Many students struggle with pacing because the SAT Math section requires both accuracy and speed—you have about 1.5 minutes per question on average. The challenge isn't just solving problems correctly; it's recognizing which questions to tackle first, which to skip strategically, and how to manage anxiety when time pressure builds. A tutor can teach you proven timing strategies, help you identify your fastest problem types, and build confidence through timed practice tests.

The best way is to take a full-length practice test under timed conditions, then analyze which question types and topics you missed most. The SAT Math section covers algebra, advanced math, problem-solving, data analysis, geometry, and trigonometry—and most students have 1-2 areas where they consistently lose points. When you connect with a tutor through Varsity Tutors, they'll review your practice test results to pinpoint exactly where to focus, rather than wasting time on topics you've already mastered.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or uncertain about question formats—but personalized tutoring builds both competence and confidence. When you work through realistic practice problems with a tutor, solve challenging questions under timed conditions, and develop a clear strategy for test day, the anxiety naturally decreases. Tutors also teach specific techniques like the "read-pause-solve" method to help you stay calm when you encounter a tricky problem.

The SAT Math section includes multiple-choice questions, student-produced response questions (grid-ins where you enter your own answer), and questions that may have multiple correct answers. Each format has its own strategy—for example, grid-in questions require careful attention to decimal placement and rounding, while multiple-choice lets you use process-of-elimination. A tutor can walk you through the specific strategies for each format and give you targeted practice so you're not caught off-guard on test day.

Most students benefit from 2-4 months of focused preparation, with 3-5 hours of study per week, though your timeline depends on your starting score and target score. If you're aiming for significant improvement, starting earlier gives you time to master weak topics and take multiple practice tests. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who can create a realistic study schedule tailored to your timeline and goals, keeping you on track without overwhelming yourself.

Taking 4-6 full-length practice tests under timed conditions is ideal—this gives you enough data to identify patterns in your mistakes and build test-day stamina. After each practice test, the real learning happens during review: analyzing why you got questions wrong, understanding the concepts you missed, and adjusting your strategy. A tutor can guide your practice test selection, help you review results efficiently, and ensure you're not just taking tests but actually learning from them.

Your first session typically focuses on assessment and planning. The tutor will review your practice test scores, discuss your target score and timeline, and identify your strongest and weakest areas. You'll walk away with a clear understanding of what to focus on and a personalized study plan—so you can start making progress immediately. Most students find that having an expert guide their preparation saves them months of unfocused studying.