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Getting ready for the SAT can be challenging, but Varsity Tutors has you covered with several SAT prep offerings to choose from. Whether you prefer small group SAT courses with a few other students in order to encourage one another and share suggestions, or you prefer to meet privately with an SAT test prep tutor, signing up for SAT test prep assistance through Varsity Tutors is an excellent way to enhance the quality of your study sessions. It's easy to get started with an in-depth SAT class when you reach out to us today. Or you can keep reading to learn more about how an SAT course could help you get the most out of your study sessions.
The SAT test serves a good purpose for both the students who take it and the colleges that use the results. Colleges and universities, almost all of which accept your SAT score as part of your application portfolio, appreciate being able to compare all applicants using a common data point. They use the SAT as a tool to determine how well prepared each applicant is for successful college-level study. This is one of the reasons the quality of your SAT test preparation is so important.
For you and all the thousands of students who take the exam each year, the main purpose of taking the SAT is to get into the post-secondary institution of your dreams. Knowledgeable SAT test prep tutors can help you identify which programs you should apply for, what their SAT score requirements are, and then help keep you on track during your SAT prep sessions once you've set your goal. Because Varsity Tutors refers you to SAT tutoring professionals who know what it takes to prepare for the test, your SAT classes can provide you with helpful study skills and testing strategies that could make all the difference on test day.
How can SAT classes near me help me meet the requirements to get into the college I want to attend?
We've established that SAT tutors can help you work towards reaching your goals, but perhaps you're still wondering how they do so. Whether you're in a one-on-one SAT prep tutoring situation or in a small group SAT course, you can count on Varsity Tutors to connect you with SAT tutoring experts who know many ways to study for the exam. One of the greatest advantages of not studying in a classroom setting is the flexibility SAT tutors have in planning your sessions.
Let's look at the following SAT test prep situation for an example. Even if you're a complete math whiz, your SAT class tutor will probably give you a math assessment during your first session. When you not only score 100% on it, but also do so in half the time allotted, you probably won't spend much time reviewing the math concepts you've clearly mastered. How much time would be spent reviewing math concepts in an SAT prep classroom setting? This example illustrates how studying in a one-on-one setting can be far more efficient than classroom alternatives. As a college-bound high school student, you don't have time to spend on unnecessary tasks, and by signing up for SAT test prep help through Varsity Tutors, you don't have to.
Are you curious about exactly what you need to study to prepare for the SAT? Review the information below to learn more about the format and content of the SAT:
The Tests That Make Up the SAT
- Reading Test
- Assesses reading comprehension and reasoning skills
- Answer questions from written passages
- Some passages include tables, charts, or other graphics
- Writing and Language Test
- Assesses grammar, sentence structure, punctuation, and other skills in written English
- Assesses the ability to understand words through context
- Analyze passages to identify opportunities to improve claims or relevance
- Math
- Features calculator and no-calculator portions
- Assesses problem-solving and analytical skills
- Assesses algebraic skills
- Assess the ability to understand and solve mathematical expressions
- Essay
- Optional
- Assesses writing skills
- Assesses the ability to understand an argument, present it, and support it with evidence
One thing to note is that although the Essay section is listed as optional, it's important to find out if any of the programs you're planning to apply for require applicants to complete the Essay section, as many of them do. This is another thing you can look up during your SAT prep.
What are the different options Varsity Tutors offers for SAT test prep near me?
The most intensive option Varsity Tutors offers to help you prepare for the test is one-on-one SAT tutoring. Working with SAT tutors allows for a great deal of flexibility, both in scheduling and in the study sessions. Varsity Tutors always does our best to connect you with a tutor who can meet at a time that fits your busy schedule. This is made much easier by the fact that our SAT courses are conducted online through our Live Learning Platform. This removes any travel or transportation obstacles, and also widens the timeframe that both you and your tutor have available for conducting your SAT prep sessions.
Possibly the greatest advantage to working with a private SAT test prep tutor is that they can create a customized learning plan for you that's targeted specifically towards your academic growth. If you learn one concept or topic more quickly than expected, your tutor can move your SAT test preparation on to the next subject without having to wait. By being able to adjust your study schedule in real time, your lessons are as efficient as possible, and every minute you spend in your SAT classes is productive study time. This may be the right SAT preparation choice for you if you've previously enjoyed getting individualized feedback while learning.
There are basically two SAT test preparation options you can sign up for. The first is the private tutoring and the second choice you may want to consider is our small-group SAT classes. When you sign up for these SAT courses, you'll learn from an experienced instructor in an online learning environment that replicates the traditional classroom experience. You'll even get to learn alongside and interact with a small group of peers during each SAT class. As mentioned above, this gives you the chance to give and receive encouragement among other SAT prep students who know exactly what you're going through, because they are, too. It's not like sitting in a full classroom because the group is kept smaller. This type of SAT test prep also gives you the option to work with your instructor in a one-on-one setting when you need additional help with a challenging topic.
