Most students struggle with pacing because they either rush through passages and miss details, or spend too long on difficult questions and run out of time. The Critical Reading section requires you to read actively, identify key information quickly, and answer questions strategically—all within a tight timeframe. A tutor can teach you how to preview passages effectively, skip and return to tough questions, and build the reading speed and accuracy you need without sacrificing comprehension.

Vocabulary is essential—many Critical Reading questions test your ability to understand words in context, and strong vocabulary helps you grasp passage meaning faster. However, it's not just about memorizing lists; you need to understand how words function within sentences and passages. Tutors can help you build vocabulary strategically by focusing on high-frequency PSAT words and teaching you techniques to infer meaning from context clues, which is often more valuable than knowing every definition.

Aim for 4-6 full practice tests spread throughout your preparation period, with at least one every 2-3 weeks. Practice tests serve two purposes: they help you build stamina and get comfortable with the format, and they reveal your specific weak areas so you can target your studying. Between full tests, focus on timed practice with individual passages and question types. A tutor can review your practice test results with you, identify patterns in your mistakes, and adjust your study plan accordingly.

The section includes several key question types: main idea/purpose questions, vocabulary-in-context questions, detail questions, inference questions, and paired passage comparison questions. Each type requires a slightly different approach—for example, main idea questions ask you to identify the author's overall point, while inference questions require you to read between the lines. Understanding the specific demands of each question type and practicing strategies for each one is crucial for improving your accuracy and speed.

Your first session typically starts with a diagnostic assessment—either a practice test or sample passages—to identify your current strengths and weaknesses. The tutor will review your results with you, discuss your goals, and create a personalized study plan tailored to your needs. You might also get introduced to foundational strategies like active reading techniques or how to approach specific question types, so you leave with immediately actionable tools.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or uncertain about your approach—so building genuine confidence through targeted practice is the best antidote. Tutors can help by teaching you stress-management techniques (like breathing exercises and positive self-talk), breaking the test into manageable chunks, and ensuring you've practiced enough that the format feels familiar and less intimidating. Regular timed practice also trains your brain to stay calm under pressure, which transfers directly to test day.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in PSAT Critical Reading and understand the specific challenges students face. When you get matched with a tutor, you can discuss their experience with test prep, their teaching style, and how they approach reading comprehension instruction. The goal is to find someone who not only knows the material but also explains it in a way that clicks for you, so you can build both skills and confidence before test day.