
Chloe: ACT Reading tutor
Certified ACT Reading Tutor
...to academic success is not a solo one, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share what I know in a way that inspires and educates students. My passion for education stems from a desire to become more aware of the world around me and to help others do the same, whether in the form of writing a paper, passing a test or understanding new concepts. My favorite subjects to tutor are biology or...
Education & Certification
Univeristy of Montana - Bachelors, Ecology and Organismal Biology

Sarah: ACT Reading tutor
Certified ACT Reading Tutor
...french, and writing courses. Additionally, I took many AP classes throughout high school which enabled me to enter college with over 30 credits already completed. I have spent two years tutoring in the past and have gained experience learning how to work best with struggling students. I enjoy teaching and helping others learn, be it for a specific subject, test preparation (ACT, SAT or AP), or writing skills. I am an organized, responsible, and flexible...
Education & Certification
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities - Current Undergrad, Undecided

Sarah: ACT Reading tutor
Certified ACT Reading Tutor
...experience, having worked with kindergarten and second grade students as a reading tutor and middle school students as a math tutor. I am passionate about tutoring because of my own life long love of learning, and because I believe that all children are capable of accomplishing amazing things if they have a committed support system. I tutor reading, writing, math, economics, french and test prep. Over a broad range of subjects, I particularly enjoy tutoring...
Education & Certification
University of Virginia-Main Campus - Current Undergrad, Undeclared

Audrey: ACT Reading tutor
Certified ACT Reading Tutor
...captained an award-winning collegiate mock trial team for several years, which involves mentoring younger students in oral and written communication skills. In addition to my experience, standardized testing has always been a forte of mine. I am enthusiastic about sharing the skills and strategies that I have picked up along my way. If you are seeking a patient, energetic, and articulate tutor for your student, please reach out. I look forward to helping your student...
Education & Certification
Pomona College - Bachelor in Arts, Political Science and Government

Samantha: ACT Reading tutor
Certified ACT Reading Tutor
...Law. For many years, I tutored a wide range of students in Spanish, English literature, and writing. I have also continued to help many high school seniors with college application essays. While I tutor a variety of subjects, I am very passionate about helping students improve their reading and writing skills, and I really enjoy helping students with Critical Reading and Writing portions of Standardized Tests. I love working with students and helping them realize...
Education & Certification
Northwestern University - Current Undergrad, Political Science & Legal Studies

Alex: ACT Reading tutor
Certified ACT Reading Tutor
...Consortium for Humanitarian Service and Education. I apparently aspire to have a resume similar to The-Most-Interesting-Man-In-The-World's. As a teacher, I try to "guide learning" rather than just reciting facts or "teaching at" a student. I believe that discovery is the most exciting way to learn as well as the best method for producing long-term recall; it also tailors every learning experience to the individual student. I was most inspired to pursue this Socratic style of...
Education & Certification
University of Florida - Bachelor in Arts, Anthropology
Georgetown University - Master of Arts, Conflict Resolution

Taariq: ACT Reading tutor
Certified ACT Reading Tutor
...am able to help them if and when they get stuck. I hope to convey to every student the ability to think logically and persevere when things seem difficult. Outside of math and tutoring, I am a huge sports fan and novel reader. Since I graduated from Duke, I have a fierce love for all things Blue Devils and I really enjoyed watching Duke Basketball in Cameron Indoor Stadium. One of my favorite things to...
Education & Certification
Duke University - Bachelors, Mathematics

Andrew: ACT Reading tutor
Certified ACT Reading Tutor
...these tests. In addition, I am prepared to tutor college students in ecology, which was a particular interest of mine while obtaining my degree. Outside of academics, I am interested in long hikes through the woods of Washington, reading fiction and nonfiction for pleasure, and getting to know my new city. In addition, I am enthusiastic about cooking and baking, and love to try new recipes, with varying levels of success. I have a personal...
Education & Certification
Iowa State University - Bachelor of Science, Biology, General

