Many students struggle with time management—rushing through passages and missing key details—or with inference questions that require reading between the lines. Others find it difficult to distinguish between main ideas and supporting details, or to identify an author's tone and purpose across different text types. Personalized tutoring helps you develop targeted strategies for each question type and build confidence in your analytical skills.

Most students benefit from 4-8 weeks of focused preparation, though this varies based on your starting point and test date. With consistent practice and expert guidance, you can make significant progress by working through sample passages, learning question-specific strategies, and refining your approach to time management. A tutor can help you identify which areas need the most attention and create a personalized study plan tailored to your goals.

Effective strategies include active reading (annotating key points as you go), previewing questions before reading the passage, and practicing retrieval—testing yourself on what you remember rather than re-reading. Many students also benefit from learning how to identify text structure (cause-effect, compare-contrast, sequence) to better understand relationships between ideas. Tutors can teach you which strategies work best for different passage types and help you practice until they become automatic.

Your first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment to understand your current strengths and areas for growth, followed by a discussion of your test date and goals. The tutor will review sample questions with you to identify patterns in where you struggle—whether it's inference, vocabulary, time management, or specific text types. From there, you'll develop a personalized study plan that targets your needs and builds momentum toward test day.

Varsity Tutors connects you with experienced tutors who specialize in PRAXIS Reading preparation and understand the specific demands of the test. Each tutor brings expertise in reading comprehension strategies, test-taking skills, and personalized instruction tailored to your learning style. You can get matched with a tutor who fits your schedule and goals, ensuring you receive focused support as you prepare.

Yes—personalized 1-on-1 instruction is highly effective for improving reading comprehension and test performance. Research on learning shows that targeted, one-on-one feedback helps students internalize strategies faster and apply them more consistently. By working with a tutor, you'll practice with real test questions, receive immediate feedback on your approach, and develop confidence in your ability to tackle any passage the test throws at you.

Tutoring rates vary based on the tutor's experience, your location, and the frequency of sessions you choose. Varsity Tutors works with tutors at different price points to fit various budgets, and you can discuss rates directly when you're matched with a tutor. Many students find that investing in focused preparation pays off through improved scores and reduced test anxiety.