Most students benefit from starting with Critical Reading because reading comprehension is foundational to the entire test. Strong reading skills help you understand the writing passages and grammar questions more effectively. That said, if writing and language skills are significantly weaker, addressing those first can build confidence. Tutors can assess both areas during an initial consultation and recommend a personalized sequence based on your needs and test timeline.

Taking 4-6 full practice tests spaced throughout your prep timeline is ideal for Critical Reading and the full PSAT. Start with one early on to establish a baseline, then take 2-3 in the middle of your study period to track progress and identify patterns in what you're missing. Finish with 1-2 tests closer to your actual test date, simulating real test conditions. Between full practice tests, focus on drills for specific question types—inference questions, paired passages, or vocabulary-in-context—to target weak areas efficiently.

The Critical Reading section has strict time constraints, and many students struggle with finishing all questions. A effective approach is to spend about 8-10 minutes per passage and its accompanying questions, leaving buffer time for particularly challenging passages. Skimming the questions before reading the passage helps you read more purposefully. If you find yourself getting stuck on difficult questions, skip ahead and return to them after completing easier ones—capturing "quick wins" ensures you don't lose points on questions you can answer quickly.

Explicit detail questions ask about information directly stated in the passage—you can point to the exact sentence supporting your answer. Inference questions require you to read between the lines and draw conclusions from clues the author provides. Students often struggle with inference questions because the answer isn't written out word-for-word, requiring you to synthesize information or understand implied meaning. Tutors can teach you how to distinguish these question types and develop strategies for each: marking text for explicit questions and looking for patterns or tone for inference questions.

Vocabulary memorization alone isn't the most efficient approach for the PSAT. Most vocabulary questions test "words in context"—your ability to determine meaning from surrounding clues and passage context. That said, knowing common academic words and advanced synonyms helps you eliminate incorrect answer choices confidently. For students in San Francisco with busy schedules, the best strategy is learning high-value words that appear frequently on standardized tests, then practicing context-clue strategies on full passages rather than drilling flashcards in isolation.

Test anxiety significantly impacts reading comprehension because stress narrows your focus and makes it harder to retain what you've just read. You might find yourself re-reading passages multiple times or second-guessing answers you understood correctly. Managing test anxiety involves building confidence through repeated practice with real questions, using breathing techniques during the test, and reframing mistakes as learning opportunities during prep. Tutors can help you identify which questions trigger anxiety and develop personalized confidence-building strategies so you approach test day feeling prepared and calm.