The three biggest obstacles are time management (finishing all five passages in 35 minutes), vocabulary-in-context questions, and identifying main ideas in dense academic passages. Many students also struggle with inference questions that require reading between the lines. A tutor can help you develop strategies for each question type and build the reading speed needed to complete the section without rushing.

Your first session typically starts with a diagnostic assessment—either a full practice test or a focused ACT Reading section—to identify your strengths and specific areas for improvement. The tutor will review your results, discuss your target score, and create a personalized study plan tailored to your timeline and learning style. This foundation helps ensure every session after that is focused and efficient.

Effective strategies include previewing questions before reading the passage, annotating key details as you read, and using process of elimination on difficult questions. Tutors also teach students how to adjust their reading speed based on passage type and question difficulty. Practice with timed sections is essential—it builds both accuracy and confidence under pressure.

Practice tests are critical because they help you understand the exact format, timing pressure, and question patterns you'll face on test day. Taking full practice tests under timed conditions reveals which passage types slow you down and which question formats trip you up. Most tutors recommend taking 3-5 full practice tests throughout your preparation to track progress and build stamina.

Most students benefit from 8-12 weeks of consistent preparation, though this depends on your starting score and target. If you're aiming for significant improvement, a longer timeline allows for deeper work on weak areas and more practice tests. Meeting with a tutor 1-2 times per week, combined with independent practice, typically produces the best results.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or unsure about your approach. Working with a tutor builds confidence by giving you proven strategies and plenty of timed practice before test day. Tutors also teach calming techniques like taking deep breaths between passages and managing negative self-talk. The more prepared you feel, the less anxiety typically interferes with your performance.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in ACT Reading and understand the specific challenges students in Albany schools face. You'll complete a brief profile about your goals and availability, and we'll match you with a tutor whose expertise and teaching style fit your needs. Most students start their first session within a few days of signing up.