The Reading and Writing section on the SAT (which replaced separate sections) tests both skills together with passages followed by multiple-choice questions. Reading comprehension focuses on understanding main ideas, supporting details, and inference, while grammar and writing questions test command of standard English conventions. Many students find one area stronger than the other, so identifying which skills need work helps you focus your prep strategically.

Pacing is one of the biggest challenges students face—you have about 2-3 minutes per question depending on the passage. The strategy is to read actively, skip difficult questions initially, and come back to them if time allows. Personalized tutoring helps you develop a pacing plan that works for your reading speed and practice test-taking under timed conditions so you build confidence and speed naturally.

Most students benefit from 3-4 months of consistent preparation, dedicating 5-10 hours per week to SAT Verbal specifically. This timeline allows you to learn test-specific strategies, work through practice materials, and take full-length practice tests to track progress. If you're starting further out or aiming for a top score, a longer timeline gives you more room to refine weak areas and build confidence.

Practice tests do two critical things: they help you identify specific weak areas and get you comfortable with the test format and timing under realistic conditions. Taking full-length practice tests every 2-3 weeks lets you track progress and adjust your study plan based on what's actually challenging you. Many students find that test anxiety decreases significantly once they've practiced the real test experience multiple times.

While the SAT doesn't have a dedicated vocabulary section like older versions, strong vocabulary still matters for reading comprehension and understanding context clues in passages. Rather than memorizing lists, the most effective approach is learning words in context through reading and understanding how word choice affects meaning. A tutor can help you build vocabulary strategically while teaching you to use context clues to figure out unfamiliar words during the test.

Your first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment—usually a practice test or section—to identify your current strengths and specific areas for improvement. The tutor will review your results, discuss your goals and timeline, and create a personalized study plan tailored to your needs. This foundation helps ensure every session after that is focused and efficient, targeting exactly what will move your score forward.

The Reading and Writing section includes several question types: reading comprehension questions about passages, grammar and syntax questions, vocabulary-in-context questions, and rhetorical questions about how an author structures arguments. Each type requires different strategies—for example, inference questions demand careful reading of evidence, while grammar questions test specific rules. Understanding the differences and practicing each type separately before combining them helps you develop targeted strategies for each.