Andrew: ACT Reading tutor
Certified ACT Reading Tutor
...sessions, so that I can instill in my students a desire to learn more of the German language through a glimpse of what is possible once one has a basis in the language. I also have taken German Diction classes because of my background in vocal performance, and this means that I am especially adept at dealing with difficulties in pronunciation, or when students are having trouble hearing the difference between those pesky umlauts!... Helping each...
Education & Certification
Oberlin College and Conservatory - Bachelors, German Studies and Voice Performance
DePaul University - Masters, Voice Performance

Will: ACT Reading tutor
Certified ACT Reading Tutor
...native who is studying for the bar after graduating cum laude from Northwestern University Law School this May. I studied at St. Ignatius College Prep and graduated summa cum laude from Villanova University (including a two-term stint at Cambridge University). Between Villanova and Northwestern I worked at an academic non-profit organization and evaluated hundreds of fellowship candidates' writing and academic work. I will work with each student to craft a personalized plan of study and...
Education & Certification
Villanova University - Bachelor in Arts, Humanities & Political Science
Northwestern University - Juris Doctor, Law

Jared: ACT Reading tutor
Certified ACT Reading Tutor
...I am fluent in Spanish thanks to a two-year mission for my church. Because of this I am now part of a Hispanic volunteer group helping children learn to read more fluently. I played rugby and football, and I love doing things outdoors, whether it be hiking, going to the lake, skiing, or backpacking. I have also traveled to many parts of the world and enjoy having new experiences and learning about other cultures.
Education & Certification
Brigham Young University-Provo - Current Undergrad, Pre-Information Systems

Haley: ACT Reading tutor
Certified ACT Reading Tutor
...and Mathematics but it wasn't until college that I realized this passion and strength were driving me towards education. Since then, I've enjoyed working with students of all ages and abilities to further their math skills. I believe that everyone has mathematical abilities and I enjoying working and watching these abilities grow and improve in students. In my free time, I enjoy running with my Border Collie/Lab mix, Sadya, and swimming laps. I tend to...
Education & Certification
University of Northern Iowa - Bachelor in Arts, Mathematics Teaching

Don: ACT Reading tutor
Certified ACT Reading Tutor
...ability to reach students that others struggled to reach and motivate, oftentimes at-risk students, and I found this one of the highest compliments of my career. I find it my greatest goal to make sure that all students, from those seeking the highest standards to those struggling with basic skills, can understand themselves, can define their abilities, and can work forward to becoming all that they are meant to be. My years of teaching experience...
Education & Certification
Dordt College - Bachelors, English
Concordia University-Saint Paul - Masters, Education

Taylor: ACT Reading tutor
Certified ACT Reading Tutor
...had to come back home eventually. (Most Arizonans don't know what a cheese curd is.) I love learning about anything and everything, but my greatest passion lies somewhere between math, computer science, and linguistics. I've enjoyed helping and tutoring others since I was young -- probably influenced by my family of teachers. I find there is an important creative aspect to most academic subjects that often gets overlooked, especially in math. I try to incorporate...
Education & Certification
Arizona State University - Bachelor in Arts, Mathematics

Kaitlin: ACT Reading tutor
Certified ACT Reading Tutor
...have always taken my studies pretty seriously, but I took a greater interest in them during high school. I attended a private school where I was given the opportunity to discover a large range of topics I had never thought about pursuing, such as engineering and biomedical sciences. In college, I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics, while minoring in Arabic and gaining a certificate in Middle Eastern and North African studies. During...
Education & Certification
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee - Bachelors, Linguistics
University of Chicago - Current Grad Student, Middle Eastern Studies

Caroline: ACT Reading tutor
Certified ACT Reading Tutor
...After graduating college, I joined Teach for America and began teaching at a middle school in Nashville. Last year I taught Social Studies, and this year I moved into teaching literacy. I will continue in this position next year as well. Not only do I have extensive experience tutoring and mentoring, but I also have experience that is varied. I have worked with different age groups under various settings, such as a more academic one...
Education & Certification
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College - Bachelor in Arts, English Literature
Lipscomb University - Masters in Education, Instructional Practice

