Score improvements depend on where a student starts and how much they prepare, but most students see meaningful gains—often 50-150 points—when they work with a tutor on targeted strategies and practice. The key is identifying specific weak areas (like reading comprehension pacing or algebra concepts) and addressing them systematically rather than cramming.

Reading and writing challenges are common, particularly with time management—students often run out of time before finishing all questions. Math struggles typically center on algebra, functions, and word problems that require careful reading. A tutor can help you develop section-specific strategies, like tackling easier questions first and using process-of-elimination techniques effectively.

Most students benefit from 4-8 weeks of consistent preparation, meeting with a tutor 1-2 times per week. This timeline allows enough time to learn test-specific strategies, take multiple practice tests, review mistakes, and build confidence before test day. Students starting further in advance can move at a comfortable pace; those with less time can focus on high-impact areas.

Your first session typically includes a diagnostic practice test or assessment to identify your current strengths and weaknesses across all three sections. From there, a tutor will work with you to create a personalized study plan focused on your biggest opportunities for improvement, whether that's reading strategy, math concepts, or time management.

Practice tests are essential—they help you get comfortable with the test format, build stamina for the full exam, and identify patterns in your mistakes. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who use official PSAT practice materials and help you analyze each practice test to target your specific weak areas rather than just retaking the same types of questions.

Test anxiety often stems from unfamiliarity with the test format or lack of confidence in your abilities. Working with a tutor builds both through repeated practice, learning proven test-taking strategies, and gaining a realistic sense of what to expect on test day. When you know what's coming and have practiced extensively, anxiety naturally decreases.

Absolutely—the PSAT and SAT share the same format, question types, and content areas, so strategies you learn for the PSAT transfer directly to SAT prep. Many students find that strong PSAT preparation gives them a head start on SAT tutoring, since they already understand how the test works and can focus on deeper skill-building and score optimization.