Many students struggle with pacing—they either read too quickly and miss details, or too slowly and run out of time. Others have difficulty distinguishing between the main idea and supporting details, or struggle to make inferences when the answer isn't explicitly stated in the text. Additionally, students often get distracted by answer choices that sound plausible but don't accurately reflect what the passage says, or they misinterpret the author's tone and intent.

Varsity Tutors connects students with tutors who provide targeted strategies tailored to each student's specific reading patterns and weaknesses. A tutor can help identify whether a student's challenges stem from vocabulary gaps, comprehension issues, or test-taking strategy, then focus instruction accordingly. Through personalized 1-on-1 instruction, students practice active reading techniques, learn to annotate effectively, and work through timed passages with immediate feedback to build both accuracy and confidence.

Most students benefit from 4-8 weeks of consistent preparation, depending on their starting point and target score improvement. Students who already read at grade level typically need less time to master test-specific strategies, while those working to strengthen foundational comprehension skills may benefit from a longer timeline. Regular practice with timed passages, combined with personalized feedback from a tutor, helps students internalize strategies and build the fluency needed for test day.

The official ISEE practice materials from the Educational Records Bureau (ERB) are essential, as they reflect the exact format and difficulty level of the actual test. Beyond that, quality literature at appropriate reading levels—including both fiction and nonfiction—helps build comprehension stamina. Tutors can recommend supplementary materials and create customized practice sets based on a student's performance, ensuring preparation is focused and efficient.

During an initial session, a tutor will typically assess your current reading comprehension level, discuss your target score, and identify specific areas for improvement—whether that's speed, inference skills, vocabulary, or test strategy. You'll likely work through a practice passage together so the tutor can observe your approach and pinpoint exactly where challenges arise. This diagnostic work helps create a personalized plan for the weeks ahead.

Effective strategies include reading the questions before the passage to know what to focus on, annotating key details and the main idea as you read, and eliminating obviously wrong answers before selecting your best choice. Students should also practice reading at a steady pace that allows for comprehension—rushing leads to careless errors. Working with a tutor helps you identify which strategies work best for your reading style and reinforce them through targeted practice.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in ISEE preparation and have proven success helping students improve their reading comprehension scores. You can specify your goals, timeline, and preferred schedule, and we'll match you with a tutor whose expertise and teaching style fit your needs. Getting started is straightforward—reach out to discuss your situation, and we'll help you find the right fit.