If you're interested in equipping your student with expert SAT Reading test prep services, Varsity Tutors can set you up with comprehensive SAT Reading courses you may want to learn more about. We specialize in helping students of all ages and ability levels develop the study habits they need to reach for academic success, a dedication that has established us as a leader in the SAT Reading test prep industry.
The SAT is a high-stakes exam used by colleges and universities across the United States as one factor in the competitive admissions process. It is comprised of four sections, one of which assesses a test-taker's critical reading ability. This section is combined with the Writing and Language section and scored on a scale from 200-800 that represents one half of a student's final grade on the SAT. This "Verbal" score may prove particularly important if your student intends to major in a subject such as History or Literature. If you feel that your student could benefit from dedicated SAT Reading prep, taking an SAT Reading class may be just what they need to pursue their educational goals.
SAT Reading test preparation may begin by emphasizing the most important skills students need on test day. The bulleted list below breaks down the skills students might review in an SAT Reading course:
- Command of Evidence
- Find evidence in the passages that supports answers or provides the basis for a sound conclusion
- Understand how authors present their arguments with evidence
- Identify relationships between text and accompanying data
- Words in Context
- Utilize context clues to understand what a word or phrase means
- Identify how word choices affect tone, style, and meaning
- Analysis in History/Social Studies and in Science
- Understand the meaning of the passage
- Draw inferences and conclusions
How Can SAT Reading Test Prep Near Me Help My Student Improve Their Study Efficiency?
One-on-one SAT Reading prep allows students to spend as much or as little time on each of the above skills as they might need to. For instance, if your student is a wizard when it comes to using context clues to decipher the meaning of an unfamiliar word but has a harder time with historical analysis, their SAT Reading test prep can concentrate on historic passages to help improve their SAT Reading preparation efficiency.
Similarly, SAT Reading tutors can go over each type of passage that may appear on your student's exam. Topics are drawn from a variety of sources, including U.S. and World literature, historical documents related to the founding of our country, passages about the social sciences (economics, psychology, sociology, etc.), and the sciences (biology, Earth science, physical science, etc.). Each of these requires a unique approach that SAT Reading prep can equip your student for.
Can SAT Reading Tutors Near Me Prepare My Student For Every Section On The Test?
Yes! For instance, the Literature passage may require students to identify how a fiction author uses word choice to define the tone of a piece, as well as how that tone impacts the overall message of the work. If your student could be more sensitive to details like these, SAT Reading classes may review active reading techniques such as highlighting the most important points to help quickly identify them.
Similarly, some questions may require students to infer additional info from the details provided in a work, even if they aren't directly stated. If your student could use a refresher on how to use the information provided to draw accurate conclusions, they may review questions like these with their SAT Reading class.
The second passage on the SAT Reading section is typically drawn from the early history of the United States. Authors such as Thomas Jefferson and John Adams followed grammatical rules and mechanical conventions that seem completely foreign to modern audiences, potentially tripping your student up. If the student in your life could use some help deciphering older material, their instructor might provide sample passages they can practice with during their SAT Reading test prep.
If your student is one of the many who finds history boring, they might review how historical concepts such as the American Revolution impact their daily lives. After all, modern American politics, economics, and ideals can all be traced back to the Founding Fathers. If your student becomes legitimately interested in the passage they are reading, they may feel more engaged and ultimately get more out of their SAT Reading preparation.
The third passage on the SAT Reading section deals with the social sciences. Many high school students haven't formally studied topics such as sociology or psychology yet, leaving them without a frame of reference for the questions on this section. Therefore, students might choose to review some basic concepts during their SAT Reading prep to get a sense for what this portion expects of them.
Likewise, this is the first section of the exam where a chart or graph could appear. The SAT Reading section never asks math questions, but students are required to interpret information presented in graphical form. If your student has a hard time looking at a bar graph and using that information to answer questions, they may want to spend some SAT test prep time practicing it. Similarly, a section may consist of a graph and a short reading passage. If your student could more effectively blend two distinct information sources in order to draw solid conclusions, they can review how to do so in an SAT Reading course as well.
The final pair of passages on the test deal with the sciences. They tend to be dense, with a lot of potentially unfamiliar words and complicated supporting ideas. Students may utilize SAT Reading tutoring sessions to practice identifying the main idea in such works, giving them something to focus on as they read further.
