Pacing is one of the most common challenges on the SAT, especially in Reading & Writing where you have limited time per question. Effective strategies include: practicing timed sections to build speed naturally, skipping harder questions initially and returning later, and using elimination techniques to narrow choices quickly. A 4-week prep class lets you work through these strategies repeatedly with actual SAT questions under timed conditions. Your tutor can help you identify whether you're rushing through careless mistakes or genuinely struggling with difficult concepts—these require different solutions.

Absolutely. Rather than spending equal time on both sections, a personalized 4-week plan can dedicate more hours to Reading & Writing while maintaining your Math skills. Since you're already strong in Math, this approach prevents wasted time and maximizes your score potential. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who tailor the curriculum to your exact strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to allocate your four weeks strategically. Your tutor will likely include some Math practice to prevent skill erosion, but the emphasis will clearly be on building Reading & Writing confidence and speed.

Most effective 4-week prep plans include 2-3 full-length practice tests spread throughout the course. Taking your first practice test early (Week 1) establishes a baseline and reveals your specific weak areas, the second in Week 2-3 helps you track progress and refine strategies, and a final test in Week 4 simulates test day conditions and builds confidence. Between practice tests, you'll focus on targeted drills for problem areas rather than repeating full tests. This balanced approach is more effective than cramming multiple tests back-to-back, which doesn't leave time to actually learn from mistakes.

Test anxiety often stems from unfamiliarity with the format, time pressure, or past negative experiences. A 4-week class tackles this through repeated exposure to real SAT questions under timed conditions, which builds familiarity and confidence. Tutors also teach stress-management techniques like controlled breathing, positive self-talk, and strategic question selection to reduce panic. By practicing timed sections consistently and seeing your score improve, you'll develop trust in your preparation—one of the best antidotes to test anxiety. Your tutor can identify whether your mistakes are careless (fixable with a checklist or slower pacing) or conceptual (requiring more practice on specific topics).

For a spring test (March or May), starting in January or early February gives you a solid 4-week intensive push with time to build momentum before test day. For a fall test (August or September), starting in June or July is ideal. However, the best time to start is whenever you've identified that you need focused help—if you've already taken the SAT once or recently took a practice test, starting immediately maximizes your gains. Many Boston students in the 32 public and charter schools across the area coordinate their prep around junior year deadlines, but your tutor can work with your specific timeline and target test date.

Week 1: Diagnostic practice test to identify weak areas, review of SAT format and question types, and foundational strategy lessons. Week 2: Intensive drills on high-priority weak areas, timed section practice, and strategy refinement. Week 3: Continued targeted practice, second full-length practice test, and focus on pacing and time management. Week 4: Review of lessons learned, final full-length practice test under timed conditions, confidence building, and test-day strategy review. Most classes meet 1-2 times per week with homework between sessions. Your tutor will customize this structure based on your starting point and goals, ensuring you spend time where it matters most.