Award-Winning ACT Reading Tutors serving Des Moines, IA

America's #1 Tutoring Platform

Who needs tutoring?

FOXNBCCBSUS NewsTIMEUSA Today

TUTORS FROM

  • YaleUniversity
  • PrincetonUniversity
  • StanfordUniversity
  • CornellUniversity

Award-Winning ACT Reading Tutors serving Des Moines, IA

Arthur

Certified Tutor

5+ years

Arthur

Bachelor in Arts, Economics
Arthur's other Tutor Subjects
Statistics
Middle School Math
Geometry
Calculus

I am available to tutor in a broad range of subjects, though I am most passionate about Economics, History, and Civics. Please feel free to contact me and I would be happy to arrange a session.

Education

Middlebury College

Bachelor in Arts, Economics

Test Scores
Perfect Score
SAT
1490
ACT
36
Ishan

Certified Tutor

5+ years

Ishan

Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
Ishan's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Pre-Calculus
Middle School Math
Calculus

I am a current sophomore at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where I am majoring in Biology as part of the 7 Year Accelerated Medical Program. I am also minoring in Healthcare Economics and Policy. My favorite subjects in school are Chemistry, Biology, and Math, but I also enjoy the process of writ...

Education

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Bachelor of Science, Biology, General

Albany Medical College

Doctor of Medicine, Premedicine

Test Scores
ACT
35
Vansh

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Vansh

Bachelor of Science, Aerospace Engineering
Vansh's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Calculus
Algebra
IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches

I am currently pursuing a Bachelors of Science in Aerospace Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. I am also a graduate of the high school International Baccalaureate Program. I have informal experience tutoring high school physics, but am most passionate about tutoring students for the...

Education

Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

Bachelor of Science, Aerospace Engineering

Test Scores
Perfect Score
SAT
1520
ACT
36
John

Certified Tutor

16+ years

John

Bachelor of Fine Arts, English/Drama
John's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus AB
College Algebra
Middle School Math
Geometry

Reading four dense passages in 35 minutes requires a method, not just speed. John breaks the ACT Reading section into a decision-making process: how to skim for structure, when to go back to the text versus trusting your first read, and how to eliminate answer choices that sound right but distort th...

Education

University of St Thomas

Bachelor of Fine Arts, English/Drama

American Academy of Dramatic Arts

Associates, Acting

Test Scores
Perfect Score
SAT
1420
ACT
36
Max

Certified Tutor

Max

Bachelors, Biology, General
Max's other Tutor Subjects
AP Statistics
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra

Scoring a perfect 36 ACT composite means Max has firsthand experience with the Reading section's tightest time pressure — 35 minutes across four passages with no room for re-reading. His biology research background, which involves digesting dense ecological studies and isolating specific claims from...

Education

Ball State University

Bachelors, Biology, General

Test Scores
Perfect Score
SAT
1580
ACT
36
Rahul

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Rahul

B.S. in Chemical Engineering
Rahul's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Multivariable Calculus
Pre-Calculus
Geometry

I am a recent graduate of Cornell University, where I received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Over the past several years, I have worked with students from diverse backgrounds and experiences tutoring thermodynamics (my personal favorite), chemistry, and math. I have a...

Education

Cornell University

B.S. in Chemical Engineering

Test Scores
Perfect Score
ACT
36
Benjamin

Certified Tutor

5+ years

Benjamin

Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics (minor: Innovation and Entrepreneurship)
Benjamin's other Tutor Subjects
AP Statistics
Trigonometry
Middle School Math
Calculus

I am a 2023 graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a Finance/Economics major and a minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. I am a passionate student in the math and business realms, as I enjoy the intuitiveness of the former and the real-world potential of the latter. During classes in midd...

Education

University of Notre Dame

Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics (minor: Innovation and Entrepreneurship)

Test Scores
Perfect Score
ACT
36
Emily

Certified Tutor

8+ years

Emily

Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
Emily's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Calculus
Algebra
AP Biology

I am currently a fourth year medical student in Indianapolis. I completed my undergraduate education at Indiana University Bloomington, where I majored in Biology and Spanish. I also completed two minors in Mathematics and Chemistry. While at IU, I worked for the Department of Mathematics and Depart...

