Most students struggle with pacing on the no-calculator section, where you have 25 minutes for 20 questions—that's less than 75 seconds per question. The calculator section feels more manageable at first, but students often waste time on complex calculations they could solve more efficiently with mental math or estimation. A tutor can teach you which problems to skip strategically, how to spot shortcuts, and how to build speed without sacrificing accuracy through deliberate practice.

Taking a full-length practice test under timed conditions is the best way to identify your weak spots—you'll see exactly which question types trip you up and where you're losing time. Once you have that data, a tutor can prioritize topics strategically: tackling foundational gaps first (like quadratic equations or exponent rules) before moving to more complex applications. This targeted approach is much more efficient than reviewing everything, especially if you're working within a specific timeline.

Your first session is typically diagnostic—a tutor will review your background with math, discuss your score goals, and often have you work through some sample problems to understand your thinking process and where you get stuck. This helps the tutor create a personalized study plan that targets your specific challenges rather than generic test prep. You'll leave with a clear roadmap of what to focus on and how many weeks you realistically have to prepare.

Most students benefit from taking 4-6 full-length practice tests spaced throughout their prep timeline, with at least one every 2-3 weeks. The first test gives you a baseline and identifies weak areas; the middle tests let you practice applying what you've learned and build stamina; the final tests simulate real test-day conditions and build confidence. A tutor can help you review each test strategically, focusing on understanding why you missed questions rather than just drilling more problems.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or uncertain about your approach—working with a tutor builds both competence and confidence by giving you proven strategies and repeated success on challenging problems. Tutors teach pacing techniques, how to manage time pressure, and how to approach unfamiliar question formats so you feel less panicked on test day. Practicing under timed conditions with feedback also desensitizes you to the pressure and helps you perform closer to your actual ability.

Look for someone who has strong SAT Math scores themselves, understands the test format deeply (not just high school math), and can explain concepts clearly without overwhelming you with jargon. Ideally, they should be able to teach you both content and strategy—knowing when to use a calculator, how to estimate answers, and which questions to skip. Ask about their experience with students at your score level and whether they use practice tests and data to guide your prep.

Most students preparing for the SAT benefit from 5-8 hours of focused math prep per week over 8-12 weeks, though this varies based on your starting score and goal. If you're aiming to improve significantly, consistency matters more than marathon sessions—three focused 90-minute sessions beat one 5-hour cramming day. A tutor can help you structure that time efficiently, balancing concept review, practice problems, and full-length tests so you make steady progress without burnout.