Award-Winning PRAXIS Core Reading Tutors
serving Chicago, IL
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Award-Winning PRAXIS Core Reading Tutors serving Chicago, IL
Certified Tutor
4+ years
Megan
Most Praxis Core Reading questions aren't really about comprehension — they test whether you can identify an author's argument structure, distinguish main ideas from supporting details, and evaluate the strength of evidence in a passage. Megan earned her B.A. in English at Sewanee and holds a specia...
Lipscomb University
Master of Arts, Educational Administration
Vanderbilt University
Masters in Education, Special Education
Sewanee: The University of the South
Bachelor in Arts, English
Certified Tutor
5+ years
Miakia
After earning both a Bachelor's and Master's in Education, Miakia sat for the Praxis exams herself — so she knows firsthand which reading question types trip up future teachers, from paired-passage synthesis to those tricky "author's purpose versus tone" distinctions. She teaches a deliberate annota...
Cambridge College
Masters in Education, Education
Christian Brothers University
Bachelor of Education, Education
Certified Tutor
4+ years
Gabriela
Gabriela ran Praxis Core boot camps for aspiring teachers, so she's seen exactly where candidates lose points on the Reading section — usually on inference questions and paired-passage synthesis where the wrong answers are designed to look almost right. Her Master's in Math Education means she passe...
University of California Los Angeles
Master's in Math Education
University of California Los Angeles
Bachelor in Arts, Sociology
Certified Tutor
4+ years
Emma
Having earned a Masters in Education with an elementary teaching focus, Emma knows exactly what the Praxis Core Reading section demands — distinguishing main ideas from supporting details, evaluating arguments, and synthesizing information across paired passages. She breaks down each question type s...
Vanderbilt University
Masters in Education, Elementary School Teaching
Carnegie Mellon University
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Directing and Theatrical Production
Certified Tutor
2+ years
Andrew
I hold a B.A. from Yale University and an M.A. from the University of Connecticut. In addition to teaching at both the high school and college levels, I also spent many years working in advertising (where I was a Vice President at two New York City agencies), health insurance administration, and as...
Yale University
AM
Certified Tutor
2+ years
Ann
I am passionate about helping students of all ages learn challenging content. I am a National Board Certified teacher with more than 20 years of state certified classroom teaching experience. I have expertise working with elementary students as well as supporting the professional growth of aspirin...
Harvard University
EDU
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
EDU
Pepperdine University
EDU
University of California-Riverside
EDU
Certified Tutor
2+ years
I have been tutoring for over 12 years. I have worked with many different students in many different subjects. I've worked as a classroom teacher and instructional content creator, as well. My favorite part of tutoring is knowing that I am making a real difference for my students. I am looking for...
George Mason University
MRE
University of Mary Washington
MRE
Certified Tutor
2+ years
Sabrina
I have over 9 years of experience tutoring students preparing for teacher certification exams and hold degrees in English and Education, as well as a technical writing certification. I enjoy helping students strengthen their reading comprehension so they can break down test questions and avoid commo...
The University of Alabama
AM
Certified Tutor
2+ years
Alicia
The PRAXIS Core Reading exam tests the same close-reading and inference skills Alicia has been teaching across grade levels for years. She tackles the trickiest question types — author's purpose, logical reasoning within a passage, and evaluating arguments — by showing test-takers how to identify wh...
Columbia University
Master's/Graduate
University of Saint Joseph
Bachelor's
Certified Tutor
2+ years
Joanne
Earned a Ph.D. in K12 Education, a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction, and a Bachelor's in Elementary Education. National Board Certified with over 20 years of experience teaching students from PreK through 12th grade, as well as adult learners. Experienced in both virtual and in-person instruct...
Lesley University
Master's/Graduate
Geneva College
Bachelor's
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Frequently Asked Questions
The PRAXIS Core Reading exam is part of the PRAXIS Core battery required by many teacher preparation programs and states for initial teacher certification. It assesses your ability to understand written passages, analyze arguments, and draw conclusions—skills essential for effective teaching. If you're pursuing teacher certification in Illinois or planning to teach in any state, you'll likely need to pass this exam as part of your licensing requirements.
The PRAXIS Core Reading exam contains approximately 40 questions focused on reading comprehension and analysis. You'll encounter short and long reading passages followed by questions that test your ability to identify main ideas, understand vocabulary in context, analyze arguments, and make inferences. The exam is computer-delivered and typically takes about 50 minutes, with a score range of 156-216.
Many test-takers struggle with time management—carefully reading dense passages while answering questions quickly can feel overwhelming. Others find it difficult to distinguish between the main argument and supporting details, or to identify an author's tone and purpose. Additionally, vocabulary-in-context questions can be tricky if you're unfamiliar with academic language or the specific ways words are used in different passages.
Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who can diagnose your specific weaknesses—whether that's comprehension speed, inference skills, or argument analysis—and create a targeted study plan. Tutors provide personalized feedback on practice passages, teach you strategic reading techniques to improve efficiency, and help you build confidence with the exam format. This one-on-one approach is far more effective than generic test prep, allowing you to focus on what you actually need to improve.
Your first session typically involves an assessment to understand your current reading level, test-taking habits, and specific challenges. The tutor will likely review sample PRAXIS passages with you, identify patterns in the types of questions you find difficult, and discuss your timeline and goals. From there, you'll develop a personalized study plan that targets your weak areas while building on your strengths.
Preparation time varies based on your starting point and target score, but most students benefit from 4-8 weeks of consistent study with a tutor. If you're already a strong reader, you might need less time to master test-specific strategies. Working with a tutor helps you use your study time efficiently, focusing on high-impact skills rather than general review.
Yes, Varsity Tutors connects students throughout Chicago and Illinois with expert tutors who specialize in PRAXIS Core Reading preparation. Whether you're in the Chicago Public Schools system or attending a private institution, you can get matched with a tutor who understands the exam format and can provide personalized instruction tailored to your needs and schedule.
Score requirements vary by state and teacher preparation program, but most require a minimum score in the 160-170 range. Research on personalized instruction shows that one-on-one tutoring significantly improves test performance by helping you master both content and test-taking strategies. A tutor can help you identify exactly what's holding you back and develop targeted techniques to boost your score.
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