Score improvement depends on your starting point and how consistently you prepare, but students who work with tutors often see gains of 50-150+ points on the overall score. The key is identifying your specific weak areas—whether that's math problem-solving, reading comprehension, or test pacing—and targeting those through focused practice. Most students benefit from 8-12 weeks of consistent preparation, though timelines vary based on your baseline performance and test date.

Students typically struggle most with the math section's word problems and multi-step reasoning, as well as the reading comprehension section's dense passages and inference questions. Timing is another major challenge—you have limited minutes per section, so pacing strategy matters as much as content knowledge. A tutor can help you develop section-specific strategies, like which questions to tackle first and how to manage time pressure without sacrificing accuracy.

Your first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment to identify your current strengths and weaknesses across both the math and English sections. The tutor will review your results with you, discuss your target score, and create a personalized study plan tailored to your needs. This foundation helps ensure every subsequent session builds on what you actually need to improve, rather than wasting time on material you've already mastered.

Practice tests are essential—they help you understand the test format, identify timing issues, and build test-day stamina. Taking full-length practice tests under timed conditions reveals patterns in your mistakes and helps you develop strategies for different question types. Most tutors recommend taking 4-6 full practice tests throughout your preparation period, with detailed review of every question you miss to understand why you got it wrong.

Test anxiety often stems from unfamiliarity with the format or uncertainty about your preparation—both things tutoring directly addresses. As you practice with realistic questions and build confidence through targeted skill-building, anxiety naturally decreases. Tutors can also teach you specific test-day strategies like breathing techniques, question-skipping strategies to avoid getting stuck, and mental reframing to stay focused under pressure.

A solid SHSAT prep schedule usually involves 1-2 tutoring sessions per week combined with independent practice between sessions—typically 30-60 minutes of homework per session. Most students prepare for 8-12 weeks total, ramping up intensity in the final 3-4 weeks before test day. Your tutor will customize the pace and intensity based on your starting level and test date, ensuring you're challenged but not overwhelmed.

Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who have deep expertise in the SHSAT format, content, and test-taking strategies. When you get matched with a tutor, they'll have a track record helping students prepare for this specific test and will understand the nuances of each section. You can discuss your timeline, target score, and learning style to ensure you're working with someone who's the right fit for your needs.