Score improvement depends on your starting point and effort level, but students typically see 50-100+ point gains with focused preparation over 8-12 weeks. The key is identifying which question types trip you up—whether that's pacing, conceptual gaps, or test-taking strategy—and addressing those specific areas. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who create personalized study plans targeting your weak spots rather than generic test prep.

The PSAT Math section gives you about 1.8 minutes per question, which feels tight if you're second-guessing yourself. Many students benefit from learning to skip difficult problems strategically, solve easier questions first to build confidence, and use elimination techniques on multiple choice. A tutor can help you practice timed sections repeatedly so pacing becomes automatic, reducing anxiety and improving accuracy.

Students often struggle with multi-step word problems, understanding what a question is really asking, and managing time across both calculator and no-calculator sections. Algebra and advanced math concepts also trip up many test-takers who haven't seen certain problem types before. Working with a tutor helps you recognize patterns in question formats and build confidence tackling unfamiliar problem structures.

Your first session focuses on assessment and planning. A tutor will review your current skill level, discuss your goals, and likely have you work through a few PSAT-style problems to identify specific gaps—whether that's conceptual understanding, speed, or test strategy. From there, they'll create a customized roadmap that targets your needs and fits your timeline before test day.

Practice tests are essential—they're the closest thing to the real test and reveal exactly where you lose points under timed conditions. Taking full-length practice tests every 2-3 weeks lets you track progress and identify patterns in your mistakes. Many tutors use official PSAT practice materials and help you review each test to understand not just what you got wrong, but why you made that mistake.

Look for tutors with strong mathematics backgrounds, proven experience preparing students for standardized tests, and familiarity with PSAT-specific question formats and strategies. It's also helpful if they understand how PSAT Math relates to SAT preparation, since many students take both tests. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have the subject expertise and test prep experience to guide you effectively.

Most students benefit from 8-12 weeks of preparation, meeting with a tutor 1-2 times per week for focused instruction plus independent practice between sessions. If you're starting with significant gaps, you might begin earlier or increase frequency. A tutor can help you balance quality practice (working through challenging problems with strategy) against quantity, so you're not just grinding problems mindlessly.