Score improvement depends on your starting point and how consistently you engage with the program. Many students see meaningful gains of 100-200 points when they work with a tutor on targeted strategies and practice regularly—though individual results vary. The key is identifying your specific weak areas (whether that's pacing on reading, algebraic reasoning, or test anxiety) and building skills systematically over the summer.

Your first session focuses on assessment and strategy planning. A tutor will review your current SAT performance (or give you a diagnostic test if you haven't taken the SAT yet), identify which sections and question types are causing the most trouble, and discuss your goals and timeline. This personalized evaluation becomes the foundation for a customized study plan that targets your biggest opportunities for improvement.

Reading and writing challenges are common—many students struggle with pacing through dense passages and identifying rhetorical patterns. Math presents its own hurdles, particularly with algebra, geometry word problems, and time management under pressure. A tutor can diagnose which section is holding you back and use targeted drills and strategy practice to build confidence in that area before test day.

Test anxiety often stems from uncertainty about what to expect or how to handle tricky questions. Tutoring builds confidence through repeated practice with real SAT questions, teaching you proven test-taking strategies, and helping you develop a sense of control over your approach. When you've practiced pacing, learned how to skip and return to hard questions, and taken multiple full-length practice tests, you walk into the testing center feeling prepared rather than panicked.

Most students benefit from taking a full-length practice test every 1-2 weeks, with focused drills on specific skills in between. This schedule gives you regular feedback on progress, helps you practice pacing and stamina, and reveals patterns in the types of questions you're missing. Your tutor will help you review each practice test to extract lessons and adjust your study plan as needed.

Varsity Tutors connects you with experienced SAT tutors who understand the test format, scoring, and strategies that drive results. You'll be matched with someone whose expertise and teaching style fit your needs and goals. Once matched, you can schedule sessions that work with your summer schedule and focus on the specific areas where you need the most help.

Summer gives you uninterrupted time to build skills without the pressure of school deadlines. You can take practice tests, dive deep into weak areas, and develop test-taking strategies without juggling homework and extracurriculars. Starting in summer also means you'll be ready for fall test dates, giving you time to retake if needed and still meet college application deadlines.