Most students struggle to finish all five passages in 35 minutes while maintaining accuracy. The solution isn't to read faster—it's to read smarter by identifying key information and skipping unnecessary details. Tutors can teach you strategic skimming techniques, help you recognize common question patterns, and build your stamina through timed practice. With consistent practice, you'll develop a rhythm that lets you answer more questions accurately without rushing.

ACT Reading features several recurring question types: detail questions (what does the passage say?), inference questions (what does it imply?), vocabulary-in-context, and purpose/tone questions. Each type requires a different approach. Detail questions reward careful reading, inference questions require you to connect ideas, and vocabulary questions test whether you can figure out meaning from context. A tutor can teach you to recognize each type quickly and apply the right strategy, turning these predictable patterns into score-boosting opportunities.

The best way is to take full-length practice tests under timed conditions and track your performance by passage type—prose fiction, humanities, social science, and natural science each have different styles and vocabulary. You'll likely notice you do better with certain genres and struggle with others. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who can analyze your practice test results to pinpoint exactly which passage types trip you up and which question formats cause the most mistakes, then create a targeted study plan.

Your first session is about establishing a baseline and building a plan. Your tutor will likely have you complete a timed practice section or full test to see where you stand, then discuss your goals and any specific concerns—like time management or particular passage types. You'll work through a few questions together to understand your thinking process and identify patterns in your mistakes. From there, your tutor will recommend a study schedule and strategy tailored to your timeline and target score.

Most students benefit from taking a full practice test every 1-2 weeks during active test prep, which gives you enough time to study between tests and see measurable progress. More frequent testing can help you build stamina and reduce test anxiety, while allowing recovery time prevents burnout. Your tutor can recommend the right frequency based on your timeline and current score, and help you analyze results to focus your studying on high-impact areas.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or unsure of your strategy. Building confidence through consistent practice with a tutor—using the same techniques you'll use on test day—significantly reduces anxiety. Tutors can also teach you stress-management techniques like pacing yourself, taking deep breaths between passages, and staying focused on one question at a time rather than worrying about the whole section. The more familiar the test format becomes through practice, the calmer you'll feel on test day.

Look for tutors with strong ACT Reading scores themselves, experience teaching test-taking strategies, and familiarity with the specific question types and passage styles on the ACT. They should be able to explain why answers are correct or incorrect, not just tell you the right answer. Varsity Tutors connects you with experienced tutors who understand ACT Reading inside and out and can teach you the strategies that actually work, backed by their own success with students across Knoxville.