Many students struggle with the reading comprehension section's pacing—there's simply a lot of text to process in limited time. Others find vocabulary-in-context questions tricky because they require understanding nuance rather than just knowing definitions. Grammar and syntax questions also trip up students who haven't studied the specific rules the SAT tests. A personalized tutor can diagnose which of these areas is holding you back and create a targeted study plan.

Most students benefit from 3-4 months of preparation, though this varies based on your current score and target score. If you're aiming for a 100+ point improvement, you'll likely need more time to build strong fundamentals and test-taking strategies. Working with a tutor accelerates progress because you're not spending time on areas you've already mastered—you focus entirely on your weak spots.

Effective strategies include: tackling reading passages strategically (some students preview questions first, others skim then read), using process of elimination aggressively on grammar questions, and managing time by skipping difficult questions and returning to them. The best strategy for you depends on your strengths and how you process information. A tutor can teach you multiple approaches and help you practice until the right strategy becomes automatic under timed conditions.

Practice tests are essential—they're the only way to build stamina, identify patterns in your mistakes, and get comfortable with the actual test format and timing. Taking full practice tests under timed conditions reveals whether your struggles are conceptual (you don't understand the material) or strategic (you understand it but run out of time). Most students should take at least 4-6 full practice tests during their preparation period, with a tutor helping them analyze results and adjust their approach.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or uncertain about your approach—which is why solid tutoring and practice help so much. Knowing you've practiced extensively and have reliable strategies builds genuine confidence. Additionally, tutors can teach you specific techniques like controlled breathing and positive self-talk, and help you practice staying calm when you encounter a difficult question. The more you practice under timed, test-like conditions, the more normal the experience feels.

Look for tutors with strong SAT track records and experience helping students improve their specific weak areas. They should understand both the content (grammar rules, reading comprehension strategies) and the test format itself—knowing which questions typically trip up students and how to teach efficient, strategic approaches. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have proven experience with SAT Verbal and can customize instruction to your needs.

Your first session is typically a diagnostic—your tutor will assess your current strengths and weaknesses through a practice section or full practice test, then discuss your target score and timeline. This helps them understand whether you need foundational grammar review, reading strategy development, or fine-tuning on an already-strong foundation. From there, they'll create a personalized study plan focused on the areas that will move your score the most.