Score improvement depends on your starting point and consistency, but students typically see 2-4 point gains (on the 1-36 scale) within 4-8 weeks of focused work with personalized instruction. The national average ACT Reading score is around 21, and many Rochester students improve fastest by identifying whether their challenge is comprehension, timing, or question-type recognition—then targeting that specific area. Consistent practice with real ACT passages and strategic feedback accelerates progress more than general reading practice.

Effective strategies include previewing questions before reading (to know what to focus on), using active annotation to mark key details, and practicing passage-specific pacing—typically 8-9 minutes per passage. Many students benefit from learning which question types appear most frequently and developing shortcuts for comparative reasoning and vocabulary-in-context questions. Tutors can help you identify whether you should read the full passage first or use a question-driven approach, since different strategies work for different readers.

Practice tests are essential—they build stamina, reveal timing patterns, and help identify which passage types or question formats trip you up most. Taking full-length practice tests under timed conditions mimics test day and shows whether your issues are accuracy-based (rushing through), comprehension-based (misunderstanding passages), or strategy-based (inefficient approach). Most students benefit from taking 3-5 full practice tests during their prep, with detailed review after each one to catch patterns in errors.

Your first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment—either a full practice test or a focused sample of ACT Reading passages—to pinpoint your specific strengths and gaps. The tutor will review your results to determine whether you need work on comprehension, pacing, question-type strategies, or test anxiety, then create a personalized study plan tailored to your timeline and goals. This foundation ensures all future sessions build directly on what you actually need, rather than generic test prep.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or uncertain about strategy—personalized tutoring builds confidence through targeted practice and proven techniques. Working through timed passages repeatedly, learning to manage the mental load of four different topics, and getting immediate feedback on what's working helps reduce the panic that derails many students. Tutors also teach breathing and focus techniques specific to the reading section's pacing demands, so you feel in control on test day.

Look for tutors with proven ACT Reading expertise—ideally demonstrated through strong personal test scores, experience working with Rochester students, and familiarity with current ACT formats and question types. Tutors should be able to explain their own test-taking strategies, diagnose your specific challenges quickly, and adapt their teaching style to your learning preferences. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in test prep and can provide references or examples of student score improvements.

Most students see strong results with 1-2 sessions per week over 6-10 weeks, though your ideal schedule depends on your starting score, target score, and test date. If you're taking the ACT in 2-3 months, weekly sessions allow time for practice between meetings and enough touchpoints to refine strategy. Tutors can recommend a schedule based on your diagnostic results and help you balance tutoring with independent practice, which is equally important for building reading speed and accuracy.