Many students struggle with time management—trying to read every word carefully while racing against the clock—or with inference questions that require reading between the lines. Others find vocabulary-in-context questions tricky because the word's meaning differs from its everyday use. Additionally, some students have difficulty distinguishing between what the passage actually says and what they assume it means, which leads to incorrect answers on detail and inference questions.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who diagnose your specific weaknesses—whether that's vocabulary, inference skills, or test-taking strategy—and create a targeted study plan. Tutors provide personalized feedback on your reading approach, teach you to identify question types quickly, and help you develop efficient strategies for managing time across passages. With 1-on-1 instruction, you get immediate clarification on confusing concepts rather than generic test prep.

Your first session focuses on assessment and goal-setting. Your tutor will likely review your practice test results, ask about your reading habits and test anxiety, and identify which question types or passage genres give you the most trouble. This diagnostic conversation helps your tutor understand your learning style and create a personalized plan tailored to your strengths and areas for growth.

Most students see noticeable improvement within 4-6 weeks of consistent tutoring, though the timeline depends on your starting point and how frequently you meet. Students who work with a tutor weekly and practice between sessions tend to see faster progress. The key is combining targeted instruction with regular practice—your tutor will assign strategic homework that reinforces what you're learning.

Expert tutors teach active reading techniques like annotating as you read, identifying the main idea in the first sentence, and previewing questions before diving into the passage. They also help you develop a flexible approach depending on passage type—for instance, narrative passages might require attention to character motivation, while argumentative passages demand focus on the author's claim and supporting evidence. Your tutor will help you find the balance between reading carefully and reading efficiently.

Vocabulary matters, but context is even more important on the PSAT. While a strong vocabulary helps, the test focuses heavily on understanding words in context—meaning you can often deduce a word's meaning from surrounding sentences even if you don't know it in isolation. Tutors help you build both vocabulary knowledge and the skill of using context clues strategically, which is far more valuable than memorizing word lists.

Varsity Tutors makes it easy to get matched with an expert tutor who understands the PSAT and your learning needs. Simply tell us about your goals, schedule, and any specific challenges you're facing with Critical Reading. We'll connect you with a qualified tutor ready to provide personalized 1-on-1 instruction designed to help you build confidence and improve your score.