While the SAT Reading section does not expect students to have any prior knowledge of the material, having a background to draw on may make it easier to place scientific articles into their proper context. Accordingly, working on common scientific concepts such as life cycles or gravity during SAT Reading test preparation could prove beneficial even if it does not directly appear on the test.
Is There Any Way SAT Reading Tutoring Near Me Can Help My Student Understand The Test's Formatting?
Absolutely! In fact, the structure students can expect on exam day is often one of the first topics discussed in SAT Reading courses. The SAT is a traditional pencil-and-paper exam, so it's just like other tests your student has taken in school. If your student occasionally deals with test anxiety, this sameness may be emphasized during SAT Reading courses to help them relax on exam day.
Students have 65 minutes to answer 52 multiple-choice questions (and read their associated passages), so time management is also an important consideration on exam day. If your student practices their active reading skills during their SAT Reading prep, the notes they take may be a faster reference if they need to double-check an answer. Likewise, many student go over the test's directions during SAT Reading prep so that they don't need to waste any valuable exam time reading them.
Many students also go over test-taking strategies during SAT Reading classes to improve their self-confidence heading into the exam. For example, reading the questions before their associated passage can help guide your student's reading as they know exactly what they looking for. Likewise, some multiple-choice items contain the information required to answer something else on the exam. If your student is vigilant about looking for these opportunities, they could answer a question correctly that they otherwise may have missed!
Most importantly, students can take practice exams during their SAT Reading preparation to gain firsthand experience with the test. If your student consistently performs better on one portion of the exam than another, future SAT Reading test prep sessions can gloss over where they are performing well to spend more time on your student's areas of opportunity. Some students also find it easier to manage the time available to them once they have experienced what it feels like for themselves during SAT Reading test prep.
If you're interested to see the types of questions your student may see on exam day, here's a sample question from the SAT's Reading component:
- This question is based on a provided written passage with an accompanying graph
- The passage most strongly suggests that researchers at the Martin Prosperity Institute share which assumption?
- Employees who work from home are more valuable to their employers than employees who commute.
- Employees whose commutes are shortened will use the time saved to do additional productive work for their employers.
- Employees can conduct business activities, such as composing memos or joining conference calls, while commuting.
- Employees who have lengthy commutes tend to make more money than employees who have shorter commutes.
- The passage most strongly suggests that researchers at the Martin Prosperity Institute share which assumption?
If you feel that the student in your life may have had a hard time with that question, it's not too late to enroll them in an SAT Reading course and help them prepare for test day.
What Kind Of SAT Reading Test Prep Solutions Near Me Does Varsity Tutors Offer?
Varsity Tutors can refer you to two different SAT Reading classes to help students pursue their dreams. First, we offer private SAT Reading tutoring services. Working with private SAT Reading tutors allows students to learn at their own pace, as there is no time limit on how long they may spend on a given concept. In contrast, many competing SAT Reading test preparation products follow set curricula with little to no flexibility to adapt to an individual student's needs.
Any questions your student has may also be answered immediately during one-on-one SAT Reading prep, allowing any misunderstandings to be corrected before they have a chance to spiral out of control. A private tutor can also take the time to get to know your student, incorporating their interests and learning style into their SAT Reading test prep to improve study efficiency.
For instance, it might prove beneficial for your student to begin by concentrating on passages about topics they are interested in to make SAT Reading prep more engaging. Less interesting passages may then be gradually incorporated into SAT Reading test prep to provide a more realistic sense of what the actual exam might be like.
Alternatively, you might want to look into one of our group courses. These are essentially an SAT Reading class consisting of the instructor, your student, and several other students preparing for the same test. Students are free to interact with each other as well as their teacher, potentially creating a collaborative learning environment that helps everybody pursue their academic goals together. Multiple students also split the cost of a group course, giving you more value for your SAT Reading test prep dollar.
Group courses also tend to be a little more formal than other SAT Reading preparation options, providing an extra bit of structure that some students may appreciate. Most importantly, all group course attendees can book private time outside of their standard SAT Reading prep with the teacher to go over anything that isn't sticking for whatever reason. That's right: your student can study in a group setting without compromising their right to individualized SAT Reading prep!
