SAT tutoring is an investment, but hiring a tutor is only the first step. The real progress happens in how the student engages with the material between sessions.
If a student shows up to a tutoring hour without having done the work, that hour becomes a highly expensive homework session. Here is how to ensure your child gets the absolute most out of every minute of their SAT tutoring.
Step 1: Do the Homework (The Right Way)
A good tutor will assign 2 to 3 hours of independent practice for every hour of tutoring. This is non-negotiable. But doing the homework isn't just about completing the problems; it's about analyzing them.
When a student gets a practice question wrong, they shouldn't just look at the answer key and move on. They should mark the question, write down their thought process, and bring it to the tutor. The most valuable time in a tutoring session is spent diagnosing why a mistake was made, not just correcting it.
Step 2: Master the Tools
The Digital SAT provides an incredible tool in the form of the built-in Desmos graphing calculator. A tutor will teach the student how to use it, but the student has to practice it.
If a student continues to solve problems algebraically because "it's what they are used to," they are leaving points on the table. Remind your child to practice using Desmos on their homework exactly as they will on test day. Familiarity with the tool is just as important as familiarity with the math concepts.
A tutor provides the roadmap, but the student has to drive the car. Consistent, deliberate practice is the only way to build muscle memory.
Step 3: Simulate Testing Conditions
When it comes time to take full-length practice tests, they must be taken under realistic conditions. The Digital SAT is adaptive, meaning performance on the first module impacts the second. It also requires sustained focus.
Taking a practice test while watching TV or pausing it to eat dinner defeats the purpose. The student needs to practice managing their time and energy over the full duration of the test. A tutor can analyze pacing strategies, but only if the data from the practice test is accurate.
Step 4: Communicate Openly
Encourage your child to be honest with their tutor. If a tutor asks, "Does that make sense?" and the student just nods to be polite, they are wasting their time. A good tutor wants to know when a concept isn't clicking so they can try a different approach.
At Lahage Tutoring, we build accountability into our prep packages, which start at $679. We expect students to come prepared with questions, ready to dissect their mistakes. By taking an active role in their learning, students can maximize the value of their sessions and achieve the scores they are capable of.