Many test-takers struggle with time management, as the exam requires reading multiple passages carefully while answering questions accurately. Others find it difficult to distinguish between main ideas and supporting details, or to make inferences based on textual evidence rather than outside knowledge. Identifying the author's tone, purpose, and argument structure also trips up students who haven't practiced analyzing different text types systematically.

Most test-takers benefit from 4-8 weeks of focused preparation, depending on their baseline reading comprehension skills and test-taking experience. If you're balancing preparation with other coursework or work commitments, personalized tutoring can help you make the most of your study time by targeting your specific weak areas—whether that's vocabulary, inference questions, or passage analysis strategies.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who provide personalized 1-on-1 instruction tailored to your reading strengths and weaknesses. Your tutor can teach you strategic approaches to different question types, help you develop faster reading techniques that maintain comprehension, provide detailed feedback on your practice responses, and work through full-length practice tests with you to build confidence and stamina before test day.

Your first session typically includes an assessment of your current reading level and test-taking skills, often through a diagnostic practice section or full practice test. Your tutor will identify patterns in your mistakes—such as whether you struggle with specific question types, reading speed, vocabulary, or inference skills—and work with you to create a personalized study plan that targets your biggest opportunities for improvement.

Effective strategies include previewing questions before reading to focus your attention, annotating passages to track main ideas and author's tone, using context clues to determine word meaning, and practicing the elimination method to narrow down answer choices. Your tutor can teach you how to distinguish between literal comprehension and inference questions, and help you develop a consistent approach to each passage type so you can work more efficiently under timed conditions.

Varsity Tutors connects you with experienced tutors who specialize in PRAXIS Core preparation and understand the specific demands of the reading section. When you get matched with a tutor, you can review their qualifications, teaching approach, and availability to ensure a good fit for your learning style and schedule in Manhattan.

Practice testing is crucial—it builds familiarity with question formats, helps you develop pacing strategies, and reveals patterns in your mistakes that you can address with targeted instruction. Research on retrieval practice shows that repeated exposure to similar question types significantly improves both accuracy and speed. Your tutor can guide you through practice tests, help you analyze why you missed questions, and adjust your study focus based on what the practice reveals.