How can SAT tutoring near me help me study better than on my own or in a class?
First and foremost, working on your SAT preparation with the personalized attention of a private SAT tutor offers the most flexible and efficient way to study, as mentioned above. In addition to taking time during your SAT course to focus on particular content, tutors have the chance to choose among the many SAT prep study methods they have in their "toolbox," to find the ones that work best for you.
Your SAT test prep can get to know you better than a classroom teacher could. This means they can get to know your current study habits, both by asking you and observing you, and the strengths you bring to the table. They can also discover the learning styles that help you learn and retain information more effectively, and where your interests lie. By taking all of this into consideration, your SAT prep tutor can design lesson plans that are most effective for your unique set of personal attributes.
We can again look at some example SAT test prep situations to show how this might work. If you're studying for the SAT after spending a long day at school sitting in a chair and listening to teachers, you might be ready to fall asleep with your eyes open as your tutor explains things. This may be an effective way for you to learn normally, but a good SAT prep tutor will probably not only observe this happening, but take action to fix it.
If you're working on certain math skills, and you happen to enjoy basketball, they may take you outside with a ball to a nearby hoop and play a game that involves answering math questions while making shots. If you're working on reading comprehension, your SAT test prep can again move outside, this time to take a walk. When you're tired, moving and taking in fresh air can help you focus better on the topics being discussed and may improve your performance. Your tutor can bring passages, read them out loud as you walk, and ask you questions verbally. Or if they have the ability, they could make up short passages that are funny or strange so they catch your attention better than a piece of 18th century British literature, and then provide questions for you to answer.
Can a SAT course near me help me with more than just content review for the test?
The SAT is a hugely popular college admissions exam. The test assesses how prepared you are for a college level of study through a series of multiple-choice questions that cover many of the most important things you studied while in high school. Students who earn a strong SAT score may become a more attractive candidate for admission at the colleges they're most interested in attending. That's why it's vital that you have a strong test preparation in place as you begin to prepare for this comprehensive exam.
Doing well on the SAT requires more from you than just remembering the content tested. Full SAT preparation involves study and test-taking skill enhancement in addition to subject review. Because each section of the exam has a limited timeframe for you to complete it, your SAT tutor can help you improve your pacing if that's an issue. They have a number of ways they can do so.
Sometimes it almost seems like the wording of SAT questions is meant to trick you. Your tutor can help you learn to first read questions carefully, then understand what they're asking for. A double-negative can make a question seem like it's asking one thing when it's actually asking for the exact opposite. Becoming familiar with the wording of SAT questions can make them less daunting, and when you're more quickly able to understand what a question asks, you can answer more quickly.
Which leads to another simple strategy your SAT prep tutor can encourage, which is trusting your first instinct. If you answer a question in your head before looking at the answers, and find your answer among the choices, you can feel confident picking that answer. In classroom tests, you're encouraged to review your work, but on standardized exams like the SAT, that's not always the best option. Depending on what your tutor observes when you take practice sections or tests, they can help you find the best way for you to pick the right answer. They may even have ideas on how you can improve your chances of picking the right answer even if you're not sure what it is.
There are other time-management tips your SAT test prep tutor can demonstrate as they help you choose the ones that work best for you. To track your pacing improvement, your instructor may administer timed sections of the exam, observe you as you answer questions, and provide more suggestions based on what they see. Because the SAT doesn't penalize you for wrong answers, but does penalize you for unanswered questions, it's in your best interest to practice your pacing until you feel comfortable in your ability to finish all items on the test.
It can be beneficial to have your SAT tutor walk you through what the whole testing experience will be like. Below, you'll find important information about what to expect on the day of your SAT exam:
- Doors open at 7:45 am on the day of the test
- Doors close at 8:00 am
- Testing starts between 8:30 and 9:00 am
- One 10 minute break and one 5 minute break
- Students not taking the Essay will be done around 12 pm
- Students taking the Essay will be done around 1 pm
Your SAT prep instructor may even be able to teach you techniques to reduce your anxiety on the day of the test if that's an issue for you. If you plan on taking the SAT soon, then consider signing up for an SAT test prep course with Varsity Tutors. You can get started with the SAT course of your choice when you reach out to us today. Whichever option you ultimately decide on, Varsity Tutors is dedicated to helping you enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of your study sessions. We look forward to hearing from you.

