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Grant
Certified ACT Reading Tutor
Grant
BA University of Oklahoma Norman Campus
9+ Years Tutoring

Grant earned a 35 ACT composite by treating the Reading section as an exercise in efficient attention — knowing when to skim for structure and when to slow down for inference questions. He teaches students to map each passage type (prose fiction, social science, humanities, natural science) with a slightly different reading strategy, which shaves critical minutes off their timing.

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Angela
Certified ACT Reading Tutor
Angela
Current Undergrad, Environmental Science Northeastern University
1+ Years Tutoring

Most ACT Reading mistakes come from spending too long on one passage or misreading what a question actually asks. Angela teaches a pacing strategy that allocates time by passage type — literary narrative, social science, humanities, natural science — and shows students how to locate evidence quickly without re-reading entire paragraphs. Her 33 ACT composite backs up an approach that's both systematic and adaptable to different reading speeds.

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Antonia
BA University of Washington
1+ Years Tutoring

Reading four dense passages in 35 minutes means students can't afford to read the way they do for school — Antonia teaches an active-reading method that prioritizes tracking the author's argument and tone over absorbing every detail. She's especially sharp on the paired-passage and social science sections, where students often lose points by confusing what the passage states with what it implies. Her dual background in law-focused coursework and English tutoring makes close, critical reading second nature.

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Tobi
BS Northwestern University
9+ Years Tutoring

I am a professional scientist with multiple years of experience in the biopharmaceutical field. I have spent time in the classroom with elementary aged students and am comfortable with this age group. I am also familiar with AP classes and ACT/SAT preparation. I look forward to sharing my love of learning with students and helping them achieve academic goals!

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John
BA University of St Thomas • AS American Academy of Dramatic Arts
16+ Years Tutoring

Reading four dense passages in 35 minutes requires a method, not just speed. John breaks the ACT Reading section into a decision-making process: how to skim for structure, when to go back to the text versus trusting your first read, and how to eliminate answer choices that sound right but distort the passage. His 36 composite and background in literature make him especially sharp on the prose fiction and humanities passages.

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Ilesh
BA Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
6+ Years Tutoring

Most students treat ACT Reading as a speed test, but Ilesh reframes it as a precision exercise: knowing what the question actually asks before hunting for evidence in the passage. His 36 composite came partly from a disciplined passage-mapping strategy that he now teaches students to replicate across all four prose genres the section throws at them.

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Sugi
BA Rice University • Doctor of Medicine, Ophthalmic Technology Baylor College of Medicine
5+ Years Tutoring

Reading four dense passages in 35 minutes forces a different kind of reading than most students are used to. Sugi's cognitive science training at Rice gives her a framework for teaching active reading strategies — how to map an argument's structure on a first pass so that inference and tone questions become straightforward rather than agonizing. She holds a perfect 36 ACT composite and a 5.0 tutoring rating.

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Alex
BA Washington and Lee University
6+ Years Tutoring

Medical school at the University of Arizona means Alex reads hundreds of pages of dense, unfamiliar material every week — the same core skill the ACT Reading section tests under a 35-minute clock. With a perfect 36 ACT composite, he teaches students to attack the paired viewpoints and natural science passages by isolating each author's claim before looking at answer choices, which eliminates the subtle scope-shift traps that cost most test-takers points. Rated 4.8 by students.

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Elliot
BA Hampshire College • Doctor of Philosophy, Neuroscience Vanderbilt University
9+ Years Tutoring

Most ACT Reading mistakes come from time pressure, not comprehension — students understand passages but can't consistently answer 40 questions in 35 minutes. Elliot teaches a triage strategy: how to identify question types, when to skim versus close-read, and how to eliminate answer choices that paraphrase the passage just enough to seem right. Rated 5.0 by students.

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Chelain
PhD Thomas Jefferson University • BA Swarthmore College
10+ Years Tutoring

I am currently a resident physician at Northwestern Hospital.

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Anna
BA Northwestern University • Graduated (Honors Program in Medical Education) Northwestern University
8+ Years Tutoring

After scoring a perfect 36 ACT composite, Anna developed a question-first approach to the Reading section — previewing what each question demands before touching the passage, so every line read serves a purpose. Her medical education background means she's used to processing dense, unfamiliar material quickly and extracting exactly what matters, a skill that translates directly to the natural science and social science passages. Rated 5.0 by students.

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Austin
BA University of Notre Dame
15+ Years Tutoring

Reading dense, unfamiliar passages under time pressure is where most ACT Reading scores stall out. Austin's background in Classics and Philosophy means he spent years doing exactly that — pulling arguments from ancient texts and evaluating how authors build their claims. He teaches students to map passage structure before touching the questions, turning a 35-minute sprint into a manageable process.

