Pacing is one of the biggest challenges on the SHSAT since you have limited time for each section. Most students benefit from spending 1-2 minutes per question on the verbal section and slightly longer on math, depending on difficulty. A tutor can help you practice the actual timing of full tests, teach you which questions to skip and return to, and develop a personalized pacing strategy that matches your strengths. Many students rush through easy problems and spend too much time on hard ones—tutoring helps you identify your optimal pace before test day.

The SHSAT weights both sections equally, so balanced preparation is important—but most students have one section that needs more attention. If math is your strength, you might focus extra time on verbal reading comprehension and logic games. If verbal comes naturally, spend more energy on algebra, geometry, and word problems. A tutor can diagnose which section is dragging down your overall score and create a study plan that strengthens your weaker area while maintaining your strengths. Taking a full practice test is the best way to identify where to concentrate your efforts.

Most students benefit from taking a full practice test every 1-2 weeks during their tutoring period, with timed conditions that match the real test. This helps you track improvement, build test-day stamina, and get comfortable with the format and timing. Between full tests, targeted practice on specific question types—like logic games or reading comprehension—helps reinforce skills without the fatigue of a full exam. A tutor can guide you through each practice test, review your mistakes to identify patterns, and adjust your study focus based on where you're losing points.

Test anxiety often stems from unfamiliarity with the test format or uncertainty about your abilities—both things tutoring directly addresses. By practicing repeatedly with timed conditions, taking full-length practice tests, and mastering the specific question types you'll encounter, you build genuine confidence that reduces anxiety on test day. A tutor can also teach you practical strategies like deep breathing, positive self-talk, and how to manage your time so you're not rushed. Many students find that knowing exactly what to expect and having practiced thousands of similar questions significantly reduces their nervousness.

Ideally, start tutoring 2-3 months before your test date if you're aiming for a competitive score. This gives you time to master content, identify weak areas, take multiple practice tests, and refine your strategy. If you have less time, even 4-6 weeks of focused tutoring can help you improve significantly—particularly if you already have a strong foundation and just need to refine your approach. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors for students in Atlanta who can assess your current level and recommend a timeline tailored to your goals and starting point.

Logic games require both reading comprehension and deductive reasoning, which makes them one of the trickiest sections for many students. The challenge is working through the setup quickly while keeping track of multiple constraints—a skill that improves dramatically with practice. Many students spend too much time on one game and run out of time, so strategy matters as much as logic ability. A tutor can teach you efficient diagramming techniques, help you recognize common game patterns, and show you how to skip a difficult game strategically and return to it if time allows. With targeted practice on logic games specifically, most students see noticeable improvement within 3-4 weeks.