Most students struggle with timing because they either read too slowly, reread passages unnecessarily, or spend too long on difficult questions. The ACT Reading section gives you about 8-9 minutes per passage. Expert tutors can teach you strategic skimming techniques, help you identify which questions are worth spending time on, and show you how to flag challenging questions to revisit later. Practice with timed sections is essential to building speed without sacrificing accuracy.

The ACT Reading section focuses on a few key question types: main idea/purpose questions, detail questions, vocabulary-in-context questions, inference questions, and function/structure questions. Understanding what each type is asking for helps you know where to look in the passage and how to eliminate wrong answers. Tutors can walk you through the reasoning behind each question type and help you develop a strategy for tackling them efficiently.

The best way is to take practice tests under timed conditions and review every question you miss, not just the ones you got wrong due to careless errors. Look for patterns: Do you struggle with inference questions? Natural science passages? Vocabulary? Time management? Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who can analyze your practice tests, identify specific weaknesses, and create a targeted study plan. This approach is much more effective than studying everything equally.

For most students preparing over 4-8 weeks, taking one full practice test per week is ideal for tracking progress and identifying patterns in mistakes. Between full tests, do timed passages (2-3 per session) to build endurance and test specific strategies. If you're working with a tutor, they can help you space practice strategically—using early tests to diagnose weaknesses, middle tests to practice targeted skills, and final tests to build confidence before test day.

Test anxiety often comes from feeling unprepared or uncertain about your approach. Building confidence through repeated practice with consistent results is the best antidote. Expert tutors can also teach you techniques like strategic breathing during breaks, positive self-talk, and how to approach harder passages calmly. Knowing that you have a reliable strategy for each question type—rather than panicking when you see a tough passage—makes a huge difference in staying focused and performing your best.

Look for a tutor with specific ACT Reading expertise who understands the nuances of question types and passage strategies, not just general test prep knowledge. They should be able to diagnose your specific challenges, create a personalized study plan, and explain their reasoning clearly. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who have proven success helping students improve their reading scores and can adapt their teaching to your learning style and goals.