Timing is one of the biggest challenges students face on Critical Reading because you have roughly 50-55 minutes to read passages and answer 44-48 questions. Many students either rush through passages and miss details, or spend too much time reading and run out of time for later questions.

Effective strategies include: learning to preview questions before reading (so you know what to focus on), practicing "active reading" to avoid re-reading passages, and developing a consistent method for eliminating wrong answers quickly. A tutor can help you build a personalized timing approach based on your reading speed and accuracy patterns, then have you practice with real PSAT tests under timed conditions to build confidence and automaticity.

While the PSAT does include vocabulary questions, memorizing isolated word lists is often inefficient because you may never see those exact words on test day. A more effective approach is learning to identify context clues within passages—the test often gives you hints about what an unfamiliar word means based on the surrounding text.

That said, knowing common test vocabulary does help, especially for frequently appearing word families and synonyms. The best strategy combines both: building context-clue skills while selectively learning high-frequency PSAT vocabulary through real practice tests. A tutor can show you which vocabulary gaps are actually holding back your score based on your practice test performance, rather than having you study random words.

Students typically find paired passages and inference questions the most challenging. Paired passages require you to understand two different perspectives and compare them—this demands strong attention to detail and takes more time to read. Inference questions also trip up many students because the correct answer isn't explicitly stated in the text; you have to use evidence to logically deduce what the author means.

Command of Evidence questions (which ask you to identify the sentence that best supports your answer to a previous question) are another stumbling block because they require you to trace your reasoning back through the passage. A tutor can break down these question types using real PSAT examples and show you the specific strategies that work best for each format, which builds your confidence and accuracy on test day.

Most students benefit from 2-3 focused practice sessions per week, with at least one full practice test each week. This frequency is enough to build momentum without overwhelming you, and it gives you time to apply feedback from your tutor before your next session.

Quality matters more than quantity—one carefully reviewed practice test where you analyze every mistake is far more valuable than rushing through multiple tests without reflection. When you work with a tutor, they help you identify patterns in your mistakes (like consistently misunderstanding comparison questions, or rushing through double-passage sets) and adjust your practice strategy accordingly. This targeted approach means you're spending study time on what actually moves your score, not wasting time on question types you've already mastered.

Test anxiety often stems from uncertainty about whether you'll have enough time or whether you understand what the test is asking. The best antidote is building genuine confidence through repeated practice and exposure to question formats. When you've seen dozens of real PSAT questions and know exactly how to approach each type, the test feels much less intimidating.

A tutor can also teach you grounding strategies like taking a few deep breaths before starting, building in 30-second mental breaks between passages, and having a plan for "stuck" questions (mark and move forward rather than spiraling). Many students also benefit from practicing under real timed conditions so test day doesn't feel like the first time you've done this. The combination of solid preparation plus concrete coping strategies significantly reduces anxiety for most students.

Varsity Tutors connects Denver students with expert PSAT tutors who specialize in Critical Reading preparation. Rather than generic test prep, you get personalized 1-on-1 instruction tailored to your specific reading challenges and score goals. You can get matched with a tutor who works with your schedule and learning style.

When selecting a tutor, look for someone with proven experience improving PSAT scores and who can walk you through their actual practice test results to show where your specific weaknesses are. The right tutor becomes a strategic partner—helping you build a study plan, identifying which question types need the most work, and holding you accountable to your preparation timeline.