The PSAT Mathematics section gives you 70 minutes to complete about 48 questions across two modules. Effective pacing means spending 45-50 seconds on easier questions and 1.5-2 minutes on harder ones, saving time for review. Many students struggle with this balance and rush through questions they could solve with better strategy. A tutor can help you practice with official PSAT formats, teach you to quickly identify question types, and develop a personalized pacing strategy that works for your speed and accuracy level.

The best way is to take a full-length practice test under timed conditions, then analyze your results by topic. The PSAT Mathematics covers algebra, advanced math, problem-solving, geometry, trigonometry, and data analysis—and most students find they're stronger in some areas than others. Rather than reviewing everything equally, focus your time on topics where you're making mistakes or feeling uncertain. Tutors can review your practice tests with you, pinpoint patterns in your errors, and determine whether you need more conceptual understanding or just better problem-solving strategies for specific question types.

Taking 4-6 full-length PSAT practice tests gives you enough experience to build confidence and test-taking stamina. More importantly, each practice test should be followed by detailed review—not just checking answers, but understanding why you missed questions and what strategy would have helped. The College Board provides official PSAT practice materials, and spacing these tests over several weeks (rather than all at once) helps reinforce learning. A tutor can help you select the right practice tests, review them effectively, and track improvement over time to adjust your study plan.

Test anxiety often comes from uncertainty about whether you'll solve problems correctly or manage time well—both things you can control with preparation. Building confidence means practicing under timed, test-like conditions repeatedly so the format feels familiar and less threatening. Tutors also teach relaxation techniques like strategic breathing, positive self-talk, and how to move past difficult questions without panicking. For Chicago-area students, personalized 1-on-1 instruction allows you to practice at your own pace and discuss anxiety strategies in a low-pressure environment where mistakes are learning opportunities.

Not every question benefits from a calculator, and some require you to solve without one. The PSAT has a calculator-allowed section and a no-calculator section, so you need to be comfortable with mental math and estimation. Many students waste time entering calculations that could be done faster by hand, or they rely on calculators for basic arithmetic when speed comes from knowing your number sense. A tutor helps you develop judgment about when to use a calculator strategically, ensures you're proficient with the specific calculator allowed on test day, and strengthens your mental math so you work efficiently in both sections.

Not all math tutors are experienced with standardized test prep—you want someone who knows the PSAT specifically, including its question formats, pacing challenges, and scoring. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in PSAT Mathematics and work with Chicago students to build both content mastery and test-taking strategies. When you get matched with a tutor, you can discuss their experience with the PSAT, ask how they approach teaching problem-solving strategies, and ensure their style matches how you learn best.