Score improvement depends on your starting point and study commitment, but students typically see 50-150 point gains over 2-4 months of focused preparation. The key is identifying your specific weak areas—whether that's math problem-solving, reading comprehension, or pacing—and targeting those through practice tests and strategic review. Consistent practice with timed sections helps build both accuracy and speed.

The SHSAT has two main sections: Math and English Language Arts (ELA), each scored on a scale that contributes to your total score. Students often struggle differently depending on their strengths—some find the math section's multi-step problem-solving challenging, while others struggle with the ELA section's reading comprehension and inference questions. Expert tutors can diagnose which section needs more focus and create a targeted study plan accordingly.

Most students benefit from 3-4 months of consistent preparation, though this varies based on your current skill level and target score. A typical study schedule includes weekly tutoring sessions, regular practice tests (at least every 2 weeks), and daily independent practice. Starting earlier gives you time to identify weak areas, build confidence, and refine test-taking strategies without feeling rushed.

Pacing is one of the most common challenges—students either rush through questions and make careless errors, or spend too long on difficult problems and run out of time. Expert tutors teach you to recognize question difficulty levels, decide when to skip and return to questions, and practice timing strategies during full-length practice tests. Building this skill takes repeated practice, but it's essential for maximizing your score.

Practice tests reveal your actual strengths and weaknesses under timed conditions—something you can't discover through studying content alone. Taking full-length, timed practice tests every 2-3 weeks helps you build stamina, identify patterns in the questions you miss, and track progress toward your goal score. Tutors use your practice test results to refine your study plan and focus on the areas that will have the biggest impact on your final score.

Test anxiety often comes from uncertainty about the test format or fear of time pressure—both things that practice and familiarity reduce significantly. Working with a tutor who walks you through question types, teaches you what to expect, and helps you practice under realistic conditions builds confidence naturally. Many students find that reaching their practice test goal scores before test day is the best anxiety reliever.

Your first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment—either a full practice test or targeted questions in each section—to identify your current strengths and specific areas for improvement. The tutor will review your results with you, explain the test format and scoring, and create a customized study plan based on your timeline and goal score. This foundation ensures your preparation is strategic and focused from day one.