SAT Verbal includes two sections: Reading and Writing. The Reading section tests comprehension, inference, and analysis of passages, while the Writing section focuses on grammar, syntax, and rhetorical skills across shorter passages. Neither is universally harder—it depends on your strengths. Some students struggle with the pace of reading passages under time pressure, while others find grammar rules tricky. A tutor can assess which section is your bigger challenge and focus there first.

Pacing is one of the biggest challenges students face on SAT Verbal. You have about 2-3 minutes per reading passage and roughly 1-2 minutes per writing question. The key is practicing with full-length timed tests to build speed without sacrificing accuracy. A tutor can teach you strategic reading techniques—like previewing questions before reading passages or identifying question types quickly—so you spend time efficiently on what matters most.

Most students benefit from taking 4-6 full-length, timed practice tests leading up to test day. This gives you a realistic sense of your score, builds test-day stamina, and helps you identify patterns in your mistakes. Between practice tests, focus on targeted work on weak areas rather than taking test after test. A tutor can review your practice test results with you to pinpoint whether errors come from timing, comprehension, or knowledge gaps.

The SAT doesn't require memorizing thousands of vocabulary words anymore—it tests words in context. That said, building familiarity with mid-to-high-level vocabulary helps with both reading comprehension and writing sections. Rather than rote memorization, focus on learning words through reading and understanding word roots and patterns. A tutor can help you prioritize which vocabulary to study and teach you strategies for decoding unfamiliar words during the test.

Test anxiety is common, especially on a high-stakes exam. Building confidence comes from three things: understanding the test format inside and out, practicing under timed conditions so the test feels familiar, and developing a growth mindset about mistakes. A tutor can help you become comfortable with the question types, teach you breathing and focus techniques, and remind you that improvement is a process. Many students find that knowing they have a solid study plan reduces anxiety significantly.

The best way to identify weak areas is to take a full-length practice test under timed conditions, then review every question—not just the ones you got wrong, but the ones you guessed on or felt unsure about. Look for patterns: Do you miss inference questions? Struggle with vocabulary-in-context? Rush through writing questions? A tutor can analyze your practice test results systematically and show you exactly which question types and skills need the most work.

Your first session is about assessment and planning. A tutor will likely have you take a diagnostic test or review a recent practice test to understand your baseline score and identify your strongest and weakest areas. They'll ask about your goals, timeline, and what's been challenging for you. From there, they'll create a personalized study plan that targets your specific needs and fits your schedule before test day.