Running out of time usually signals one of two issues: either you're spending too long on difficult questions early on, or you haven't yet internalized the most efficient problem-solving approaches for that section. A tutor can help you develop a pacing strategy—like knowing when to skip and return to a tough question—and teach you faster mental math tricks for the math section or active reading techniques for reading comprehension. With targeted practice, you'll get more comfortable with the question formats and naturally speed up. Most students who work on timing improve significantly within a few weeks of focused practice.

Start by taking a full practice test under timed conditions to see which section is dragging down your overall score. If math is significantly weaker, prioritize that first—you can often make faster gains there with targeted strategy work and practice. If reading is your challenge, understand that it requires both strong foundational comprehension and practice with the specific inference and detail questions the SHSAT asks. Most students benefit from a tutor who can diagnose exactly where you're losing points (careless errors, conceptual gaps, timing issues) and focus on those weak spots rather than drilling everything equally.

Aim to take at least 4-6 full-length, timed practice tests leading up to test day—and don't just take them; review each one thoroughly to understand your mistakes. Early practice tests help you understand the format and identify weak areas. Later tests should focus on reinforcing what you've learned and building stamina. Between practice tests, do targeted practice on specific question types or math concepts that trip you up. The goal isn't to memorize answers—it's to learn the strategies and thinking patterns that work for the SHSAT's unique question formats.

The SHSAT reading section rewards active reading and strong inference skills. Many students try to read passively and then hunt for answers; instead, annotate as you read, identify the main idea and author's tone, and note where key details are located. When answering questions, return to the text to verify your answer—don't rely on memory. A tutor can walk you through the specific question types (detail questions, inference questions, vocabulary-in-context) and teach you which strategy works best for each. Practicing with real SHSAT passages and learning to work efficiently will help you complete all passages with time to spare.

Ideally, start tutoring 2-3 months before your test date if you have time to build a strong foundation and practice consistently. If you're starting closer to test day, even 4-6 weeks of focused, intensive work can make a real difference. The most important factor is consistency—meeting regularly (2-3 times per week is common) and doing practice work between sessions. Your tutor can create a customized study plan based on where you're starting and what areas need the most attention, so the timeline works best when you and your tutor align on your goals and commit to the work.

Test anxiety often stems from uncertainty—not knowing what to expect or feeling unprepared. Taking multiple practice tests under timed, realistic conditions is one of the best anxiety reducers because you'll feel more confident walking into test day. A tutor can also teach you calming techniques (like deep breathing between sections) and help you develop a positive self-talk strategy when you encounter a tough question. Remember: the SHSAT is designed to be challenging, and everyone struggles with some questions. Your goal is to answer as many as you can with the time you have, not to be perfect.