Time management is one of the biggest challenges students face on PSAT Critical Reading. You have roughly 45-50 minutes for multiple passages and 40+ questions, which means smart pacing is essential. Most students benefit from a two-pass strategy: tackle passages where you're most confident first to build momentum, then return to harder passages if time allows.

A personalized tutor can help you identify whether you're spending too much time reading passages, struggling with specific question types, or getting stuck on difficult vocabulary. They'll work with you on techniques like active reading, annotation strategies, and question prioritization so you can maximize your score without rushing through content.

Most students find inference questions and vocabulary-in-context questions particularly tricky on PSAT Critical Reading. Inference questions require you to read between the lines and understand implied meaning, while vocabulary-in-context questions test whether you can determine word meaning from surrounding text—not from memorized definitions.

Other challenging areas include paired passages (comparing two texts), command of evidence questions (finding textual support), and questions that require you to identify tone or author's purpose. Tutoring focuses on helping you recognize what each question type is really asking and develop consistent strategies for approaching them. With practice and targeted feedback, these question types become much more manageable.

A solid practice schedule typically includes one full practice test every 1-2 weeks, with timed section-specific drills in between. This gives you regular feedback on your progress while allowing time to learn from mistakes and reinforce strategies.

When you work with a tutor, they'll help you create a study plan that fits your timeline and identifies your priority areas. Early in prep, focus on untimed practice to learn concepts and strategies. As you progress, timed practice becomes more important to build speed and confidence. The goal isn't just to take tests—it's to analyze each one thoroughly to understand your error patterns and adjust your approach accordingly.

Start by taking a full, timed practice test under realistic conditions. Score it carefully and categorize every wrong answer by question type (vocabulary, inference, main idea, evidence, tone, etc.) and passage topic if possible. You'll usually spot patterns quickly—maybe you miss half your inference questions, or you consistently struggle with dense historical passages.

This is where personalized tutoring makes a difference. A tutor reviews your practice tests with a diagnostic lens, asking the right questions: Are you rushing and misreading? Do you lack background knowledge on certain topics? Are you choosing answers that sound good but aren't supported by the text? Once you pinpoint exactly what's holding you back, you can focus your study time efficiently on strategies and content that actually move the needle.

Test anxiety often stems from unfamiliarity with the format or uncertainty about your abilities. The antidote is confidence built through repeated, successful practice. Taking timed practice tests regularly helps normalize the testing experience and reduces anxiety on test day because you know exactly what to expect.

Tutors can also help you develop practical coping strategies: techniques for staying focused, managing pacing anxiety, and building confidence in your reading comprehension skills. When you work through challenging passages with a tutor and successfully develop strategies to tackle them, you move from feeling overwhelmed to feeling prepared. That shift in mindset significantly reduces test-day stress.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in PSAT preparation and Critical Reading instruction. When you get matched with a tutor, they work with you to assess your current level, set realistic score goals, and develop a personalized study plan based on your specific challenges—whether that's pacing, question types, or vocabulary.

Tutors provide focused instruction, targeted practice, and detailed feedback on your practice tests. The personalized 1-on-1 approach means your tutor adapts their teaching to match your learning style and priorities, helping you build both skills and confidence ahead of test day.