Award-Winning ACT Reading Tutors
serving Buffalo, NY
Award-Winning
ACT Reading
Tutors in Buffalo
Private 1-on-1 tutoring, weekly live classes for academic support, test prep & enrichment, practice tests and diagnostics, and more to elevate grades and test scores.
Based on 3.4M Learner Ratings
UniversitiesSchools & Universities
DeliveredHours Delivered
ProficiencyGrowth in Proficiency
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Most ACT Reading mistakes come from running out of time, not from a lack of comprehension. Sharan, who earned a 36 composite, teaches a passage-attack strategy that prioritizes locating evidence over re-reading entire paragraphs. She walks through each question type — main idea, inference, vocabulary in context — so students know exactly what the test is asking before they even look at the answer choices.

I am a 3rd year undergrad at the University at Buffalo, working toward my Mathematics BS with a computer science concentration. I find math exceptionally fascinating; I not only aim to teach an understanding of math but also an appreciation. I have taken courses in Algebra, Pre-Calculus, Calculus (I, II, and III), Geometry, Physics, Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, Probability, Statistics, and Mathematical Logic. Through my education, I have amassed an understanding of mathematics from multiple angles, and as such I provide a unique lens through which I want to help my students view the subject. Additionally, these courses are fresh in my mind, and so I can recall what did or did not make sense to me and what helped me understand a certain topic - insight I can pass along to my students. Again, I want to instill not only an understanding, but an appreciation for math in my students, as this appreciation will invoke a desire to further their knowledge. In my spare time I play guitar, drums for my band, ski, and watch hockey when I can.
I am licensed to practice pharmacy in the state of New York. Subjects that I am the most comfortable teaching are math (up to Algebra 2), science (Biology, Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics, etc), and certain languages (Korean, Japanese, French) at the beginner level. While dabbling in a few "teaching" experiences (teaching assistant for a course, Paint Nite instructor) I found that I do best in a 1-on-1 setting which tutoring fits the bill. My teaching style is incredibly laid-back and my end-goal is making sure that one is comfortable with me and also with learning the material.
The ACT Reading section punishes students who read every passage the same way, whether it's a dense humanities excerpt or a straightforward natural science article. Deana teaches a triage approach: how to identify passage type, adjust reading speed, and locate evidence for inference questions without re-reading entire paragraphs. Rated 4.9 by students.
I am a Neuroscience and Behavior major at Columbia University. Although my major is centered in the STEM field, I am also passionate about human rights work, global engagement, and local outreach. While my future plans are subject to change, I see myself continuing in academia, going to medical school, and becoming a physician.
I'm not tutoring, I love walking through New York for design inspiration and taking carpentry, metalworking, and illustration classes.
Scoring a 36 ACT composite means Vivian didn't just read the passages — she learned to dismantle them, distinguishing between what the author states explicitly and what's merely implied. Her approach to the Reading section zeroes in on how to handle the dual-passage comparisons and inference questions that trip up even strong readers. Rated 4.9 by students.
Reading four dense passages in 35 minutes requires a method, not just strong reading skills. Dana's policy studies trained her to extract arguments and evidence from complex texts fast — exactly the skill the ACT Reading section rewards, especially on the social science and humanities passages. Her 36 ACT composite came from treating each passage like a briefing document: identify the claim, locate the support, move on.
The ACT Reading section rewards students who can quickly identify an author's purpose, trace argument structure, and distinguish between what a passage states and what it implies. Liz scored a 34 ACT composite and draws on her history and humanities training at Washington University in St. Louis to teach the kind of close reading that makes 40-minute, four-passage sets manageable. Her background in special education also means she's skilled at adapting pacing and comprehension strategies to fit each student's processing style.
A government major at Harvard, Richard spent his coursework doing exactly what the ACT Reading section rewards: rapidly digesting competing political arguments, identifying an author's central claim, and distinguishing stated evidence from implied conclusions — skills that map directly onto the social science and humanities passages. His perfect 36 ACT composite means he's navigated every passage type under real testing pressure and knows which time-management habits actually hold up when the clock is running.
I am an aspiring applied mathematician, with particular interest in image processing and climate science. I graduated in May 2017 from Washington University in St. Louis with a bachelor's in physics and mathematics, and am beginning a PhD program in September 2017 at the University of Chicago in Computational and Applied Mathematics. I've tutored introductory physics students for three years and enjoyed it thoroughly, as a chance to help other students while revisiting fundamental concepts to enhance my own knowledge. I'm eager to continue reaching out and helping students of math and physics to succeed and, furthermore, to appreciate the beauty and power of these subjects.
The ACT Reading section gives students just 35 minutes for four dense passages, which means most score gains come from learning how to read strategically rather than thoroughly. Michelle teaches a passage-mapping approach — identifying the author's argument, tone shifts, and key evidence before touching the questions. With a 35 ACT composite and deep experience in literature and reading instruction, she knows exactly where the test tries to mislead careful readers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
ACT Reading tests comprehension and speed—students often struggle with pacing through five passages in 35 minutes, distinguishing between similar answer choices, and identifying an author's tone or purpose. Many students also find it difficult to balance reading carefully enough to understand the passage while moving quickly enough to finish on time. Working with a tutor can help you develop strategies to tackle these specific challenges and build confidence in the section.
Score improvement depends on your starting point and how consistently you apply strategies, but many students see 2-4 point increases after focused work on pacing, question-type recognition, and passage annotation techniques. The key is identifying your specific weak areas—whether that's vocabulary in context, inference questions, or time management—and targeting those directly. A tutor can assess your current performance and create a personalized plan to address your biggest obstacles.
Your first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment—either a full practice test section or targeted questions—to identify your strengths and specific areas for improvement. The tutor will discuss your current score, target score, and timeline, then outline a customized study plan that fits your needs. You'll also learn about the test format, question types, and initial strategies you can start using right away.
Effective strategies include active annotation (underlining main ideas and marking question clues as you read), previewing questions before reading the passage, and practicing the "big picture" approach to understand overall themes rather than getting stuck on details. Many students also benefit from skipping difficult questions initially and returning to them after completing easier ones. A tutor can teach you which strategies work best for your reading style and help you practice them under timed conditions.
Practice tests are essential—they help you build stamina, identify patterns in your mistakes, and practice pacing in real test conditions. Most students need 4-6 full-length practice tests spread throughout their study period to see meaningful improvement. Between practice tests, targeted drills on specific question types (inference, vocabulary in context, author's purpose) help reinforce weak areas. A tutor can guide you through practice test results, showing you exactly why you missed questions and how to avoid similar mistakes.
Most students benefit from 8-12 weeks of focused preparation, meeting with a tutor 1-2 times per week, combined with independent practice. If you're starting further from your goal score or have limited time before test day, more intensive sessions may help you progress faster. Your tutor can create a realistic timeline based on your current score, target score, and how much time you can dedicate to studying each week.
Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or unsure about strategies—practicing under timed conditions with a tutor helps build confidence and familiarity with the test format. Techniques like deep breathing, positive self-talk, and having a clear game plan for each passage can reduce stress on test day. Your tutor can also help you identify which question types trigger anxiety and give you targeted practice to turn those into strengths.
Look for tutors with strong ACT Reading scores themselves, experience teaching test-taking strategies (not just general reading skills), and a track record of helping students improve their scores. They should understand the nuances of each question type and be able to explain why certain answers are correct or incorrect. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors in Buffalo who specialize in ACT Reading and can provide personalized instruction tailored to your needs.
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