Award-Winning ACT Reading Tutors serving Chicago, IL

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Award-Winning ACT Reading Tutors serving Chicago, IL

Anna

Certified Tutor

8+ years

Anna

Bachelor in Arts, Anthropology
Anna's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
Middle School Science
PSAT Writing Skills

After scoring a perfect 36 ACT composite, Anna developed a question-first approach to the Reading section — previewing what each question demands before touching the passage, so every line read serves a purpose. Her medical education background means she's used to processing dense, unfamiliar materi...

Education

Northwestern University

Bachelor in Arts, Anthropology

Northwestern University

Graduated (Honors Program in Medical Education)

Test Scores
Perfect Score
SAT
1590
ACT
36
Viktor

Certified Tutor

7+ years

Viktor

Bachelor of Science
Viktor's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra
Finite Mathematics

I'm referring to math, of course, but I didn't always like the subject. Until about age 16, I thought of math as a boring, mind-numbing process of blindly memorizing formulas and then forgetting them after the test, but a series of wonderful teachers showed me the truth. I had thought that everythin...

Education

University of Chicago

Bachelor of Science

Test Scores
Perfect Score
SAT
1600
ACT
35

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Elizabeth

Bachelors, Aviation/Management
Elizabeth's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Geometry
Calculus

I'm Lizz, a middle school math teacher working in Chicago Public Schools. I love to see students go from describing themselves as "not a math person" to feeling like they meet exciting challenges in math and other parts of their lives. Even though I love working in the classroom, I feel like tutorin...

Education

University of North Dakota

Bachelors, Aviation/Management

Test Scores
ACT
34

Certified Tutor

Asta

Bachelor in Arts in Political Science
Asta's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
College Algebra
Arithmetic
Middle School Math

Having studied political science at the University of Chicago — where the Core Curriculum demands rapid synthesis of dense, argument-heavy readings across disciplines — Asta built the exact close-reading stamina the ACT Reading section punishes students for lacking. She teaches students to identify ...

Education

University of Chicago

Bachelor in Arts in Political Science

Test Scores
SAT
1530
ACT
35

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Spencer

Bachelor of Science, Environmental Engineering
Spencer's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra
Pre-Calculus

The ACT Reading section isn't really about reading — it's about extracting specific evidence under a brutal time constraint. Spencer, who scored a 36 composite, teaches a systematic passage approach: how to identify what each question is actually asking, where to find the answer in the text, and whe...

Education

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Bachelor of Science, Environmental Engineering

Test Scores
Perfect Score
SAT
1580
ACT
36

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Oliver

Engineer
Oliver's other Tutor Subjects
Geometry
Calculus
Algebra
PSAT Writing Skills

Most students lose ACT Reading points not because they misunderstand passages but because they mismanage time — spending four minutes on a dense humanities passage and then rushing through natural science. Oliver teaches a passage-triage strategy built around identifying question types before reread...

Education

Northwestern University

Engineer

Test Scores
Perfect Score
SAT
1590
ACT
36

Certified Tutor

Gabe

Bachelors, Neuroscience and Behavior
Gabe's other Tutor Subjects
College Algebra
Algebra 3/4
Middle School Math
Calculus

The ACT Reading section isn't really testing whether you understood a passage — it's testing whether you can locate specific evidence under a four-minute-per-passage time constraint. Gabe breaks down each passage type (prose fiction, social science, humanities, natural science) and teaches annotatio...

Education

Wesleyan University

Bachelors, Neuroscience and Behavior

Test Scores
ACT
35

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Mahalia

Bachelor in Arts
Mahalia's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
SAT Subject Test in Latin
SAT Subject Test in Biology E/M

I am comfortable tutoring a variety of subjects, I am most passionate about writing and language, and I truly believe that strong writing skills are an asset in every area of life. Through my experience as an after-school program manager, I learned to build relationships and work well with students,...

Education

Northwestern University

Bachelor in Arts

Test Scores
SAT
1550
ACT
35

Certified Tutor

Jack

B.A. in Theatre and Economics
Jack's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra
College Algebra
Algebra 3/4

The ACT Reading section is really a speed-and-strategy test disguised as a reading test — four passages in 35 minutes means there's no time to second-guess. Jack scored a 35 ACT composite and teaches students to identify question types quickly, locate evidence without rereading entire passages, and ...

Education

Northwestern University

B.A. in Theatre and Economics

Test Scores
ACT
35

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Blake

Bachelor in Architecture, Architecture
Blake's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
ACT Writing
ACT English

Most students lose points on ACT Reading not because they can't comprehend the passages but because they spend too long re-reading. Blake, who earned a 35 composite, teaches a passage-mapping technique that isolates main claims and evidence locations on the first read, turning each set of questions ...

