Your first session focuses on assessment and planning. You'll take a diagnostic practice test or review your previous scores to identify which sections need the most work—whether that's reading comprehension, math problem-solving, or writing and language. From there, your tutor will create a personalized 8-week roadmap that targets your specific weaknesses and plays to your strengths.

Reading comprehension typically challenges students most because it requires both speed and deep understanding—you need to read quickly without sacrificing accuracy. However, with targeted strategies like active reading techniques and timed practice, students consistently see improvement. Math is often more straightforward to boost since it involves concrete problem-solving skills that respond well to focused practice and error analysis.

Aim for at least 4-6 full-length practice tests over your 8-week prep period—roughly one every 1-2 weeks. This gives you enough data to track progress and identify patterns in your mistakes. Between full tests, you'll also do targeted drills on specific question types and skills, which is where the real learning happens. Your tutor will review each test with you to pinpoint exactly what went wrong and how to fix it.

Pacing is one of the most learnable skills in test prep. Your tutor will teach you time-management strategies specific to each section—like how long to spend on reading passages versus quick math problems. You'll practice these strategies repeatedly in timed drills and practice tests so they become automatic. By test day, you'll know exactly how to allocate your time to maximize your score.

Test anxiety often stems from uncertainty—not knowing what to expect or feeling unprepared. With personalized tutoring, you'll become deeply familiar with the test format, question types, and your own strengths, which builds genuine confidence. Your tutor can also teach you practical techniques like breathing exercises and positive self-talk, plus help you develop a pre-test routine that keeps you calm and focused.

Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who have deep expertise in PSAT content and test-taking strategies. Your tutor is selected based on your specific needs—whether you need stronger math fundamentals, reading speed, or test strategy overall. They'll have a track record of helping students improve their scores and understand how to teach the skills that matter most on this particular test.

Most students benefit from 2-3 sessions per week during an 8-week prep period, though this can be adjusted based on your starting point and goals. Regular sessions keep you accountable, allow your tutor to monitor progress and adjust strategies, and give you time to ask questions about practice test results. Between sessions, you'll complete assigned practice drills and full tests, which your tutor reviews to guide the next session's focus.