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Christopher
BA Harvard College
1+ Years Tutoring

Mechanical engineering coursework at Harvard means Christopher reads the way the ACT Reading section rewards — extracting key claims from dense technical material fast and ignoring everything that doesn't answer the question in front of him. He applies that same efficiency to all four passage types, teaching students to map an author's argument structure in the first read so that inference and detail questions become quick lookups rather than guesswork. His 35 ACT composite and 4.8 student rating back up the approach.

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Certified ACT Reading Tutor
Edward
BA University
1+ Years Tutoring

Most ACT Reading mistakes come from spending too long on one passage or second-guessing answers that felt right the first time. Edward teaches a timing strategy that allocates minutes by passage type — prose fiction, social science, humanities, natural science — and shows students how to locate textual evidence quickly instead of re-reading entire paragraphs. His 36 composite reflects command of every section, not just the math side.

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Eric
BA University of Michigan
1+ Years Tutoring

I am available to tutor a range of middle school and high school subjects, but I am most excited about tutoring test prep. I remember how stressful preparing for college can be and I am eager to do my part in helping students fulfill their college goals. I believe that learning is a collaborative process and I am committed to being as actively involved in the student's learning as I can. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, going to the movies (I try to see each Oscar nominee before the ceremony every year.), and am a huge Michigan sports fan.

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Benjamin
BA Columbia University in the City of New York • Current Grad Student, English Columbia University in the City of New York
8+ Years Tutoring

The ACT Reading section isn't really about comprehension — it's about extracting specific evidence under a brutal time constraint. Benjamin scored a 36 composite and applies the close-reading skills from his Columbia English program to teach students how to identify what each question is actually asking, locate proof in the passage quickly, and eliminate trap answers with confidence.

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Sarah
BA Columbia University in the City of New York
4+ Years Tutoring

I am a Neuroscience and Behavior major at Columbia University. Although my major is centered in the STEM field, I am also passionate about human rights work, global engagement, and local outreach. While my future plans are subject to change, I see myself continuing in academia, going to medical school, and becoming a physician.

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Logan
MS The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary • BA University of Kentucky
6+ Years Tutoring

Most ACT Reading mistakes come from spending too long on passages and rushing through questions — or the reverse. Logan, who earned a 36 composite, teaches a deliberate passage-mapping technique that lets students locate evidence for inference and detail questions without rereading entire paragraphs. His communication background also sharpens how students interpret tone and author's-purpose questions.

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Emily
MS Yale University • MS Yale School of Public Health
9+ Years Tutoring

I am a Yale graduate with over 8 years experience tutoring students from a variety of backgrounds. I recently graduated from the Yale School of Public Health with a MPH concentrating in Epidemiology and Global Health. I also received my B.S. from Yale with a double major in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and French. I have experience both leading group classes and working with students one on one. I will respond to a student's strengths, weaknesses, and learning style in order to help them succeed and make the most of our time together. I earned a perfect score of 36 on the ACT, 2280 on the SAT, and qualified as a National Merit Scholar on the PSAT. I look forward to working with you!

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Ishan
BA Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute • Doctor of Medicine, Premedicine Albany Medical College
5+ Years Tutoring

I am a current sophomore at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where I am majoring in Biology as part of the 7 Year Accelerated Medical Program. I am also minoring in Healthcare Economics and Policy. My favorite subjects in school are Chemistry, Biology, and Math, but I also enjoy the process of writing and editing thought provoking essays. During high school, I spent time tutoring for the National Honor Society. My approach to tutoring is to teach the concepts in a simplistic manner and reinforcing the concepts while adding difficulty through effective practice problems. In my free time, I have recently found myself reading, working out, drawing, and spending time with my siblings.

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William
BA Boston University
14+ Years Tutoring

I'm not tutoring, I love walking through New York for design inspiration and taking carpentry, metalworking, and illustration classes.

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Rhea
BA University of Chicago
6+ Years Tutoring

Scoring a perfect 36 ACT composite means Rhea knows exactly how the Reading section tries to trip students up — especially on dual-passage comparisons and inference questions where two answer choices look nearly identical. Her biology coursework at UChicago requires constant close reading of research papers, so she teaches students to isolate an author's central claim and use it as an anchor when eliminating distractor answers that subtly shift scope or tone. Rated 4.8 by students.

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Vivian
BA Yale University
5+ Years Tutoring

Scoring a 36 ACT composite means Vivian didn't just read the passages — she learned to dismantle them, distinguishing between what the author states explicitly and what's merely implied. Her approach to the Reading section zeroes in on how to handle the dual-passage comparisons and inference questions that trip up even strong readers. Rated 4.9 by students.

