Score improvement depends on your starting point and how consistently you prepare, but most students see meaningful gains with focused, personalized instruction. Students who work with tutors typically improve by 50-150 points over 3-6 months, though results vary based on baseline skills and study intensity. The key is identifying your specific weak areas—whether that's reading comprehension, math problem-solving, or test pacing—and targeting those through deliberate practice and strategy refinement.

The SHSAT has three main sections: Verbal Reasoning (reading comprehension and vocabulary), Mathematics, and Writing. Many students find Verbal Reasoning challenging because it requires both reading speed and deep comprehension under time pressure, while others struggle with the Math section's multi-step problem-solving. Pacing is a common issue across all sections—students often run out of time before completing the test. Personalized instruction helps you identify which section is your biggest hurdle and develop targeted strategies to address it.

Practice tests are essential—they help you understand the test format, build stamina for the full exam, and identify specific weak areas. Taking full-length practice tests under timed conditions mimics the real test experience and reveals whether your struggles are content-based or strategy-based (like pacing or question interpretation). Most students benefit from taking 4-6 full practice tests throughout their preparation, with tutors helping them analyze results and refine their approach after each one.

Most students benefit from 3-6 months of preparation, though this depends on your starting level and target score. Students typically work with tutors 1-2 times per week, combining personalized instruction with independent practice between sessions. Starting earlier gives you more time to build foundational skills, take multiple practice tests, and refine strategies without rushing—students who cram in just 4-6 weeks often feel more stressed and see less dramatic improvements.

Test anxiety often stems from unfamiliarity with the test format or uncertainty about your abilities. Working with a tutor helps you become deeply familiar with question types, develop reliable strategies, and build confidence through repeated success on practice problems and tests. As you see your scores improve and understand the patterns in the questions, anxiety naturally decreases. Tutors also teach specific test-day strategies—like pacing techniques and how to manage time pressure—that give you concrete tools to stay calm during the actual exam.

Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who have deep expertise in SHSAT preparation and understand the specific challenges of this test. When you get matched with a tutor, you can discuss your goals, current skill level, and timeline so they can create a personalized study plan tailored to your needs. Expert tutors bring test-specific strategies, access to quality practice materials, and the ability to diagnose exactly where you're losing points—whether it's reading speed, math concepts, or test-taking tactics.

Your first session is typically a diagnostic and planning meeting. The tutor will assess your current skills through a practice test or targeted questions, discuss your goals and timeline, and identify your strongest and weakest areas. Together, you'll create a personalized study plan that outlines which topics to focus on, how often you'll meet, and what independent practice looks like between sessions. This foundation ensures that every future session is strategically designed to move you closer to your target score.