Many students struggle with managing time across multiple passages, distinguishing between what the passage explicitly states versus what can be inferred, and recognizing how answer choices use misleading language to trap careless readers. Additionally, vocabulary-in-context questions require understanding nuance rather than just knowing definitions. Personalized tutoring helps identify your specific weak spots—whether that's inference skills, pacing, or vocabulary strategies—and builds targeted practice around those areas.

Expert tutors work with you to develop active reading strategies, teach annotation techniques that boost comprehension, and provide extensive practice with real ISEE passages and questions. Through personalized 1-on-1 instruction, tutors identify patterns in your mistakes, help you distinguish between answer choices more effectively, and build stamina for the full section. Regular practice combined with targeted feedback accelerates improvement far more than independent study.

Your initial session focuses on assessment and strategy building. A tutor will review your current reading level, have you work through a sample ISEE passage to identify your strengths and challenges, and introduce foundational strategies like active reading and question analysis. This diagnostic approach ensures your tutoring plan targets your specific needs rather than generic test prep.

Most students see meaningful progress within 4-6 weeks of consistent tutoring, though the timeline depends on your starting point and frequency of sessions. Students who combine weekly tutoring with daily practice typically improve faster than those with less frequent sessions. Consistent engagement with targeted strategies and real ISEE passages is key to building the comprehension skills and test-taking confidence needed for a higher score.

Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors in Riverside who specialize in ISEE preparation and reading comprehension instruction. When you get matched with a tutor, you'll work with someone experienced in ISEE-specific strategies and familiar with the types of passages and questions on the Upper Level exam. The personalized matching process ensures a good fit for your learning style and goals.

Inference questions require you to read between the lines and understand what the author implies rather than directly states. Tutors teach you to distinguish between inferences supported by the text versus unsupported assumptions, and how to use context clues to make logical deductions. With guided practice on real ISEE passages, you'll build confidence recognizing inference patterns and selecting answers that are supported by evidence in the passage.

Effective pacing comes from developing a consistent strategy for approaching passages and questions. Tutors help you find the right balance between careful reading and efficient question-answering, often teaching techniques like previewing questions before reading or skimming strategically. Through timed practice with real passages, you'll build the stamina and rhythm needed to complete all 6-7 passages without rushing or running out of time.