test prep instructor
...in philosophy have especially equipped me to teach writing, analytical thinking, logical analysis, and mathematics. I am also a part-time professor of philosophy. My academic interests range from medieval Scholasticism to contemporary issues in bioethics and law. I believe that tutoring is not only about the transfer of knowledge between the tutor and the student, but also a transfer of skills, which would help the student learn how to find the answer himself or herself...
Education & Certification
- The University of St Thomas - Bachelors, Philosophy
- The University of St Thomas - Masters, Philosophy
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- ACT
- TOEFL
- SAT Subject Tests
- +51 subjects

Madeline: Austin SAT test prep instructor
...student at Texas A&M University where I am pursuing my BA in History with a minor in Secondary Education. I am most passionate about history and reading although I have worked extensively in tutoring math at the elementary and middle school level. As a recent graduate of high school I am experienced in SAT prep particularly in boosting testing speed and utilizing testing strategies. I believe in highly individualized programs based on student needs since...
Education & Certification
- Texas A & M University-College Station - Bachelor in Arts, History
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- PSAT
- Middle School Reading
- SAT Reading
- +14 subjects

Alyssa: Austin SAT test prep instructor
...an IB high school and gained my IB Diploma. I flourished under the personal attention that I was able to get with the small class sizes for the IB program, as well as the familiarity with the teachers. It was a driving factor in the my college choice. I went to Swarthmore College, a liberal arts college outside of Philadelphia. There, I completed my Bachelor's degree in Latin American Studies. I plan to continue my...
Education & Certification
- Swarthmore College - Bachelor in Arts, Latin American Studies
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- PSAT
- ACT
- +48 subjects

Aleksandar: Austin SAT test prep instructor
...in an interdisciplinary program for philosophy, neuroscience, and psychology, as well as completed the prerequisites for medical school. I served as a residential advisor for two years and have experience tutoring and counseling students in that capacity. I believe taking the time to listen to and understand others is the best way to find out how to help them. I've always appreciated this in my teachers and mentors and have tried to carry it forward...
Education & Certification
- Washington University in St Louis - Bachelor of Science, Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- ACT
- English
- SAT Math
- +30 subjects

Derek: Austin SAT test prep instructor
...part of the Honors Program and graduated with High Honors. I have always loved learning and academics in general, and will hopefully soon be pursing a graduate degree in Political Science. I have a large amount of experience tutoring students in late elementary through high school in one-on-one settings. My students have ranged from highly motivated individuals wanting to go from a B+ to an A to students having difficulty passing a tough class, and...
Education & Certification
- University of California-Santa Barbara - Bachelors, Political Science and Government
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- Other
- Pre-Calculus
- SAT Reading
- +27 subjects

Ramsey: Austin SAT test prep instructor
...best way to explain topics is to break the topic down into its base components and to give connections and similarities to other topics. Building a strong foundation is essential to learning more sophisticated, challenging topics. I tutor a wide variety of STEM topics, with math, computer science and physics being the academic subjects that I enjoy teaching the most. I understand that everyone learns in different ways and I understand that what works for...
Education & Certification
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- ISEE
- SAT Math
- Technology and Coding
- +48 subjects

Zachary: Austin SAT test prep instructor
What's up! I am a recent graduate of WashU with a major in Biology with plans of applying to medical school. I am an expert in mathematics and the natural sciences, and love helping students discover these subjects. I am cool, down to earth, and funny, and enjoy making connections with students.
Education & Certification
- Washington University in St Louis - Bachelor in Arts, Biomedical Sciences
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- ACT
- PSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +115 subjects

Gabriel: Austin SAT test prep instructor
...matter their current skill level in a class. Having a great teacher or tutor won't help if the student does not want to learn and put in the work. However, I truly believe any student can not just succeed, but excel, if they work hard and have the right support system. Aside from tutoring, I love to cook and play Ultimate Frisbee. I also work as an emergency room medical scribe, and I am extremely...
Education & Certification
- Texas A & M University-College Station - Bachelors, Biochemistry
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- Advanced Placement
- ACT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +55 subjects

Ricardo: Austin SAT test prep instructor
...for mistakes, because no one needs the advice, "Don't make that mistake!". The teacher tries to hear what the student wants and then figures what to work on in order to get there. I've been both a student and teacher of guitar, and I try to take that teaching style into my tutoring. I never start by explaining material or by "simplifying" it (because that usually means repeating it again and again!) but by listening...
Education & Certification
- Stanford - Bachelors, American Studies
- University of Rochester - Masters, American History
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- ACT
- Music
- +62 subjects

Nathan: Austin SAT test prep instructor
...as part of the requirement for National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta (math honor society). I enjoy tutoring ACT and SAT test prep, calculus, physics, and computer science because I have previous experience tutoring these subjects. I want to make sure that students I'm tutoring have a strong foundation in the subjects they are learning because a thorough understanding requires knowledge of the basics. Outside of school, my passions include playing soccer, traveling, and...
Education & Certification
- The University of Texas at Austin - Bachelor of Science, Computer Science
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- ACT
- Calculus
- AP Computer Science A
- +23 subjects

