Score improvement depends on your starting point and effort level, but students typically see 2-4 point gains on the ACT (out of 36) or 100-200 point improvements on the SAT (out of 1600) with focused preparation. The national average SAT score is around 1050 and ACT average is about 21, so targeted instruction helps you identify and close specific gaps. Your personalized study plan will focus on your weakest sections first, which usually yields the fastest gains.

Your first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment to identify your strengths and weaknesses across both tests, followed by a discussion about your goals and timeline. Tutors will explain the key differences between ACT and SAT formats, show you sample questions, and help you understand which test might be a better fit. You'll leave with a personalized study roadmap and your first set of practice materials tailored to your needs.

Pacing is one of the biggest challenges students face, and personalized instruction helps you develop test-specific strategies—like the "grid" technique for reading or working backwards on math problems. Tutors teach you how to allocate time across sections based on your strengths and practice these strategies repeatedly with timed drills. Many students find that once they have a concrete pacing plan and practice it consistently, their anxiety decreases and scores improve significantly.

Personalized 1-on-1 instruction allows you to spend more time on your weaker sections while maintaining your strengths. For reading challenges, tutors focus on active reading strategies and question-type patterns; for math, they target conceptual gaps rather than just drilling formulas. Your study schedule will be weighted toward your problem areas, so you're not wasting time on content you've already mastered.

Most students benefit from taking a full-length practice test every 1-2 weeks once they've covered the core content, with more frequent testing closer to test day. Practice tests serve two purposes: they build test-day stamina and reveal which concepts still need work. Your tutor will review each practice test with you to identify patterns in your mistakes and adjust your study focus accordingly.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or unsure about question formats—personalized instruction directly addresses both by building genuine confidence through mastery. Tutors teach relaxation techniques, help you develop a pre-test routine, and use practice tests to simulate test-day conditions so nothing feels surprising. When you understand the material and have a solid strategy, anxiety naturally decreases.

Varsity Tutors connects students in Omaha with expert tutors who understand the local college landscape and can help you prepare for schools you're interested in attending. Many Omaha-area colleges have specific score expectations, and your tutor can tailor your prep to those benchmarks. Additionally, personalized instruction means you can work around your school schedule and local extracurriculars without stress.