The ACT Reading section gives you 35 minutes for four passages and 40 questions, which requires strategic pacing. Rather than reading every word slowly, expert tutors teach students to preview questions first, then read strategically, and use skimming techniques for detail questions. The right approach depends on your reading speed and comprehension style—some students benefit from reading the full passage quickly, while others do better with targeted reading based on question types.

The three biggest hurdles are running out of time, struggling with inference questions, and misunderstanding what the passage actually says versus what seems true. Many students also find the humanities passages particularly challenging because unfamiliar vocabulary and abstract concepts require different reading strategies than science or history passages. A tutor can help you identify which passage types trip you up and develop specific techniques to tackle them.

Most students benefit from taking 4-6 full-length practice ACT tests under timed conditions, spacing them out over your study period. Between practice tests, focused work on specific question types and weak areas is more valuable than taking test after test. A tutor can help you analyze your practice test results to identify patterns—like consistently missing main idea questions or struggling with paired passages—so you spend study time where it matters most.

ACT Reading focuses on comprehension questions (main idea, detail, inference), vocabulary in context, and purpose/tone questions. Inference questions are particularly tricky because they require you to read between the lines while avoiding answers that seem true but aren't supported by the passage. Understanding the exact wording of each question type helps you know what to look for in the passage and avoid common trap answers.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or unsure of your approach, which tutoring directly addresses by building confidence through repeated practice and proven strategies. Knowing you have a solid plan for tackling each passage type, managing your time, and identifying the right answers reduces panic during the test. Many students also benefit from practicing relaxation techniques and building familiarity with the test format through timed practice sessions.

Your first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment—either a practice test section or review of your previous scores—to identify your specific strengths and weaknesses. The tutor will ask about your goals, timeline, and any particular passage types or question formats that frustrate you, then create a personalized study plan. You'll likely work through one or two questions together to see the tutor's approach and get a feel for how you'll work together.

With 227 schools across Omaha's 11 school districts, students have varying levels of test prep support available. Personalized tutoring fills gaps in classroom instruction by focusing entirely on your reading challenges, learning pace, and test strategy—something difficult to achieve in a classroom setting. Whether you're aiming for a competitive college or scholarship, a tutor helps you maximize your score and confidence before test day.