The biggest struggles are usually pacing (running out of time), misunderstanding what a question is actually asking, and gaps in foundational algebra or geometry concepts. Many students also struggle with the transition from calculator to no-calculator sections, or they freeze up on word problems that require multiple steps. A tutor can help you build speed through strategic problem-solving approaches and identify which concept gaps are costing you the most points.

Your first session focuses on understanding where you stand. A tutor will review your practice test results, discuss which question types feel most challenging, and assess your comfort with key concepts like functions, systems of equations, and geometry. From there, you'll develop a personalized study plan that targets your specific weaknesses and fits your timeline before test day.

Practice tests are essential—they're the best way to identify which concepts you need to focus on and to build stamina for the actual test. Taking full, timed practice tests every 1-2 weeks helps you get comfortable with the pacing and question formats you'll see on test day. A tutor can review your practice test results with you to pinpoint patterns in your mistakes and adjust your study plan accordingly.

Confidence comes from knowing you can handle the material and the format. When you work with a tutor on SAT Math, you practice problems repeatedly, learn strategic shortcuts, and build a clear understanding of what to expect on test day—all of which reduce anxiety. Many students also benefit from learning time-management techniques and strategies for staying calm when they encounter a tough problem, so they know how to move forward without panicking.

The SAT Math section gives you about 1.5 minutes per question on average, so the strategy is to work efficiently on problems you can solve quickly and know when to skip a harder problem and come back to it. Many students benefit from tackling easier questions first, marking difficult ones to revisit, and using the last minute or two to guess on anything left blank. A tutor can help you practice this pacing strategy on timed sections so it becomes automatic on test day.

The calculator section allows you to use a graphing calculator for most problems, which means you can verify answers and tackle complex calculations more quickly. The no-calculator section tests your conceptual understanding and mental math skills, so it requires stronger foundational knowledge. Many students find the no-calculator section more challenging because they can't rely on technology, so targeted practice on both sections is important for a strong overall score.

Look for tutors with strong SAT Math scores themselves, experience teaching test prep, and familiarity with the current test format and question types. It's also helpful if they understand how to diagnose which concepts are actually causing your mistakes—sometimes a wrong answer stems from a concept gap, and sometimes it's just a careless error or misreading. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have proven success helping students improve their SAT Math scores.