Personalized 1-on-1 instruction allows a tutor to identify your specific reading comprehension gaps—whether that's understanding complex vocabulary, making inferences, or analyzing author's purpose—and create a targeted study plan. Tutors can also teach you test-taking strategies, help you practice with authentic exam questions, and provide detailed feedback on your performance. Research on 1-on-1 instruction shows it's significantly more effective than group study for standardized test preparation.

Many students struggle with time management—trying to read passages carefully while answering questions quickly. Others find it difficult to distinguish between main ideas and supporting details, or to make accurate inferences from subtle textual clues. Some test-takers also struggle with vocabulary-in-context questions or understanding an author's tone and purpose. A tutor can help you practice these specific skills and develop strategies to work through passages more efficiently.

Your first session is designed to assess your current reading level and identify your strengths and areas for improvement. Your tutor will likely have you work through sample PRAXIS Reading passages and questions to understand your comprehension style, pacing, and common mistakes. From there, they'll develop a personalized study plan tailored to your goals and timeline before your exam.

Most students benefit from 4-8 weeks of focused preparation, though this depends on your current reading level and target score. If you're working full-time or have other commitments, consistent 1-on-1 tutoring sessions—even 1-2 per week—can help you make steady progress. Your tutor can help you create a realistic timeline based on your starting point and goals, ensuring you're ready when test day arrives.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in PRAXIS Reading preparation and understand the specific skills the exam tests. You can share your availability, goals, and learning preferences, and we'll match you with a tutor who's the right fit for your needs. Whether you prefer to work during evenings or weekends, we can find a tutor whose schedule aligns with yours.

Effective strategies include active reading (annotating as you go), identifying the main idea before diving into questions, and understanding question types so you know what to look for in the text. Many students benefit from learning to distinguish between what the passage explicitly states versus what they can infer. Your tutor can teach you these strategies, help you practice them with real PRAXIS passages, and help you develop a personal approach that works best for your reading style.

Official PRAXIS practice tests and sample questions from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) are essential—they give you the most accurate sense of the actual exam format and difficulty. Your tutor can guide you through these materials, help you understand why you missed questions, and teach you how to apply lessons from practice to new passages. Consistent practice with authentic materials, combined with personalized feedback, is one of the most effective ways to build reading comprehension skills.