The biggest hurdles are typically pacing through dense reading passages, managing test anxiety during the timed sections, and understanding the nuanced differences between answer choices that seem similar. Many students also struggle with vocabulary in context questions and identifying the author's intent or tone. A tutor can help you develop strategies for each question type and build confidence through practice and feedback.

This depends on your diagnostic test results—take a full practice SAT to identify which section is dragging your score down. Some students find Reading more challenging because it requires managing longer passages and inferential thinking, while others struggle more with the grammar and syntax rules tested in Writing & Language. A tutor can analyze your practice test to pinpoint your weakest areas and create a targeted study plan that addresses them in the right order.

Most students benefit from taking 4-6 full-length practice tests under timed conditions spread across their study period. This gives you enough repetition to identify patterns in your mistakes and build stamina for the actual test, while leaving time to review and adjust your strategies. Spacing these out over several weeks—rather than cramming them all at once—helps your brain consolidate what you're learning through spaced repetition.

Your first session typically starts with a diagnostic assessment—either reviewing a recent practice test or taking one together—to identify your strengths and specific gaps. From there, a tutor will discuss your target score, timeline, and learning style to create a personalized study plan. You'll likely work through a few sample questions to see how the tutor explains concepts and strategies, so you can get a feel for how you'll work together.

Pacing is one of the most learnable skills on SAT Verbal. Effective strategies include previewing questions before reading the passage, identifying question types to know what to look for, and practicing active reading to avoid re-reading. Many students also benefit from setting time benchmarks—for example, spending 3 minutes per passage and 8-9 minutes on its questions. A tutor can help you experiment with different approaches during practice tests to find what works best for your reading speed and comprehension.

Confidence comes from preparation and familiarity with the test format. By working through practice questions and full-length tests with a tutor, you'll build competence in recognizing question patterns and applying strategies consistently. Tutors can also teach you specific techniques for managing anxiety in the moment—like breathing exercises and how to skip difficult questions strategically without panic. The more prepared you feel, the calmer you'll be on test day.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have strong track records preparing students for the SAT Verbal section. We consider your target score, preferred learning style, and schedule to find the right fit. Once matched, you'll have the opportunity to meet with your tutor to discuss your goals and ensure you work well together before committing to a full study plan.