Katelyn: Austin SAT test prep instructor
...result of this two-year project, I was named a 2006 Distinguished Finalist for the Prudential Spirit of Community Award. I attended an early college high school program (the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science) and volunteered in a local middle school, where I worked with struggling students one-on-one. I then transferred to Texas A&M University, where I earned a B.S. in Psychology (with a minor in Neuroscience) in 2013. During college, I tutored several Psychology...
Education & Certification
- Texas A & M University-College Station - Bachelors, Psychology
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- STAAR Grades 3-8
- HSPT
- ACT
- +192 subjects

Deb: Austin SAT test prep instructor
...from The Catholic University of America, an MFA in Shakespeare and Performance from Mary Baldwin College, and a BA in Liberal Arts from St. John's College of Annapolis. I have 3 years of experience tutoring writing and 2 years of experience teaching English and writing in the college classroom. My favorite subject to tutor is Writing, but I also enjoy doing test prep -- tests can be a fun challenge for the student, and I...
Education & Certification
- St. John's College - Bachelor in Arts, Liberal Arts
- Catholic University of America - Master of Arts, English
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- GRE
- Comparative Literature
- GRE Verbal
- +17 subjects

Alex: Austin SAT test prep instructor
...have taught- I am familiar with math all the way up to Algebra 2 (including ACT and SAT Math), I have helped many students prepare for the SAT and ACT. Many times smart students have issues with standardized tests due to improper test taking strategies. Every student has unique strengths and weaknesses, I focus on refining those strengths, minimizing those weaknesses and combining the proper test taking strategies in order to achieve the scores that...
Education & Certification
- Montana State University - Bachelors, Marketing, Finance and Entrepreneurship
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- ACT
- PSAT
- Executive Functioning
- +46 subjects

Shelly: Austin SAT test prep instructor
...in Sociology. I have been tutoring friends and peers in various subjects since high school, though the bulk of my ability and expertise lies in essay, paper, and speech writing/editing, non-calculus based statistical analysis, basic algebra, and in test prep skills. My ultimate desire is not only to help students understand subjects that they may be struggling with, but to help them cultivate a interest in and passion for the material itself. Understanding and ability...
Education & Certification
- Texas State University-San Marcos - Bachelor of Science, Anthropology
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- PSAT
- ACT
- SAT Math
- +35 subjects

Lesly: Austin SAT test prep instructor
...allocating the right resources. Throughout all of my education languages and history were my strongest subjects. Already knowing English is something i feel blessed by, but by knowing more than just english and being able to communicate with people from different parts of the world, i find to be one of the most courageous and beautiful abilities. I love education because I love learning and the best way to learn is by truly loving or...
Education & Certification
- St Edwards University - Bachelor in Arts, Global Studies
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- ACT
- SAT Subject Tests
- Advanced Placement
- +37 subjects

Lipika: Austin SAT test prep instructor
Hi! My name is Lipika and I am a freshman at the University of Texas at Austin, pursuing physics on the space sciences track and a minor in business. I've always loved being a mentor to kids and younger teenagers. I especially enjoy teaching concepts related to STEM and have been doing so since early high school.
Education & Certification
- The University of Texas at Austin - Bachelor of Science, Physics
- The University of Texas at Austin - Bachelor in Arts, Business, General
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- ACT
- CSS
- Math
- +34 subjects

Bipul: Austin SAT test prep instructor
...as a teaching assistant and as a senior preceptor for different classes at UT Austin during my undergraduate years. I understand that books can be hard to decipher quite often due to the lack of tone and author's preconceived notions about the student's background. Therefore, when I tutor I build the framework from the ground up and depend a lot on visual aids (diagrams and charts) rather than formulas and numbers. I believe that there...
Education & Certification
- The University of Texas at Austin - Bachelor of Science, Physics, Mathematics
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- Math
- Calculus 2
- Calculus
- +35 subjects

Mary: Austin SAT test prep instructor
...While at UT, I did a creative thesis, which ultimately resulted in a cookbook/memoir about American women, (such as my grandmother) in the kitchen. I love to write, and love helping students write as creatively as possible within the parameters of their schoolwork. I’m committed to making learning as fun and enjoyable. Having been an occasionally reluctant learner, I believe that most people are happiest when they feel that they’re learning independently, and are empowered...
Education & Certification
- The University of Texas at Austin - Bachelors, Plan II Honors
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- GED
- ACT
- PSAT
- +82 subjects

Jennifer: Austin SAT test prep instructor
...capable of overcoming difficulties through perseverance, and that's a skill that I want to pass on to the students I tutor. Everyone makes mistakes and has struggles, but the important thing is that you can move past those roadblocks. As a tutor, I try really hard to help students connect the material they are studying inside the classroom to their passions outside the classroom. Sometimes all that's needed to make the material "click" is seeing how...
Education & Certification
- Smith College - Current Undergrad, Education and Child Studies and Theatre
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- PSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- STAAR Grades 3-8
- +96 subjects

Anup: Austin SAT test prep instructor
I'm a college student at UT Austin studying Philosophy and Biomedical Engineering. I've tutored students from 2nd grade to college in subjects ranging from basic math to E & M Physics, but most of my experience is in SAT and ACT prep. I have pride in my ability to assess where students are and what they need to achieve their goals, and hope to work with many more students through Varsity.
Education & Certification
- The University of Texas at Austin - Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering
- The University of Texas at Austin - Bachelor in Arts, Philosophy
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- ACT
- Pre-Algebra
- LSAT Logical Reasoning
- +27 subjects