Either way, your student can study on our proprietary Live Learning Platform, an online classroom leveraging powerful features such as video chat functionality to provide a face-to-face learning experience without the headache of trying to get together in person. We believe that no student should need to rearrange their life just for SAT Reading test prep and design all of our SAT Reading prep products to accommodate your schedule to the greatest degree possible.
If you would like more information about our SAT Reading test prep options or simply want to talk it over with an expert, Educational Consultants are standing by to help you in any way they can. Choose Varsity Tutors for all of your SAT Reading prep needs!
Will: SAT Reading test prep instructor
...who is studying for the bar after graduating cum laude from Northwestern University Law School this May. I studied at St. Ignatius College Prep and graduated summa cum laude from Villanova University (including a two-term stint at Cambridge University). Between Villanova and Northwestern I worked at an academic non-profit organization and evaluated hundreds of fellowship candidates' writing and academic work. I will work with each student to craft a personalized plan of study and improvement...
Education & Certification
- Villanova University - Bachelor in Arts, Humanities & Political Science
- Northwestern University - Juris Doctor, Law
Subject Expertise
- SAT Reading
- English
- AP US History
- ACT
- +22 subjects
Diptesh: SAT Reading test prep instructor
...6-12 and college in a variety of subjects since! I specialize in mathematics and science tutoring as well as standardized exam preparation. In the past, I have helped students achieve significant improvements and success on the SAT, SHSAT, Regents and other exams! I truly believe education is a mutual learning and teaching opportunity and enjoy helping my students achieve a thorough understanding (those "Aha!" moments) and appreciation of whatever they choose to study! In the...
Education & Certification
- New York University - Bachelor of Science, Global Public Health & Chemistry
Subject Expertise
- SAT Reading
- SAT Math
- SAT Writing and Language
- SAT Mathematics
- +88 subjects
David: SAT Reading test prep instructor
I have tutored for many years and I have found that students may learn in different ways and all can excel. I like to present material in an engaging and relevant manner so that we can all learn and achieve success. One-on-one tutoring is an effective technique, particularly for explaining and modeling math, and I enjoy seeing students attitudes toward...
Education & Certification
- Drake University - Bachelor of Science, Education, History
- State Certified Teacher
Subject Expertise
- SAT Reading
- SAT Mathematics
- SAT Math
- SAT Writing and Language
- +37 subjects
Josh: SAT Reading test prep instructor
...history, and composition at the University of Washington, and I have tutored students of all ages in school subjects ranging from biology to social studies. I especially like working through math and standardized test questions since I enjoy puzzles and problem solving though helping someone to express their feelings and opinions in writing can also be very rewarding. In my spare time, I am an avid home cook and runner. I also love crossword puzzles...
Education & Certification
- Stanford University - Bachelor in Arts, Music, Concentration in Composition
- University of Washington-Seattle Campus - Masters, Music Composition
Subject Expertise
- SAT Reading
- SAT Writing and Language
- SAT Math
- SAT Mathematics
- +42 subjects
Nisarg: SAT Reading test prep instructor
...my friends, or at club meetings! In my free time, I love to breakdance, write poetry, debate politics and economics, and participate in practically every nerdy endeavor possible (huge Star Wars fan!!). I love to talk and will talk your ear off if you let me! I love trying new things, exploring the city, and traveling. My teaching philosophy is that teaching is a responsibility and a privilege; I'll put 110% into teaching if you...
Education & Certification
- University of Minnesota - Bachelors, Neuroscience
Subject Expertise
- SAT Reading
- SAT Writing and Language
- SAT Math
- SAT Mathematics
- +38 subjects
Max: SAT Reading test prep instructor
...tutoring middle and high school students for over 7 years. On top of all of that, I'm an aspiring professional in the business world - this past summer I worked at an internship in financial consulting (banking advisory & analytics), and have previously held internship positions in human capital consulting & private equity, as well as in patent law. My interests are widely varied and eclectic - pro baseball (Go Mets!), Broadway theater, American public...
