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Ben
Certified ACT Reading Tutor
Ben
PhD Roosevelt University
1+ Years Tutoring

I am currently a doctoral candidate in clinical psychology, but I have been tutoring ever since I was in elementary school. Because not everyone learns the same way, I feel that it is easy for students to miss certain tidbits or whole subjects in the classroom, and it can quickly feel like it is too late to catch up. My goal is to work together to pick up the pieces that were lost or are close, but not quite there: learning the way you want to learn and the way you learn best rather than having topics taught at you.

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Kristina
Certified ACT Reading Tutor
Kristina
PhD The University of Texas at Dallas • BA The University of Texas at Dallas
10+ Years Tutoring

Years of reading dense biomedical research papers — where a single misread claim can derail an entire experiment — trained Kristina to distinguish what a text actually states from what it merely suggests, which is the core skill behind the ACT Reading section's trickiest inference questions. She teaches students to map each passage's argument in under two minutes, then treat the answer choices as hypotheses to verify against specific lines. Her 32 ACT composite and 5.0 student rating back up the method.

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Kristin
BA University
8+ Years Tutoring

I'm currently working toward graduating from the University of Utah with a degree in Sociology. I tutor mainly math and writing, but am able to tutor in a variety of subjects. I strive to make my tutoring sessions productive and enjoyable by getting students involved and excited about learning.

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Benjin
Current Undergrad, Biophysics Brigham Young University
1+ Years Tutoring

The ACT Reading section isn't really about reading — it's about finding specific evidence under a tight time constraint. Benjin, who scored a 36 composite, treats each passage as a scavenger hunt: he teaches students to read the questions first, identify what type of answer the ACT rewards, and resist the temptation to over-interpret. That strategic approach turns a rushed 35 minutes into a manageable routine.

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Kendall
BA Brigham Young University
10+ Years Tutoring

The ACT Reading section is really a speed test — four passages, forty questions, thirty-five minutes — and Kendall teaches a deliberate strategy for triaging passages and eliminating answer choices under that pressure. An avid reader with a 35 ACT composite, she knows how to quickly identify the difference between what a passage states, what it implies, and what the test-makers want you to confuse. Rated 5.0 by students.

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Matthew
Current Undergrad, Undecided Brigham Young University-Provo
10+ Years Tutoring

Most ACT Reading struggles aren't about comprehension — they're about time. Four passages in 35 minutes means students need a system for extracting key claims and locating evidence without rereading entire paragraphs. Matthew, rated 4.8 by students, teaches active annotation techniques that cut passage processing time roughly in half.

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Alessia
BA Santa Clara University

I enjoy helping students build confidence in chemistry, physics, and the ACT. I just finished up my sophomore year studying biomedical engineering with a 3.99 GPA. While at school, I am a peer tutor for general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics 1. I love getting to know my students and helping them out with their unique concerns. I have a very problem-based teaching philosophy where we work through lots of practice problems together. I can't wait to meet you! Let's connect!

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Kyle
BA Utah State University • AS Weber State University
1+ Years Tutoring

As a passionate tutor with over 2 years of experience, I am dedicated to helping students excel in mathematics, particularly in subjects like Algebra, Calculus, and Geometry. Currently pursuing a Bachelor's in Data Science at Utah State University, I leverage my academic background to provide real-world applications that make complex concepts more relatable. My teaching philosophy centers on fostering a supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and exploring their understanding. I believe in tailoring my approach to meet each student's unique needs, which not only boosts their confidence but also enhances their academic success. Outside of tutoring, I enjoy engaging in problem-solving challenges and exploring new technologies, which further fuels my enthusiasm for teaching and learning.

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Joshua
BA Brigham Young University-Provo
9+ Years Tutoring

I am senior at Brigham Young University with a 4.0 GPA. I am majoring in Exercise Science and am going to go to Physical Therapy school. I am also getting a minor in Psychology. I lived in France for two years and became fluent in the French language. I continue to converse with natives in French. I was a college chemistry TA for three semesters and love teaching chemistry. I did very well on standardized tests. I love to teach and impart knowledge to others in a way that is compatible with individual learning styles.

