Score improvement depends on your starting point, how much you practice, and how consistently you work with a tutor. Most students see meaningful gains—often 10-20 percentile points or more—when they identify weak areas and focus on targeted skill-building over several weeks. The key is consistent practice combined with personalized feedback on the specific question types and content areas where you struggle most.

Your first session focuses on assessment and planning. A tutor will review your current performance, identify specific strengths and gaps (whether in reading comprehension, math problem-solving, or test-taking strategy), and create a customized study plan tailored to your needs. This foundation helps ensure every subsequent session targets exactly what will move your score forward.

Test anxiety often stems from unfamiliarity with question formats and time pressure. Tutors help by building confidence through repeated exposure to authentic ISAT questions, teaching time-management strategies specific to each section, and practicing under timed conditions. As you become more comfortable with the test structure and develop a rhythm for pacing, anxiety naturally decreases.

This depends on your diagnostic results. Some students struggle more with reading comprehension and vocabulary, while others find math problem-solving challenging. A tutor will analyze your practice test results to identify which section needs the most attention, then create a balanced study plan that addresses both areas while prioritizing your biggest gaps. Many students benefit from focused work on their weaker section combined with maintenance practice on their stronger one.

Practice tests are essential—they reveal exactly which question types and content areas trip you up, help you build stamina for the full test length, and let you practice pacing in realistic conditions. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who use practice tests strategically throughout your prep, reviewing results together to pinpoint patterns in your mistakes and adjust your study focus accordingly.

Most students benefit from 6-12 weeks of focused preparation, though this varies based on your starting level and test date. If you're significantly below grade-level expectations, starting earlier gives you time to build foundational skills. A tutor can assess where you stand and recommend a realistic timeline, then structure sessions to build momentum toward test day without overwhelming you.

Look for tutors with strong subject-area knowledge in both ELA and Math, familiarity with Illinois standards and the ISAT format, and experience helping students improve test performance. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who understand the specific skills and strategies needed to succeed on this assessment and can explain concepts clearly when you're stuck.