Many test-takers struggle with time management—carefully reading passages while answering 40+ questions in limited time requires strategic approach. Others find it difficult to distinguish between main ideas and supporting details, or to identify an author's implicit purpose versus explicit statements. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction helps you develop targeted reading strategies, practice active annotation techniques, and build confidence with the specific question types that appear on the exam.

Your first session focuses on assessment and goal-setting. A tutor will review your current reading level, identify which passage types or question formats challenge you most, and discuss your target score and timeline. You'll likely work through sample passages together to understand your strengths and areas for improvement, then develop a personalized study plan tailored to your needs.

Tutors work with you on evidence-based strategies like active reading (annotation, questioning, predicting), skimming for main ideas before diving into details, and using context clues to unlock unfamiliar vocabulary. You'll also learn how to approach different passage types—literary, informational, and persuasive—with specific techniques for each. Practice with retrieval strategies (testing yourself on passage content) strengthens retention and helps you answer questions more confidently under timed conditions.

Many students see noticeable improvement in reading speed and comprehension within 4-6 weeks of consistent practice with personalized instruction. However, timeline varies based on your starting point, target score, and study frequency. Working with a tutor who provides targeted feedback on your practice passages and adjusts strategies based on your progress helps you make the most of your preparation time.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have strong backgrounds in reading instruction, test preparation, and often teaching experience. When you get matched with a tutor, you can review their qualifications and experience with PRAXIS preparation. This personalized matching ensures you work with someone who understands both the exam content and effective teaching strategies for your learning style.

Official PRAXIS study guides and released practice tests are essential—they give you authentic exam passages and question formats. Your tutor will likely recommend specific sections to focus on based on your weak areas, and you'll review your practice test results together to identify patterns in your mistakes. Combining official materials with personalized feedback from a tutor accelerates your progress far more than studying materials alone.

The PRAXIS Reading exam is a required component of teacher certification in Ohio, and strong reading comprehension skills are foundational to effective teaching across all subjects. With 67 schools and 29 school districts across the Dayton area, teacher candidates need to demonstrate mastery of reading instruction standards. Personalized tutoring helps you not only pass the exam but also build the literacy expertise you'll need in your own classroom.