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Rebecca
BA University
8+ Years Tutoring

Most ACT Reading mistakes come from spending too long on passages and not enough time verifying answers against the text. Rebecca, who scored a 34 composite, teaches a structured approach to each passage type — prose fiction, social science, humanities, and natural science — so students know exactly what to look for before they start reading.

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Jared
Current Undergrad, Pre-Information Systems Brigham Young University-Provo
1+ Years Tutoring

The ACT Reading section buries answers in dense passages and then offers answer choices designed to feel equally plausible. Jared's 34 ACT composite came partly from a systematic approach to this section: annotating for argument structure, eliminating distractors based on scope, and managing the 35-minute time limit so no passage gets rushed.

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Helaman
BA Brigham Young University-Provo
9+ Years Tutoring
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Heather
BA Brigham Young University-Provo
8+ Years Tutoring

The ACT Reading section isn't really about reading — it's about extracting specific evidence from dense passages under brutal time pressure. Heather scored a 33 composite and teaches a passage-mapping strategy that keeps students from re-reading entire paragraphs to answer inference and detail questions. Her background in both English and TESOL sharpens her ability to unpack tricky question stems.

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Samantha
Current Undergrad Student, English Brigham Young University-Provo
9+ Years Tutoring

The ACT Reading section isn't really about reading — it's about efficiently extracting answers from dense passages in under nine minutes each. As an English major at BYU who earned a 34 composite, Samantha breaks down the difference between what a passage says and what the question actually asks, which is where most points get lost.

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Kjirsten
BA Brigham Young University-Provo
10+ Years Tutoring

I am fluent in Spanish.

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Rachel
Current Undergrad Student, Communication, General Fordham University
8+ Years Tutoring

Scoring well on ACT Reading comes down to identifying an author's central argument and locating supporting evidence without getting lost in dense passages. Rachel reads voraciously — her academic research at Fordham centers on fan fiction and participatory culture — and she teaches students to distinguish main ideas from distractors across all four passage types. Her 33 ACT composite and 5.0 rating speak to that effectiveness.

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John
BA Brigham Young University-Provo
8+ Years Tutoring

The ACT Reading section is really a speed test — four passages, 40 questions, 35 minutes — and most students lose points not because they can't read, but because they don't have a system for finding answers quickly. John teaches a deliberate approach to passage mapping and evidence location that cuts down on re-reading and second-guessing. His own 34 ACT composite came from exactly this kind of strategic preparation.

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Matthew
BA Brigham Young University-Provo
1+ Years Tutoring

I am currently a student at Brigham Young University studying Applied Physics. After finishing my degree I am planning on pursuing a master's degree in Aerospace Engineering. Since January 2014 I have worked in the physics help lab at BYU. Throughout this time I have greatly enjoyed helping many students increase their understanding of physics. I love seeing my students have a "light-bulb" moment where suddenly everything we discussed makes sense to them. I think it is extremely important for everyone to have (at least) a basic understanding of math and science as this helps us to better understand our world. I am greatly motivated to teach in a way that my students understand the fundamental principles and not in a way that they can merely get the right answer. I love trying to pass on my enthusiasm for math and science to my students, and I am always looking for ways to show how cool and fun mastering these subjects can be. Although I am most passionate about physics, I also tutor math and Spanish. When I'm not studying or teaching I enjoy swimming, reading (especially Michael Crichton and Orson Scott Card), and exchanging movie quotes with my roommates.

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Kacey
Current Undergrad, Applied and Computational Mathematics Brigham Young University-Provo
10+ Years Tutoring

I am invested in each of my students' success and work hard to help them succeed. Consequently, each of my past tutoring clients has seen significant improvement.

