Score improvement depends on a student's starting point and how consistently they engage with targeted practice. Most students see meaningful gains by focusing on question formats they find challenging, building test-taking stamina, and developing stronger reasoning strategies. Rather than expecting a specific number-point jump, the goal is helping each student perform at their best on test day by addressing their individual weak areas.

Many students struggle with pacing—the test moves quickly and managing time across sections takes practice. Others find the nonverbal reasoning sections (pattern recognition, spatial relationships) less intuitive than verbal sections. Additionally, students sometimes misunderstand question formats or second-guess themselves, which can hurt both accuracy and confidence. Targeted practice with these specific areas helps students feel more prepared and less anxious on test day.

Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who start by assessing your student's current strengths and identifying which question types or reasoning skills need the most work. Sessions focus on teaching test-taking strategies, working through practice problems, building familiarity with the test format, and managing test anxiety. Most students benefit from a combination of strategy instruction, timed practice tests, and review of mistakes to spot patterns.

Preparation timelines vary based on your student's starting point and test date. Many students benefit from 4-8 weeks of focused preparation, meeting 1-2 times per week. If your student is newer to standardized testing or struggles with test anxiety, starting earlier allows for a more relaxed pace and deeper skill-building. Varsity Tutors can help you create a personalized study plan based on your student's needs and timeline.

The first session is typically diagnostic and conversational. The tutor will learn about your student's background, any previous test-taking experience, and specific concerns—whether that's anxiety, pacing issues, or particular question types. They may administer a practice section or review sample questions to understand your student's reasoning style and identify starting points for improvement. This foundation helps the tutor create a targeted plan for upcoming sessions.

Yes—these sections require different reasoning approaches. The verbal section focuses on language-based logic and analogies, while the nonverbal section emphasizes pattern recognition, spatial relationships, and visual reasoning. Some students naturally excel in one area but need more support in the other. Expert tutors tailor their approach to each student's profile, spending more time on weaker sections while maintaining strength in areas where students already perform well.

Practice tests are essential—they help students build stamina, get comfortable with the test format, and identify specific weak areas under timed conditions. Taking full-length practice tests periodically (not just drilling individual questions) shows you how your student manages pacing and pressure. Between practice tests, targeted work on specific question types builds skills; then practice tests help measure progress and keep preparation focused on what matters most.