The biggest hurdle for most students is pacing—you have about 1-1.5 minutes per question, which doesn't leave much time to second-guess yourself. Beyond timing, students often struggle with:

• Identifying errors in longer passages: Missing subtle grammar mistakes when reading quickly
• Understanding question context: Misinterpreting what a question is actually asking, especially with rhetorical and style questions
• Distinguishing between answer choices: When multiple answers seem grammatically correct, understanding the SAT's preference for conciseness and clarity
• Verb tense and pronoun consistency: These appear frequently and require careful attention across full sentences

Working with a tutor to diagnose which of these issues affects you most can help you focus your practice efficiently.

They're different challenges rather than one being objectively harder. The Writing and Language section is more straightforward—you're looking for specific grammar and style errors, so there's usually a clearly correct answer. The Reading section requires deeper comprehension and inference skills, which can feel more abstract. Many students find Writing and Language easier to improve quickly because it focuses on concrete rules you can study and apply, while Reading improvements often come from building broader reading comprehension habits. If you're stronger in grammar and rule-based learning, Writing and Language might feel more manageable; if you prefer analytical thinking, Reading might click better for you.

An effective study plan typically follows this approach: Start with a diagnostic practice test to identify your specific weak areas—don't waste time reviewing grammar rules you already know cold. Spend 2-3 weeks on targeted skill-building, focusing on your problem areas (maybe sentence boundaries one week, modifier placement the next). Then dedicate 3-4 weeks to full-section practice under timed conditions, since pacing is half the battle. Finally, spend 1-2 weeks doing mixed reviews and test-taking strategy refinement. Most students benefit from studying 3-4 times per week in focused 45-60 minute sessions rather than cramming. A tutor can help you personalize this timeline and adjust based on your progress, ensuring you're not spinning your wheels on concepts you've already mastered.

Test anxiety on this section often stems from the time pressure—you have less than 90 seconds per question, which can trigger panic. Build confidence through repeated practice with actual SAT-style questions under timed conditions, so the pace feels familiar on test day rather than shocking. Develop a consistent approach: read the sentence/passage once, identify what's being tested, eliminate wrong answers, and move on—don't spend more than 1.5 minutes per question no matter what. Some students also find it helpful to skip a difficult question and come back to it, which reduces the mental burden of staring at something confusing. Working with a tutor lets you practice these strategies in a low-pressure environment first, building real confidence before test day arrives.

Most students benefit from taking 4-6 full or section-specific practice tests before test day—enough to build familiarity and identify patterns in your mistakes, but not so many that you burn out or start memorizing answers. For the Writing and Language section specifically, you might do 8-10 timed section practices alongside your full tests. The key is analyzing your results carefully after each one: What types of questions did you miss? Did you run out of time? Were you careless or did you not understand the concept? This reflection turns practice into real learning. Space your practices out over 6-10 weeks rather than doing them all at once—this gives you time to work on weak areas between attempts and see actual improvement, which is motivating.

Look for a tutor who has specific experience with SAT Writing and Language—not just general English tutoring—since test prep requires understanding the SAT's particular format, timing constraints, and question patterns. Varsity Tutors connects Boston students with expert tutors who specialize in SAT prep and can diagnose your specific weak areas on a diagnostic test, then build a personalized study plan around those gaps. A good fit means someone who can explain grammar concepts clearly, help you develop faster recognition of errors, and coach you through test-taking strategy and pacing. You might also ask about a tutor's experience with students at your current score level—a tutor who regularly helps 650-level students improve to 700+ might be better positioned to help you than someone who works exclusively with 400-level students.