Score improvement varies based on your starting point and commitment level, but students typically see meaningful gains when they work consistently with personalized 1-on-1 instruction. Most students improve by 100-300 points, though the exact increase depends on your baseline score and which sections need the most work. The key is identifying your specific weaknesses early—whether that's reading comprehension, math problem-solving, or test pacing—and targeting those areas systematically throughout the summer.

Your first session focuses on assessment and strategy. A tutor will review your practice test results (or administer one if needed) to identify your strengths and pinpoint specific areas where you're losing points. Together, you'll develop a personalized study plan for the summer that addresses your weaknesses, whether that's timing issues on the reading section, specific math topics, or test anxiety management.

Students typically find the Reading and Writing section most challenging because it requires both speed and comprehension—you need to understand complex passages quickly and apply grammar rules accurately. The Math section often trips up students on timing and question format recognition, especially on harder problems that require multiple steps. A tutor can help you develop section-specific strategies: for reading, that might mean active annotation techniques; for math, it's practicing problem categorization and time management.

Most students benefit from taking 4-6 full-length practice tests throughout the summer, spaced 1-2 weeks apart so you have time to review and practice between tests. Each practice test serves a purpose: early tests help identify weak areas, middle tests let you practice new strategies, and final tests build test-day confidence. Between full tests, you'll focus on targeted drills for specific question types and content areas where you struggled.

Test anxiety often stems from uncertainty—not knowing what to expect or feeling unprepared for certain question types. Personalized tutoring builds confidence by familiarizing you with every aspect of the test: the format, timing, question types, and effective strategies. As you practice with a tutor and see your scores improve, anxiety naturally decreases because you've developed real skills and a concrete plan for test day.

Pacing issues usually come from spending too much time on difficult questions or not recognizing question types quickly. A tutor will teach you strategic approaches like identifying which questions to tackle first, knowing when to skip and return to a problem, and practicing with a timer to build speed without sacrificing accuracy. The SAT Summer Scholars program emphasizes these timing strategies across practice tests so you develop an automatic sense of how to allocate your 3 hours.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in SAT preparation and understand the specific challenges students face. When you get matched with a tutor, they'll review your goals, your starting score, and your target score to create a personalized summer study plan. You can discuss your preferred schedule and learning style to ensure the tutoring relationship works for your needs.