Most students struggle with pacing because they either read too slowly and run out of time, or read too quickly and miss important details. The Critical Reading section requires you to read actively—annotating key points and understanding the author's purpose—while still moving through passages efficiently. Tutors can teach you strategic reading techniques and help you practice under timed conditions so you develop a rhythm that works for your reading speed and comprehension level.

PSAT Critical Reading focuses on vocabulary-in-context questions, inference and main idea questions, and detailed comprehension questions about specific passages. Vocabulary questions test whether you can understand word meaning from context, while inference questions require you to make logical conclusions from what you've read. Understanding the format and what each question type is really asking—rather than just guessing—is crucial for improving your score.

The best way is to take a full practice test under timed conditions, then review every question you missed—not just the ones you got wrong, but also the ones you guessed on or felt unsure about. Look for patterns: Are you missing most vocabulary questions? Struggling with inference? Running out of time on longer passages? Once you identify the pattern, you can focus your practice. Tutors often use diagnostic assessments to pinpoint these weak spots quickly and create a targeted study plan.

Most students benefit from taking 4-6 full practice tests spaced throughout their study period, with at least one every 2-3 weeks. This gives you enough exposure to different passage types and question formats while allowing time to review mistakes and adjust your strategy. Between full tests, you should do shorter practice drills on specific question types. A tutor can help you space out your practice strategically so you're building skills consistently rather than cramming at the last minute.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or unsure of your strategy. Building confidence through consistent practice—especially timed practice—helps significantly. Developing a pre-test routine (deep breathing, reviewing your strategy) and learning to skip difficult questions temporarily and come back to them can reduce panic. Tutors can also help you practice test-day scenarios and teach you mental strategies to stay calm and focused when you encounter a tough passage.

While memorizing lists of vocabulary words can help, PSAT Critical Reading emphasizes vocabulary-in-context—meaning you need to understand word meanings from how they're used in the passage, not from flashcards alone. The most effective approach combines learning common PSAT vocabulary with practicing how to extract meaning from context clues. Tutors can teach you context clue strategies and help you build a working vocabulary of words that actually appear on the test.

With 26 schools across Palm Bay serving over 15,000 students, many students are competing for the same scholarships and college placements. A personalized tutor can give you the focused, one-on-one attention that helps you stand out by identifying your unique strengths and weaknesses, teaching you strategies that match your learning style, and keeping you accountable to a study schedule. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in PSAT Critical Reading and can help you reach your target score.