Many students struggle with pacing across the two math sections (25 and 55 minutes). The challenge isn't usually difficulty—it's managing time efficiently while avoiding careless mistakes. Common issues include spending too long on early problems, second-guessing answers, or not using the calculator strategically on the longer section. A tutor can teach you time management techniques and help you practice under timed conditions so you develop confidence in your pacing.

The best way is to take a full practice test under timed conditions and review your results carefully. Look for patterns in the questions you missed—are they mostly algebra, geometry, word problems, or a mix? Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who analyze your practice test results and previous schoolwork to pinpoint exactly where you're losing points. This diagnostic approach means you're not studying everything equally; you're targeting what matters most for your score.

Ideally, you should be working on math 3-4 times per week for at least 8-12 weeks before the test. Each session should blend focused skill practice (targeting your weak areas) with timed sections and full practice tests to build stamina and identify patterns in your mistakes. A tutor helps structure this schedule and adjusts it based on your progress, ensuring you're making the most of your study time rather than just going through the motions.

Word problems require you to translate English into math—identifying what you're solving for, setting up equations correctly, and avoiding trap answers designed to catch common mistakes. Students often rush through the reading part, miss key information, or get derailed by the context instead of focusing on the underlying math. Working with a tutor teaches you a systematic approach: underlining key information, breaking multi-step problems into chunks, and double-checking your setup before solving. With practice, word problems become more predictable and less intimidating.

Confidence comes from familiarity and competence. When you understand the test format, know your strengths and weaknesses, and practice under realistic conditions, anxiety naturally decreases. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction gives you a safe space to ask questions, make mistakes, and learn from them without pressure. Your tutor can also teach you specific strategies for managing stress during the test—like which problems to skip and come back to, or how to breathe through moments of panic—so you walk in feeling prepared and in control.

The PSAT allows a calculator on one section and not on the other, so you need to be comfortable working both ways. A calculator is most useful for complex computations and verifying answers, but it can actually slow you down on simpler problems. Many students waste time entering easy arithmetic into a calculator when mental math would be faster. A tutor shows you which types of problems benefit most from a calculator and helps you practice working efficiently in both calculator-allowed and no-calculator sections, so you're not second-guessing yourself on test day.