Time management is one of the biggest challenges on SAT Math—you have about 1.4 minutes per question. A tutor can help you develop pacing strategies like tackling easier questions first, recognizing when to skip and return to harder problems, and practicing mental math to work faster. Many students also benefit from learning which question types typically take longer so they can allocate time strategically during the actual test.

The best way is to take a full practice SAT and review your results by topic—algebra, advanced math, problem-solving, geometry, and trigonometry. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who analyze your practice test results to pinpoint exactly where you're losing points, whether it's conceptual gaps or test-taking errors. From there, you can create a focused study plan that prioritizes the areas that will have the biggest impact on your score.

Most students benefit from taking 4-6 full practice tests spaced throughout their preparation period, starting with one early to establish a baseline. After each practice test, you should spend time reviewing mistakes—not just checking answers, but understanding why you got it wrong and how to approach similar problems differently. A tutor can guide you through this review process and help you extract maximum learning from each practice test rather than just taking them passively.

Multiple choice questions give you four answer options, while student-produced response (grid-in) questions require you to solve the problem and enter your answer into a grid with no options to choose from. Grid-in questions can feel trickier because there's no answer to work backward from, and you need to be careful with decimal placement and rounding. A tutor can teach you specific strategies for each format, like using answer choices to check your work on multiple choice and double-checking your grid entries on student-produced responses.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or encountering unfamiliar question formats, so thorough practice with actual SAT problems is your best defense. Tutors can help you build confidence by repeatedly solving problems under timed conditions, teaching breathing and mental strategies to stay calm, and normalizing the experience of encountering difficult questions (even strong test-takers don't answer every question correctly). Many students also find it helpful to have a plan going in—knowing you'll skip hard questions and come back to them can reduce panic during the test.

Look for tutors with proven experience teaching SAT Math specifically, not just general math tutoring—the test has unique question types and strategies that differ from classroom math. Ideally, your tutor should have strong test scores themselves, understand the College Board's test design, and be able to explain concepts clearly while also teaching test-taking tactics. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who specialize in SAT prep and can tailor their approach to your specific weak areas and learning style.

Your first session typically focuses on assessment and planning. Your tutor will review your practice test results (or administer a diagnostic if you haven't taken one), discuss your target score and timeline, and identify which math topics need the most attention. From there, you'll work together to create a personalized study plan that outlines which concepts to focus on, how many practice tests to take, and how to structure your weekly tutoring sessions for maximum improvement.