With 60 minutes for 7 passages and 39 questions total, you'll have roughly 8-9 minutes per passage, including reading and answering questions. Many students find it helpful to spend 3-4 minutes reading actively and 4-5 minutes on the questions, though the ideal timing depends on your reading speed and comprehension level. A tutor can help you identify whether you're spending too much time on difficult passages or rushing through questions, then develop a personalized pacing strategy.

Students commonly struggle with three main issues: identifying the author's main point versus supporting details, managing time pressure without sacrificing accuracy, and understanding complex passages on unfamiliar topics. Many also find it difficult to distinguish between what the passage actually says and what seems reasonable based on outside knowledge. Personalized tutoring can help you develop strategies to tackle each challenge, from annotation techniques to question-type specific approaches.

Score improvement depends on your starting point and effort level, but students typically see meaningful gains—often 2-4 points on the MCAT scale—with focused, strategic practice over 4-8 weeks. The key is identifying your specific weak areas (certain question types, passage topics, or pacing issues) and addressing them systematically rather than just doing more practice tests. A tutor can help you pinpoint exactly what's holding you back and create a targeted improvement plan.

Practice tests are essential for MCAT preparation—they help you understand question formats, build test-taking stamina, and identify patterns in your mistakes. However, the quality of your analysis matters more than the quantity of tests; reviewing why you missed questions is far more valuable than simply taking more practice tests. A tutor can guide you through strategic practice test selection and help you analyze results to target your study sessions effectively.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who can teach you proven strategies for different question types, help you develop an efficient reading approach, and provide real-time feedback on your reasoning. Tutors work with you to identify whether your challenges stem from comprehension, time management, or test anxiety—then address the root causes rather than just drilling more passages. With personalized 1-on-1 instruction, you'll get a customized study plan tailored to your strengths and weaknesses.

Your first session typically involves a diagnostic assessment—working through a practice passage or two while your tutor observes your reading approach, question-answering strategy, and timing. This helps identify your specific strengths and challenges, whether that's struggling with inference questions, managing pace, or understanding dense passages. From there, your tutor will develop a personalized roadmap for improvement based on your timeline and target score.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or uncertain about your approach, which is why building confidence through strategic practice is crucial. Tutors can teach you calming techniques, help you develop a pre-test routine, and ensure you're so familiar with question types and strategies that you can focus on the content rather than worrying about time. Many students find that knowing exactly what to expect and having a proven system reduces anxiety significantly on test day.