Award-Winning SAT Courses & Classes in Houston, TX

If you've been searching for a premium Houston SAT prep course to help you improve your study skills, Varsity Tutors can find you a course that covers everything you need to know for the exam. The SAT is a well-known college admissions exam that juniors in local schools such as St. John's School and Carnegie Vanguard High School can take as the first step toward applying for college. There is a lot of pressure associated with this test, and many students find prep to be intimidating. Working with experts can be a great way to improve your self-confidence heading into the exam.

When it comes to matching students with the academic assistance they need to pursue their goals, nobody beats Varsity Tutors. Every Houston SAT class we offer allows you to study with a knowledgeable instructor on a convenient live virtual platform. Give us a call today for more information.

What topics can a Houston SAT course cover?

The SAT is a pencil-and-paper-based test with three mandatory multiple-choice sections: Writing and Language, Reading, and Math. Your Mathematics grade is converted to a scale from 200-800, while your Writing/Language and Reading grades are combined into an "Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Score" on the same scale. These two figures are then added together to produce a composite score that acts as your final grade on the SAT. The exam lasts approximately three hours if you only do the mandatory sections.

There is also an optional Essay prompt that adds another 50 minutes to total testing time. While you don't have to take it, some undergrad programs require prospective students to submit a score in order for their application to be considered. Here is a closer look at what you can expect on each of the SAT's four sections:

Writing and Language

The Writing and Language section evaluates a test-taker's command of English language conventions such as grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. You are also tested on how well you can use context to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words and phrases, as well as separating relevant information from more tangential data. Since this section stresses the small things, it's really important to pay attention to everything a question is asking of you. You have 35 minutes to answer 44 questions on this section.

Reading

The Reading section measures your critical thinking and reading comprehension abilities. Every question is about an associated reading passages drawn from the following topic areas: one literary passage from either American or world literature, 1-2 primary sources from the Founding period of the United States, one social sciences passage on a topic such as economics or psychology, and 2-3 passages concerning scientific subjects such as physics and chemistry. You may see a table, chart, or other graphic as part of a passage on this section, but you won't need to do any math. You have 65 minutes to answer 52 questions on this section.

Math

The Math section assesses your quantitative problem-solving, algebraic understanding, and analytical thinking skills. You have a total of 80 minutes to answer 58 questions, but they are subdivided into two separately-timed sections based on whether you can use a calculator or not. The calculator subsection lasts 55 minutes and contains 38 questions, while the non-calculator portion lasts 25 minutes with 20 questions. You are only permitted to use certain calculators on the SAT, so make sure you have a permissible device!

Essay

The test's Essay prompt presents test-takers with another author's argument to analyze. You're expected to pay special attention to their use of reasoning, evidence, and style in order to ascertain how persuasive the other writer was. You are graded on several different factors, including style, tone, command of evidence, organization, and topical analysis. This section emphasizes your written communication, reading comprehension, and argumentative skills, making it very important to schools that ask for it.

How can taking a Houston SAT course help me study for the exam?

A Houston SAT course provided by Varsity Tutors allows you to learn from a knowledgeable teacher who knows how to effectively share their knowledge with a group of students. Our live virtual platform makes you feel as though you are in the same room as your instructor even if you're miles apart, providing the benefits of an in-person class without the associated logistical headache.

Class time also provides a great opportunity to familiarize yourself with the SAT's formatting by taking practice tests. Experiencing what the time available to you feels like firsthand is one of the best ways to learn how to budget it. Likewise, how you do might reveal information on your academic strengths and any areas of opportunity you could benefit from looking over again.

You can also interact with your fellow students during your Houston SAT class sessions. You can swap time management strategies such as reading the questions before their associated passages on the Reading section to help ensure that you have a chance to finish. Alternatively, explaining something to somebody else can be a great way to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the material yourself. You may even all outline the same Essay section prompt and then compare notes to discover how you could improve in the future.

Sharing your virtual classroom also allows you to split the cost of your instructor several ways, making test prep more affordable. If you ever feel like you're starting to fall behind, you can also arrange private study time with your teacher to go over anything you're struggling with.

Perhaps most importantly, everything we offer is designed to be as stress-free as possible. We offer both two- and four-week class sessions to make it easier to find one for your busy schedule. Similarly, we launch new classes every week so that you always have the option of jumping into a brand new session.

Can I enroll in a Houston SAT course today?

Just reach out to Varsity Tutors today for more information on how to enroll in a Houston SAT class. Educational consultants are currently standing by to answer any questions you have!