The biggest hurdles are typically pacing (finishing all passages within the time limit), understanding complex question formats, and distinguishing between answers that seem right but miss the author's actual intent. Many students also struggle with vocabulary in context and making inferences from dense academic passages. A tutor can help you build speed without sacrificing accuracy and teach you to recognize question patterns so you know exactly what each type is asking for.

Effective strategies include active annotation (marking key details as you read), tackling questions in a strategic order rather than sequentially, and using process of elimination to narrow down answer choices. Many students benefit from reading the questions before the passage to know what to look for, and practicing retrieval—answering questions without looking back—to build confidence. A tutor can help you find the approach that fits your reading style and maximize your accuracy within the time constraints.

Practice tests are essential—they're the best way to identify your specific weak areas, get comfortable with the test format, and build stamina for the full 2 hours and 45 minutes. Taking full-length practice tests under timed conditions helps you develop realistic pacing and reveals patterns in the types of questions you struggle with. Your tutor can review your practice test results with you to pinpoint exactly where to focus your study time for maximum improvement.

Pacing comes down to reading efficiently without skimming, which takes practice and the right strategy. Most students benefit from spending about 12-14 minutes per passage (including reading and answering questions), which means you need to read actively and know what to focus on. A tutor can help you find your optimal reading speed, teach you to skip less relevant details, and show you how to manage your time across all five passages so you're not rushing through the final questions.

Your first session is all about assessment and planning. Your tutor will likely have you complete a practice passage or short diagnostic to see your current strengths and weaknesses, then discuss your goals and timeline. From there, you'll work together to create a personalized study plan that targets your specific challenges—whether that's vocabulary, inference questions, or time management—so every session builds toward measurable improvement.

Look for tutors with strong SAT scores themselves, proven experience teaching test prep, and familiarity with the current SAT format and question types. It's also valuable if they understand the specific reading passages the College Board uses—literary fiction, historical documents, science articles—and can teach you how to approach each genre. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have the background and teaching experience to help you build both skills and confidence.

Test anxiety often comes from uncertainty—not knowing if you're approaching questions correctly or whether you'll finish in time. Working with a tutor builds confidence through repeated practice, clear strategies, and positive feedback on your progress. When you understand the question formats, have a reliable approach, and see your scores improving, the anxiety naturally decreases because you know what to expect and feel prepared.