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Justin
BA Washington University in St. Louis • Doctor of Philosophy, Computational Mathematics University of Chicago
9+ Years Tutoring

I am an aspiring applied mathematician, with particular interest in image processing and climate science. I graduated in May 2017 from Washington University in St. Louis with a bachelor's in physics and mathematics, and am beginning a PhD program in September 2017 at the University of Chicago in Computational and Applied Mathematics. I've tutored introductory physics students for three years and enjoyed it thoroughly, as a chance to help other students while revisiting fundamental concepts to enhance my own knowledge. I'm eager to continue reaching out and helping students of math and physics to succeed and, furthermore, to appreciate the beauty and power of these subjects.

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Eric
BA Duke University
8+ Years Tutoring

I am currently a student at Duke University studying Biomedical Engineering and Economics. Just a little bit about me and some of my interests. Some of my favorite academic interests include memoirs and modern classics. I think Catcher in the Rye is still one of my all time favorite books but Percy Jackson, a modern classic, is up there too. Beyond academics, I take great guilty pleasure in watching TV shows such as Westworld, Sherlock, How I Met Your Mother, and even The Bachelorette when I'm at a low point.

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Elizabeth
BA University of North Dakota
9+ Years Tutoring

I'm Lizz, a middle school math teacher working in Chicago Public Schools. I love to see students go from describing themselves as "not a math person" to feeling like they meet exciting challenges in math and other parts of their lives. Even though I love working in the classroom, I feel like tutoring allows me to make more of an impact and connect with students.

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Eric
BA Ohio University-Main Campus
1+ Years Tutoring

I'm a recent college graduate with degrees in Biological Sciences and Russian from Ohio University. During my time there, I tutored students in a variety of subjects, including biology, chemistry, and Spanish. In addition, I worked as both a peer advisor and teaching assistant, which gives me insight into the learning strategies and study skills that students need to succeed. As a tutor, I like to focus on doing actual problems with students because it is the most effective way to immediately identify their strengths and weaknesses and to address them. In my free time, I like to lift weights, read books, and spend time with my friends.

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Kerr
BA Vanderbilt University
8+ Years Tutoring

The ACT Reading section gives students just 35 minutes for four dense passages — a pace that rewards strategy as much as comprehension. Kerr teaches a passage-mapping technique that isolates each paragraph's purpose so students can answer detail and inference questions without rereading entire sections. He earned a 36 ACT composite and brings that same efficiency-minded approach to every practice set.

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Eileen
BA Vanderbilt University
5+ Years Tutoring

Most ACT Reading mistakes happen not because students misunderstand the passage but because they misread what the question is actually asking — "main idea" vs. "the author suggests" require completely different retrieval strategies. Eileen, a Vanderbilt neuroscience major who scored a 36 composite, walks students through a passage-mapping technique that cuts rereading time dramatically and keeps evidence-based answers distinct from inference questions.

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Nikhil
BA University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
6+ Years Tutoring

I am a patient, intellectual, and calm college student at the University of Michigan passionate about tutoring others to improve their proficiency in a wide variety of subjects. I teach students by creating individualized plans that cater to the strengths and weaknesses of the student. I work hard and as long as it takes to ensure that the student derives maximum benefit. I love teaching a wide variety of subjects, and have a speciality in standardized tests.

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Liz
MS Simmons College • BA Washington University in St. Louis
1+ Years Tutoring

The ACT Reading section rewards students who can quickly identify an author's purpose, trace argument structure, and distinguish between what a passage states and what it implies. Liz scored a 34 ACT composite and draws on her history and humanities training at Washington University in St. Louis to teach the kind of close reading that makes 40-minute, four-passage sets manageable. Her background in special education also means she's skilled at adapting pacing and comprehension strategies to fit each student's processing style.

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Ashley
BA Oral Roberts University
14+ Years Tutoring

I am excited to help anyone who might need it!

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Enrico
BA Massachusetts Institute of Technology
6+ Years Tutoring

I am in my second year at MIT studying mathematics, and I am currently doing a research project in Spectral Graph Theory. I have been a tutor since my junior year in high school, and I enjoy teaching all levels of math; everything from pre-algebra through calculus and linear algebra! I focus primarily on making sure that the definitions and processes given in class make intuitive sense, so that math can begin to feel like second nature.

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Zhenrui
BA Columbia University in the City of New York
1+ Years Tutoring

The ACT Reading section isn't about being a fast reader — it's about knowing where to look and how to eliminate answer choices efficiently across four dense passages in 35 minutes. Zhenrui, who earned a 36 composite, breaks down each passage type (prose fiction, social science, humanities, natural science) and teaches the specific retrieval strategies that keep students from second-guessing themselves.

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Jenna
BA University of Kentucky
9+ Years Tutoring

I am 22 years old and just graduated from the University of Kentucky with a double degree in French and Biochemistry. I have been a tutor for over a year now at UK's tutoring center. I believe that anyone can learn anything with enough practice and encouragement, and I love helping students overcome challenges and gain more self-confidence!