Max: SAT test prep instructor
...singing, I'm is passionate about education, particularly in helping high school students achieve their academic goals as they work their way towards college. I volunteer in New Haven as a math teacher and coach at a public middle school (my team of 7th graders just won the 2016 New Haven regional championship!), and I've been tutoring middle and high school students for over 7 years. On top of all of that, I'm an aspiring professional...
Education & Certification
- Yale University - Current Undergrad, Economics
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- SSAT
- ACT
- +104 subjects

Rebecca: SAT test prep instructor
...because I want everyone to be able to perform academically at their highest possible level. I also think it is important that learning is not just for one assignment or one test, but rather that it sticks with you to build a solid foundation of knowledge and confidence that you can carry forward. My favorite subjects to tutor include English, SAT test preparation, math, and psychology. My approach to tutoring is to meet the student...
Education & Certification
- Northwestern University - Bachelors, Psychology
- University of Chicago SSA - Masters, Social Work
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- SSAT
- ISEE
- ACT
- +53 subjects

Ariela: SAT test prep instructor
...a stage manager, it is often my job to take in complicated and conflicting pieces of information (the blocking, a quick change in costumes, changes in a script) and quickly organize that information so that I can convey it to someone else. I enjoy and excel at condensing and re-communicating facts or tasks, so that they become comprehensible to someone who may not understand them the first time around. It is not just my success...
Education & Certification
- University of Chicago - Current Undergrad, Theater & Performance Studies
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- PSAT
- ISEE
- Advanced Placement
- +50 subjects

Charles: SAT test prep instructor
...entire academic career, and I would best describe my tutoring style as one that adapts to each students' needs. For example, I have always tried to frame questions in a different way so that the student can better understand the question. Some students need visual representations of numbers and systems to understand them, and others benefit more by understanding the concepts behind each formula. I prefer to tutor in math and physics, and especially with...
Education & Certification
- Yale University - Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- ACT
- Geometry
- +31 subjects

Ellis: SAT test prep instructor
...practicing attorney and law professor. I have helped students to prepare for the LSAT and to draft the Personal Statement required by law schools. I was a Modern Languages major in college which has proved invaluable in tutoring ESL which I have done for several years as a volunteer for several CT libraries. And, finally, I am the author of several books published by prestigious companies, including Commerce Clearing House and Simon & Schuster. This...
Education & Certification
- Trinity College Hartford CT - Bachelors, Modern Languages
- University of Pennsylvania School of Law - PHD, Law
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- ISEE
- CLEP
- CSAP/ TCAP
- +118 subjects

Sean: SAT test prep instructor
...degree. I have tutored ACT prep and SAT prep previously on many occasions, and I am willing to work with and help you reach your full potential on these tests. I really enjoy teaching test preparation, as there are so many aspects to taking these exams ranging from test taking strategies, the material itself, as well as preparation right before the tests themselves. I believe that every student requires a different teaching strategy, and I...
Education & Certification
- Brown University - Current Undergrad, Computer Science
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- ACT
- Pre-Algebra
- +28 subjects

