Your first session is focused on assessment and goal-setting. A tutor will review your current SAT score (or have you take a diagnostic test), identify which math concepts and question types are giving you trouble, and understand your target score and timeline. From there, they'll create a personalized study plan that addresses your specific gaps rather than generic test prep.

Pacing is one of the biggest challenges on SAT Math, and it's very learnable. Tutors teach strategic approaches like identifying which questions to tackle first (easier ones to build confidence), which to skip temporarily (harder ones you can return to), and how to recognize when you're spending too long on a single problem. Practice with actual SAT tests under timed conditions is essential—this trains your brain to recognize question patterns quickly and builds the automaticity you need to finish on time.

The best way is to take a full-length practice SAT and analyze your results by topic—algebra, advanced math, problem-solving, geometry, trigonometry, and data analysis. Look for patterns: Are you missing questions because you don't understand the concept, or because you're rushing? Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who excel at this diagnostic work and can pinpoint whether your struggles are conceptual gaps, careless mistakes, or timing issues. Once you know what's holding you back, you can study strategically instead of reviewing everything.

Confidence comes from preparation and familiarity. Working with a tutor on SAT-specific strategies, practicing with real tests repeatedly, and building mastery of challenging topics significantly reduces anxiety on test day. Tutors also teach concrete techniques like managing your mental state during the exam, recognizing when to move on from a problem, and using the test format itself to your advantage. The more prepared you are, the calmer you'll feel.

Most students benefit from 5-8 hours of focused study per week over 8-12 weeks leading up to test day. This typically includes 1-2 sessions with a tutor plus independent practice between sessions. The quality of study matters more than quantity—targeted work on your weak areas with a tutor is far more effective than random practice. Your tutor will help you create a realistic schedule that fits your life and maximizes your improvement.

SAT Math includes multiple-choice questions (where you select the right answer) and student-produced response questions, often called "grid-ins" (where you write in your answer). The content spans algebra, advanced math, problem-solving and data analysis, geometry, and trigonometry. Each question type requires slightly different strategies—for example, multiple-choice lets you work backwards from answer choices, while grid-ins require you to be precise. A tutor helps you master the strategies for each format so you're not caught off-guard on test day.

Look for tutors with strong math backgrounds, proven experience teaching SAT prep, and a track record of helping students improve their scores. Ideally, they should be familiar with the current SAT format, understand common student mistakes, and be skilled at explaining concepts in multiple ways. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors for students in Ogden who have demonstrated expertise in SAT Mathematics and can tailor instruction to your learning style and goals.