Score improvement depends on your starting point, effort, and time invested. Students typically see gains of 2-4 points on the ACT (out of 36) or 100-200 points on the SAT (out of 1600) with focused preparation over 2-3 months. The national average SAT score is around 1050 and ACT average is about 21, so even modest improvements can significantly boost your percentile ranking and college application competitiveness.

Personalized 1-on-1 instruction starts with diagnostic testing to pinpoint exactly where you struggle—whether it's reading comprehension speed, algebra concepts, or grammar rules. Rather than generic review, tutors focus on your specific gaps, teach targeted strategies for that section's unique format, and use practice problems to build mastery. This targeted approach is far more efficient than trying to improve everything at once.

Test anxiety often stems from unfamiliarity with the format or feeling rushed. Tutors help by building confidence through repeated exposure to authentic practice tests, teaching time-management strategies specific to each section, and working through your mental blocks in a low-pressure setting. As you master the material and prove to yourself that you can handle the pace, anxiety naturally decreases.

Practice tests are essential—they help identify weak areas, build test-day stamina, and reduce surprises on exam day. Most effective prep includes full-length practice tests every 1-2 weeks, with tutors reviewing your results to spot patterns (like consistently missing inference questions or running out of time on math). This data-driven approach ensures you're spending study time where it matters most.

Varsity Tutors connects students in Albuquerque with expert tutors who specialize in standardized test prep and understand both the ACT and SAT inside and out. You can match with tutors based on their experience, teaching style, and availability—whether you prefer to meet in person or via video—ensuring you get instruction tailored to your learning needs and schedule.

Most students benefit from 5-10 hours of focused study per week over 2-3 months, combined with 1-2 tutoring sessions weekly. The exact timeline depends on your starting score and target score, but consistency matters more than cramming. Tutors help you build a realistic study plan that fits your school schedule and other commitments while keeping you on track toward test day.

Your first session focuses on assessment and goal-setting. Tutors review your practice test scores (or administer a diagnostic if you haven't taken one), discuss your target score and college goals, and identify your strongest and weakest areas. From there, they create a personalized study plan that outlines which sections to prioritize, which strategies to focus on, and how many sessions you'll need to reach your goals.