Kevin: SAT test prep instructor
...tutor several subjects though I am strongest in the humanities particularly in preparation for the AP European/American History exams as well as the AP American Government/Comparative Politics exams. I also offer ACT/SAT Writing, ACT/SAT Reading, SAT Verbal and ACT English tutoring. My approach to tutoring is centered on the belief that nothing is particularly difficult if you just break it down into small parts. For example, things like Advanced Placement tests and standardized tests when...
Education & Certification
- American University - Bachelor in Arts, Political Science and Government
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- ACT
- SAT Writing and Language
- College Level American History
- +15 subjects

Ruth: SAT test prep instructor
...She spent one year as a Fulbright teacher at Northern (Arctic) Federal University in Arkhangelsk, Russia, teaching English and growing international friendships. Since returning to Pittsburgh in 2012, she has taught and mentored at-risk kids and youth at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, and Best of the Batch Foundation. Her work focuses on culturally responsive multi-cultural education, language teaching, and program development. At the Carnegie Library, she created World Family Day, an...
Education & Certification
- Smith College - Bachelors, Comparative Literature / Russian Civilization
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- College Essays
- Homework Support
- Spanish 3
- +27 subjects

Lexi: SAT test prep instructor
...& SAT subject tests as a recommended peer tutor through my school's guidance department (ages 15-17). I have always been an avid reader, which, I believe, has helped me develop an innate understanding of grammar. I love helping students with reading, English language and literature, and writing particularly around college applications, admissions essays, and SAT preparation. I have extensive experience tutoring foreign languages through my work as a Spanish & Arabic tutor at Princeton and...
Education & Certification
- Princeton University - Bachelor in Arts, Politics, Near Eastern Studies, Arabic
- State Certified Teacher
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- Advanced Placement
- REGENTS
- PSAT
- +29 subjects

Jan: SAT test prep instructor
...an original curriculum intertwining creative writing, creative movement and theater for a month-long workshop series at Velocity Dance Center, and for the Seattle Festival of Dance Improvisation. I adapted this curriculum for students in theater and creative writing electives at The Northwest School. I have also worked as a teaching assistant at Oberlin College. I tutored analytical and creative writing and gave lectures and facilitated discussions on creative writing, visual art, architecture, music, and dance....
Education & Certification
- Oberlin College - Bachelor in Arts, Creative Writing and Dance
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- ESL/ELL
- College English
- Phonics
- +27 subjects

Erica: SAT test prep instructor
...past 10 years, I have tutored students of all ages and in a variety of subjects, with a strong focus on K-12 mathematics. I am pursuing a Master's degree in Elementary Education and a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification. I am extremely passionate about teaching and work daily to improve my craft. Students, parents, supervisors, and colleagues have described me as efficient, extremely patient, creative, and caring. I am certified to tutor...
Education & Certification
- Oberlin College - Bachelor in Arts, English; Latin Language and Literature
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- HSPT
- SAT Subject Tests
- SSAT
- +77 subjects

David: SAT test prep instructor
...many years and I have found that students may learn in different ways and all can excel. I like to present material in an engaging and relevant manner so that we can all learn and achieve success. One-on-one tutoring is an effective technique, particularly for explaining and modeling math, and I enjoy seeing students attitudes toward school brighten when they see immediate progress in their work. As a writing tutor, I like to focus on...
Education & Certification
- Drake University - Bachelor of Science, Education, History
- State Certified Teacher
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- ISAT
- ASPIRE
- SSAT
- +37 subjects

Michael: SAT test prep instructor
...with any other aspect of the application process. Given the substantial weight of the LSAT in the admissions process, however, I am particularly passionate about helping students master this test. I know from personal experience that the LSAT can be frustrating, but I will help students to break down each section and minimize the test's intimidation factor. With patience, repetition, and an understanding of how the test writers think, the LSAT can become predictable and...
Education & Certification
- Middlebury College - Bachelors, Philosophy
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- Pre-Algebra
- Middle School Math
- Algebra 2
- +26 subjects

