Score improvement depends on your child's starting level and how consistently they practice. Many students see meaningful gains—often 10-20 percentile points—when they work with tutors on test-specific strategies, practice question formats, and time management over several months. The key is identifying weak areas early and building confidence through targeted practice and feedback.

During the first session, a tutor will assess your child's current skills, learning style, and comfort level with test content. They'll likely review sample questions from each section (verbal, math, reading), identify specific challenges, and discuss your timeline and goals. This helps create a personalized study plan focused on your child's needs rather than generic test prep.

Pacing is one of the biggest challenges for elementary-level test-takers. Tutors teach strategies like identifying easier questions first, knowing when to skip difficult problems, and managing anxiety that can slow students down. Through timed practice sessions, your child builds familiarity with the test rhythm and learns to work efficiently without rushing or second-guessing themselves.

Reading comprehension and verbal reasoning often challenge elementary-level students because they require both strong foundational skills and test-specific strategies. Math tends to be more straightforward, but word problems can trip up students who don't read carefully. A tutor can identify which section needs the most attention for your child and develop targeted strategies to build confidence in weaker areas.

Most students benefit from taking 3-5 full practice tests spaced throughout their prep period, starting with untimed versions to focus on accuracy, then gradually adding time pressure. Between full tests, working through individual sections and question types helps reinforce skills. Tutors use practice test results to pinpoint patterns in mistakes and adjust the study plan accordingly.

Test anxiety often stems from unfamiliarity with the format or fear of making mistakes. Tutors reduce anxiety by demystifying the test, building your child's confidence through repeated exposure to question types, and teaching calming strategies for test day. When students understand what to expect and feel prepared, they perform more authentically and handle challenging questions with less stress.

Most students benefit from 2-4 months of preparation, meeting with a tutor 1-2 times per week. This timeline allows time to build foundational skills, practice test formats, and take multiple practice tests before the actual exam. Starting earlier gives your child more flexibility to address weak areas without rushing, which is especially important for younger test-takers who are still developing test-taking skills.