Education

Indiana University-Bloomington

Bachelor of Science, Biology, General

Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis

Doctor of Medicine, Community Health and Preventive Medicine

Test Scores
SAT
1480
ACT
35
Ilesh

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Ilesh

Bachelor of Science, Industrial Engineering
Ilesh's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Statistics
Calculus
Algebra

Most students treat ACT Reading as a speed test, but Ilesh reframes it as a precision exercise: knowing what the question actually asks before hunting for evidence in the passage. His 36 composite came partly from a disciplined passage-mapping strategy that he now teaches students to replicate acros...

Education

Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

Bachelor of Science, Industrial Engineering

Test Scores
Perfect Score
ACT
36
Rhea

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Rhea

Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
Rhea's other Tutor Subjects
AP Statistics
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra

Scoring a perfect 36 ACT composite means Rhea knows exactly how the Reading section tries to trip students up — especially on dual-passage comparisons and inference questions where two answer choices look nearly identical. Her biology coursework at UChicago requires constant close reading of researc...

Education

University of Chicago

Bachelor of Science, Biology, General

Test Scores
Perfect Score
SAT
1550
ACT
36

Practice ACT Reading

Free practice tests, flashcards, and AI tutoring for ACT Reading

ACT Reading Practice Hub
Practice tests, flashcards, AI tutor & more

Frequently Asked Questions

Score improvement depends on your starting point and how consistently you apply strategies learned. Most students see meaningful gains—typically 2-4 points—within 8-12 weeks of focused tutoring, especially when combining personalized instruction with regular practice tests. The key is identifying your specific weak areas (whether that's pacing, inference questions, or vocabulary in context) and targeting those systematically.

The ACT Reading section gives you 35 minutes for 4 passages and 40 questions—roughly 8-9 minutes per passage. Many students struggle with pacing because they spend too much time reading carefully upfront. Expert tutors work with you to find the right balance: skimming for structure, reading strategically for detail, and using question types to guide where you focus. Practicing this approach on full-length tests helps you internalize the timing until it becomes automatic.

The biggest obstacles are usually pacing (running out of time on the last passage), inference questions (distinguishing between what's stated and what's implied), and vocabulary-in-context questions. Many students also struggle with tone/author's purpose questions because they require deeper comprehension beyond surface-level details. A tutor can help you recognize question patterns, develop strategies for each type, and build the reading stamina to maintain focus through all four passages.

Your first session focuses on assessment and goal-setting. A tutor will review your practice test results to identify which question types and passages give you the most trouble, discuss your target score, and understand your timeline. From there, you'll develop a personalized study plan that addresses your specific gaps—whether that's reading speed, comprehension, or test anxiety—and establish a practice schedule that fits your needs.

Practice tests are essential—they're the only way to build real test stamina and identify patterns in your mistakes. Taking full-length, timed practice tests regularly (ideally every 1-2 weeks) helps you apply strategies under pressure and reveals whether your struggles are speed-related, comprehension-related, or strategy-related. Between practice tests, focused drills on specific question types help reinforce skills, but full tests are what ultimately prepare you for test day conditions.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or uncertain about strategies. Working with a tutor builds confidence through mastery—you learn exactly how to approach each question type, practice under timed conditions repeatedly, and develop a reliable system you trust. Many students find that anxiety decreases significantly once they've taken multiple practice tests and seen their scores improve. A tutor can also teach you specific techniques like pacing checkpoints and mental resets to stay calm during the actual test.

Look for tutors with strong ACT Reading scores themselves (typically 32+) and proven experience teaching test prep strategies, not just general reading skills. They should be familiar with the specific question formats, understand common student mistakes, and be able to explain the 'why' behind answers—not just give you the right answer. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have demonstrated success helping students improve their ACT Reading scores.

For students starting 8-12 weeks before test day, aim for 3-5 hours per week: one tutoring session (typically 1-2 hours), plus independent practice with passages and practice tests. If you're starting closer to test day or have a lower baseline score, you may need more intensive prep. Your tutor will help you create a realistic schedule based on your starting point, target score, and other commitments, ensuring you're making progress without burning out.

Connect with ACT Reading Tutors in Des Moines

Get matched with local expert tutors