John: SAT test prep instructor
I graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC in 2008, the oldest English speaking acting conservatory in the world. I graduated Summa from University of St Thomas with a BA in English, and just wrapped up a MS in Data Science from Northwestern. I'm a huge Red Sox fan and love watching detective shows when I have free time.... Positivity. Always. I believe that if a student is given positive tools and is allowed to understand the material rather than be lectured at, they're more likely to do well in the future.
Education & Certification
- American Academy of Dramatic Arts - Associates, Acting
- University of St. Thomas - Bachelor of Fine Arts, English/Drama
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- ACT
- PSAT
- +110 subjects

Rachel: SAT test prep instructor
...tutor, my main duty is to work with a student as an individual and to adjust my own tutoring to fit the way they learn best. I believe that all students have what it takes to succeed in school, its just a matter of finding the style of learning that is most effective for them. What works or makes sense for one student will not necessarily work for the next student, and so it is...
Education & Certification
- University of Washington-Seattle Campus - Bachelors, General Biology
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- HSPT
- SSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +89 subjects

Alison: SAT test prep instructor
...pursue their higher education goals. I have always been a high-achieving student, and I was my high school's valedictorian, a National Merit Commended Scholar, and a Presidential Scholar Qualifier. I have over 3 years of mathematics tutoring experience with students in grades K-12, and I love to help students build confidence in analytical and applied mathematics at all levels, from simple addition to complex calculus. In my free time, I enjoy planning events for my...
Education & Certification
- University of Dallas - Current Undergrad, Double-Major in Mathematics and Business with a French Language and Literature Concentration
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- PSAT
- ACT
- +64 subjects

Audrey: SAT test prep instructor
...at Pomona College with a specialty in critical reading and writing skills. I have prior experience working at my school's writing center to assist first-year students with college-level essays. I have also captained an award-winning collegiate mock trial team for several years, which involves mentoring younger students in oral and written communication skills. In addition to my experience, standardized testing has always been a forte of mine. I am enthusiastic about sharing the skills and...
Education & Certification
- Pomona College - Bachelor in Arts, Political Science and Government
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- ACT
- PSAT
- ACT Math
- +36 subjects

Kevin: SAT test prep instructor
...each individual's needs and learning methods. Everyone is different and to be a successful tutor, you cannot apply the same teaching methods to every student. Understanding how quickly students learn, what types of strengths they have, and their motivations for receiving tutoring is key to helping a student achieve their academic goals. My tutors have been some of my greatest mentors, and I want to be able to pass that on to my students.
Education & Certification
- Georgetown University - Current Undergrad, Finance
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- PSAT
- ACT
- +16 subjects

Cameron: SAT test prep instructor
...cardiologist or dermatologist -- still have plenty of time to decide! During college I tutored two kids in 6th through 8th grade math. I really enjoyed helping them with their homework assignments, preparing them for exams, and watching them improve in their courses. During this time, I learned how to be a very patient instructor and an effective communicator. As my dad was a high school math teacher, I also learned a few things from...
Education & Certification
- University of Southern California - Bachelor in Arts, Biological Sciences
- University of Southern California - Doctor of Medicine, Medicine
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- ACT
- Science
- Test Prep
- +24 subjects

Jed: SAT test prep instructor
...numerous high school, undergraduate, and graduate students, and have a passion for teaching, and teaching the right way -- not just to pass a test but to really explain the concepts so that YOU understand it properly. And perhaps I can convince you that the subject matter is something you like! It was a pleasure when my previous students acknowledged my influence in their honors theses or doctoral dissertations, and I hope that I can...
Education & Certification
- University of California-Berkeley - Bachelor of Science, Physics
- Princeton University - Doctor of Philosophy, Elementary Particle Physics
Subject Expertise
- SAT
- PSAT
- REGENTS
- SAT Subject Tests
- +115 subjects