Tessa: ACT Reading tutor
Certified ACT Reading Tutor
...to bring students toward their lightbulb moments not by repeating facts until they're drilled in, but by helping my students understand precisely why the laws of science, the rules of grammar, and the events of history are the way they are, and by lifting the curtain on the intricacies of the subject matter. I believe that learning is, and ought to be, for its own sake. Math and philosophy, and their nuanced interactions, are my...
Education & Certification
Yale University - Current Undergrad, Mathematics and History

Cole: ACT Reading tutor
Certified ACT Reading Tutor
...currently purusing a Masters degree in Industrial Engineering. I received my Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering, along with a Certificate in Business, from UW as well. Education has always been important to me, and tutoring allows me to share that passion with others. I first got into tutoring through a volunteer program in high school, and I continued to tutor during my undergraduate studies, which was some of the most rewarding work I've ever...
Education & Certification
UW Madison - Bachelors, Industrial Engineering
UW Madison - Masters, Industrial Engineering

Jeffrey: ACT Reading tutor
Certified ACT Reading Tutor
...an undergraduate at the University of Washington. As a tutor, I believe that test preparation is a solvable problem, and I am excited about using my solutions to help students achieve their goals. Preparing for a standardized test can feel overwhelming. But you really can be prepared. Careful, concept-oriented preparation can help ensure that students don’t run into anything radically new on exam day. My preparation strategy aims to give students the instruction they need...
Education & Certification
University of Washington - Bachelor in Arts, Political Science and Government

