Your first session focuses on understanding where you stand. Expect a diagnostic assessment to identify your strengths and challenges across the three main sections: Verbal, Quantitative, and Reading Comprehension. Your tutor will also discuss your target schools, timeline, and learning style so they can create a personalized study plan tailored to your goals.

Timing is one of the biggest challenges students face on the SSAT, since you have limited time for each section. Expert tutors teach strategic approaches like identifying easier questions first, knowing when to skip and come back, and practicing with real time constraints. Working through full-length practice tests under timed conditions is essential—it trains you to recognize patterns and make quick decisions without sacrificing accuracy.

These sections require different strategies. For Verbal (analogies and sentence completions), building vocabulary and understanding word relationships is crucial—many students benefit from systematic vocab study combined with practice identifying patterns. For Reading Comprehension, active reading techniques like annotating and predicting questions help you stay focused and answer questions faster. Personalized tutoring helps you discover which strategies work best for your learning style.

The Quantitative section tests middle school math concepts, so it's very learnable with focused practice. Common challenges include rushing through problems, misreading questions, and gaps in foundational skills. Tutors help you slow down, master the specific concepts tested, and practice problem-solving strategies that work for your brain. Many students find that working through problems step-by-step and reviewing mistakes is more effective than just doing more practice.

Most students benefit from taking 4-6 full-length practice tests throughout their preparation, spaced out over several weeks. Early practice tests help identify weak areas; later tests build stamina and let you track improvement. Between full tests, targeted practice on specific sections and question types keeps you sharp. Your tutor can recommend a schedule based on your timeline and how much prep time you have.

Test anxiety often stems from uncertainty about what to expect or feeling unprepared. Familiarity is your best tool—knowing the format inside and out, practicing under real test conditions, and building a track record of success on practice tests all boost confidence. Tutors also teach mindset strategies and breathing techniques to stay calm on test day. Many students find that consistent preparation and seeing their own improvement is the most powerful confidence builder.

Look for tutors with deep knowledge of the SSAT format, scoring, and content—not just general test prep experience. They should understand the specific challenges students face and have a toolkit of proven strategies. Equally important is finding someone who understands your learning style and can adapt their teaching. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in SSAT prep and have experience helping students in Richmond reach their target scores.