Most students struggle with pacing because they try to read every word carefully—which actually costs them points. A smarter approach is to preview the questions first, then read strategically for the information you need. Tutors typically recommend spending 8-10 minutes per passage (including reading and answering), which gives you time to focus on evidence-based questions that require more precision. Practice tests are essential here; timing is a skill you build through repetition, and a tutor can help you identify whether you're reading too slowly or spending too long on hard questions.

Traditional vocab lists are less helpful than you'd think—the PSAT tests vocabulary in context, which means you can often figure out word meanings from surrounding sentences. That said, knowing 200-300 high-frequency test words does help you move faster and catch subtle meaning shifts in dense passages. A tutor can teach you context-clue strategies and help you build a focused vocabulary list rather than overwhelming you with thousands of words. The real skill is learning to decode unfamiliar words from context, not memorizing definitions.

The PSAT Reading and Writing section (which includes what used to be called Critical Reading) focuses heavily on evidence-based questions—you'll need to support your answers by citing specific lines from the passage. You'll also see vocabulary-in-context questions, main idea questions, and inference questions. For San Diego students preparing for college readiness, understanding how to find textual evidence is crucial; this isn't about opinion or general knowledge, it's about proving your answer comes directly from the text. Tutors spend significant time drilling these question types because they're worth the most points and they reward systematic thinking.

The only way to identify weaknesses is through practice tests—full, timed sections where you can see patterns in your mistakes. After each test, analyze which passage topics trip you up (history, science, literature, social studies), whether you miss questions due to timing or understanding, and which question types give you the most trouble. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who can review your practice tests and spot these patterns for you, then create a targeted study plan. Many students assume they're bad at reading comprehension when they're actually just weak on a specific question type—that distinction changes your entire prep strategy.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or unsure of your strategy—which is why practice tests and tutoring work so well together. When you've done dozens of practice passages with a tutor, the format feels familiar rather than threatening. Practical strategies help too: take a deep breath before each passage, remind yourself you don't need a perfect score, and move on from hard questions quickly rather than spiraling. A tutor can help you build confidence by showing you where you've improved and teaching you to trust the systematic approach you've practiced. Many students find that anxiety decreases naturally once they feel in control of the material.

Most students benefit from 6-12 weeks of preparation, working 3-5 hours per week—but this varies based on your current reading level and score goals. If you're already a strong reader, you might need just 4-6 weeks of focused question-type practice. If reading is challenging, starting earlier gives you time to build both skills and confidence. Consistent, targeted practice works better than cramming; spacing out your study over weeks activates better long-term learning than a few intensive days. A tutor can help you develop a realistic timeline based on your starting point and the specific gaps that need attention.