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Taylor
Current Undergrad, Mechanical Engineering Brigham Young University-Provo
1+ Years Tutoring

I am a Sophomore at BYU from Sacramento, CA. Currently, I am studying Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Management. I love understanding how everything works and that is one of my biggest motivators in school and learning in general. The subjects in which I am most proficient are Calculus, any type of Algebra and test-taking skills. I am also fluent in Spanish having spent two years in Spain where I talked with peoples of various Spanish-speaking countries emphasizing the Castillian accent. I would love to be able to share my enthusiasm for understanding with everyone.

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Joseph
Current Undergrad Student, Computational Mathematics Brigham Young University-Provo
9+ Years Tutoring

I am certain that everyone has gifts waiting to be uncovered.

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Samantha
BA University
1+ Years Tutoring

I am passionate about mathematics and science and am currently attending the University of Utah as a mechanical engineering student.

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Ilesh
BA Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
6+ Years Tutoring

Most students treat ACT Reading as a speed test, but Ilesh reframes it as a precision exercise: knowing what the question actually asks before hunting for evidence in the passage. His 36 composite came partly from a disciplined passage-mapping strategy that he now teaches students to replicate across all four prose genres the section throws at them.

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John
BA University of St Thomas • AS American Academy of Dramatic Arts
16+ Years Tutoring

Reading four dense passages in 35 minutes requires a method, not just speed. John breaks the ACT Reading section into a decision-making process: how to skim for structure, when to go back to the text versus trusting your first read, and how to eliminate answer choices that sound right but distort the passage. His 36 composite and background in literature make him especially sharp on the prose fiction and humanities passages.

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Sugi
BA Rice University • Doctor of Medicine, Ophthalmic Technology Baylor College of Medicine
5+ Years Tutoring

Reading four dense passages in 35 minutes forces a different kind of reading than most students are used to. Sugi's cognitive science training at Rice gives her a framework for teaching active reading strategies — how to map an argument's structure on a first pass so that inference and tone questions become straightforward rather than agonizing. She holds a perfect 36 ACT composite and a 5.0 tutoring rating.

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Anna
BA Northwestern University • Graduated (Honors Program in Medical Education) Northwestern University
8+ Years Tutoring

After scoring a perfect 36 ACT composite, Anna developed a question-first approach to the Reading section — previewing what each question demands before touching the passage, so every line read serves a purpose. Her medical education background means she's used to processing dense, unfamiliar material quickly and extracting exactly what matters, a skill that translates directly to the natural science and social science passages. Rated 5.0 by students.

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Alex
BA Washington and Lee University
6+ Years Tutoring

Medical school at the University of Arizona means Alex reads hundreds of pages of dense, unfamiliar material every week — the same core skill the ACT Reading section tests under a 35-minute clock. With a perfect 36 ACT composite, he teaches students to attack the paired viewpoints and natural science passages by isolating each author's claim before looking at answer choices, which eliminates the subtle scope-shift traps that cost most test-takers points. Rated 4.8 by students.

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Elliot
BA Hampshire College • Doctor of Philosophy, Neuroscience Vanderbilt University
9+ Years Tutoring

Most ACT Reading mistakes come from time pressure, not comprehension — students understand passages but can't consistently answer 40 questions in 35 minutes. Elliot teaches a triage strategy: how to identify question types, when to skim versus close-read, and how to eliminate answer choices that paraphrase the passage just enough to seem right. Rated 5.0 by students.

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Chelain
PhD Thomas Jefferson University • BA Swarthmore College
10+ Years Tutoring

I am currently a resident physician at Northwestern Hospital.

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Benjamin
BA Columbia University in the City of New York • Current Grad Student, English Columbia University in the City of New York
8+ Years Tutoring

The ACT Reading section isn't really about comprehension — it's about extracting specific evidence under a brutal time constraint. Benjamin scored a 36 composite and applies the close-reading skills from his Columbia English program to teach students how to identify what each question is actually asking, locate proof in the passage quickly, and eliminate trap answers with confidence.

