Score improvement depends on your starting point and how consistently you prepare. Students who work with tutors typically see gains of 50-150 points over 8-12 weeks of focused study, though results vary based on baseline skills and effort. The key is identifying your specific weak areas—whether that's reading comprehension, math problem-solving, or test pacing—and targeting those through deliberate practice and feedback.

Your first session focuses on assessment and goal-setting. A tutor will review your background, discuss your target score, and likely administer a diagnostic test or review practice problems to identify your strengths and areas for improvement. This gives you both a clear roadmap for how to spend your tutoring time most effectively.

Timing is one of the biggest challenges students face on the SHSAT. Tutors teach strategic approaches like skimming techniques for reading passages, identifying question types to prioritize, and knowing when to skip difficult problems and return later. With consistent practice using full-length timed tests, you'll develop an intuitive sense of how to allocate your time across sections.

This varies by student, but many find the reading section more challenging because it requires both strong comprehension and quick analysis of dense passages. The math section tests problem-solving and logical reasoning rather than just computation. A tutor can diagnose which section is your biggest obstacle and create a targeted study plan to address it.

Most students benefit from taking 4-6 full-length practice tests under timed conditions spread across their preparation period. This builds stamina, helps you identify patterns in your mistakes, and reduces test anxiety by making the format feel familiar. After each practice test, reviewing your errors with a tutor is crucial—it's not just about taking tests, but learning from them.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or unfamiliar with the format. Regular practice tests, understanding exactly what to expect, and working through challenging problems with a tutor all build genuine confidence. Tutors also teach breathing and mental strategies to stay calm during the actual exam, and the more prepared you are, the less anxiety tends to interfere.

Look for tutors with direct experience teaching the SHSAT, familiarity with NYC's specialized high school system, and a track record of helping students improve their scores. They should be able to diagnose your specific weaknesses, teach test-taking strategies (not just content), and provide detailed feedback on practice tests. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in SHSAT prep and understand how to help students maximize their performance.