You have about 34 minutes to complete 44 questions, which averages less than 45 seconds per question. The key is triage: quickly scan passages for obvious errors first, then return to tricky questions. Many students waste time re-reading entire passages; instead, focus on the specific underlined portion and surrounding context. A tutor can help you develop a pacing strategy during practice tests, identifying which question types slow you down (error identification vs. rhetorical questions, for example) so you can practice speed on those specific patterns.

The most frequent errors involve subject-verb agreement, pronoun clarity, and misplaced modifiers—but many students miss these because they're reading too quickly. Other common pitfalls include changing sentences unnecessarily (the original is often correct), overlooking context clues for tone and style questions, and not recognizing when a phrase is a dependent clause. Miami students working with tutors report that once they learn to slow down and apply grammar rules systematically rather than relying on "ear," their accuracy improves dramatically.

Most prep plans include 8-12 full practice tests spread over 6-12 weeks of study. For the Writing and Language section specifically, doing 20-30 additional section-only practice tests helps build pattern recognition without the fatigue of full tests. The real value comes from reviewing each practice test carefully—understanding not just why you got a question wrong, but why the correct answer is right. Tutors guide this review process, helping you spot recurring mistakes and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Many students find Writing and Language more straightforward to improve because it tests concrete grammar and syntax rules rather than inference skills. The skills are more formulaic and teachable—once you understand subject-verb agreement or parallelism patterns, you can apply them consistently. That said, rhetorical and style questions require reading comprehension. Tutors typically recommend mastering the grammar-focused questions first (about 60% of the section), then building skills on the rhetoric questions, which helps build confidence and momentum.

Test anxiety on Writing and Language often stems from the rapid pace and pressure to choose quickly. Building confidence through timed practice helps—when you've done hundreds of practice questions, the format feels familiar and less threatening. Develop a ritual: read each question once carefully, make your best choice, and move on without second-guessing. Some students find it helpful to mark difficult questions and return with fresh eyes if time allows. Tutors can also teach breathing techniques and help you practice sections under timed conditions to desensitize anxiety responses.

A tutor provides targeted instruction on the grammar rules and rhetorical concepts you find challenging, diagnostic practice tests to pinpoint weak areas, and personalized strategies for your pacing and test anxiety. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, tutors focus on your specific mistakes—perhaps you struggle with comma rules while excelling at tone questions. They also teach test-taking strategies tailored to how you think, making the section less about memorization and more about applying logic. For Miami students preparing for test day, connecting with a tutor for even 5-10 sessions often clarifies concepts that weeks of solo study can miss.