Score improvement depends on your starting point, study consistency, and the specific skills you need to strengthen. Most students see meaningful gains when they work with a tutor to identify weak areas—whether that's pacing on math problems, understanding complex reading passages, or mastering question formats—and develop targeted strategies. Realistic improvements typically range from 50-150 points, though this varies based on your baseline and how much you practice between sessions.

The SHSAT has two main sections: English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. The ELA section tests reading comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary through passages and questions, while the Math section covers algebra, geometry, number sense, and problem-solving. Each section requires different strategies—for example, ELA demands careful reading and time management for longer passages, while Math benefits from systematic problem-solving approaches and checking your work.

Students often struggle with pacing—there's a lot of material to work through in limited time—and understanding the specific question formats that appear on the test. Reading comprehension can be challenging because passages are dense, and math problems sometimes require multiple steps. Many students also benefit from learning test-specific strategies rather than just relying on general academic skills, which is where personalized tutoring makes a real difference in building confidence and efficiency.

Your first session typically focuses on assessment and goal-setting. A tutor will review your current skills, identify your strongest and weakest areas, and understand your timeline and target score. You might take a practice section or discuss past test experiences to establish a baseline. From there, you'll develop a personalized study plan that prioritizes the skills that will have the biggest impact on your score.

Practice tests are essential—they help you get comfortable with the test format, build stamina for the full exam, and identify specific weak areas to target. Regular practice testing also builds confidence and reveals pacing issues you might not notice during regular studying. Most students benefit from taking full-length practice tests every 2-3 weeks during preparation, with tutors helping them analyze results and adjust their study focus accordingly.

Most students benefit from 3-6 months of focused preparation, depending on their starting level and target score. A typical study schedule might involve 5-8 hours per week of tutoring and independent practice. If you're starting further behind or aiming for a very competitive score, you might want to begin earlier. A tutor can help you create a realistic timeline based on your current skills and goals.

Test anxiety often stems from unfamiliarity with the format or feeling unprepared for specific question types. Working through practice tests with a tutor helps normalize the experience and builds genuine confidence through mastery. Tutors can also teach you specific strategies like time management techniques, how to skip difficult questions strategically, and mental approaches to stay calm. The more prepared and practiced you feel, the less anxiety tends to interfere with your performance.