The Verbal section tests vocabulary and analogies without a passage—it's about knowing word meanings and relationships. The Reading section presents actual passages and asks comprehension questions about them. Many students find Verbal harder because it requires a strong vocabulary base, while others struggle with Reading due to pacing (managing time across multiple passages) or inference questions that require deeper understanding.

A tutor can help you identify which type of question drains your time and develop targeted strategies—like vocabulary drills for Verbal or active reading techniques for Reading comprehension.

Timing is critical on the SSAT. The test is designed so most students won't finish every question, which means strategic pacing—knowing when to move on rather than spend 3 minutes on one problem—directly affects your score. Many students lose points not because they don't know the material, but because they run out of time on easier questions.

Tutors can teach you how to manage time by section, practice with timed drills, and help you recognize when to skip a question and come back to it. This skill development often leads to significant score jumps because you're completing more questions accurately.

The best way is to take a full practice test under timed conditions and analyze your results by section and question type. Look for patterns: Are you missing more Verbal analogies or Reading inference questions? Are you rushing through math and making careless errors, or struggling with geometry concepts? Breaking down your performance this way reveals exactly where your time and energy should go.

Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who specialize in diagnostic analysis—they'll review your practice tests, identify patterns in your mistakes, and create a focused study plan that targets your specific weaknesses rather than reviewing everything.

Most students benefit from 8-12 weeks of regular preparation, with 3-5 hours of focused study per week. This timeline allows you to learn test-specific strategies, work through practice problems systematically, and build the stamina needed for the actual test. If you're starting from a lower baseline or aiming for a competitive score, you may want to start earlier.

Rather than cramming, consistent weekly practice with targeted instruction yields better results. A tutor can help you structure your preparation so you're building skills progressively rather than reviewing material inefficiently on your own.

Practice tests serve two purposes: they help you understand the test format and question types, and they reveal exactly where you're losing points. Taking practice tests under timed, test-like conditions also builds the stamina and confidence you need for test day. Most students benefit from taking 4-6 full-length practice tests spread throughout their preparation period.

Each practice test should be followed by careful review—understanding not just which questions you got wrong, but why. A tutor can walk you through your practice test results and help you learn from mistakes so you don't repeat them on test day.

Test anxiety often stems from unfamiliarity with the format or uncertainty about your readiness. The antidote is exposure: taking multiple practice tests, becoming comfortable with question types, and building confidence through targeted skill improvement. Knowing you've prepared well and practiced under realistic conditions significantly reduces anxiety.

Tutors can also teach you practical test-day strategies—like how to breathe through moments of uncertainty, which questions to prioritize, and how to reset your focus between sections. Many students find that working 1-on-1 with a tutor who builds their confidence in specific areas makes a measurable difference in how they feel walking into the actual test.