Travis: ACT Reading tutor
Certified ACT Reading Tutor
...checking the boxes and getting the right answer is not success. What I value far more is not just telling students the answers to their problems, but providing them with the resources and strategies to arrive at the correct answer themselves. Not only does this empower students, but it also gives them a framework to understand and tackle more complex problems outside of tutoring. Additionally, I see no value in simply telling a student that...
Education & Certification
University of Southern California - Bachelor in Arts, Political Science and Government
University of Southern California Sol Price School of Public Policy - Master in Public Health Administration, Master of Public Administration
Private ACT Reading Tutoring
Receive personally tailored ACT Reading lessons from exceptional tutors in a one-on-one setting. We help you connect with the best tutor for your particular needs while offering flexible scheduling to fit your busy life.
Dedicated Private ACT Reading Tutoring
Varsity Tutors will find you an experienced ACT Reading tutor in as little as 24 hours. We understand that between your classes, getting ready to apply to college, and your responsibilities around the house, you don't have as much free time as you might like.
Our exclusive Live Learning Platform allows you to meet your instructor anywhere with a reliable internet connection, so you don't have to worry about a commute. Here are some of the benefits of our platform:
- Compatible with most mobile devices
- Integrated practice problems facilitate collaborative work
- Video chat allows you to see and hear your instructor
Boost Your ACT Reading Score
The ACT's Reading section consists of 40 multiple-choice questions over just 35 minutes, meaning that you have to work quickly. An ACT Reading tutor can encourage you to read the questions before their corresponding passage so that you know exactly what information to look for.
Best Ways To Prep For the ACT Reading Section
We know that there are a lot of test prep solutions on the market, but a live instructor is unique in that they can create a study plan for your specific needs. If you struggle to distinguish between fact and opinion, your instructor can emphasize the differences until it clicks.
If you're more comfortable defining unfamiliar words using context clues, your instructor can concentrate on other aspects of the exam to improve your study efficiency. Software-based test prep is typically tied to a set curriculum without the same flexibility to adapt to any individual student's unique needs.
How much does an ACT Reading tutor cost?
The price of ACT Reading tutoring depends on several different things, including how often you meet your instructor and the specific concepts you'd like to review. For example, you may be charged a different rate for a generic overview of exam topics than you would be for an in-depth tutorial on how to connect one text to another.
Varsity Tutors also provides a live ACT Reading class if you're interested in studying with other students, and we can arrange group ACT Reading tutoring if you like. Contact us online or by phone to discuss each of these options in further detail.
How do I choose an ACT Reading tutor?
Varsity Tutors maintains an extensive database filled with well-vetted instructors, allowing our Educational Directors to plug in what you're looking for and find you a qualified instructor quickly. We actively look for instructors who understand how to identify and address the root cause of any learning obstacles, so your instructor can tackle the problem at its source instead of trying to control its effects.
Likewise, your instructor will be a certified expert in everything ACT Reading who can answer any questions you have in a timely fashion.
Are ACT Reading tutors worth it?
Independent studies suggest that working with a private tutor can improve a student's performance on high school exit exams such as the ACT by 11-12 percent, a huge increase considering how competitive the college applications process can get. Furthermore, research reveals that high-achievers are just as likely to benefit from private tutoring as their peers.
If you're ready to find out what an ACT Reading tutor could do for you, use the "Get Started" tab above or give us a call for more information! You'll be happy you did.
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Our knowledgeable directors help you choose your tutor with your learning profile and personality in mind.
Customize Learning
Your tutor can customize your lessons and present concepts in engaging easy-to-understand-ways.
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You can learn more efficiently and effectively because the teaching style is tailored to you.
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With the flexibility of online tutoring, your tutor can be arranged to meet at a time that suits you.
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Varsity Tutors can connect you with skilled ACT Reading tutors who can guide you as you work on preparing for your upcoming test. When you work with an ACT Reading tutor, you give yourself the resources you need to take your test preparation efforts to the next level. Not only are experienced personal instructors familiar with the content of the ACT, but they are also aware of how the Reading section of the test is scored, and the format and time limitations of this portion of the test.
You can take the ACT throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada during February, April, June, July, September, October, and December. You'll want to give yourself plenty of time to prepare, so take the dates into consideration and plan ahead when scheduling your study sessions.
The ACT is one of the most important tests you will take, and you deserve professional guidance as you prepare for it. Continue reading to learn more about what is on the Reading section of the ACT, how it is scored, and how working with a private tutor can help you prepare for this high-stakes exam.
What is the ACT?
The ACT is one of the most popular college admissions exams in the country. Admissions officials from universities may consider your ACT score as one of the determining factors in the admissions process. There are four required sections of the test; English, Reading, Mathematics, and Science. An optional Writing section can be included, and some colleges you want to apply to may even require it, but it is not considered as part of your final composite score.
What is the format of the Reading section of the ACT?
You will have 35 minutes to answer 40 multiple choice questions for the Reading Section of the ACT.
The Reading portion of the ACT is made of four sections. Three of these have long passages, and the remaining sections have two shorter reading selections. All of the reading material is similar to what you will encounter during your freshman year at college.
