A 4-week SAT prep class focuses on high-impact strategies rather than starting from the basics. Typically, the curriculum covers:

• Advanced test-taking strategies for each section (Reading, Writing & Language, and Math)
• Pacing techniques to answer more questions accurately within time limits
• Identifying question patterns and trap answers
• Managing test anxiety and building confidence
• Practice tests and performance analysis

The condensed timeline means instruction is laser-focused on improving your actual test performance, not comprehensive content review. Instructors will help you understand your strengths and weaknesses first, then concentrate on strategies that will have the biggest impact on your score.

Ideally, you should complete at least 2-3 full-length practice tests during a 4-week prep period—one at the beginning to establish a baseline, one mid-way through to track progress, and one near the end to simulate test day conditions. This gives you concrete data about where you stand and how your strategies are working.

Beyond full tests, you'll want to practice specific question types and time-management drills between the full tests. The practice tests should be actual SAT tests (from the College Board) so you're practicing with authentic question formats and difficulty levels. Your instructor can help you analyze each test to identify patterns in the questions you're missing.

Timing is often the biggest challenge on the SAT, and a 4-week prep class should dedicate significant focus to pacing strategies. The Reading section has the tightest time constraints, so effective strategies include skimming strategically, identifying question types before reading passages, and knowing when to skip a difficult question rather than getting stuck.

For Math, pacing means recognizing which questions are likely easier versus harder (difficulty typically increases through the section), and knowing your own speed on different question types. The Writing & Language section rewards fast, accurate work. Your instructor will help you practice these sections under timed conditions repeatedly, gradually building your speed while maintaining accuracy. The goal isn't to do everything faster—it's to work smarter about which questions to tackle first.

The first step is taking a full-length diagnostic practice test to get your baseline score and see which sections give you the most trouble. For students in Miami, a tutor can help you analyze your results by looking at: which question types you consistently miss, whether your errors are careless mistakes or knowledge gaps, and where you lose the most time.

In a 4-week timeline, prioritize sections where you can make the quickest gains. Often that's the Writing & Language section—many students see fast improvement here with targeted grammar strategies. Then focus on your lowest-scoring section, whether that's Reading or Math. Your tutor can create a customized study schedule that dedicates more time to high-impact improvements and less time to areas where you're already strong.

Yes. Much of test anxiety stems from feeling unprepared or unsure about what to expect. A focused 4-week class builds confidence by familiarizing you with the exact format of every section, teaching you proven strategies you can rely on, and giving you repeated practice under timed, test-like conditions. The more you practice authentically, the less the actual test day feels like an unknown.

Your instructor can also teach specific anxiety-management techniques—like how to recognize when you're getting stuck on a question and using a strategic skip to maintain momentum, or breathing techniques to reset when you feel overwhelmed. Practicing these strategies multiple times during prep helps them become automatic on test day.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors in Miami who specialize in SAT prep. When matching with a tutor, look for someone with strong SAT performance data, test-specific teaching experience, and familiarity with the exact format and content you'll encounter on test day. Your tutor should be able to explain their teaching approach and be responsive about focusing your prep on your specific weak areas.

You'll want a tutor who uses actual SAT practice tests (not made-up materials), teaches time-management strategies, and provides detailed feedback on your practice test performance. Starting with a clear conversation about your baseline score, your target score, and your specific challenges will help ensure your 4-week prep is as effective as possible.