Score improvements depend on your starting point and study intensity, 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, personalized instruction over 8-12 weeks. The national average SAT score is around 1050 and ACT is around 21, so working with tutors who understand your specific weak areas—whether that's pacing on reading sections or tackling complex math problems—makes a real difference. Consistent practice combined with targeted strategy coaching tends to yield the strongest results.

Tutors diagnose exactly where you're losing points—whether it's misreading questions, running out of time, or missing certain math concepts—and tailor instruction to that weakness. For reading, they might teach annotation strategies and question-type patterns; for math, they focus on efficient problem-solving methods and identifying which questions to tackle first. Since the SAT and ACT have different reading formats and math content (the ACT includes trigonometry, the SAT doesn't), an all-in-one tutor helps you navigate both while building the foundational skills that transfer between them.

Practice tests are essential—they build test-day stamina, reveal your weak areas, and help you refine pacing strategy under realistic time pressure. Most students benefit from taking a full practice test every 1-2 weeks during active prep, then reviewing it carefully with a tutor to understand why you missed questions and what strategies would have helped. Between full tests, targeted practice on specific sections or question types keeps your skills sharp without burnout.

Absolutely. Test anxiety often stems from unfamiliarity with the format, unclear strategy, or past negative experiences—all things personalized instruction directly addresses. When you work with a tutor, you practice under timed conditions repeatedly, learn proven strategies that feel automatic on test day, and get real-time feedback that builds confidence. Many students find that mastering the material and having a solid game plan is the best antidote to anxiety.

Buffalo students have access to excellent schools—the area has 98 schools across 24 districts—but standardized test prep requires a different skill set than regular coursework. Many students benefit from expert guidance on test-specific strategies, pacing techniques, and question formats that aren't always covered in standard classes. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction lets tutors work around your school schedule and focus on exactly what you need to reach your target score.

After taking a practice SAT and ACT, compare your scores using a conversion chart (since they're scored differently—ACT out of 36, SAT out of 1600) to see which test genuinely plays to your strengths. Beyond raw scores, consider which test format felt more natural: Do you prefer the ACT's faster pace and science section, or the SAT's longer reading passages and grid-in math questions? A tutor can help you analyze your performance on each and recommend which test to target, though some students still take both to give colleges options.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in standardized test prep and understand both the ACT and SAT inside and out. Your first step is to share your target score, timeline, and any specific challenges you're facing—then you'll get matched with a tutor who can build a personalized study plan. Most students start with a diagnostic practice test to identify weak areas, then work through targeted lessons, strategy practice, and full-length tests leading up to your test date.