Score improvement depends on your starting point and effort level, but students typically see gains of 100-200 points with focused, strategic preparation over eight weeks. The key is identifying which sections need the most work—whether that's pacing on the Math section, reading comprehension strategies, or grammar rules—and drilling those areas consistently. Your tutor will help you track progress through practice tests and adjust your study plan based on what's actually moving the needle for you.

Pacing is one of the biggest challenges students face, especially on the Math section where time pressure can lead to careless mistakes. An 8-week prep class teaches you to allocate time strategically—knowing which questions to tackle first, which to skip and return to, and how to avoid getting stuck on difficult problems. Through timed practice tests and section-specific drills, you'll develop an internal clock that keeps you moving without sacrificing accuracy.

Absolutely. While an 8-week class covers all sections, your personalized instruction can emphasize whichever areas need the most attention. If Math is your weakness but Reading and Writing are solid, your tutor will allocate more time to Math strategies, question types, and practice problems. This targeted approach ensures you're not wasting time on skills you've already mastered and can make meaningful progress on the sections that will actually boost your overall score.

Most 8-week SAT prep classes include 4-6 full-length practice tests, typically taken at regular intervals so you can track improvement and get comfortable with the test format. Between full tests, you'll do section-specific drills and targeted practice on question types that gave you trouble. Taking practice tests under timed conditions is crucial—it builds stamina, reveals pacing issues, and helps you identify exactly which concepts or question types are costing you points.

Test anxiety often stems from uncertainty—not knowing what to expect or feeling unprepared. An 8-week prep class builds confidence through familiarity: you'll see every question type multiple times, practice under realistic test conditions, and develop proven strategies that give you something concrete to rely on during the actual exam. Knowing you've practiced similar questions hundreds of times and tracked your improvement takes a lot of the fear out of test day.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in SAT prep and understand the specific challenges students face. When you get started, you'll tell us about your current score, target score, and which sections need the most work. We'll match you with a tutor whose expertise and teaching style fit your needs, and you can start your 8-week prep class right away with personalized instruction tailored to your goals.

Your first session is all about assessment and planning. Your tutor will review your SAT background, discuss your target score, and likely have you take a diagnostic practice test or review your most recent SAT score to identify your strongest and weakest areas. From there, you'll build a customized 8-week study plan that prioritizes the sections and question types where you'll see the biggest score gains, so every session counts toward your goal.