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Edward
BA University
1+ Years Tutoring

Most ACT Reading mistakes come from spending too long on one passage or second-guessing answers that felt right the first time. Edward teaches a timing strategy that allocates minutes by passage type — prose fiction, social science, humanities, natural science — and shows students how to locate textual evidence quickly instead of re-reading entire paragraphs. His 36 composite reflects command of every section, not just the math side.

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Christopher
BA Harvard College
1+ Years Tutoring

Mechanical engineering coursework at Harvard means Christopher reads the way the ACT Reading section rewards — extracting key claims from dense technical material fast and ignoring everything that doesn't answer the question in front of him. He applies that same efficiency to all four passage types, teaching students to map an author's argument structure in the first read so that inference and detail questions become quick lookups rather than guesswork. His 35 ACT composite and 4.8 student rating back up the approach.

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Eric
BA University of Michigan
1+ Years Tutoring

I am available to tutor a range of middle school and high school subjects, but I am most excited about tutoring test prep. I remember how stressful preparing for college can be and I am eager to do my part in helping students fulfill their college goals. I believe that learning is a collaborative process and I am committed to being as actively involved in the student's learning as I can. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, going to the movies (I try to see each Oscar nominee before the ceremony every year.), and am a huge Michigan sports fan.

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Emily
MS Yale University • MS Yale School of Public Health
9+ Years Tutoring

I am a Yale graduate with over 8 years experience tutoring students from a variety of backgrounds. I recently graduated from the Yale School of Public Health with a MPH concentrating in Epidemiology and Global Health. I also received my B.S. from Yale with a double major in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and French. I have experience both leading group classes and working with students one on one. I will respond to a student's strengths, weaknesses, and learning style in order to help them succeed and make the most of our time together. I earned a perfect score of 36 on the ACT, 2280 on the SAT, and qualified as a National Merit Scholar on the PSAT. I look forward to working with you!

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Sarah
BA Columbia University in the City of New York
4+ Years Tutoring

I am a Neuroscience and Behavior major at Columbia University. Although my major is centered in the STEM field, I am also passionate about human rights work, global engagement, and local outreach. While my future plans are subject to change, I see myself continuing in academia, going to medical school, and becoming a physician.

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Jiatian
MD Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
8+ Years Tutoring

Most ACT Reading mistakes happen not because students can't comprehend the passage but because they spend too long on it and rush the questions. Jiatian teaches a triage method: skim for structure first, then go back to the text with specific question stems in mind. It's the same prioritize-and-filter approach she uses in medical training, applied to literary narratives and social science passages instead of clinical data.

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Austin
BA University of Notre Dame
15+ Years Tutoring

Reading dense, unfamiliar passages under time pressure is where most ACT Reading scores stall out. Austin's background in Classics and Philosophy means he spent years doing exactly that — pulling arguments from ancient texts and evaluating how authors build their claims. He teaches students to map passage structure before touching the questions, turning a 35-minute sprint into a manageable process.

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Logan
MS The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary • BA University of Kentucky
6+ Years Tutoring

Most ACT Reading mistakes come from spending too long on passages and rushing through questions — or the reverse. Logan, who earned a 36 composite, teaches a deliberate passage-mapping technique that lets students locate evidence for inference and detail questions without rereading entire paragraphs. His communication background also sharpens how students interpret tone and author's-purpose questions.

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Max
BA Ball State University
1+ Years Tutoring

Scoring a perfect 36 ACT composite means Max has firsthand experience with the Reading section's tightest time pressure — 35 minutes across four passages with no room for re-reading. His biology research background, which involves digesting dense ecological studies and isolating specific claims from surrounding data, trained him to do exactly what the natural science and social science passages demand: separate what the author actually states from what the surrounding context merely suggests. Rated 5.0 by students.

