Score improvement depends on your starting point, current skills, and commitment to practice between sessions. Students who work consistently with tutors and complete practice assignments typically see meaningful gains—often 100-200 points or more—though results vary. The most important factor is identifying your specific weak areas early (whether that's reading comprehension, math problem-solving, or grammar) and targeting them systematically throughout the summer.

Pacing is one of the biggest challenges students face on test day, and expert tutors address this directly by practicing timed sections and teaching strategic approaches for different question types. Tutors help you identify which sections slow you down, teach techniques like skimming strategies for reading passages and efficient problem-solving methods for math, and gradually build your speed through repeated practice. By summer's end, you'll have internalized these strategies so timing feels natural on test day.

Absolutely—that's where personalized 1-on-1 instruction shines. Whether you struggle with reading comprehension, grammar and writing mechanics, or math problem-solving, tutors can focus on your exact pain points rather than generic test prep. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who can break down complex concepts, teach you to recognize question patterns, and give you targeted practice on the types of problems that trip you up most.

Most students benefit from taking 4-6 full-length practice tests throughout the summer—roughly one every 1-2 weeks—so you can track progress and identify emerging patterns in your mistakes. Between full tests, tutors typically assign section-specific practice and targeted drills to build skills. Your personalized study schedule will depend on your starting score and timeline, but the key is using practice tests as diagnostic tools, not just confidence boosters—reviewing every mistake with your tutor is where real improvement happens.

Test anxiety often stems from unfamiliarity with the format and uncertainty about your abilities—both things personalized tutoring directly addresses. By working through hundreds of practice questions, taking timed tests, and building mastery in weak areas, you develop genuine confidence rather than false reassurance. Tutors also teach you practical stress-management strategies and help you understand that mistakes during practice are learning opportunities, not indicators of failure on test day.

Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who have deep expertise in SAT prep and understand the specific challenges students face. When you get matched with a tutor, you can discuss your target score, timeline, and learning style so the tutoring relationship is customized from day one. The process is straightforward—tell us about your goals and schedule, and we'll match you with someone who's a great fit for your summer prep.

Your first session is diagnostic and relationship-building. Your tutor will likely review your current SAT scores (or have you take a practice test), discuss your target score and timeline, identify which sections need the most work, and explain their teaching approach. By the end of that first meeting, you'll have a clear picture of your starting point and a customized study plan for the summer ahead.