Education & Certification
- Yale University - Current Undergrad, Economics
Subject Expertise
- SAT Reading
- SAT Math
- SAT Verbal
- SAT Mathematics
- +104 subjects
Keith: SAT Reading test prep instructor
...help your student (or you yourself) grow in the field you are currently grappling with. I have been fortunate to do well in my own academic pursuits: earning a Bachelor's in International Affairs & History from Georegetown University and a Master's in Education from Valparaiso University. I have taught for four years in a few different departments, but mostly in the social studies. I offer tutoring in the social studies, mathematics, and Spanish as well...
Education & Certification
- Georgetown University - Unknown, International History
- Valparaiso University - Masters in Education, Education
Subject Expertise
- SAT Reading
- SAT Writing and Language
- SAT Mathematics
- SAT Math
- +56 subjects
Gabrielle: SAT Reading test prep instructor
...to pass a class or to prepare for college entrance exams, we always have fun determining the study method that works best for them. Everybody has a different learning style and once we hone in on the right one for you, an improvement in scores will become more than apparent. Overall, I find tutoring to be an incredibly rewarding profession and I am eager to continue to support students in discovering a passion for their...
Education & Certification
- Arizona State University - Bachelor in Arts, Chinese Language & Global Studies
Subject Expertise
- SAT Reading
- SAT Writing and Language
- English
- Public Speaking
- +29 subjects
Lee: SAT Reading test prep instructor
...I'm a laid back individual, but I like to push my students. I know that every student is able to do well and I really enjoy helping them along their path to success. But being laid back, I am also good at relaxing a student and helping point out what is important and what is not. In my free time, I enjoy writing music. I am also a die hard Packers fan originally being from...
Education & Certification
- Northwestern University - Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering
- Northwestern University - Master of Science, Biomedical Engineering
Subject Expertise
- SAT Reading
- SAT Math
- SAT Mathematics
- ASPIRE
- +41 subjects
Julie: SAT Reading test prep instructor
...and interacting with the world in a positive way. I know certain books have changed my life and I hope to instill the same passion I have for the written word within all my students! I have been teaching both high school and middle school in Philadelphia for the past five years. I have taught reading intervention and seen many of my students make enormous gains. I am in the process of being certified in...
Education & Certification
- Fordham University - Bachelor in Arts, Sociology
- University of Pennsylvania - Masters, Urban Education
Subject Expertise
- SAT Reading
- SAT Writing and Language
- Writing
- HSPT Reading
- +26 subjects
Erica: SAT Reading test prep instructor
...creative, and caring. I am certified to tutor in a variety of subjects and consider the following areas to be my specialties: *Standardized tests, such as the ISEE, SSAT, and AP examinations *Students who demonstrate challenging behaviors *Long-term tutoring in math and reading--I love to guide a student who initially struggled to meet and exceed expectations! Outside of my direct work with students, I have coordinated a math tutoring program that placed K-12 math tutors...
Education & Certification
- Oberlin College - Bachelor in Arts, English; Latin Language and Literature
Subject Expertise
- SAT Reading
- SAT Math
- SAT Writing and Language
- 6th Grade AP Language Composition
- +77 subjects
Parisa: SAT Reading test prep instructor
...what it's like to really wrestle with a subject, and I know what kind of assistance is helpful (and what kind of assistance/teaching is not). I think this--empathizing with a student and knowing the difference between good and bad help--is the most important quality of a good tutor. And just as importantly, I will work hard to tailor each tutoring session to the student's needs. I know that everyone's learning style is different, and I...
Education & Certification
- University of Virginia-Main Campus - Current Undergrad, Politics Honors and Economics
Subject Expertise
- SAT Reading
- SAT Writing and Language
- SAT Mathematics
- SAT Math
- +26 subjects
Kristine: SAT Reading test prep instructor
...with a double major in Genetics and Psychology. Currently, I am applying for dental school with a DAT score in the 98th percentile. For more than eight years, I have taught students in many different subjects such as DAT, SAT, Chemistry (General and Organic), Biology, and Physics in both classroom and tutoring environments. Besides academics, I have even taught swimming and dance. My tutoring style focuses on tailoring the lesson to target the students weaknesses....
