The ACT Reading section gives you 35 minutes to read 4 passages and answer 40 questions—that's roughly 8-9 minutes per passage. Many students struggle with pacing because they spend too long reading the full passage before seeing the questions. Expert tutors recommend skimming the passage first, then referring back to specific lines as you answer questions, which saves time and improves accuracy. Practicing with timed drills helps you find the rhythm that works best for your reading speed.

Students in Colorado Springs and beyond typically struggle with three main areas: vocabulary-in-context questions (which require understanding word meaning from surrounding sentences), inference and detail questions (distinguishing between what's directly stated vs. implied), and managing time while maintaining comprehension. Many students also find the social science and natural science passages harder because they contain unfamiliar terminology. A tutor can help you develop strategies specific to each question type and build confidence with difficult passages.

Practice tests are essential—they help you identify weak areas, get comfortable with the test format, and build stamina for the full section. Taking full-length timed practice tests every 1-2 weeks lets you track progress and pinpoint whether you're struggling with specific passage types or question formats. Between full tests, focused drills on individual question types help reinforce strategies without overwhelming yourself. Tutors use practice test results to create a personalized study plan that targets your biggest opportunities for improvement.

It depends on your strengths—some students find Reading harder because it requires sustained focus and quick comprehension, while others struggle more with Math's problem-solving. The good news is that ACT Reading is learnable through strategy and practice; you're not trying to memorize formulas, just develop consistent approaches to different question types. Many students improve their Reading score faster than their Math score because targeted reading strategies yield quick results.

Test anxiety on Reading often stems from feeling rushed or unsure about your approach. Building confidence through repeated practice with the same strategies helps—when you know exactly how you'll tackle each question type, you're less likely to panic. Tutors teach breathing and pacing techniques to keep you calm, plus they help you develop a pre-test routine that sets you up mentally. Taking practice tests under timed conditions also desensitizes you to the pressure of test day.

Your first session focuses on understanding where you stand and what to work on. You'll likely take a diagnostic practice test or review a recent ACT Reading attempt so the tutor can identify your specific weak areas—whether that's inference questions, pacing, or particular passage types. From there, you'll develop a personalized study plan with a timeline and concrete goals. This initial assessment ensures your tutoring is targeted and efficient.

Look for tutors with strong ACT Reading scores themselves (typically 33+), experience teaching test-taking strategies, and familiarity with the specific question formats and timing challenges of the section. It's also valuable if they've worked with students at your current score level and understand how to progress from there. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors in Colorado Springs who have proven track records helping students improve their ACT Reading scores.