Students in Columbia often struggle with pacing (finishing all passages in time), understanding complex vocabulary in context, and distinguishing between answer choices that seem similar. Many also find inference questions tricky—those require you to read between the lines rather than find direct answers. A tutor can help you develop a strategic approach to each question type and build the reading speed you need without sacrificing accuracy.

Your first session focuses on assessment and strategy. A tutor will review your recent practice test results, identify which question types and passage topics give you the most trouble, and discuss your goals for the PSAT. You'll walk through a few sample questions together to understand your current approach, then start building a personalized study plan that targets your specific weak areas.

Practice tests are essential—they're how you build stamina, get comfortable with the test format, and identify patterns in what trips you up. Most students benefit from taking at least 3-4 full practice tests during their prep, with a tutor reviewing your results to spot trends. Between full tests, targeted practice on specific question types (like paired passages or vocabulary-in-context) helps you refine your skills without the time pressure.

Pacing comes down to strategy and practice. Many students waste time re-reading passages or overthinking answer choices. A tutor can teach you how to read actively the first time through, skim efficiently for specific details, and use process-of-elimination to save time on tough questions. Once you have a system, practicing it repeatedly on timed drills builds the automaticity you need to finish strong.

You don't need to memorize thousands of words, but building vocabulary awareness helps. The PSAT tests vocabulary in context, meaning you can often figure out word meanings from surrounding clues. A tutor can teach you how to use context effectively and focus on high-frequency PSAT words that appear across multiple tests. This approach saves time and is more effective than rote memorization.

Test anxiety often stems from uncertainty about what to expect or doubt in your abilities. Working with a tutor builds confidence through familiarity—you'll see hundreds of real PSAT questions, understand exactly how they're structured, and develop proven strategies that work. Knowing you're prepared is the best antidote to anxiety. Your tutor can also teach you breathing and mental strategies to stay calm during the actual test.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in test prep and understand the PSAT inside and out. When you get matched with a tutor, you can discuss your specific goals, learning style, and schedule to make sure it's a good fit. Most students meet with their tutor 1-2 times per week, which gives you consistent support while leaving time for independent practice between sessions.