The biggest struggles are typically pacing (52 questions in 35 minutes feels rushed), distinguishing between similar grammar rules, and understanding what rhetorical questions are really asking. Many students also underestimate the reading comprehension component—you can't answer questions about tone, word choice, or sentence placement without fully understanding the passage. A tutor can help you develop a strategic approach to each question type so you're not just guessing under pressure.

Your first session focuses on assessment and strategy. A tutor will likely have you work through a timed Writing and Language section to identify your specific weak areas—whether that's subject-verb agreement, comma usage, or rhetorical questions. From there, they'll create a personalized study plan that targets your gaps rather than drilling everything generically. This diagnostic approach means your tutoring time is spent on what actually needs work.

Practice tests are essential—they're the only way to build the timing and stamina you need for test day. Taking full, timed sections (or complete tests) helps you understand your pacing patterns and reveals which question types consistently trip you up. A tutor can review your practice test results to pinpoint patterns in your mistakes, then target those specific areas in your sessions rather than wasting time on concepts you've already mastered.

Yes, but the SAT tests a specific subset of grammar rules—not everything from English class. The test focuses heavily on subject-verb agreement, pronoun clarity, verb tense consistency, comma rules, and modifier placement. A tutor will focus on the rules that actually appear on the SAT rather than overwhelming you with every grammar concept. They'll also teach you how to spot these errors quickly under time pressure, which is just as important as knowing the rules.

Pacing comes down to strategy and practice. Most students waste time by reading every word of every passage carefully—instead, you should skim for context and focus on the specific sentences around each question. A tutor can teach you which questions to tackle first, how to quickly identify what a question is asking, and when to make an educated guess and move on. With timed practice, these strategies become automatic so you're not overthinking on test day.

Absolutely. Much test anxiety comes from feeling unprepared or uncertain about what to expect. Working with a tutor builds genuine confidence because you've practiced the actual question types, timed yourself repeatedly, and learned strategies that work. When you understand the section format, know your weak areas, and have a game plan for test day, the anxiety naturally decreases. Many students also benefit from discussing test-day logistics and mental strategies with their tutor.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in SAT Writing and Language prep and understand the specific challenges students face. When you get matched with a tutor, they'll have experience with the test format, question types, and timing strategies that matter most. You can discuss your goals and learning style upfront so the tutor you connect with is the right fit for your needs and schedule.