Score improvements depend on your starting point and effort level, but most students see meaningful gains (5-10 points) within 4-8 weeks of focused practice with personalized instruction. Some students improve faster if they identify a specific bottleneck—like struggling with certain question types or pacing—while others need more time to build reading speed and accuracy together. A tutor can assess your baseline and create a realistic improvement plan based on your timeline and goals.

Effective tutoring covers three core areas: passage comprehension strategies (how to identify main ideas, structure, and tone efficiently), question type mastery (understanding what each question is really asking), and timing tactics (managing your 35 minutes across four passages). Your tutor will also help you develop a system for annotation and note-taking that works for your brain, and practice with real LSAT passages so you're ready for test day. The key is moving beyond just reading better to reading strategically.

Practice tests are essential—they help you build stamina, identify patterns in your mistakes, and get comfortable with real LSAT timing and format. Most successful test-takers complete 20-30 full practice tests before test day, with focused review on every single question they miss. Your tutor can help you analyze your practice test performance to spot whether you're missing questions due to comprehension gaps, misreading the question stem, or running out of time—then adjust your strategy accordingly.

Your first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment—working through a timed passage or two so your tutor can see your current approach, pacing, and accuracy. You'll discuss your target score, test date, and any specific challenges you've noticed. From there, your tutor will outline a personalized study plan that addresses your weaknesses, whether that's building reading speed, mastering specific question types, or managing test anxiety. This foundation helps you make the most of every session.

Effective strategies include active reading (annotating as you go to track main ideas and structure), previewing questions before reading to focus your attention, and using a consistent approach for each passage type (comparative, narrative, scientific, etc.). Many successful test-takers also develop a question-first strategy for certain question types, and learn to eliminate wrong answers strategically rather than just selecting the "best" answer. Your tutor will help you test different approaches and refine the system that works best for your brain and timeline.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or out of control, so building confidence through repeated practice with real passages and timed conditions is the strongest antidote. Your tutor can also teach you pacing techniques and mindset strategies—like how to skip a difficult passage and return to it, or how to stay focused when you miss a question. Regular practice under test-like conditions desensitizes you to the pressure and helps you trust your preparation on test day.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in LSAT prep and understand the specific demands of the Reading Comprehension section. You can share your target score, test date, and any particular challenges, and you'll be matched with a tutor who has a proven track record helping students improve. Sessions can be scheduled around your availability, giving you the flexibility to prepare on your timeline.