Score improvement depends on your starting point and study consistency, but most students see meaningful gains with focused preparation over 2-4 months. Students who work with tutors on targeted weak areas—whether that's reading comprehension, math problem-solving, or pacing strategies—typically improve by 50-150 points on the composite score. The key is identifying your specific challenges early and addressing them systematically rather than studying broadly.

Both sections are equally weighted and important for your overall score, but your prep should reflect your personal strengths and weaknesses. Many students find the reading section more challenging because it requires inference skills and time management under pressure, while others struggle with the math section's word problems and multi-step reasoning. A tutor can assess which section needs more attention and create a balanced study plan that maximizes your score.

Most students benefit from taking 4-6 full-length practice tests under timed conditions during their preparation period. The first practice test helps establish a baseline and identify weak areas, while subsequent tests track progress and build test-day stamina. Between practice tests, focus on targeted skill-building in specific question types rather than taking tests constantly—quality practice and review matter more than quantity.

Pacing is one of the most common challenges students face, especially in the reading section where time pressure increases anxiety. Effective strategies include knowing your target questions per minute, skipping difficult questions and returning to them later, and practicing timed sections repeatedly to build speed without sacrificing accuracy. A tutor can help you develop a personalized pacing strategy based on your reading speed and problem-solving style, then coach you through timed practice to make it automatic.

Test anxiety often stems from unfamiliarity with the format or fear of running out of time—both things you can control through preparation. Taking multiple practice tests in realistic conditions builds confidence and reduces anxiety because you know what to expect. Working with a tutor also helps you develop a growth mindset around mistakes; reviewing errors as learning opportunities rather than failures shifts your perspective and reduces stress on test day.

Look for tutors with specific SHSAT experience—they should understand the test's unique question formats, timing constraints, and the skills that matter most. They should be able to diagnose your specific weak areas quickly and create a focused study plan rather than generic test prep. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have proven success helping students improve their SHSAT scores and can adapt their teaching to your learning style.

Your first session focuses on assessment and planning. A tutor will review your baseline SHSAT knowledge, have you work through sample questions to identify specific challenges, and discuss your target score and timeline. This information helps create a personalized study plan that prioritizes your biggest opportunities for improvement, so you're not wasting time on skills you've already mastered.