Most students see 100-200 point improvements with structured tutoring and consistent practice over 8-12 weeks. Some students improve more, especially if they haven't had targeted prep before. The key is identifying your specific weak areas—whether that's Reading comprehension, grammar, or multi-step math problems—and working on those systematically. Improvement depends on your starting score and how much time you dedicate to practice between sessions.

Most juniors benefit from starting SAT prep in the fall or early spring, giving them time to take the test in May or June and retake if needed before senior year applications. If you're already a senior, starting prep immediately still allows time for meaningful improvement before fall test dates. Starting earlier gives you more flexibility with timing and the option to retake, which many competitive students do to reach their target score.

The SAT is scored 400-1600 and includes Evidence-Based Reading/Writing (200-800) and Math (200-800). Reading has 52 questions in 65 minutes and focuses on evidence-based analysis—time management is critical here. Writing & Language covers grammar and expression in 35 minutes with 44 questions. Math is split into a 25-minute no-calculator section and a 55-minute calculator section with 58 total questions. Most Atlanta students struggle most with Reading time management and multi-step math problems involving data analysis.

The Reading section is the biggest time challenge—you have about 75 seconds per question. Effective strategies include reading the questions first to know what to look for, tackling easier passages before harder ones, and using process of elimination aggressively. For Math, skip difficult problems initially and return to them after completing easier ones. Practice full-length timed tests regularly so you develop a natural pace and learn where you tend to lose time.

Both tests are widely accepted at Georgia universities, though SAT is slightly more common nationally. The choice often comes down to your strengths: the SAT emphasizes reading comprehension and data analysis, while the ACT includes a science section and tends to reward faster test-takers. Many Atlanta students take a practice test in each format to see which plays to their strengths. Since Georgia Tech and UGA accept both equally, pick the test where you're likely to score highest.

Most competitive students take the SAT 2-3 times to reach their target score. Colleges see all your scores but focus on your highest one—retaking doesn't hurt your application and shows determination. If you score 1200+ on your first attempt, one retake can potentially push you to 1300+, which significantly improves your competitiveness for selective Georgia schools. Plan your test dates strategically so you have time to prep between attempts and still meet college application deadlines.

For Math, focus on mastering problem types through targeted practice—multi-step algebra, data interpretation, and geometry are common weak areas. For Reading, practice evidence-based analysis by annotating passages and explaining why answer choices are correct or incorrect. Personalized tutoring helps identify whether your struggles are conceptual (you don't understand the math) or strategic (you're running out of time). With Atlanta's 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio in schools, getting one-on-one attention outside the classroom can accelerate progress in these specific areas.