Most students struggle to finish all passages within the time limit, often rushing through the last few questions or skipping them entirely. The key is learning efficient reading strategies—like active annotation, identifying main ideas quickly, and knowing which questions to tackle first—rather than reading faster. A tutor can teach you pacing techniques and help you practice with real PSAT passages so you build speed without sacrificing accuracy.

The PSAT Critical Reading section focuses on reading comprehension across paired passages and single passages, with question types including main idea, inference, vocabulary in context, and author's tone. Understanding the subtle differences between these question formats—especially inference vs. direct evidence questions—is crucial for avoiding careless mistakes. Tutors can walk you through each question type with real examples so you recognize patterns and answer more confidently on test day.

The best way is to take a full-length practice PSAT and review your results by question type and passage topic, not just overall score. You might find you struggle with inference questions but excel at vocabulary, or vice versa. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who can analyze your practice test results in detail, identify patterns in your mistakes, and create a study plan that focuses on your actual problem areas rather than generic test prep.

While the PSAT does test vocabulary, most words appear in context, so you can often figure out meaning from surrounding clues rather than memorizing definitions. However, knowing common academic and test-prep vocabulary gives you a confidence boost and saves time. A tutor can teach you context clue strategies and focus on high-frequency PSAT words rather than overwhelming you with flashcards.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or unsure of your approach, so building confidence through practice is the best antidote. Tutors can help you develop a consistent test-taking strategy, practice with real passages under timed conditions, and learn breathing or grounding techniques to stay calm when you hit a tough question. The more familiar you become with question formats and passage types, the less anxious you'll feel on test day.

Most students benefit from 4-8 weeks of consistent preparation, with 3-5 hours per week of focused study, though this varies based on your current level and target score. If you're aiming for a significant improvement or starting from a lower baseline, 8-12 weeks allows time to practice, get feedback, and refine your strategies. A tutor can create a realistic study schedule tailored to your timeline and goals, ensuring you're making progress without burning out.

Your first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment—either reviewing a practice test you've already taken or working through a sample passage together—so your tutor understands your current level, reading speed, and specific challenges. From there, you'll discuss your target score, timeline, and learning style to create a personalized plan. This foundation helps your tutor focus on what matters most for your improvement, whether that's strategy, timing, or confidence building.