Score improvement depends on your starting point and how consistently you practice, but students typically see gains of 50-150 points when working with personalized instruction focused on their specific weaknesses. Some students improve faster by targeting particular question types they struggle with, like inference questions or vocabulary-in-context items. A tutor can identify exactly where you're losing points and create a focused plan to address those gaps.

Many students struggle with pacing—finishing all passages and questions within the time limit—or misunderstanding what questions are actually asking. Others find inference questions tricky because they require reading between the lines, while vocabulary-in-context questions trip up students who rely on knowing definitions rather than understanding how words function in passages. Personalized tutoring helps you identify which challenge affects your score most and develop strategies to overcome it.

Effective strategies include reading passage introductions carefully, underlining key points as you read, and tackling questions in a strategic order (easier questions first to build confidence). Many students benefit from the "predict before you look" technique—forming your own answer before reading the choices—which helps you avoid trap answers. A tutor can teach you which strategies work best for your reading style and help you practice them under timed conditions.

Taking a full practice test every 2-3 weeks gives you a realistic sense of your progress and helps you adjust your study strategy. Between full tests, practicing individual sections or question types 2-3 times per week keeps your skills sharp without overwhelming you. A tutor can help you analyze your practice test results to spot patterns in the questions you miss, then focus your study time on those specific areas.

You typically have about 2-3 minutes per passage plus its questions, so practicing with a timer is essential. Many students benefit from skimming passages first rather than reading every word carefully, or spending less time on harder passages and more on easier ones. Working with a tutor, you can practice different timing strategies and find the approach that lets you complete the section while maintaining accuracy.

Your first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment to identify your specific strengths and weaknesses—whether you struggle more with vocabulary, inference, main idea questions, or timing. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who use this information to create a personalized study plan tailored to your needs. From there, you'll work through targeted practice and strategies designed to improve the areas holding back your score.

Building confidence through repeated practice with timed sections reduces anxiety significantly—familiarity with question formats and passages makes the test feel less intimidating. Breathing techniques and positive self-talk during practice help you stay calm on test day, and a tutor can help you develop a pre-test routine that works for you. Many students also find that understanding exactly why they miss questions (rather than feeling lost) builds confidence and reduces stress.