Your first session focuses on understanding your baseline skills and test-taking habits. Your tutor will review your SSAT practice test results (or administer one), discuss which sections challenge you most, and ask about your target score and timeline. From there, you'll develop a personalized study plan that addresses your specific weak areas, whether that's reading comprehension pacing, math problem-solving strategies, or writing clarity.

Pacing is one of the most common SSAT challenges because students often spend too much time on difficult questions and rush through easier ones. Your tutor will teach you strategic time management—like identifying which questions to tackle first, when to skip and return to a problem, and how to allocate time across sections. Practice tests are essential here; working through full-length timed tests with your tutor helps you develop a rhythm that works for your brain.

That depends on your practice test scores and which section feels more challenging. Many students struggle with Reading comprehension because it requires both speed and accuracy, while others find Math more difficult due to specific gaps in foundational skills. Your tutor will analyze your practice test data to pinpoint which section will give you the biggest score boost, then tailor your sessions accordingly—though most SSAT prep includes work on both areas.

Most students benefit from taking a full-length practice test every 2-3 weeks to track progress and identify patterns in mistakes. Early in your prep, you might focus on timed section drills with your tutor, then gradually move to full tests as test day approaches. Your tutor will review each practice test with you to spot trends—like whether you're missing certain question types or running out of time—so you can adjust your strategy accordingly.

Test anxiety often stems from uncertainty about what to expect or feeling unprepared. Regular tutoring builds confidence through familiarity with question formats, consistent practice, and concrete strategies you can rely on during the actual test. Your tutor will also help you develop mental approaches—like staying calm when you encounter a hard question—and ensure you've practiced under realistic timed conditions so test day feels less intimidating.

The Writing section tests your ability to write a clear, organized essay under time pressure. Your tutor will teach you a reliable essay structure, help you brainstorm quickly, and provide feedback on your drafts to improve clarity and grammar. Unlike the multiple-choice sections, Writing improves through actual practice writing essays, so expect to write several timed essays during your tutoring sessions and get personalized feedback on each one.

Look for tutors with strong SSAT expertise, ideally including personal test-taking experience and a track record of helping students improve scores. They should be familiar with the specific question types, timing challenges, and strategies that work for the SSAT format. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who understand the test deeply and can tailor their approach to your learning style and target schools.