The three most common struggles are pacing (finishing all five passages in 35 minutes), distinguishing between similar answer choices, and understanding what the passage actually says versus making assumptions. Many students also struggle with vocabulary-in-context questions and identifying the author's tone or purpose. A tutor can help you develop a pacing strategy that works for your reading speed and teach you how to annotate passages efficiently so you're not rereading constantly.

Most students benefit from 4-8 weeks of focused ACT Reading preparation, with 2-3 tutoring sessions per week combined with independent practice. If you're starting significantly below your target score or have limited reading comprehension background, you might want to begin 8-12 weeks out. The timeline also depends on your other test sections—you may want to stagger your prep so you're not trying to improve everything simultaneously.

Practice tests are essential because they help you identify patterns in the types of questions you miss and reveal your pacing problems under real test conditions. Taking full-length practice tests every 2-3 weeks allows you to track progress and gives your tutor concrete data about where to focus instruction. Between full tests, targeted practice on specific question types—like paired passages or inference questions—helps you build skills without the time pressure initially.

Effective strategies depend on your reading speed and comprehension style. Some students benefit from reading the questions first, then skimming the passage for answers. Others do better reading the passage thoroughly once and then tackling questions. Your tutor can help you test different approaches with practice passages to find what maximizes both accuracy and speed. Common high-impact strategies include annotating key ideas, identifying the main point of each paragraph, and learning to eliminate wrong answers rather than searching for the "perfect" one.

Test anxiety on reading sections often stems from time pressure or unfamiliar passage topics. Building confidence through repeated practice with timed sections helps normalize the test experience. Your tutor can also teach you breathing techniques and help you develop a realistic pacing plan so you're not panicking about running out of time. Starting with untimed practice to build accuracy, then gradually adding time constraints, helps you develop both skill and confidence before test day.

Look for a tutor with proven ACT expertise who understands the specific question formats and can teach you strategies tailored to your learning style. They should assess your current skills early on, identify your specific weak areas (like inference questions or paired passages), and create a focused improvement plan rather than generic test prep. For students in Grand Rapids, connecting with a tutor who understands your school's testing timeline and can work around your schedule is important for consistent progress.

Your first session typically involves a diagnostic assessment—either a full practice reading section or targeted questions—to understand your current score level, pacing challenges, and question type weaknesses. Your tutor will discuss your target score and timeline, then create a personalized study plan focused on your specific needs. You'll also learn about the tutor's teaching approach and have a chance to ask questions about ACT Reading strategy before diving into focused instruction in your next session.