Score improvement depends on your child's starting point, baseline skills, and consistency with practice. Many students see meaningful gains—often 10-20 percentile points—when they work with a tutor to identify weak areas, learn test-specific strategies, and practice with realistic materials. The key is targeted, consistent preparation rather than generic test prep; a tutor can pinpoint exactly where your child struggles and build skills strategically.

In the first session, a tutor will assess your child's current skills, discuss goals, and identify specific areas needing support—whether that's reading comprehension speed, math problem-solving, or test anxiety. This diagnostic approach helps create a personalized study plan rather than generic test prep. You'll leave with a clear understanding of your child's strengths and the roadmap for improvement.

Time management is a major challenge for elementary-level test-takers, and tutors address this by teaching strategic pacing techniques, helping students practice with timed sections, and identifying which question types slow them down. Through repeated practice with realistic test conditions, your child learns to allocate time wisely and avoid rushing through easier questions. A tutor can also help your child recognize when to skip difficult problems and move forward—a crucial strategy for test success.

Reading comprehension is often the most challenging section for elementary-level test-takers, as it requires both speed and deep understanding. Math can also be tricky when students encounter unfamiliar problem types or word problems. A tutor can diagnose which section is holding your child back and provide targeted strategies—like active reading techniques for verbal sections or step-by-step problem-solving frameworks for math—to build confidence and accuracy.

Practice tests are essential—they help your child become familiar with the format, build test-taking stamina, and reveal specific weak areas that need attention. Taking full-length practice tests under timed conditions mimics the real test experience and reduces anxiety on test day. A tutor uses practice test results to guide instruction, focusing on the skills and question types where your child needs the most support.

Test anxiety often stems from unfamiliarity with the test format or lack of confidence in specific skills. Personalized tutoring builds confidence through targeted skill-building and repeated exposure to realistic practice materials, which naturally reduces anxiety over time. A tutor can also teach calming strategies and help your child develop a positive mindset about the test, turning it from something scary into a challenge they feel prepared to tackle.

Most students benefit from 8-12 weeks of consistent preparation, with 2-3 tutoring sessions per week combined with independent practice. The exact timeline depends on your child's starting skills and target score, but starting early reduces cramming and allows time to build strong fundamentals. A tutor can recommend a personalized study schedule that balances test prep with your child's other commitments and learning pace.