Many students struggle with time management during the test, as the RLA section requires reading passages carefully while answering questions within a set timeframe. Grammar and punctuation rules often trip up test-takers, especially those who haven't studied formal English mechanics in years. Additionally, analyzing complex texts and understanding author intent can be difficult without targeted practice. Personalized tutoring addresses these specific weak points through focused drills, timed practice tests, and individualized feedback that classroom settings often can't provide.

During an initial session, a tutor will assess your current reading level, grammar knowledge, and test-taking skills through diagnostic questions and a practice passage. This helps identify your strongest areas and the specific topics—whether it's sentence structure, comprehension strategies, or time management—that need the most attention. From there, the tutor will create a personalized study plan tailored to your learning pace and goals for GED success.

Improvement timelines vary based on your starting point and how frequently you meet with a tutor, but most students see measurable progress within 4-8 weeks of consistent, focused practice. Students who work with a tutor 2-3 times per week and complete assigned practice between sessions typically advance faster than those with less frequent instruction. The key is consistent, targeted practice on weak areas combined with regular full-length practice tests to build confidence and speed.

In a traditional classroom or online group class, instruction moves at a fixed pace that may be too fast or too slow for your needs. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction allows a tutor to focus entirely on your specific challenges—whether that's understanding complex literary passages or mastering comma rules—and adjust explanations to match how you learn best. You also get immediate feedback on practice questions and the flexibility to spend more time on difficult topics without holding back the rest of a class.

Look for tutors with proven expertise in GED test structure and content, ideally with experience teaching reading comprehension, grammar, and writing to adult learners. Tutors should be familiar with the specific format of the RLA section—including the extended response (essay) question—and have a track record of helping students improve their scores. When you connect with Varsity Tutors, we match you with experienced tutors who understand both the GED curriculum and the learning needs of students in Albuquerque.

Practice tests simulate the real testing environment, helping you build stamina, manage time effectively, and identify which question types trip you up most. Full-length practice tests reveal patterns in your mistakes—whether you're misreading questions, struggling with specific grammar concepts, or running out of time—so tutoring can be laser-focused on those areas. Research on retrieval practice shows that testing yourself repeatedly is one of the most effective ways to retain knowledge and improve performance.

The extended response requires you to read a passage and write a well-organized essay analyzing the author's argument and supporting evidence—a skill many adults haven't practiced in years. A tutor can teach you a structured approach to planning your essay, developing clear thesis statements, and supporting claims with specific evidence from the text. With personalized feedback on practice essays, you'll build confidence and learn exactly what GED scorers are looking for in a high-scoring response.