Most students benefit from 8-12 weeks of focused preparation, working 5-7 hours per week. If you're starting several months before your test date, you have time to build foundational skills and work through practice problems systematically. Shorter timelines (4-6 weeks) can still help if you already have solid fundamentals and just need to refine test-taking strategies. A tutor can create a customized study plan based on when you're testing and which sections need the most work.

Both sections challenge students differently. The Math section requires quick problem-solving and often catches students who skip steps or misread what the question is asking. The Reading section demands careful comprehension under timed pressure, plus understanding the specific formats of questions like "Which best describes the author's tone?" and passage-based logic questions. Most students find one section naturally stronger than the other—working with a tutor helps you identify which is your weaker area and develop targeted strategies to improve it before test day.

Taking at least 3-5 full-length practice tests under realistic timed conditions gives you a clear picture of your strengths and areas to improve. The first one establishes your baseline, the middle ones help you track progress and test different strategies, and the final ones build your confidence and stamina for test day. Between full practice tests, working through individual sections or question types is equally important—this is where you build skills. A tutor can help you analyze what went wrong on practice tests so you don't repeat those mistakes on the actual SHSAT.

Test anxiety often stems from uncertainty about what to expect or lack of confidence in your preparation. Taking multiple practice tests under timed conditions is one of the best ways to build confidence—familiarity reduces anxiety. A tutor can also teach you specific strategies like pacing techniques (knowing when to skip a tough question and come back later) and stress-management tactics that work for you. Many students find that understanding the test format deeply and having a clear game plan for each section helps them feel more in control on test day.

Many students struggle with Reading Comprehension questions that ask them to infer the author's purpose or main idea—these require careful reading and critical thinking, not just finding facts. In Math, word problems that mix multiple concepts or require setting up equations catch students off guard, especially if they rush through reading the problem. Logic games or sequence questions can also be confusing if you're not familiar with how to approach them systematically. Working with a tutor lets you practice these formats repeatedly until they feel familiar and less intimidating.

Start by taking a practice test and carefully reviewing every question you miss or find tricky. Look for patterns—do you struggle with geometry, fractions, or word problems in Math? In Reading, are you missing main idea questions or detail-based ones? Write down the topics where you lose the most points. A tutor can accelerate this process by giving you diagnostic practice on specific skills and helping you build a prioritized study plan that targets your biggest weaknesses first. This focused approach means your study time has maximum impact before test day.