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Dana
BA Brown University
1+ Years Tutoring

Reading four dense passages in 35 minutes requires a method, not just strong reading skills. Dana's policy studies trained her to extract arguments and evidence from complex texts fast — exactly the skill the ACT Reading section rewards, especially on the social science and humanities passages. Her 36 ACT composite came from treating each passage like a briefing document: identify the claim, locate the support, move on.

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Testimonials

Because the right ACT Reading tutor makes all the difference.

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Worked with an ACT Reading Tutor

Heejin has been very patient with me. I work a full time job sometimes even on the weekends. It has been a slow process with my Korean classes, but Heejin has been wonderful and patient.

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Worked with an ACT Reading Tutor

My son has had many quality tutors through this convenient service, and he can hop on at any time of day to get support for a homework assignment or test. It's very convenient and effective.

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Worked with an ACT Reading Tutor

I've been working with my tutor for a few months now and the progress has been remarkable. The personalized attention and tailored lessons made all the difference compared to in-classroom learning.

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Michael Chen
Worked with an ACT Reading Tutor

The flexibility of scheduling combined with the quality of instruction is unmatched. I can get help exactly when I need it, whether that's late at night or early in the morning before a test.

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Priya Patel
Worked with an ACT Reading Tutor

My daughter went from dreading her sessions to looking forward to them. The tutor made the material engaging and built her confidence in ways I never thought possible. Highly recommend.

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Frequently Asked Questions

ACT Reading challenges typically fall into three categories: pacing (finishing all passages within 35 minutes), comprehension (understanding complex texts quickly), and question interpretation (distinguishing between similar answer choices). Many students also struggle with specific passage types—particularly science and social studies passages that use unfamiliar vocabulary. Identifying which of these areas affects you most is the first step toward targeted improvement.

Score improvement depends on your starting point and commitment level, but most students see meaningful gains within 4-8 weeks of focused preparation. Students who work on specific weaknesses—like timing strategies or question-type patterns—often improve by 2-4 points on the ACT scale. The key is identifying whether your challenges are conceptual (understanding the text) or strategic (managing time and question formats), then addressing them directly.

Your first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment—either a practice test section or a discussion of your recent ACT attempts—to pinpoint your specific weaknesses. A tutor will review your pacing patterns, accuracy by question type, and comprehension strategies, then create a customized plan targeting your biggest opportunities for improvement. This foundation ensures every subsequent session builds directly on what you need most.

Effective strategies include active reading techniques (annotating key ideas, tracking author tone), strategic skimming (previewing questions before reading the passage), and practicing question-type recognition to answer more efficiently. Many high-scoring students also use the "question-first" approach for certain passage types, reading questions before diving into dense text. The best strategy depends on your reading speed and comprehension style—a tutor can help you test and refine approaches that work for your brain.

For meaningful improvement, most students benefit from 3-4 practice sessions per week, with each session lasting 45-60 minutes focused on specific skills or full-length practice tests. Noticeable improvement typically appears within 3-4 weeks of consistent practice, though reaching your target score may take 8-12 weeks depending on your starting point and goals. Consistency matters more than intensity—regular practice with feedback beats cramming.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in ACT Reading and understand the test's specific demands. When you get matched with a tutor, you can review their background, teaching approach, and availability to ensure a good fit for your learning style and schedule. Most tutors offer flexible sessions that work around your school and extracurricular commitments.

Test anxiety often stems from time pressure or uncertainty about question formats—both manageable through familiarity and confidence-building. Practicing full-length sections repeatedly helps normalize the experience and reduces panic during the actual test. A tutor can also teach breathing and mental strategies to stay calm under pressure, plus help you build confidence by tracking your progress and celebrating improvements along the way.

Start by identifying which passage types—literary fiction, social studies, natural science, or humanities—consistently trip you up, then focus on understanding why (unfamiliar vocabulary, complex sentence structure, or question format confusion). Targeted practice on just those passage types, combined with strategy adjustments, typically yields faster improvement than general review. A tutor can help you decode difficult passages and develop customized approaches for each type.

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