Score improvement depends on your child's starting point and how consistently they practice. Most students see meaningful gains—often 10-20 percentile points—when they work with a tutor on test-specific strategies, time management, and targeted practice on weak areas. The key is identifying which sections (verbal, math, or reading) need the most support and building confidence through repeated practice with actual test formats.

Your child's first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment to understand their current skills, comfort level with test content, and any anxiety around testing. The tutor will review the test format, walk through sample questions, and identify which sections need the most focus. This helps create a personalized study plan tailored to your child's pace and learning style.

Most students benefit from 8-12 weeks of consistent preparation, meeting with a tutor 1-2 times per week, depending on their starting level and test date. Younger test-takers especially need time to build familiarity with the test format and develop stamina for the full testing experience. Regular practice between sessions—even 20-30 minutes a few times per week—helps reinforce strategies and boost confidence.

Reading comprehension often challenges younger test-takers because it requires both strong reading skills and the ability to locate specific information under time pressure. Verbal reasoning can also be tricky since it tests vocabulary and logic in ways that differ from typical classroom learning. A tutor can help your child develop strategies like active reading, annotation techniques, and question-prediction methods to tackle these sections more confidently.

Practice tests are essential—they help your child get comfortable with the test format, build time-management skills, and identify specific weak areas. Taking full-length practice tests under timed conditions also builds the stamina and confidence needed for test day. A tutor will use practice test results to guide instruction and help your child learn from mistakes rather than just repeating them.

Test anxiety often stems from unfamiliarity with the format or fear of difficult questions. Tutoring builds confidence through repeated exposure to actual test content and strategies, so your child feels prepared rather than surprised on test day. A tutor can also teach calming techniques, help your child understand that some questions are meant to be hard, and celebrate progress along the way to make testing feel less intimidating.

Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who have expertise in SSAT Elementary Level prep and understand how to work with younger test-takers. We match based on your child's learning style, schedule, and specific needs—whether that's building math confidence, strengthening reading skills, or managing test anxiety. You can discuss your goals in your first conversation to ensure the tutor is the right fit for your family.