Score improvement depends on your starting point and study intensity, but many students see gains of 50-150 points with focused preparation. Consistent practice with personalized 1-on-1 instruction helps identify weak areas—whether that's reading comprehension, quantitative reasoning, or verbal skills—and allows you to target those specific challenges. Most students benefit from 8-12 weeks of regular tutoring combined with structured practice tests.

Many students struggle with pacing—the test moves quickly and time management is critical. Reading comprehension questions often trip up students who haven't practiced the specific question formats, and the verbal section requires strong vocabulary and analogical reasoning skills. Math challenges typically involve word problems and multi-step reasoning rather than pure computation. A tutor can help you develop strategies for each section and build confidence through targeted practice.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who start by assessing your strengths and weaknesses through a diagnostic practice test. From there, your tutor creates a personalized study plan that targets your specific needs—whether that's building reading speed, strengthening math foundations, or mastering test-taking strategies. Sessions typically include strategy instruction, practice problems, timed drills, and full-length practice tests to simulate test day conditions.

Most students benefit from 8-12 weeks of consistent preparation, meeting with a tutor 1-2 times per week. If you're starting further from your goal score or have significant gaps in foundational skills, a longer timeline may help. The key is regular practice combined with strategic instruction—cramming in the final weeks is less effective than steady, focused work over several months.

Test anxiety often decreases with familiarity and confidence, which is why practice tests are so valuable. Taking multiple full-length, timed practice tests under realistic conditions helps normalize the experience and reduces surprises on test day. Your tutor can also teach you specific strategies for staying calm under pressure, managing your time effectively, and maintaining focus when questions feel difficult. Building competence through targeted practice is one of the best anxiety remedies.

Absolutely. Some students are strong in math but need help with reading comprehension, or vice versa. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who can customize your prep to focus on your weakest areas while maintaining your strengths. That said, most students benefit from at least some attention to all three sections to ensure balanced performance and maximize their overall score.

Start by connecting with Varsity Tutors to discuss your goals, timeline, and current skill level. You'll get matched with a tutor who has expertise in SSAT prep and understands what selective schools in Indianapolis are looking for. Your first session typically includes an assessment and the beginning of your personalized study plan, so you can hit the ground running toward your score goals.