The Critical Reading section tests both comprehension and speed, so pacing is crucial. Most students benefit from spending 2-3 minutes per passage and 30-45 seconds per question, leaving a minute or two for review. A common strategy is to read the passage actively, noting the main idea and structure, then answer questions in order—but skip the hardest ones and come back if time allows. Expert tutors can help you find your personal pacing rhythm through timed practice tests, identify which passages drain your time, and teach you how to skim strategically without losing comprehension.

Vocabulary is essential—the PSAT tests challenging words through both direct vocabulary questions and context clues throughout passages. While you don't need to memorize thousands of words, knowing words at the 85th percentile level (roughly 3,000-5,000 college-prep words) gives you a significant advantage. The good news is that context clues can help you infer meaning even when you don't know a word outright. Tutors can teach you which word families and roots appear most frequently on standardized tests and help you build vocabulary in ways that stick, so you're not just memorizing lists.

The best way is to take multiple full-length practice tests under timed conditions, then analyze your results by question type—main idea questions, inference questions, vocabulary-in-context, detail questions, etc. Most students find they lose points consistently on certain types, like inference questions that require reading between the lines. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who can review your practice tests, pinpoint patterns in your mistakes, and explain the reasoning behind correct answers. Once you know your weak spots, targeted practice becomes much more efficient than generic test prep.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or rushed. Building confidence through practice tests is the strongest antidote—when you've seen similar questions dozens of times, the real test feels less intimidating. Breathing techniques and positive self-talk matter too. Expert tutors can help you develop a pre-test routine, teach you how to recognize when anxiety is making you rush (and how to slow down), and practice staying calm during timed sections. They can also help you reframe mistakes during practice as learning opportunities rather than failures, which builds resilience before test day.

Most students benefit from 8-12 weeks of focused preparation, dedicating 3-5 hours per week to PSAT-specific practice. However, if you're already a strong reader or have less time before the test, 4-6 weeks of intensive prep can also work. Your timeline should include taking at least 3-4 full-length practice tests (spread out over weeks, not crammed) so you see improvement and adjust your strategy. Tutors can help you create a personalized study schedule based on your current score, target score, and test date—so you're not grinding longer than necessary or falling short on prep time.

With nearly 100,000 students across Atlanta's 19 school districts, competition varies by school, but aiming for the 75th percentile or higher (around 700-720 combined PSAT score, with Critical Reading as roughly 50% of that) is competitive for many selective high schools and magnet programs. Some of Atlanta's top-performing school districts see median scores even higher. However, your goal should be specific to your target schools and programs. Tutors can help you research realistic target scores based on your school and academic goals, then create a plan to reach them.