Score improvement depends on your starting point and how consistently you apply strategies, but many students see 2-4 point increases after focused work on pacing, question-type recognition, and passage annotation techniques. The key is identifying your specific weak areas—whether that's vocabulary in context, inference questions, or time management—and targeting those directly. A tutor can assess your current performance and create a personalized plan to address your biggest obstacles.

Your first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment—either a full practice test section or targeted questions—to identify your strengths and specific areas for improvement. The tutor will discuss your current score, target score, and timeline, then outline a customized study plan that fits your needs. You'll also learn about the test format, question types, and initial strategies you can start using right away.

Effective strategies include active annotation (underlining main ideas and marking question clues as you read), previewing questions before reading the passage, and practicing the "big picture" approach to understand overall themes rather than getting stuck on details. Many students also benefit from skipping difficult questions initially and returning to them after completing easier ones. A tutor can teach you which strategies work best for your reading style and help you practice them under timed conditions.

Practice tests are essential—they help you build stamina, identify patterns in your mistakes, and practice pacing in real test conditions. Most students need 4-6 full-length practice tests spread throughout their study period to see meaningful improvement. Between practice tests, targeted drills on specific question types (inference, vocabulary in context, author's purpose) help reinforce weak areas. A tutor can guide you through practice test results, showing you exactly why you missed questions and how to avoid similar mistakes.

Most students benefit from 8-12 weeks of focused preparation, meeting with a tutor 1-2 times per week, combined with independent practice. If you're starting further from your goal score or have limited time before test day, more intensive sessions may help you progress faster. Your tutor can create a realistic timeline based on your current score, target score, and how much time you can dedicate to studying each week.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or unsure about strategies—practicing under timed conditions with a tutor helps build confidence and familiarity with the test format. Techniques like deep breathing, positive self-talk, and having a clear game plan for each passage can reduce stress on test day. Your tutor can also help you identify which question types trigger anxiety and give you targeted practice to turn those into strengths.

Look for tutors with strong ACT Reading scores themselves, experience teaching test-taking strategies (not just general reading skills), and a track record of helping students improve their scores. They should understand the nuances of each question type and be able to explain why certain answers are correct or incorrect. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors in Buffalo who specialize in ACT Reading and can provide personalized instruction tailored to your needs.