Score improvement depends on your starting point and the time you dedicate to preparation. Students typically see meaningful gains—often 100+ points on the SAT or 2-3 composite points on the ACT—when they work with personalized tutoring that targets their specific weak areas. However, improvement is gradual and requires consistent practice.

The most effective approach combines focused instruction on problem-solving strategies, targeted practice on question types that challenge you most, and regular full-length practice tests to track progress. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who can identify exactly where you're losing points and design a study plan that fits your timeline and goals.

The best way to find your fit is to take a practice test for each under timed conditions and compare your performance. The SAT has a 3-hour format (without essay) with more time per question, while the ACT is about 2 hours 55 minutes and moves faster. Some students naturally do better with the SAT's evidence-based reading style, while others prefer the ACT's more straightforward subject-matter approach.

A tutor can help you take practice tests, analyze your results, and identify which test aligns with your strengths. For students in San Diego preparing for college applications, having this clarity early in your prep process saves time and helps you focus your study efforts where they'll have the biggest impact.

Both the ACT and SAT reading sections require you to extract specific information quickly under time pressure—and the question formats can be tricky if you're not familiar with what to look for. Many students try to read every word carefully, which burns through time and leads to rushed answers later. Others miss subtle details in passages that are crucial for answering inference or evidence-based questions correctly.

The most effective strategy involves learning how to skim strategically, identify question types before reading, and return to the passage only for the specific information you need. Personalized tutoring helps you practice these techniques on real test passages until they become automatic, building the confidence and speed you need to tackle this section.

Pacing problems usually stem from spending too much time on difficult questions early in a section, which leaves you rushed at the end. The solution is learning which questions to tackle first (easier ones, where you build momentum and confidence), which to skip temporarily, and how to manage your remaining time strategically.

With personalized 1-on-1 instruction, a tutor can teach you section-specific timing strategies—like how many minutes to allocate to reading passages versus questions—and then monitor your practice tests to identify where you're losing time. They'll also help you distinguish between questions worth solving in detail versus those where an educated guess is more efficient, so you maximize correct answers in your available time.

Both tests emphasize algebra, functions, and word problems more than geometry, and many students underestimate how much test questions rely on translating real-world scenarios into equations. Trigonometry appears on the ACT but not the SAT, while the SAT includes more advanced algebra and some grid-in questions where you must enter numeric answers without multiple choices.

Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who diagnose exactly which topics are slowing you down—whether it's setting up equations, handling fractions and exponents, or managing time on harder geometry problems. They'll fill gaps in foundational skills while building test-specific strategies, like recognizing patterns in answer choices or working backward from options when direct solving is tedious.

Practice tests serve two purposes: they build your stamina for test day and reveal exactly which question types and topics trip you up. Early in your prep, take untimed practice tests to focus on accuracy and understanding. Once you're comfortable with content, switch to timed full-length tests to build speed and manage anxiety.

The real value comes from reviewing your practice tests thoroughly—not just checking your score, but analyzing every wrong answer to identify patterns. Are you missing inference questions? Rushing through calculations? Missing word problems? A tutor can help you extract actionable insights from each test, adjust your study plan based on what you discover, and track improvements over time to keep you motivated.