You'll have 52 minutes to complete the entire Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section, which includes both reading comprehension and grammar questions. Pacing is one of the most common challenges students face—many rush through passages and miss nuances, while others spend too much time on difficult questions and run out of time. A tutor can help you develop a strategic approach to manage your time effectively across different passage types.

Score improvement depends on your starting point and how consistently you practice, but most students see meaningful gains with focused preparation. If you're scoring in the 450–550 range, targeted tutoring typically helps students improve by 50–100 points over 8–12 weeks. The key is identifying your specific weak areas—whether that's vocabulary, inference questions, or passage comprehension—and practicing strategically with real PSAT questions.

Students typically struggle with three main areas: understanding vocabulary in context (rather than memorizing definitions), making inferences from complex passages, and managing time without sacrificing accuracy. Many also find paired passages challenging because they require comparing two texts quickly. Tutors can address each of these through targeted practice, teaching you to identify question patterns and develop efficient reading strategies.

Practice tests are essential—they help you understand the test format, identify weak areas, and build stamina for the full section. Taking full practice tests under timed conditions shows you exactly where you're losing points and reveals patterns in the types of questions that challenge you most. A tutor can review your practice test results with you, explain why you missed questions, and help you adjust your strategy for the actual test.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or unsure about your approach. Building confidence through consistent practice with real PSAT passages, learning proven test-taking strategies, and understanding what to expect on test day all help reduce anxiety. A tutor can also teach you techniques like pacing yourself strategically, skipping difficult questions temporarily, and managing stress in the moment—so you feel more in control when you sit down to test.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who can diagnose your specific challenges—whether you struggle with reading speed, inference questions, or vocabulary—and create a personalized study plan. Your tutor will teach you strategic approaches to different question types, help you practice with real PSAT passages, review your practice tests, and build your confidence before test day. For students in Murrieta with access to personalized 1-on-1 instruction, this targeted approach typically produces faster, more significant improvements than studying alone.

Your first session will focus on understanding where you stand and what you need to work on. Your tutor will likely review your current PSAT score (or have you take a diagnostic test), ask about your goals, and identify which question types or passage topics give you the most trouble. From there, you'll develop a customized study plan with a realistic timeline, practice strategies, and clear milestones so you know you're making progress toward your target score.