The biggest challenge is pacing: you have just 35 minutes to read four passages and answer 40 questions, which leaves only about 8 minutes per passage. Many students also struggle with inference questions that require reading between the lines, or they spend too much time on difficult passages and rush through easier ones. Identifying your specific bottleneck—whether it's reading speed, comprehension, or question-type confusion—is the first step to improvement.

Effective strategies include previewing questions before reading the passage (so you know what to look for), annotating key details as you read, and using process of elimination on tricky questions. Many students benefit from tackling passages in a strategic order rather than front-to-back—starting with passages that match their strengths. A tutor can help you experiment with different approaches during practice tests to find what works best for your reading style and pace.

Most students benefit from taking 4-6 full practice tests under timed conditions, spaced out over several weeks. This gives you enough data to spot patterns in your mistakes and build stamina for the full exam. Between full tests, targeted practice on specific question types or passages is more efficient than doing random problems—a tutor can help you focus your practice where it matters most.

Your first session typically involves taking a diagnostic practice test or reviewing a recent ACT to identify your strengths and weaknesses. From there, a tutor will work with you to understand your reading pace, comprehension level, and which question types trip you up most. You'll leave with a clear picture of your starting point and a personalized study plan tailored to your timeline and goals.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or uncertain about strategies—which is exactly what tutoring addresses. By practicing with real ACT passages under timed conditions, you build confidence and reduce the "unknown" factor on test day. Tutors also teach calming techniques like strategic skipping (moving past a tough question to return later) and positive self-talk, which help you stay focused when pressure builds.

Ideally, you should spend about 8-9 minutes per passage including reading and answering all questions for that section. However, the "right" timing depends on your reading speed and comprehension level—some students need a bit more time initially while building confidence. A tutor can help you find your optimal pace through timed practice and teach you when to slow down for complex passages versus when to move faster on straightforward ones.

Look for tutors with strong ACT backgrounds—ideally scoring in the top percentile themselves and with proven experience helping students improve their scores. They should understand the nuances of each question type, have access to real ACT materials, and know how to diagnose reading comprehension issues versus pacing problems. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors in Charleston who specialize in ACT prep and can tailor their approach to your specific needs.