Score improvement depends on your starting point and study effort, but most students see meaningful gains with focused preparation. Many students improve by 3-5 points with consistent practice and strategic instruction, though the exact improvement varies based on your baseline skills and how you address specific weaknesses like pacing or question interpretation.

The main challenges include managing the strict time constraints (about 1.5 minutes per question), distinguishing between similar answer choices, maintaining focus through dense passages, and understanding the nuances of author perspective and argument structure. Many students struggle with pacing and end up rushing through final passages, which significantly impacts accuracy.

Effective pacing starts with active reading strategies—annotating key ideas and author tone as you read, rather than passively absorbing text. Tutors can teach you to identify question types quickly and prioritize easier questions first, plus practice timed drills to build speed without sacrificing accuracy. Most students benefit from practicing full passages under timed conditions to develop realistic reading rhythms.

Most MCAT prep plans include 8-10 full-length practice tests spread throughout your study timeline, with at least 3-4 taken under strict test conditions. However, quality matters more than quantity—reviewing your errors thoroughly and identifying patterns in your mistakes is more valuable than simply accumulating test attempts. A tutor can help you analyze practice test results to target your specific weak areas.

Personalized 1-on-1 instruction allows a tutor to diagnose your specific challenges—whether it's passage comprehension, question interpretation, or time management—and create a targeted strategy tailored to your learning style. Tutors can model effective reading techniques, help you practice with real MCAT passages, and provide immediate feedback on your reasoning, accelerating improvement much faster than self-study alone.

Your first session typically includes an assessment of your current reading comprehension skills, a diagnostic practice passage or questions to identify specific weak areas, and an overview of personalized strategies tailored to your needs. The tutor will discuss your target score, timeline, and create an action plan for your preparation.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in MCAT Verbal Reasoning and understand the demands of medical school admissions. You can get matched with a tutor who fits your schedule and learning preferences, and personalized instruction can be tailored to your specific goals and timeline before test day.