You'll have 25 minutes to complete the Critical Reading section, which includes multiple passages and roughly 24 questions. Most students benefit from spending 2-3 minutes skimming each passage before diving into questions, then allocating about 30-45 seconds per question. Pacing is one of the biggest challenges students face—many rush through passages and miss key details, while others spend too long on difficult questions. Working with a tutor can help you develop a personalized pacing strategy that matches your reading speed and comprehension style.

The biggest pitfalls are misreading questions (especially those with "NOT" or "EXCEPT"), choosing answers that sound right without textual support, and struggling with vocabulary-in-context questions. Many students also get tripped up by paired passages, where they must compare two authors' perspectives or find specific differences. Additionally, anxiety about timing often causes students to second-guess correct answers or skip challenging questions entirely. Targeted practice with immediate feedback helps identify which mistake patterns are holding you back.

Score improvement depends on your starting point and consistency, but most students see 50-100 point gains (on the 160-760 scale) within 8-12 weeks of focused preparation. Students who struggle with pacing or question interpretation often see faster gains, while those refining already-strong skills may improve more gradually. The key is identifying your specific weaknesses—whether that's vocabulary, inference questions, or passage comprehension—and practicing strategically rather than just reading more passages.

Most students benefit from taking a full practice test every 1-2 weeks to track progress and build test-day stamina, with targeted drills on specific question types in between. Early in your prep, focus on understanding why you missed questions rather than just logging test hours. A tutor can help you analyze your practice test results to spot patterns—like consistently missing inference questions or running out of time on paired passages—so you can focus your study time where it matters most.

Vocabulary appears both directly in standalone questions and indirectly throughout passages, making it a significant factor in your score. However, memorizing random word lists is less effective than learning vocabulary in context—understanding how words function within passages and recognizing common word patterns. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who teach vocabulary strategy alongside passage reading, so you build both breadth and the ability to decode unfamiliar words on test day.

Your first session typically includes a diagnostic practice test or assessment to identify your specific strengths and weaknesses—whether that's comprehension, pacing, vocabulary, or question-type mastery. A tutor will review your results with you, discuss your target score and timeline, and create a personalized study plan tailored to your needs. This foundation helps ensure every subsequent session builds directly toward your goals rather than covering generic test prep material.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or uncertain about question formats, both of which improve dramatically with targeted practice and familiarity. Techniques like taking deep breaths before difficult passages, skipping overly hard questions and returning to them later, and practicing positive self-talk all help on test day. Working with a tutor builds genuine confidence by showing you that you can handle the material and manage your time effectively, which naturally reduces anxiety far more than motivation alone.