The biggest hurdles are usually pacing (finishing all four passages in 35 minutes) and distinguishing between similar answer choices that require careful inference. Many students also struggle with vocabulary in context and main idea questions across different passage types—prose fiction, humanities, social science, and natural science. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who can diagnose which challenge affects your performance most and build targeted strategies to overcome it.

Effective strategies include active annotation (marking key details and tone shifts), skimming the questions before reading to know what to look for, and practicing the "lead and support" method to quickly identify main arguments. Different passage types require slightly different approaches—fiction passages reward attention to character development, while science passages focus on methodology and data interpretation. A tutor can help you test various strategies with practice passages to find what works best for your reading style and builds your confidence under timed conditions.

The ACT Reading section gives you 35 minutes for four passages with 10 questions each, which means roughly 8-9 minutes per passage. Most students benefit from practicing with a timer to build speed without sacrificing accuracy, starting with untimed practice to master strategies, then gradually adding time pressure. Tutors can help you identify which passage types slow you down most and teach you how to adjust your approach—for example, spending less time on fiction if that's your strength and more on science passages if they're challenging.

Practice tests are essential because they build test-day familiarity, help you identify patterns in your mistakes, and train your brain to work under realistic time pressure. Taking full practice tests every 1-2 weeks, then reviewing every question you missed—not just the ones you got wrong, but also ones you guessed on—reveals whether you're struggling with comprehension, strategy, or timing. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who use practice test results to focus your study time where it matters most.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or unsure of your strategy, so building confidence through consistent practice and clear techniques directly reduces stress. Tutors can teach you calming techniques like controlled breathing, help you develop a pre-test routine, and practice managing the mental challenge of staying focused through four dense passages. Many students find that knowing they have a solid strategy and having completed dozens of practice questions significantly lowers anxiety on test day.

Look for tutors with strong ACT expertise, experience teaching reading comprehension strategies, and the ability to diagnose your specific weak areas quickly. For students in Allentown, finding a tutor who understands the local school environment and can work around your schedule is equally important. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in ACT Reading and can create a personalized study plan based on your baseline score and goals.

Ideally, start 8-12 weeks before your test date to allow time for diagnostic assessment, strategy building, and consistent practice. If you're taking the ACT as a junior, beginning in the fall gives you flexibility to retake if needed. If your test date is sooner, tutoring can still help—even 4-6 weeks of focused work on your specific challenges can lead to meaningful score improvements.