The most common struggles are pacing (running out of time), misunderstanding question formats, and gaps in foundational algebra skills. Many students also struggle with the transition from calculator to no-calculator sections, or with word problems that require translating English into mathematical equations. A tutor can help you identify which of these is holding you back and build strategies to address it.

Most students benefit from 8-12 weeks of consistent tutoring leading up to test day, meeting 1-2 times per week. If you're starting further out or have significant gaps to fill, a longer timeline gives you more room to practice and build confidence. The exact timeline depends on your current level, target score, and how much independent practice you're doing between sessions.

Practice tests are essential—they help you get comfortable with the format, identify pacing issues, and reveal which topics need more work. Taking full, timed practice tests every 2-3 weeks lets you track progress and adjust your study plan. Between full tests, targeted practice on specific question types (grid-ins, word problems, etc.) helps reinforce skills without overwhelming yourself.

Confidence comes from preparation and familiarity. When you work with a tutor, you practice problems repeatedly, learn multiple strategies for each question type, and get comfortable with the test format—all of which reduce anxiety on test day. Tutors also teach time-management and mental strategies to help you stay calm when you encounter a difficult problem.

Look for tutors with strong mathematics backgrounds, proven SAT prep experience, and familiarity with the current test format. Ideally, they should have a track record of helping students improve scores and understand their teaching approach before committing. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in SAT Math and can tailor their approach to your learning style and goals.

The best way is to take a full, timed practice test and review your results carefully—note which question types you missed and whether it was due to careless errors, timing, or not understanding the concept. A tutor can analyze your practice test results with you and create a targeted study plan that prioritizes the areas where you'll gain the most points. This beats studying randomly and wastes less of your prep time.

Your first session is typically an assessment and planning meeting. The tutor will learn about your target score, current strengths and weaknesses, and timeline. They may have you work through a few problems to understand your approach, then outline a personalized study plan focused on the topics and strategies that will help you improve most. This foundation makes all your future sessions more effective.