Most test-takers benefit from 4-8 weeks of focused preparation, depending on your baseline reading skills and familiarity with standardized test formats. If you're juggling teaching responsibilities or other commitments, personalized tutoring can help you study more efficiently by targeting your specific weak areas—whether that's vocabulary, inference questions, or literary analysis—rather than spending time on concepts you already know well.

Many test-takers struggle with time management, as carefully reading and analyzing passages while answering 40+ questions requires strong pacing. Others find inference questions tricky—distinguishing between what the text explicitly states versus what can be reasonably inferred. Additionally, unfamiliar vocabulary and dense academic passages can slow comprehension. Personalized tutoring helps you develop strategies for each question type and build confidence with challenging passages through targeted practice.

Your first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment to identify your current strengths and areas for improvement across reading comprehension, vocabulary, and test-taking strategies. The tutor will discuss your timeline for taking the exam, review your goals, and create a personalized study plan that focuses on the skills you need most. This foundation ensures your tutoring sessions are efficient and targeted to help you reach your score goal.

Score improvement depends on your starting point and how consistently you engage with tutoring and practice materials. Many students see meaningful gains—often 10-15 percentile points—within 6-8 weeks of focused preparation, especially when they address specific question types or reading strategies that were holding them back. Research on personalized instruction shows that 1-on-1 tutoring significantly accelerates learning compared to self-study alone.

Varsity Tutors connects you with experienced tutors who specialize in PRAXIS Reading preparation and understand the nuances of the exam. When you get matched with a tutor, you'll work with someone who has deep knowledge of reading comprehension strategies, test format, and effective teaching methods. Tutors tailor their approach to your learning style and schedule, making preparation flexible and personalized.

Effective strategies include active reading (annotating key ideas and author's tone as you read), previewing questions before diving into passages, and eliminating obviously wrong answer choices before selecting your best answer. Many test-takers also benefit from practicing retrieval—answering questions without immediately checking the passage, which strengthens comprehension and inference skills. A tutor can help you refine these strategies through targeted practice and feedback on your approach.

Official PRAXIS study guides and practice tests from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) are essential, as they reflect the actual exam format and difficulty level. Supplementing with quality reading materials—academic articles, literary excerpts, and informational texts—helps build the stamina and vocabulary you'll need. A tutor can recommend the best materials for your level and guide you through practice tests, helping you learn from mistakes rather than just accumulating practice hours.