The OLSAT measures reasoning abilities across verbal, nonverbal, and figural sections—no reading or math knowledge is required. Your child will encounter pattern recognition, analogies, classification questions, and spatial reasoning problems. Understanding the format beforehand reduces anxiety significantly. A tutor can walk your child through sample questions, timing expectations for each section, and strategies for approaching unfamiliar question types so test day feels familiar rather than surprising.

A practice test is your best starting point—it shows exactly which question types and reasoning skills challenge your child most. Some students struggle with visual pattern completion or spatial reasoning, while others find verbal analogies and classifications trickier. Once a tutor reviews your child's practice test results, they can focus on those specific weak areas rather than broad, generic review. This targeted approach makes tutoring time much more efficient and effective.

Many students rush through questions or freeze when they see something unfamiliar. Tutors teach practical strategies like skipping difficult questions and returning to them, recognizing time limits for each section, and using educated guessing when stuck. Building familiarity with question types through repeated practice testing also reduces anxiety—when your child has seen similar problems before, they're more confident and less likely to panic. Role-playing the testing experience during tutoring sessions can help too.

An excellent OLSAT tutor understands how the test measures reasoning and can explain the 'why' behind answers, not just correct responses. They diagnose your child's specific reasoning gaps, adapt their teaching style to how your child learns best, and use a mix of strategy instruction and targeted practice. They also help students build test confidence by demystifying question formats and teaching them to approach unfamiliar problems systematically rather than panicking.

A typical OLSAT prep timeline is 6-12 weeks, depending on your child's starting level and how frequently you meet. If your child struggles with reasoning concepts, starting 10-12 weeks out allows time to build foundational skills before moving into intensive practice testing. If your child just needs strategy refinement and confidence building, 6-8 weeks may be sufficient. A tutor can recommend a personalized timeline after reviewing a practice test and understanding your child's learning pace.

Practice tests serve two critical purposes: they reveal exactly which question types and reasoning skills need work, and they help your child get comfortable with the test format, timing, and question styles. Taking multiple practice tests under timed conditions also builds test stamina and reduces anxiety—when your child has solved dozens of similar problems before, the real test feels far less intimidating. A tutor uses practice test results to create a focused study plan rather than reviewing material your child already understands.