Education & Certification
- Rutgers University-New Brunswick - Bachelors, Genetics and Psychology
Subject Expertise
- SAT Reading
- SAT Math
- SAT Mathematics
- SAT Writing and Language
- +30 subjects
Don: SAT Reading test prep instructor
...the ability to reach students that others struggled to reach and motivate, oftentimes at-risk students, and I found this one of the highest compliments of my career. I find it my greatest goal to make sure that all students, from those seeking the highest standards to those struggling with basic skills, can understand themselves, can define their abilities, and can work forward to becoming all that they are meant to be. My years of teaching...
Education & Certification
- Dordt College - Bachelors, English
- Concordia University-Saint Paul - Masters, Education
Subject Expertise
- SAT Reading
- SAT Writing and Language
- ACT Reading
- American Literature
- +19 subjects
Lexi: SAT Reading test prep instructor
...throughout middle and high school as a 'homework helper' for kids with behavioral and developmental challenges, which required that I teach a range of subjects at various levels with personalized approaches for each student (ages 9-13). While in high school, I completed a challenging AP curriculum and tutored my peers in Biology, Psychology, English, Spanish, and Government at the AP level. As a junior/senior, I also helped prepare students for PSAT/SAT & SAT subject tests...
Education & Certification
- Princeton University - Bachelor in Arts, Politics, Near Eastern Studies, Arabic
- State Certified Teacher
Subject Expertise
- SAT Reading
- SAT Math
- SAT Mathematics
- SAT Writing and Language
- +29 subjects
Kelsey: SAT Reading test prep instructor
...believes that all students (regardless of their field of focus) need to build a solid foundation in writing, reading comprehension, grammatical and syntactical knowledge, and time management techniques. Kelsey has experience working with students of all ages and a wide range of subjects through her vast tutoring and editing background; she had worked as a lead tutor at a math-focused center for students ages 5 to 18, had individually tutored numerous students on college entrance...
Education & Certification
- Cornell University - Bachelor in Arts, Psychology
Subject Expertise
- SAT Reading
- SAT Math
- SAT Mathematics
- SAT Writing and Language
- +79 subjects
Taariq: SAT Reading test prep instructor
...children. When I am tutoring a student, I prefer a very hands-on approach. I love working out problems with my students after working through an example problem completely. By working problems out with my students, I am able to help them if and when they get stuck. I hope to convey to every student the ability to think logically and persevere when things seem difficult. Outside of math and tutoring, I am a huge sports...
Education & Certification
- Duke University - Bachelors, Mathematics
Subject Expertise
- SAT Reading
- SAT Math
- SAT Writing and Language
- SAT Mathematics
- +27 subjects
Max: SAT Reading test prep instructor
...have spent time lecturing, providing homework help, and offering specific testing strategies to different students at different times. I have experience with the majority of science and math Advanced Placement courses, the ACT, the SAT, the general GRE, and the Biology GRE. To me, tutoring is a two-way street. While it is important that I answer questions, I also need to ask them to be effective. I love when students have specific questions about the...
Education & Certification
- Ball State University - Bachelors, Biology, General
Subject Expertise
- SAT Reading
- SAT Math
- SAT Mathematics
- ACT Math
- +62 subjects
Ruth: SAT Reading test prep instructor
...Carnegie Library, she created World Family Day, an event where volunteers read children's stories in their native language, donated food from around the world, and shared cultural crafts with 90 kids and parents. During 2014-15, Ruth completed a Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs, where she learned about the interaction between government and nonprofit sectors in community building. While in Coro, she worked on projects impacting different communities in the Pittsburgh area, including developing a comprehensive...
Education & Certification
- Smith College - Bachelors, Comparative Literature / Russian Civilization
Subject Expertise
- SAT Reading
- SAT Writing and Language
- Literature
- Essay Editing
- +27 subjects
John: SAT Reading test prep instructor
I graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC in 2008, the oldest English speaking acting conservatory in the world. I graduated Summa from University of St Thomas with a BA in English, and just wrapped up a MS in Data Science from Northwestern. I'm a huge Red Sox fan and love watching detective shows when I have free time.... Positivity. Always. I believe that if a student is given positive tools and is allowed to understand the material rather than be lectured at, they're more likely to do well in the future.
Education & Certification
- American Academy of Dramatic Arts - Associates, Acting
- University of St. Thomas - Bachelor of Fine Arts, English/Drama
Subject Expertise
- SAT Reading
- SAT Writing and Language
- SAT Mathematics
- SAT Math
- +110 subjects