The most difficult question types are typically those requiring inference (what the author suggests but doesn't explicitly state), comparative reasoning (comparing two passages), and questions asking about authorial purpose or tone. Many students also struggle with "Most Strongly Supported" questions, which require careful distinction between what the passage definitely supports versus what it merely suggests.

Expert tutors break down each question type systematically, teaching you the exact reasoning processes needed to eliminate wrong answers and identify correct ones. They'll use practice questions to help you recognize patterns in how the LSAT tests each type, building your confidence and accuracy over time.

Score improvement depends on your starting point and consistency. Students who work with tutors typically see improvements ranging from 2-5 points on the LSAT's 120-180 scale, with many students showing the most dramatic gains in their first 4-6 weeks as they learn fundamental strategies and question-type patterns. However, reaching higher scores (170+) often requires more intensive work to master difficult inference questions and maintain accuracy under pressure.

Realistic improvement comes from consistent practice with personalized feedback. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who will assess your specific weaknesses—whether that's reading speed, comprehension retention, or question strategy—and create a targeted study plan to address them.

Practice tests serve two critical purposes: they help you diagnose which specific passages and question types challenge you most, and they build your stamina and test-taking confidence. Rather than taking full tests randomly, work with your tutor to take them strategically—completing a full test, reviewing it together to identify patterns in your mistakes, then focusing tutoring sessions on those weak areas before taking another test.

Most students benefit from taking a diagnostic test before starting tutoring, then completing 2-3 full tests during an 8-12 week study period, with spacing between tests to allow time for targeted practice and skill building. Your tutor will help you interpret results accurately and translate them into specific improvements.

Test anxiety during Reading Comprehension often stems from time pressure, fear of running out of time, or panic when encountering an unfamiliar passage topic. This anxiety fragments your attention precisely when you need sustained focus most. Working with a tutor helps by building genuine competence and strategic confidence—when you know exactly how to approach each question type and have practiced extensively, anxiety naturally decreases.

Tutors also teach specific techniques like strategic skimming, mental passage mapping, and ways to manage the "hard passage" moment without derailing your entire section. They help you distinguish between productive nervousness (which keeps you sharp) and counterproductive panic, giving you tools to refocus when needed during practice sessions that simulate test conditions.

LSAT Reading Comprehension features four consistent passage types: law-related passages (about 25%), science passages (about 25%), humanities/literature passages (about 25%), and social science passages (about 25%). Each type has different vocabulary demands and reasoning patterns. Science passages require you to track technical details, humanities passages demand inference about tone and author intent, and law passages involve complex argumentation structures.

Experienced tutors expose you to all passage types during tutoring, helping you develop passage-specific strategies. For instance, science passages benefit from tracking "what happens and why," while humanities passages require attention to the author's perspective and critique. By the time you test, you'll have practiced extensively across all types, so no passage type will be unfamiliar.

Look for tutors with strong LSAT credentials—ideally scoring in the 170+ range themselves—and specific experience teaching Reading Comprehension strategies, not just general test prep. You want someone who understands the Bay Area's competitive academic environment and can work efficiently with your schedule, whether that means evening or weekend sessions around your job or other commitments.

Varsity Tutors helps by connecting you with tutors who specialize in LSAT Reading Comprehension and have proven track records helping students improve their scores. You can discuss your specific goals and challenges in an initial conversation to ensure the match is right before you start sessions.