The sections that have two shorter reading selections may require you to pull information from both passages to answer some of the questions. The ability to perform this type of information synthesis is something you can work on developing with ACT Reading tutors.
Some of the other skills you will need to be proficient with for the Reading section of the ACT include summarizing information accurately, reading and understanding different types of texts, drawing logical conclusions from data, understanding individuals words and phrases, author's tone, finding supporting evidence, and evaluating the validity of information.
While ACT Reading tutoring can certainly cover any of the skills above, it is not limited to these. Your private instructor can work with you on any reading skills you may be struggling with or wish to refine.
How is the ACT scored?
The scoring range for the Reading section of the ACT is between 1 and 36 with an average score for this portion of the test being a 21. Unfortunately, most colleges expect students to score much higher. Many top universities require applicants to have a composite score over 30. This means if you want to get into your favorite college, you may need to do much better than average.
The Reading score is comprised of three content areas; Key Ideas and Details, Craft and Structure, and Integration of Knowledge and Ideas. However, these three content areas are not equally weighted.
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas is between 13 and 18 percent of the total score. These questions may require you to differentiate between opinions and facts, analyze arguments, and evaluate evidence and reasoning from different sources.
Craft and Structure are between 25 and 30 percent of the entire score. These questions may ask you to analyze the word choice of an author, discern phrase and word meanings, analyze the point of view of a character, interpret the author's point of view, and differentiate between perspectives.
Key Ideas and Details is between 55 and 60 percent of the entire score. These questions may ask you to identify key themes and central ideas. You may need to draw inferences or conclusions and you will need to be able to summarize information and ideas. You may also need to understand cause and effect, sequential relationships, and comparative relationships.
ACT Reading tutors know how these components of the exam are weighted and can help steer you towards working to develop the skills that will have the greatest impact on your score first. They can also help you work on improving your time management skills so you can maximize the limited amount of time you have for this section of the ACT.
How can working with an ACT Reading tutor help me prepare?
The ACT is supposed to evaluate how well prepared a student is for their first year in college. The general assumption is that students will have been taught all they need to do throughout their academic career. Unfortunately, this is often not the case. For a variety of reasons, students can miss mastering key skills. Even students with higher GPAs may have slight to moderate deficiencies that can show up on the day of testing.
One of the interesting things about the Reading section of the ACT is that it does not rely on rote memorization. You don't need to remember specific formulas or sets of data to navigate this section of the exam successfully. This portion of the test measures your ability to skillfully read and decode information in written form and apply that understanding to the questions being asked. Working with an ACT Reading tutor allows you to build the individual skills that will help you work to process the information presented during the test more effectively.
If you're not sure you're prepared to reach your scoring goals, sessions with a private instructor can help you work to rectify the situation. The skills you develop in preparation of the ACT will be beneficial long after the day of the test. These skills will play a crucial role in your ability to integrate into college classes, which is why they are tested so thoroughly. Without these skills, all of the individual courses you take in college will be more difficult.
When reading the vast quantities of data you will be required to review as part of your college education, you must be able to quickly identify the main point and move through textbooks, tests, and assignments without becoming bogged down by irrelevant information.
How is ACT Reading tutoring different from working in a class?
One of the reasons many students haven't mastered all of the skills evaluated on the Reading section of the ACT by the time they are approaching graduation has a lot to do with the differences found between a typical classroom and private instruction. In a standard classroom, teachers have to move at a fixed pace to cover state-mandated curriculum centered on individual benchmarks that teach specific skills. If you happened to miss mastering some of these skills, you might not get an adequate opportunity in future years to do so. Since most academic skills build upon one another, this can cause a cascade effect that ultimately means that some skills are never fully developed.
When you work with a personal instructor, their full focus is on you. They can take the time to get to learn about your educational and ACT scoring goals, your learning style, and your academic strengths and weaknesses. They can use this information to create a personalized curriculum that can pivot and change as you improve in key areas. Each of your sessions will focus only on topics and skills that you need to work on rather than a generalized curriculum that covers concepts you may already be adequately familiar with.
You can choose to connect with a private instructor in-person or online. Both options offer the same learning environment and benefits. The main difference between the two is that the face-to-face interaction in person is in close physical proximity and online it occurs in a secure digital learning environment.
When you work with your instructor via our Live Learning Platform, you will have greater scheduling flexibility and access to a larger pool of instructors. If you limit your search to individuals near your physical location you may have fewer scheduling options. Since the ACT is a national exam, there are skilled instructors located all over the country. You can easily connect with those in different time zones, which can make it easier to accommodate sessions very early in the morning or later in the evening.
How can I get started with ACT Reading tutoring?
Varsity Tutors makes it easy to connect with highly qualified ACT Reading tutors. Whether you want a comprehensive review of the reading skills covered on the ACT or you want to narrowly focus on a few problem areas, a skilled private instructor can help you work on your learning goals. If you're ready to get started with ACT Reading tutoring, contact Varsity Tutors today.