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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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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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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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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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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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Jeff
MS City University of Seattle • MS Brigham Young University-Provo
8+ Years Tutoring

My tutoring approach is one of coaching, mentoring, and helping the student understand exactly what level and detail of help that they need to get ahead. Combining the personal discipline learned during 20 years as a Naval Officer with the unique expertise learned in one-on-one communication with peers and sailors as well as my five children, I can help you or your child succeed. A Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering, and a Math Minor help qualify me for tutoring in many subjects. My individualized tutoring methods also raised my step-son's Physics grade from a C to an A in one semester. I specialize in mathematics (basic arithmetic through calculus) but can help in many other subjects. Learning should be fun, but should also, at times, bring "Instant" results. I work to keep positive encouragement in every lesson, tutoring, or test preparation session. I speak fluent Spanish!

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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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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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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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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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Certified ACT Reading Tutor
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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Helaman
BA Brigham Young University-Provo
9+ Years Tutoring
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Certified ACT Reading Tutor
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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Certified ACT Reading Tutor
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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Justin
BA Washington University in St. Louis • Doctor of Philosophy, Computational Mathematics University of Chicago
9+ Years Tutoring

I am an aspiring applied mathematician, with particular interest in image processing and climate science. I graduated in May 2017 from Washington University in St. Louis with a bachelor's in physics and mathematics, and am beginning a PhD program in September 2017 at the University of Chicago in Computational and Applied Mathematics. I've tutored introductory physics students for three years and enjoyed it thoroughly, as a chance to help other students while revisiting fundamental concepts to enhance my own knowledge. I'm eager to continue reaching out and helping students of math and physics to succeed and, furthermore, to appreciate the beauty and power of these subjects.

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Certified ACT Reading Tutor
Rhea
BS University of Chicago
6+ Years Tutoring

Scoring a perfect 36 ACT composite means Rhea knows exactly how the Reading section tries to trip students up — especially on dual-passage comparisons and inference questions where two answer choices look nearly identical. Her biology coursework at UChicago requires constant close reading of research papers, so she teaches students to isolate an author's central claim and use it as an anchor when eliminating distractor answers that subtly shift scope or tone. Rated 4.8 by students.

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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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Enrico
BA Massachusetts Institute of Technology
6+ Years Tutoring

I am in my second year at MIT studying mathematics, and I am currently doing a research project in Spectral Graph Theory. I have been a tutor since my junior year in high school, and I enjoy teaching all levels of math; everything from pre-algebra through calculus and linear algebra! I focus primarily on making sure that the definitions and processes given in class make intuitive sense, so that math can begin to feel like second nature.

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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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Evan
BA Centre College
1+ Years Tutoring

I am no longer needed.

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Eileen
BA Vanderbilt University
5+ Years Tutoring

Most ACT Reading mistakes happen not because students misunderstand the passage but because they misread what the question is actually asking — "main idea" vs. "the author suggests" require completely different retrieval strategies. Eileen, a Vanderbilt neuroscience major who scored a 36 composite, walks students through a passage-mapping technique that cuts rereading time dramatically and keeps evidence-based answers distinct from inference questions.

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Tracy
BA University of Pennsylvania
6+ Years Tutoring

Tracy's strategy for ACT Reading starts with the dual-passage comparison questions, which she considers the section's biggest point opportunities once students learn to read structurally. Instead of re-reading entire passages, she teaches a targeted annotation method — marking tone shifts, key claims, and concession language on the first pass so answers come faster on the second. Her 36 composite reflects how well this approach scales across all four passage types.

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Yash
BA Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
5+ Years Tutoring

I am a sophomore at the Georgia Institute of Technology and am working towards a major in Computer Engineering. I have been tutoring students of all ages and backgrounds in various math topics ranging from elementary school math to AP Calculus throughout high school. I love teaching math and always find it amazing to watch my students grow and improve in their mathematical abilities. While helping students with standardized testing, we go through several tricks and tactics that have helped my students succeed and have fun in the process. I am also well versed in Physics and have spent 3 years taking the highest levels of physics courses. I love playing all sports (especially soccer) and enjoy playing the guitar in my free time as well.

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Sreya
BA University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
6+ Years Tutoring

The ACT Reading section isn't really testing how well you read — it's testing how quickly you can locate specific evidence in passages you've never seen before. Sreya scored a 36 composite and developed a systematic approach to dual passages and inference questions that cuts through the time pressure. She teaches students to identify what each question is actually asking before they go back to the text.

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Max
BA University

I really enjoy helping students master the fundamentals of math, physics, computer science, and electrical engineering, as well as succeed on standardized tests like the ACT. I focus on teaching in an interactive way by trying to understand your thought process and building your understanding using simple examples and guidance. Learning these fields is challenging but also very rewarding, and I believe everyone can find enjoyment in it and see the beauty in the theory and use the applications throughout their careers.

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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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Testimonials

Because the right ACT Reading tutor makes all the difference.

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Worked with an ACT Reading Tutor

Your customer interface is A+, being your agents or your site, The tutor you found for me is perfect, no formulas or canned lectures but easy flowing lecture addressing my needs. Congratulations for a job well done.

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Julio Aranovich
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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Angela Hussein
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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Tara R
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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