Score improvements depend on your starting point and study intensity. Students typically see 50-150 point gains when they commit to consistent practice and targeted instruction during a 4-week program. The key is identifying your specific weak areas—whether that's reading comprehension timing, algebra concepts, or test anxiety—and addressing them systematically through practice tests and strategy refinement.

Reading and Writing often present the biggest timing challenges for students, as they require quick comprehension and strategy across multiple question types. Math can be tricky because it combines conceptual understanding with test-specific tricks and pacing pressures. A 4-week prep program typically dedicates focused time to whichever sections are holding back your composite score, using practice tests to pinpoint exact problem areas.

Most 4-week programs include 2-4 hours per week of instruction combined with 5-8 hours of independent practice and homework. A typical week covers one major topic or section (like SAT Reading strategies or Math problem-solving techniques), followed by timed practice sets and full-length practice tests every 1-2 weeks. This balanced approach ensures you're learning strategies while building test stamina and identifying patterns in your mistakes.

Most students benefit from taking 2-3 full-length practice tests during a 4-week program—typically one at the start to establish a baseline, one midway through to track progress, and one near the end to simulate test day. Between full tests, you'll work through targeted practice sets for specific skills. The goal is to use practice tests strategically to identify patterns in your mistakes rather than just accumulating test-taking experience.

Test anxiety often stems from unfamiliarity with the test format and uncertainty about your abilities. A focused 4-week program builds confidence through repeated exposure to SAT question types, timed practice, and proven test-taking strategies. By the end of four weeks, you'll have a clear sense of your strengths, know exactly what to expect on test day, and have concrete techniques for managing time and stress during the exam.

Taking a full-length diagnostic practice test is the best first step—it reveals which sections, question types, and content areas need the most work. Many students discover their struggles aren't evenly distributed; you might excel at geometry but struggle with reading comprehension, or vice versa. Varsity Tutors can connect you with expert tutors who analyze your diagnostic results and design a 4-week plan that prioritizes your specific weak areas for maximum score improvement.

Pacing varies by section: Reading and Writing requires managing time across multiple passages, Math benefits from identifying easy questions to answer first, and knowing when to skip difficult problems saves crucial seconds. A 4-week prep program teaches you to recognize question difficulty quickly and allocate time strategically rather than spending 5 minutes on a single problem. Practice tests help you internalize these rhythms so pacing becomes automatic on test day.