Score improvement depends on your starting point and how consistently you prepare, but most students see meaningful gains with focused, personalized instruction—typically 50-150 points over a 2-3 month study period. The key is identifying your specific weak areas (whether that's math pacing, reading comprehension strategies, or test anxiety) and building targeted skills rather than reviewing everything. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who can create a customized study plan based on your diagnostic test results.

Students typically struggle with pacing—the math section requires quick problem-solving under time pressure—and with multi-step word problems that blend algebra, geometry, and number sense. Grid-in questions (where you enter your answer rather than choose from options) also trip up many test-takers because they require exact answers with no partial credit. Personalized tutoring helps you develop efficient solving strategies, practice time management techniques, and build confidence with question formats you'll actually see on test day.

The SHSAT reading section rewards active reading strategies: annotating passages, identifying main ideas quickly, and understanding question types before diving into the text. Many students waste time re-reading or get distracted by trap answers designed to catch careless readers. Tutors help you develop a personalized approach—whether that's previewing questions first, marking key evidence in the passage, or practicing specific question types like inference and vocabulary-in-context—so you can work both accurately and efficiently.

Practice tests are essential—they help you understand your actual performance under timed conditions, identify which question types slow you down, and reduce test anxiety by making the format familiar. Taking 3-5 full-length practice tests throughout your study period gives you realistic data about where to focus your effort. After each practice test, reviewing mistakes with a tutor helps you spot patterns (like rushing through geometry or misreading complex questions) so you can fix them before test day.

Most students benefit from 2-4 months of consistent preparation, working 5-8 hours per week. If you're starting from a lower baseline or managing test anxiety, a longer timeline (4-6 months) allows for deeper skill-building and more practice tests. Your personalized study schedule depends on your current skills, target score, and how much time you can dedicate each week—a tutor can help you create a realistic plan that fits your life and maximizes your improvement.

Test anxiety often stems from unfamiliarity with the format or past negative test experiences. Building confidence through repeated practice tests, learning specific breathing or grounding techniques, and understanding that mistakes during practice are learning opportunities (not failures) all help reduce anxiety. Tutors can also teach you pacing strategies that prevent the panic of running out of time, and help you develop a pre-test routine that puts you in a focused, calm mindset on exam day.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have specific experience preparing students for the SHSAT and understand both the math and reading sections deeply. When you get matched with a tutor, they'll assess your current skills through diagnostic testing, discuss your target score and timeline, and build a customized prep plan. You can start with a single session to see if the fit works, then scale up your tutoring frequency based on your progress and needs.