Most students struggle to finish all passages within the 60-minute window, or they rush through and miss details that affect their answers. Expert tutors teach pacing strategies—like spending 8-10 minutes per passage and using active reading techniques to identify key information quickly. Practice with full-length tests under timed conditions is essential; this builds the stamina and rhythm you need to work confidently without sacrificing accuracy.

The PSAT Critical Reading section focuses on command of evidence, vocabulary in context, and inference questions. Students often struggle most with evidence-based questions, which require you to find the specific textual support for your answer, and with inference questions that ask you to read between the lines. Tutors break down each question type with clear examples and teach you the exact approach that works for each format, so you're not guessing.

You don't need to memorize obscure word lists—the PSAT tests vocabulary in context, meaning you can often figure out word meanings from surrounding sentences. However, knowing common academic and challenging words does help you move faster and feel more confident. Tutors focus on teaching you how to use context clues strategically while building familiarity with words that appear frequently in standardized tests.

Your first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment—either a full practice test or a timed section—so tutors can identify your specific strengths and weaknesses. You'll discuss your target score, timeline, and any particular frustrations (like running out of time or missing inference questions). From there, tutors create a personalized study plan with a realistic schedule and the exact strategies that will help you improve fastest.

Most students benefit from taking 4-6 full-length practice tests spaced throughout their preparation, with at least one every 2-3 weeks. This gives you enough data to spot patterns in your mistakes and builds test-day confidence. Between full tests, tutors recommend targeted practice on specific question types or passages where you're weakest—this focused work is often more valuable than taking another complete test.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or unfamiliar with question formats—which is exactly what tutoring addresses. By working through dozens of practice questions and full tests with a tutor, you build genuine confidence in your ability to handle any passage or question type. Tutors also teach breathing techniques and mental strategies to stay calm during the test, so you can focus on what you've learned rather than your nerves.

The best way is to take a full practice test under timed conditions and review your results carefully—look for patterns in the questions you missed (e.g., main idea vs. detail questions, specific passage types). Tutors analyze your practice test results in detail and use that data to prioritize your study plan, so you're spending time on skills that will actually boost your score. This targeted approach is much more efficient than trying to improve everything at once.