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Viktor
BA University of Chicago
7+ Years Tutoring

I'm referring to math, of course, but I didn't always like the subject. Until about age 16, I thought of math as a boring, mind-numbing process of blindly memorizing formulas and then forgetting them after the test, but a series of wonderful teachers showed me the truth. I had thought that everything in math was invented arbitrarily just to torture students, but actually it all made sense in a deep way. When I caught a glimpse of what math really was, I found it irresistible and I ended up majoring in math in college at UChicago. I'm currently a Master's student in Computer Science at NYU.

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Yash
BA Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
5+ Years Tutoring

I am a sophomore at the Georgia Institute of Technology and am working towards a major in Computer Engineering. I have been tutoring students of all ages and backgrounds in various math topics ranging from elementary school math to AP Calculus throughout high school. I love teaching math and always find it amazing to watch my students grow and improve in their mathematical abilities. While helping students with standardized testing, we go through several tricks and tactics that have helped my students succeed and have fun in the process. I am also well versed in Physics and have spent 3 years taking the highest levels of physics courses. I love playing all sports (especially soccer) and enjoy playing the guitar in my free time as well.

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Sharan
BA Cornell University
6+ Years Tutoring

Most ACT Reading mistakes come from running out of time, not from a lack of comprehension. Sharan, who earned a 36 composite, teaches a passage-attack strategy that prioritizes locating evidence over re-reading entire paragraphs. She walks through each question type — main idea, inference, vocabulary in context — so students know exactly what the test is asking before they even look at the answer choices.

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Max
BA Ball State University
1+ Years Tutoring

Scoring a perfect 36 ACT composite means Max has firsthand experience with the Reading section's tightest time pressure — 35 minutes across four passages with no room for re-reading. His biology research background, which involves digesting dense ecological studies and isolating specific claims from surrounding data, trained him to do exactly what the natural science and social science passages demand: separate what the author actually states from what the surrounding context merely suggests. Rated 5.0 by students.

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Sreya
BA University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
6+ Years Tutoring

The ACT Reading section isn't really testing how well you read — it's testing how quickly you can locate specific evidence in passages you've never seen before. Sreya scored a 36 composite and developed a systematic approach to dual passages and inference questions that cuts through the time pressure. She teaches students to identify what each question is actually asking before they go back to the text.

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Heejin has been very patient with me. I work a full time job sometimes even on the weekends. It has been a slow process with my Korean classes, but Heejin has been wonderful and patient.

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Worked with an ACT Reading Tutor

I've been working with my tutor for a few months now and the progress has been remarkable. The personalized attention and tailored lessons made all the difference compared to in-classroom learning.

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Worked with an ACT Reading Tutor

The flexibility of scheduling combined with the quality of instruction is unmatched. I can get help exactly when I need it, whether that's late at night or early in the morning before a test.

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My daughter went from dreading her sessions to looking forward to them. The tutor made the material engaging and built her confidence in ways I never thought possible. Highly recommend.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Varsity Tutors matches Tacoma students with expert ACT Reading tutors for 1-on-1 instruction. We pair each student with a tutor based on their specific needs, learning style, and goals.

Whether you need homework help, exam prep, or want to get ahead, our ACT Reading tutors are ready to help.

Common challenges include gaps from earlier material, difficulty with specific concepts, and trouble applying learning to new problems. These issues can snowball quickly in ACT Reading.

A tutor identifies where you're stuck, fills in gaps, and provides targeted practice. The 1-on-1 format means you get help exactly where you need it.

Tutors work with your student's actual coursework—homework assignments, class notes, and upcoming tests. This keeps tutoring directly relevant to what's happening in the classroom.

When you share information about your student's school and curriculum, we can match you with a tutor who has relevant experience.

All tutors complete background checks, credential verification, and teaching evaluation. Many of our ACT Reading tutors hold advanced degrees or have years of teaching experience.

You can review tutor profiles to find someone with the right background for your student's level and needs.

Many students see improved grades within a few weeks, along with better understanding of ACT Reading concepts and more confidence tackling challenging material.

Tutors track progress and adjust their approach to ensure continued improvement.

Most students benefit from 1-2 sessions per week. More frequent sessions help if your student is significantly behind or has an important exam coming up.

Your tutor can recommend a schedule based on your student's specific situation and goals.

Tutoring is purchased in packages of hours, with rates varying by tutor experience. Varsity Tutors offers several options to fit different budgets and needs.

You can discuss pricing during your consultation to find what works best.

Your tutor will assess where your student is, discuss goals, and start working on priority areas. Most students bring current homework or upcoming test material to focus on.

By the end, you'll have a clear sense of how the tutor can help and a plan for moving forward.

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