For meaningful progress in 4 weeks, plan on 5-8 hours of focused study time per week outside of instruction—that's roughly 1-2 hours daily. This isn't passive review; it should include practice tests, section-specific drills, and reviewing mistakes from previous attempts. Your tutor will provide a customized study schedule based on which sections need the most attention. The combination of guided instruction plus consistent independent practice is what drives the biggest score gains in a compressed timeframe.

Pacing is one of the most common issues students face, especially on the Reading and Writing section where many students run out of time. A 4-week intensive program focuses heavily on strategic time management—learning which questions to tackle first, when to skip and return, and how to maintain accuracy while moving quickly. You'll practice full and timed sections to build the automaticity needed, and your tutor will help you identify whether you need to improve reading speed, calculation efficiency, or decision-making speed. This targeted approach is more effective than generic time-management tips.

Test anxiety often stems from uncertainty about what to expect or feeling unprepared for specific question types. A 4-week prep class builds confidence through repetition and familiarity—you'll see every type of question the SAT throws at you, understand the patterns, and practice under timed, test-like conditions multiple times. This removes much of the fear of the unknown. Your tutor can also teach specific anxiety-management techniques like pacing yourself intentionally, using strategic breaks within sections, and reframing challenging questions as opportunities to apply strategies you've practiced.

The process starts before week one—most tutors will have you take a full diagnostic practice test to pinpoint exactly where you're losing points. From there, you'll focus instruction on those specific problem areas rather than reviewing everything. For example, if you're strong in math but struggling with Reading comprehension, your 4 weeks will emphasize reading strategies, vocabulary in context, and passage analysis. This targeted approach is much more efficient than generic prep, and it means every session builds directly on what you need most.

A solid 4-week program typically includes 3-4 full practice tests—usually one at the start (diagnostic), one or two mid-program, and one near the end to measure progress. Full tests are spaced out so you have time to review and learn from mistakes before the next one. Beyond full tests, you'll do targeted section practice and question-type drills. The goal is balancing realistic test simulation with enough focused practice on specific skills. Your tutor will customize this based on your schedule and how quickly you're mastering different areas.

Absolutely—they require very different skill sets and strategies. Math success hinges on knowing formulas, recognizing question patterns, and executing calculations accurately under time pressure. Reading success depends on quickly identifying main ideas, finding textual evidence, and interpreting word meanings from context. A 4-week class tailors instruction accordingly: math sessions focus on problem types and strategic shortcuts, while reading sessions emphasize active reading, passage mapping, and question analysis. Most students find they need more intensive work in one section, which is why personalized 1-on-1 instruction during a condensed program is so effective.