Many students struggle with the Reading and Writing section, which gives you 64 minutes to complete 52 questions—requiring strong time management. The Math section challenges students differently: some rush through easy problems and make careless errors, while others get stuck on harder questions and run out of time. A tutor can help you develop a personalized pacing strategy, teach you which questions to tackle first, and show you when it's smart to skip a problem and come back later. Practice tests during the summer are crucial for getting comfortable with the timing before test day.

Chicago's academic calendar gives summer as an ideal window for focused SAT prep before fall junior or senior year testing. Without competing homework and coursework, you can dedicate consistent hours to understanding test strategy, taking full-length practice tests, and addressing specific weaknesses. Summer tutoring also allows you to establish strong habits and confidence well before application deadlines, reducing stress during the busy school year. For students in Chicago's 12 school districts managing different academic paces, personalized summer tutoring bridges gaps and ensures you're fully prepared for test day.

This depends entirely on your goals and current performance. If you're aiming for a top college, balancing all three sections matters, but many students see faster score gains by targeting their weakest area first. For example, if your math score is significantly lower than your reading score, dedicating extra practice sessions to math might yield bigger overall improvements. A tutor can analyze your diagnostic test results to recommend whether you should focus on one section intensively or maintain balanced preparation. Your target score and testing timeline also influence this decision.

Test anxiety often stems from unfamiliarity with the format or feeling underprepared. Summer tutoring directly addresses both: taking multiple full-length practice tests under timed conditions builds confidence and reduces anxiety through familiarity. A tutor can teach you grounding techniques (like strategic breathing during the test), help you develop a positive mindset about difficult questions, and show you that pacing strategies give you more control. The more practice tests you take before August, the calmer you'll feel walking into the real exam in fall.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert SAT tutors in Chicago who understand both the test format and effective summer preparation strategies. When you get matched with a tutor, you can discuss your specific goals—whether you're aiming for a particular score, targeting specific schools, or addressing test-taking anxiety. Tutors can structure sessions around the Summer Scholars timeline, incorporating practice tests, strategy drills, and review of weak areas. The personalized 1-on-1 instruction means your tutor adapts to your learning style and pace, rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach.

Most students benefit from taking 4-6 full-length practice tests spread throughout the summer, starting with a diagnostic test early on to identify weaknesses. Taking practice tests under realistic timed conditions is one of the most effective ways to improve—they reveal exactly where you lose time, make careless errors, or struggle conceptually. After each test, the valuable work is reviewing every wrong answer, understanding why you missed it, and identifying patterns. A tutor can help you interpret your practice test results, prioritize which concepts to review, and adjust your study plan based on what the data shows.