Score improvement depends on your starting point, study consistency, and the specific areas you need to strengthen. Most students see meaningful gains—typically 50-150 points—when they work with a tutor to identify weak areas, learn test-specific strategies, and practice with real exam questions. The key is consistent practice over several months combined with targeted instruction on the question formats and timing strategies that challenge you most.

Your first session focuses on assessment and goal-setting. A tutor will review your background, discuss your target score, and likely administer a diagnostic practice test to identify your strengths and areas for improvement. This helps create a personalized study plan that addresses your specific challenges, whether that's pacing through the math section, improving reading comprehension, or mastering the test's unique question formats.

The Math section tests algebra, geometry, and number sense through multiple-choice questions, while the ELA section assesses reading comprehension and English skills. Which feels harder varies by student—some struggle with math's conceptual demands, while others find the reading section's time pressure and inference questions more challenging. A good tutor will diagnose which section needs the most work and tailor practice accordingly.

Pacing is one of the biggest challenges on the SHSAT because you have limited time for many questions. Effective strategies include practicing with a timer regularly, learning to skip difficult questions and return to them later, and developing a sense of how long each question type should take. A tutor can help you identify which question types slow you down, teach you to recognize patterns, and build speed through targeted practice without sacrificing accuracy.

Most students benefit from taking 4-6 full-length practice tests spaced throughout their study period—ideally one every 2-3 weeks as you build skills. This gives you enough exposure to identify patterns in your mistakes, get comfortable with the test format, and track improvement over time. Between full tests, you should also practice individual sections and question types to target specific weaknesses.

Test anxiety often stems from unfamiliarity with the exam format or uncertainty about your abilities. Tutoring builds confidence by demystifying the test, teaching you proven strategies, and giving you repeated successful practice experiences. As you solve more problems correctly and see your scores improve, anxiety naturally decreases—you'll feel more in control and prepared when you walk into the test.

Look for tutors with proven experience teaching the SHSAT, familiarity with the test's specific question formats, and a track record of helping students improve their scores. They should be able to diagnose your weak areas quickly, explain concepts clearly, and adapt their teaching to your learning style. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in test prep and understand what it takes to succeed on competitive exams.