San Antonio's 42 school districts serve over 333,000 students, with many families considering independent school options that require strong ISEE scores for admission. The reading comprehension section is particularly challenging because it demands not just understanding what a passage says, but inferring deeper meaning and analyzing an author's purpose—skills that take focused practice to master.

Students often struggle with time management, trying to read too carefully and running out of time to finish all passages. Others have difficulty distinguishing between what a passage explicitly states versus what can be inferred, or they miss nuanced meanings in complex academic texts. Many also struggle with vocabulary-in-context questions where the word's meaning differs from its common usage. Personalized tutoring helps students develop efficient reading strategies and practice with actual ISEE passages to build confidence.

Varsity Tutors connects students with expert tutors who assess individual strengths and weaknesses, then tailor instruction to address specific gaps. A tutor might help one student develop annotation strategies to track main ideas, while helping another student practice inference questions or build academic vocabulary. With personalized 1-on-1 instruction, students receive immediate feedback on their reasoning and can ask questions about passages in real time—something impossible in a classroom setting.

During the first session, a tutor will typically assess your current reading level by reviewing sample ISEE passages and questions to identify which question types are most challenging. They'll discuss your target schools, timeline for the exam, and learning style, then create a personalized study plan. This foundation allows the tutor to focus subsequent sessions on the areas where you'll see the most improvement.

Most students benefit from 8-12 weeks of consistent tutoring before taking the ISEE, though this varies based on starting level and frequency of sessions. Students who work with a tutor weekly and practice between sessions often see measurable improvement in accuracy and speed within 4-6 weeks. The key is regular practice with actual ISEE passages combined with targeted instruction on weak question types.

Look for tutors with proven experience teaching ISEE preparation and a strong background in English or reading instruction. Ideal tutors understand the specific demands of the Upper Level exam, have familiarity with the types of passages and questions that appear, and can explain reading strategies clearly. When you connect with Varsity Tutors, we match you with tutors who have demonstrated expertise in standardized test preparation and a track record of helping students improve their scores.

Focus on timed practice with official ISEE passages rather than unlimited reading. Work through one or two passages under test conditions, then review your answers with your tutor to understand why you missed questions. Keep a log of question types that trip you up—inference questions, vocabulary in context, main idea—so your tutor can target those areas. Consistent, focused practice combined with personalized feedback accelerates improvement far more than passive reading.