Score improvement depends on your starting point and effort level. Students typically see gains of 100-300 points when they commit to the full 8-week program and complete assigned practice between sessions. The national average SAT score is around 1050, so consistent practice on weak areas—whether that's reading comprehension, algebra, or test-taking pacing—makes a measurable difference. Your tutors will identify your specific weak areas early and tailor instruction to maximize improvement before test day.

Pacing is one of the biggest challenges students face, and 8-week prep includes dedicated timing drills for each section. You'll practice working through questions at the required pace (roughly 1.5 minutes per Reading question, 1.5 minutes per Math question), learn which questions to tackle first versus skip, and develop strategies to avoid getting stuck. Timed practice tests throughout the 8 weeks help you build stamina and confidence so you're not rushing or running out of time on test day.

The personalized 1-on-1 instruction within an 8-week class structure allows tutors to spend more time on your weaker sections while maintaining momentum in your stronger areas. For example, if Reading & Writing is your challenge, you'll work on vocabulary in context, main idea questions, and grammar rules with targeted strategies. If Math is the struggle, you'll focus on the specific topics tripping you up—whether that's algebra, geometry, or word problems—with extra practice and conceptual review.

Most 8-week prep programs include 3-4 full-length practice tests administered throughout the course, typically one every 2 weeks. These tests serve as diagnostic tools to identify weak areas early and track progress as you prepare. Between full tests, you'll complete section-specific drills and shorter timed practice sets. Your tutors will review each practice test with you in detail, explaining mistakes and refining your approach before your actual test date.

Confidence comes from familiarity and preparation. An 8-week program builds test anxiety management through repeated exposure to real SAT questions, timed conditions, and full-length practice tests that simulate the actual test experience. You'll learn breathing techniques and mental strategies to stay calm under pressure, understand exactly what to expect on test day, and develop a clear action plan for each section. By test day, you'll have practiced the test format dozens of times, which significantly reduces anxiety.

For an 8-week program to be effective, plan to spend 5-10 hours per week on independent practice outside of tutoring sessions—this includes completing assigned practice problems, reviewing mistakes, and taking timed drills. Your tutors will provide a structured study schedule that breaks this into manageable daily tasks. Consistent effort outside of sessions is what drives score improvement, so having a realistic plan and sticking to it is crucial.

Varsity Tutors connects students in Buffalo with experienced SAT prep tutors who understand the test format, common student challenges, and effective strategies to improve scores. When you get matched with a tutor, you'll discuss your goals, current score, target score, and test date so they can personalize the 8-week curriculum to your needs. Tutors have extensive experience helping Buffalo-area students prepare for the SAT and will work at your pace to build both skills and confidence.