Score improvement depends on your starting point and how consistently you prepare. Most students see meaningful gains of 50-100+ points with focused, personalized instruction and regular practice—especially when working on specific weak areas like vocabulary in context, inference questions, or passage comprehension strategies. The key is identifying exactly which question types and reading strategies challenge you most, then targeting those areas systematically. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who can diagnose your specific gaps and create a tailored study plan to maximize your improvement.

Many students struggle with pacing—trying to read every word carefully while racing against the clock—which leads to incomplete passages or rushed answers. Others find inference and "best evidence" questions tricky because they require you to support your answer with specific textual proof. Vocabulary-in-context questions also challenge readers who rely on memorized definitions rather than understanding how words function within sentences. Personalized tutoring helps you develop efficient reading strategies, recognize question patterns, and build confidence in your reasoning process.

Effective strategies include reading the questions before the passage (so you know what to focus on), skimming for main ideas rather than reading word-for-word, and learning to eliminate obviously wrong answers quickly. Many strong readers benefit from practicing "active reading"—annotating key points, transitions, and author's tone as they go. Timing improves dramatically with practice tests; most students need 50-100 full-section practice attempts to internalize pacing. Expert tutors can teach you which strategies work best for your reading style and help you practice them under realistic test conditions.

Your first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment—often a timed practice section or full practice test—so your tutor can identify your specific strengths and weaknesses. You'll discuss your target score, timeline, and any particular concerns (like anxiety or specific question types). Your tutor will then create a personalized study plan that might include targeted strategy instruction, vocabulary building, passage comprehension drills, and a practice test schedule. This foundation ensures every future session builds directly on what you need most.

Practice tests are essential—they're the best way to build stamina, identify patterns in your mistakes, and get comfortable with the actual test format and timing. Most students benefit from taking a full practice test every 1-2 weeks during active preparation, with focused review of each test afterward. Between full tests, targeted practice on specific question types (like paired passages or inference questions) keeps your skills sharp. Your tutor can help you interpret your practice test results, spot trends in your errors, and adjust your study plan based on real data about what's working.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or unsure of your strategy—which personalized tutoring directly addresses. Building genuine confidence through repeated practice, learning reliable strategies you trust, and understanding exactly what to expect reduces panic significantly. Your tutor can also teach you practical techniques like controlled breathing, positive self-talk, and time-management habits that keep you calm and focused. Many students find that taking multiple timed practice tests under realistic conditions is the most effective way to desensitize yourself to test pressure.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in PSAT Critical Reading and understand the specific challenges students face. When you get matched with a tutor, you can discuss their experience with test prep, their approach to reading comprehension, and whether they've helped other students reach goals similar to yours. The best fit is someone who can explain strategies clearly, adapt to your learning style, and keep you motivated. Most students work with one tutor consistently so they can build on progress and refine their approach over time.