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Award-Winning ACT Reading Tutors serving Madison, WI

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Max
I am in the process now of applying for PhD programs in Computational Biology. I have done research in the field of freshwater ecology and am anticipating the publication of a paper I co-authored in the next several months.
Ball State University
Bachelors, Biology, General

Certified Tutor
8+ years
Emily
I am currently a fourth year medical student in Indianapolis. I completed my undergraduate education at Indiana University Bloomington, where I majored in Biology and Spanish. I also completed two minors in Mathematics and Chemistry. While at IU, I worked for the Department of Mathematics and Depart...
Indiana University-Bloomington
Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis
Doctor of Medicine, Community Health and Preventive Medicine

Certified Tutor
6+ years
Rahul
I am a recent graduate of Cornell University, where I received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Over the past several years, I have worked with students from diverse backgrounds and experiences tutoring thermodynamics (my personal favorite), chemistry, and math. I have a...
Cornell University
B.S. in Chemical Engineering

Certified Tutor
9+ years
Vansh
I am currently pursuing a Bachelors of Science in Aerospace Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. I am also a graduate of the high school International Baccalaureate Program. I have informal experience tutoring high school physics, but am most passionate about tutoring students for the...
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Bachelor of Science, Aerospace Engineering

Certified Tutor
5+ years
Benjamin
I am a 2023 graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a Finance/Economics major and a minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. I am a passionate student in the math and business realms, as I enjoy the intuitiveness of the former and the real-world potential of the latter. During classes in midd...
University of Notre Dame
Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics (minor: Innovation and Entrepreneurship)

Certified Tutor
5+ years
Ishan
I am a current sophomore at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where I am majoring in Biology as part of the 7 Year Accelerated Medical Program. I am also minoring in Healthcare Economics and Policy. My favorite subjects in school are Chemistry, Biology, and Math, but I also enjoy the process of writ...
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
Albany Medical College
Doctor of Medicine, Premedicine

Certified Tutor
5+ years
Arthur
I am available to tutor in a broad range of subjects, though I am most passionate about Economics, History, and Civics. Please feel free to contact me and I would be happy to arrange a session.
Middlebury College
Bachelor in Arts, Economics

Certified Tutor
6+ years
Rhea
I am a current student at the University of Chicago. I am working towards a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, and I am on the pre-medical track. I am extremely passionate about tutoring, and I have several years of experience tutoring students in my high school's learning center in various...
University of Chicago
Bachelor of Science, Biology, General

Certified Tutor
6+ years
Ilesh
I am a recent grad from Georgia Tech, majoring in Industrial and Systems Engineering (an intersection of math, computer science, and business) and minoring in Business and Technology. I am originally from Columbus, OH, but chose to come down to Atlanta after getting a full-ride scholarship from Geor...
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Bachelor of Science, Industrial Engineering

Certified Tutor
16+ years
John
I'm a huge Red Sox fan and love watching detective shows when I have free time.
University of St Thomas
Bachelor of Fine Arts, English/Drama
American Academy of Dramatic Arts
Associates, Acting
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Frequently Asked Questions
ACT Reading tests your ability to comprehend passages quickly and answer questions accurately under time pressure—typically 35 minutes for 40 questions. Many students struggle with pacing, trying to read every word carefully when strategic skimming works better, or they misunderstand question formats like "EXCEPT" questions that ask for the opposite of what's stated. Others find it hard to distinguish between what the passage explicitly says versus what can be inferred, or they get caught up in wrong answer choices designed to trap common mistakes. Identifying your specific challenge—whether it's speed, comprehension, or question interpretation—is the first step to improvement.
Score improvement depends on your starting point and how consistently you practice. Students who work with tutors typically see 2-4 point gains (on the 1-36 scale) within 8-12 weeks of focused preparation, though some improve more with intensive study. The key is identifying which question types trip you up most—whether that's detail questions, inference questions, or vocabulary-in-context—and practicing those specifically. Consistent practice with real ACT passages, combined with feedback on your approach, tends to produce the strongest results.
Effective strategies include previewing the questions before reading the passage so you know what to look for, using active annotation to mark key ideas and transitions, and tackling questions in a strategic order (easier passages first, or question types you're strongest at). Many students benefit from the "skim and search" method rather than reading every word—you skim for main ideas, then search the passage for specific details when answering questions. Time management matters too: aim to spend about 8-9 minutes per passage, leaving a few minutes for review.
Most students see meaningful progress with 3-4 focused study sessions per week, each lasting 45-60 minutes. Consistency matters more than cramming—spacing your practice over several weeks helps you retain strategies and build reading stamina. A typical effective schedule includes one full-length practice test per week to simulate test conditions, plus targeted practice on specific question types or passages where you struggle. Working with a tutor 1-2 times per week can help you stay accountable and adjust your approach based on what's actually working.
Your first session typically involves taking a diagnostic practice test or reviewing a recent ACT to identify your strengths and weaknesses. A tutor will analyze which question types you miss most often, whether your challenges are speed-related or comprehension-related, and what strategies might work best for your learning style. You'll leave with a clear picture of your baseline score, specific goals, and a personalized study plan tailored to your needs. This foundation helps make every session after that more productive and targeted.
Practice tests are essential—they're the best way to build test-day stamina, identify patterns in your mistakes, and get comfortable with real ACT question formats and timing. Taking full practice tests under timed conditions helps you discover whether you're rushing through or spending too much time on certain passages, and reviewing your wrong answers reveals whether you're missing details, struggling with inference, or falling for trap answers. Most students benefit from taking 4-6 full practice tests throughout their preparation, with careful review of each one.
Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or uncertain about your approach—working through practice tests and building confidence in your strategies directly addresses this. Developing a pre-test routine (like deep breathing or positive self-talk), knowing exactly how you'll pace yourself, and trusting your preparation helps calm your mind on test day. Many students also benefit from discussing their anxiety with a tutor, who can help you distinguish between productive nervousness and unhelpful worry, and build mental strategies alongside your academic preparation.
Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in ACT Reading and understand what Madison-area students need to succeed. When you get matched with a tutor, you can discuss your specific goals, availability, and learning style to ensure a great fit. Tutors work with you flexibly to build a personalized study plan based on your diagnostic results and timeline before test day.
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