Score improvement depends on your starting point, the specific areas you're working on, and how consistently you engage with tutoring. Students typically see meaningful gains—often 10-20 percentile points or more—when they work with a tutor to target weak areas, learn test-specific strategies, and practice with authentic test questions. The key is identifying exactly where you're struggling (reading comprehension, math problem-solving, time management) and building targeted skills in those areas.

Your first session is focused on assessment and planning. A tutor will review your background, discuss your ISAT goals, and likely administer a diagnostic to pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses across reading, writing, and math sections. This helps create a personalized study plan that targets your specific needs rather than generic test prep. You'll leave with a clear understanding of what to focus on and how tutoring will help you improve.

Timing is one of the most common challenges students face on standardized tests. Tutors help you develop pacing strategies by breaking down how much time to spend on each question type, teaching you when to skip difficult questions and come back later, and building speed through repeated practice with authentic test sections. Regular timed practice tests are essential—they help you internalize the rhythm of the test and build confidence that you can finish within the time limits.

Many students excel in one area while struggling in another, and that's completely normal. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who can customize your study plan to spend more time on your weaker subject while maintaining your strength in the other. For example, if math is your challenge, you might focus 70% of sessions on math problem-solving and test-taking strategies, while keeping reading skills sharp with targeted practice.

Test anxiety often stems from uncertainty about what to expect or feeling unprepared. Working with a tutor builds confidence by familiarizing you with the exact format of ISAT questions, teaching you proven test-taking strategies, and giving you lots of practice in low-pressure settings before test day. As you see your skills improve through practice tests and targeted work, anxiety naturally decreases because you know you're ready.

Practice tests are critical—they're the most realistic way to prepare because they show you exactly what you'll face on test day, help you identify patterns in your mistakes, and build stamina for the full exam. Most tutors recommend taking full-length practice tests every 1-2 weeks during preparation, then reviewing mistakes carefully to understand why you got questions wrong. This combination of practice and targeted review is far more effective than studying concepts in isolation.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in ISAT preparation and understand the specific skills and strategies students need. You can share your goals and availability, and we'll match you with a tutor whose expertise and schedule fit your needs. The personalized 1-on-1 instruction means your tutor can focus entirely on your strengths, weaknesses, and learning style.