Score improvement depends on your starting point and how consistently you prepare, but most students see meaningful gains with focused, personalized instruction—typically 50-150 points or more over several months of regular practice. The key is identifying your specific weak areas (whether that's reading comprehension, math pacing, or test anxiety) and working with a tutor to address them systematically. Consistent practice with real test questions and strategic feedback makes the biggest difference.

Reading comprehension and verbal reasoning tend to challenge many students because they require both strong foundational skills and test-specific strategies—like managing time across multiple passages and identifying subtle answer choices. Math sections often trip up students on pacing and understanding the specific question formats the SHSAT uses, even if they're strong mathematicians. A tutor can help you pinpoint whether your struggle is conceptual knowledge, timing, or strategy, then target that specific area.

Most students benefit from 3-6 months of consistent preparation, with sessions typically ranging from 1-2 times per week depending on your starting level and target score. If you're starting further behind or aiming for a highly competitive score, 6-9 months of preparation gives you more time to build skills and take multiple practice tests. The earlier you start, the less intense your weekly commitment needs to be—consistency matters more than cramming.

Practice tests are essential—they help you understand the test format, identify weak areas, practice pacing under timed conditions, and build confidence before test day. Taking full-length practice tests every 2-3 weeks lets you track improvement and adjust your study strategy based on real performance data. A tutor can review your practice test results with you to pinpoint patterns (like which question types slow you down) and develop targeted strategies to address them.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or unfamiliar with the test format—so consistent practice with real questions, timed drills, and full-length practice tests builds genuine confidence. Working with a tutor also helps you develop specific test-taking strategies and time management techniques that reduce stress on test day. Many students find that breaking the test into manageable sections and celebrating small wins during preparation boosts their mindset going into the exam.

Your first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment to understand your current skills, identify specific weak areas, and establish a baseline for tracking progress. You and your tutor will also discuss your target score, timeline, and learning style so they can customize a study plan that works for you. From there, you'll start building foundational skills or test-specific strategies depending on where you need the most help.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have deep knowledge of the SHSAT and experience helping students in Richmond prepare for the exam. You can share your goals, timeline, and preferred meeting format, and we'll match you with a tutor whose expertise and teaching style fit your needs. Once matched, you can start your personalized preparation right away and adjust your plan as you progress.