Most students see 100-200 point improvements with focused, personalized prep—especially if they start 3-4 months before test day. The amount of improvement depends on your starting score and how much time you dedicate to practice. Students who combine tutoring with consistent practice between sessions typically see the largest gains, particularly in areas like time management and data interpretation.

Ideally, start prep in the spring of junior year if you plan to test in fall senior year—that gives you 4-5 months of preparation. If you're already a senior or want to test sooner, you can still make meaningful progress with 2-3 months of focused work. Starting earlier reduces stress and allows time for a retake if needed, which many students find valuable.

Both tests are equally accepted by colleges, but the ACT has historically been more popular in Utah. However, the choice should be based on your strengths—the SAT emphasizes reading comprehension and data analysis, while the ACT tests faster pacing and science reasoning. Many students take a practice test in each format to see which plays to their strengths, then focus on that test.

Time management on the Reading section is the most common struggle—65 minutes for 52 questions requires strategic pacing. Many students also struggle with data analysis and graph interpretation in the Math section. Personalized tutoring helps you develop section-specific strategies, practice under timed conditions, and build confidence so you're not rushing through questions you could actually solve.

Absolutely—many students connect with tutors to target their specific weak areas rather than preparing for the entire test. Whether it's mastering multi-step algebra problems, improving reading comprehension speed, or conquering grammar rules in the Writing section, you can customize your prep to focus where you need it most. This targeted approach often leads to faster score improvements than general prep.

Most students benefit from taking the SAT 1-2 times—a first attempt to see where you stand, then a retake after focused prep if you want to improve. Colleges use your highest score and don't penalize you for multiple attempts. If you're aiming for a competitive school in Utah, taking it twice gives you the best chance to hit your target score without excessive test fatigue.

Your first session focuses on understanding your current strengths and weaknesses through a diagnostic assessment or review of past practice tests. You'll discuss your target score, college goals, and timeline, then work together to create a personalized prep plan. This might include identifying which sections need the most work, establishing a study schedule, and introducing specific strategies tailored to how you learn best.