The most common struggle is pacing—52 minutes to read 4 passages and answer 40 questions is tight, especially when you're reading carefully for comprehension. Many students either rush through and miss details, or spend too much time reading and run out of time for questions. Expert tutors can teach you strategic reading techniques like identifying main ideas before diving into details, skimming for specific information rather than reading every word, and tackling question types in the order that works best for your brain. With targeted practice, most students find their rhythm and stop feeling rushed.

The ACT Reading section uses several distinct question types—main idea, detail, inference, vocabulary-in-context, and function questions—each requiring slightly different approaches. Vocabulary-in-context questions, for example, aren't about knowing fancy words; they're about understanding how context clues work. Inference questions require you to find evidence in the passage rather than make wild guesses. Tutors can help you recognize question patterns quickly and apply the right strategy for each one, which saves valuable time and improves accuracy. When you know exactly what a question is asking, you'll answer it more confidently.

Consistent, focused practice works better than cramming. Most students benefit from 3-4 practice sessions per week over 4-8 weeks, with each session including 1-2 passages and time spent reviewing what you missed. Quality matters more than quantity—working through one passage thoroughly, understanding why you got questions wrong, and identifying patterns in your mistakes is far more valuable than rushing through multiple passages. A structured study plan that includes full practice tests, timed section drills, and untimed passage work helps you build both speed and accuracy over time.

Test anxiety on ACT Reading often comes from either running out of time or second-guessing yourself on answers. Building confidence happens through three things: first, practicing under timed conditions so the format feels familiar (not scary); second, learning concrete strategies so you feel in control rather than helpless; and third, tracking your progress to see tangible improvement. When you practice consistently and see your scores go up, anxiety naturally decreases. Tutors can also help you develop a pre-test routine and stress management techniques that keep you calm and focused on test day.

The best way is to take a full practice test in timed conditions, then analyze your results by passage type (prose fiction, social science, humanities, natural science) and by question type (main idea, detail, inference, etc.). You might discover you struggle with dense science passages but excel with fiction, or that inference questions trip you up while detail questions are your strength. This targeted data is crucial—it tells you where to focus your study time. Tutors can help you spot patterns you might miss on your own and create a personalized study plan that addresses your specific challenges rather than drilling everything equally.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors for students in Los Angeles who specialize in ACT Reading preparation. You can search by subject and location, and get matched with tutors who have proven experience helping students improve their reading scores. Tutors can work with your schedule and learning style, focusing on exactly what you need—whether that's pacing strategies, question type mastery, or test anxiety management. With personalized 1-on-1 instruction, you get customized feedback and a study plan built around your specific goals and starting point.