College Admissions News and ACT / SAT Strategy

7 Benefits of Working With an SAT Tutor

Written by Mark Skoskiewicz | Fri, Mar 08, 2013 @ 03:03 PM

If you are considering hiring an SAT tutor for your son or daughter but aren’t sure whether it is a good investment, here are six benefits you should consider.

Accountability

Besides the help they offer, an SAT tutor will help you stay on track with your study plan.  Preparing for the SAT isn’t a one-time event but an extended process, one that has to be fit in around your ongoing studies.  Making a plan and following it is key to success and just one of the ways a tutor is invaluable.

Focus

Preparing for the SAT requires a dedicated focus.  This means avoiding distractions as well as keeping your attention on the essential material.  The format and content of the questions on the SAT are very specific, and an SAT tutor helps you stay focused on what’s important so that you don’t waste time on material that won’t help you on the exam, as well as keep you on track with your scheduled study plan.

Specialization

A tutor who is thoroughly familiar with the SAT, or even specializes in SAT preparation, provides even more value than a generic tutor.  A dedicated SAT tutor will be prepared for the specific types of questions students are likely to have, and will also be able to train the student in the most effective test-taking strategies.

Confidence 

If you are trying to prepare on your own it can be easy to second guess yourself, or to become overwhelmed by the sheer volume of material covered by the SAT.  An SAT tutor can give you confidence that you are sufficiently prepared, which will improve your performance in its own right. 

Ease 

It’s just plain easier to do anything when you have someone to help you, and preparing for the SAT is no exception.  Having the help of a tutor makes the difference between a daunting, arduous chore and a manageable challenge.

Efficiency

Having a guide also makes the process faster, which means you can get better results without diverting time away from your ongoing studies, or from the real purpose of life, which is to enjoy it.

Enjoyability 

Speaking of enjoyment, a good SAT tutor will actually make the process enjoyable, so that it becomes something to look forward to rather than avoid.  Though many students preparing for and taking the SAT, it doesn’t have to be this way.  Enjoying the process helps to reinforce a positive association between learning and enjoyment that will carry through to a lifetime of self-motivated learning.