Score improvement depends on your starting point and commitment to practice, but students typically see gains of 2-4 points with focused preparation over 8-12 weeks. The ACT Reading section is scored on a scale of 1-36, and improvement often comes from mastering question types, developing faster reading strategies, and learning to eliminate incorrect answers systematically. Consistent practice with real ACT passages and targeted feedback on your mistakes are key to seeing measurable progress.

Effective strategies include active annotation (marking key ideas as you read), previewing questions before reading to know what to look for, and using process of elimination to narrow down answer choices. Many students benefit from tackling passages in a strategic order—starting with genres they find easier—rather than going straight through. Practicing with a timer helps you develop a sustainable pace: aim to spend about 8-9 minutes per passage, leaving time to review.

Taking 4-6 full practice tests under timed conditions is ideal for building stamina and identifying patterns in your mistakes. Each practice test should be followed by a detailed review where you analyze why you missed questions and learn the correct reasoning. For Mission Viejo students preparing for the ACT, spacing these tests out over several weeks—rather than cramming them all at once—allows you to apply feedback and track improvement over time.

Start by categorizing your missed questions by type: main idea, detail, inference, vocabulary-in-context, or function questions. Track which types trip you up most frequently across multiple practice tests. Once you identify patterns, you can focus your study on those specific question types with targeted drills and strategy adjustments. A tutor can help you understand why certain question types are challenging and teach you the reasoning skills specific to each one.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling rushed or uncertain about your approach. Building confidence through consistent practice, mastering a reliable strategy you trust, and taking full-length practice tests helps normalize the experience. Breathing techniques during the test, starting with your strongest passage type to build momentum, and remembering that you don't need a perfect score can all help reduce anxiety. Working with a tutor to develop a personalized approach you feel confident in is one of the most effective ways to manage stress.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in ACT Reading and understand the specific challenges of the section. When you get matched with a tutor, you can discuss your current score, target score, and biggest struggles—whether that's pacing, question types, or test anxiety. Your tutor will create a personalized study plan tailored to your needs and work with you at a pace that builds both skills and confidence leading up to test day.

Your first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment to understand your current strengths and weaknesses, discussion of your target score and timeline, and an introduction to the tutoring approach. Your tutor will likely have you work through a sample passage or two to see your process in action and identify where strategy adjustments can help most. From there, you'll develop a customized study plan with specific focus areas and a realistic timeline for improvement.