Score improvement depends on your starting point and consistency with practice, but most students see meaningful gains (3-5 points on the LSAT scale) within 4-8 weeks of focused work. Some students improve more dramatically if they've been rushing through passages or missing question types entirely. The key is identifying your specific weaknesses—whether that's pacing, inference skills, or understanding passage structure—and building targeted strategies. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who can diagnose your exact challenges and create a personalized study plan.

Effective pacing strategies include active reading (annotating as you go to stay engaged), previewing questions before reading the full passage, and practicing timed drills to build speed without sacrificing accuracy. Many students waste time re-reading passages multiple times; instead, a strategic first read followed by targeted re-reading of relevant sections is more efficient. Your tutor can help you find the pacing approach that works for your reading style and teach you to recognize when you're spending too much time on a single question.

Your first session focuses on understanding your current strengths and weaknesses. You'll likely work through a timed Reading Comprehension section or sample passage while your tutor observes your approach, asking questions about your reasoning. This diagnostic helps identify whether you struggle with time management, question type recognition, inference skills, or passage comprehension. From there, your tutor will outline a personalized plan targeting your specific needs and priorities for test day.

Both are essential but serve different purposes. Full timed practice tests (under real test conditions) build stamina and help you identify patterns in your mistakes across all sections. Targeted drills on specific question types or passages let you focus deeply on weak areas without time pressure, building mastery before you apply it under timed conditions. A balanced study schedule typically includes both: full tests every 1-2 weeks, with focused drills on your problem areas in between. Your tutor will help you structure practice strategically based on your timeline and goals.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or unsure of your approach—both things tutoring directly addresses. Practicing under timed conditions repeatedly builds confidence and reduces the "unknown" factor on test day. Your tutor can also teach you specific techniques like controlled breathing, positive self-talk, and a pre-passage routine to stay calm and focused. Many students find that having a clear, practiced strategy for tackling passages significantly reduces anxiety because they know exactly what to do when they encounter a difficult passage.

Look for tutors with strong LSAT scores (typically 160+), direct experience teaching Reading Comprehension, and familiarity with the specific question types and passage styles you'll encounter. It's valuable if they can explain their own test-taking strategies and adapt them to your learning style. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have proven track records helping students improve their Reading Comprehension scores and understand the reasoning behind each question type.

Most students benefit from 2-4 months of focused LSAT prep, with Reading Comprehension receiving consistent attention throughout. If you're starting with weaker reading skills or lower baseline scores, 4-6 months allows more time for skill-building and practice. Your study schedule should include weekly tutoring sessions combined with independent practice—typically 3-5 hours per week total. Your tutor will help you create a realistic timeline based on your current level, target score, and test date.