The ELA section's reading passages trip up most students—they spend too much time reading, then rush through questions and make careless errors. The math section has similar pacing issues, especially when students try to solve every problem in their head instead of writing things down. Experienced tutors teach you how to skim strategically, identify what each question is actually asking, and manage your time across sections. With practice and personalized feedback on your pacing, you'll learn to work steadily without feeling rushed.

Aim for at least 4-6 full-length practice tests under timed conditions over several months. Early practice tests help you identify weak areas; later tests let you track improvement and refine strategies. More importantly, it's not just about quantity—it's about how you review them. Tutors help you analyze every wrong answer to understand the underlying skill gap, not just memorize answers. This targeted review is where real improvement happens.

Absolutely. Many Chicago students have this exact pattern, and tutors can focus entirely on reading comprehension and writing if that's where you need help. The ELA section requires specific strategies—learning to annotate efficiently, spotting question traps, and managing time across long passages. Tutors can pinpoint whether your challenges are with vocabulary, inference questions, main idea identification, or test pacing, then build a plan around those specific gaps. You won't waste time on skills you've already mastered.

Test anxiety usually stems from two things: unfamiliarity with the format and self-doubt about your abilities. Tutors address both by exposing you to tons of practice questions and timed sections so the test format becomes comfortable, not scary. When you've seen similar questions many times and built a track record of solving them correctly, confidence naturally follows. Tutors also teach concrete anxiety-management techniques—like how to breathe through difficult moments, move on from hard questions strategically, and maintain focus across the full test length.

Most students benefit from 3-4 months of consistent preparation, meeting with a tutor 1-2 times per week. If you're starting further out (6+ months), you can work at a more relaxed pace. If you're closer to test day, you'll need to intensify. The key is consistency—regular practice and feedback work much better than cramming. Varsity Tutors can help you create a personalized timeline based on where you're starting and when your test is scheduled.

Yes. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who are familiar with Chicago's school system and understand the competitive landscape for selective enrollment schools across the city's 12 districts. They know which question types trip up Chicago students most often and can tailor preparation to your specific goals. Whether you're aiming for a selective high school in your district or across the city, personalized 1-on-1 instruction lets you work at your pace with someone who gets your situation.