Score improvement depends on your starting point, the areas you focus on, and how consistently you practice. Many students see meaningful gains—often 5-15 percentile points—when they work with a tutor to identify weak areas, learn test-specific strategies, and practice with realistic questions. The key is targeted preparation that addresses your individual challenges rather than generic test prep.

Your first session focuses on understanding where you stand. A tutor will review your previous test results (if available), assess your strengths and weaknesses across reading, writing, and math sections, and discuss your goals. This diagnostic approach helps create a personalized study plan rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, so your tutoring time targets what actually needs improvement.

Pacing is one of the most common challenges students face on timed tests. Tutors help you practice with realistic time limits, teach you which questions to tackle first based on difficulty, and develop strategies for when to move on versus spend more time on a problem. Regular timed practice tests build the automaticity you need so you're not rushing or second-guessing yourself on test day.

That depends on your diagnostic results. Some students struggle more with reading comprehension and analyzing complex texts, while others find math concepts or problem-solving strategies challenging. A tutor will pinpoint which sections need the most work and can focus there while maintaining your strengths in other areas. Many students benefit from balanced preparation, but your plan should reflect your actual needs.

Practice tests are essential—they familiarize you with question formats, help you identify patterns in what you struggle with, and build test-day stamina. Taking full-length practice tests under timed conditions reveals whether your issues are conceptual (not understanding the material) or strategic (rushing, misreading questions, poor time management). This distinction is crucial because it determines what your tutor focuses on.

Test anxiety often stems from uncertainty—not knowing what to expect or feeling unprepared. Regular practice with realistic questions, understanding exactly what the test measures, and developing concrete strategies for problem-solving all reduce anxiety significantly. Tutors also help you recognize which worries are legitimate (I need to understand this concept) versus unhelpful (I'm going to fail), so you can focus your energy productively.

Look for tutors with strong backgrounds in the specific content areas tested—reading/language arts and mathematics—plus experience preparing students for standardized assessments. Ideally, they understand Illinois learning standards and can explain not just answers but the reasoning behind them. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have proven track records helping students improve their ISAT performance.