Education

Illinois Institute of Technology

Bachelor in Architecture, Architecture

Test Scores
ACT
35

Certified Tutor

Jacob

Bachelors in Literature
Jacob's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
Quantitative Reasoning
PSAT Writing Skills

Every ACT Reading passage is an exercise in disciplined attention — finding the one sentence that actually supports an answer choice instead of the three that almost do. Jacob studied close reading as a Literature major at Vanderbilt, and he applies that training directly to the test's social scienc...

Education

Vanderbilt University

Bachelors in Literature

Test Scores
ACT
35

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Austin

Bachelor of Science, Chemistry
Austin's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
Physical Chemistry
Organic Chemistry

I am an MD/PhD student at Northwestern University (PhD Chemistry). I previously received my B.S. in Chemical Science from the University of Michigan in 2020, and am continuing my education both in medicine and in organic synthesis. Although I am capable of tutoring a number of academic topics, my ex...

Education

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Bachelor of Science, Chemistry

Test Scores
ACT
34

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Evan

Current Grad Student, Statistics
Evan's other Tutor Subjects
Statistics Graduate Level
Pre-Algebra
Finite Mathematics
Competition Math

I'm thrilled to work with anybody on any subjects of interest, reach out with any questions!

Education

Harvard University

Bachelor in Arts, Sociology

Harvard University

Current Grad Student, Statistics

Test Scores
SAT
1590
ACT
35

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Charlie

Bachelors
Charlie's other Tutor Subjects
Trigonometry
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra

The ACT Reading section gives students just 35 minutes for four dense passages, so pacing strategy matters as much as comprehension. Charlie's method treats each passage like a mini-argument: identify the author's claim, locate the key evidence, and move on. With a 35 ACT composite and years of lite...

Education

University of Chicago

Bachelors

Test Scores
SAT
1520
ACT
35

Certified Tutor

8+ years

Benjamin

Current Undergrad Student, Economics
Benjamin's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Pre-Calculus
Geometry
Calculus

I am a student at the University of Chicago. I grew up on the upper east side and attended the Dalton School in Manhattan. My whole life I've enjoyed math and science but what I am really passionate about is teaching others. I've worked in all different areas from coaching to teaching, and if you wa...

Education

University of Chicago

Current Undergrad Student, Economics

Test Scores
ACT
35

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Frequently Asked Questions

Score improvement depends on your starting point and how consistently you prepare. Students often see 2-4 point gains within 8-12 weeks of focused study, though some improve more quickly if they identify specific weaknesses early. The ACT Reading section rewards both speed and accuracy, so improvement typically comes from learning strategic approaches to different question types—not just reading faster. A tutor can help you pinpoint whether you're struggling with vocabulary, inference questions, or pacing, then target those areas specifically.

The ACT Reading section gives you 35 minutes to read four passages and answer 40 questions—roughly 8-9 minutes per passage. Many students try to read every word, which eats up time and doesn't improve accuracy. More effective strategies include previewing questions before reading, focusing on the main idea and structure rather than details, and knowing when to skip difficult questions to maximize points. Tutors can help you practice these techniques on real ACT passages so pacing becomes automatic on test day.

ACT Reading questions focus on main idea, inference, vocabulary in context, author's tone, and detail comprehension. The hardest questions are typically inference and purpose questions, which require understanding the author's intent rather than just finding facts. Many Chicago students also struggle with questions about tone and rhetorical techniques, especially in the paired humanities passages. Working with a tutor on question format patterns helps you recognize what each question is really asking, even when the wording is tricky.

Taking full, timed practice tests every 1-2 weeks helps you build stamina and identify patterns in your mistakes. However, the quality of your analysis after each test matters more than the quantity—rushing through practice tests without reviewing your errors wastes time. Between full tests, practicing individual passages under timed conditions is more efficient for building speed and strategy. A tutor can help you create a structured study schedule that balances full practice tests with targeted drills on your weaker question types.

Test anxiety on ACT Reading often stems from time pressure and fear of running out of time before finishing. Building confidence through repeated practice with timed passages desensitizes you to the pressure—you literally train your brain to stay calm under constraints. Some students also benefit from having a "backup plan," like knowing which questions to prioritize or skip if time runs short. Tutors can help you develop pre-test routines, teach breathing techniques during the exam, and ensure you've practiced enough that you trust your preparation.

The ACT Reading section focuses more on straightforward comprehension and author's purpose, while the SAT emphasizes data interpretation and evidence-based answers. ACT passages tend to be more narrative-driven, while the SAT includes more paired passages and graphs. If you're preparing for the ACT specifically, your study materials should use ACT passages and question formats—mixing in SAT prep can actually slow you down. For students in Chicago preparing for college applications, working with tutors who know both tests can help you decide which exam suits your strengths better.

Look for tutors who have strong knowledge of ACT Reading specifically—test prep requires understanding the exact question formats, timing constraints, and scoring system. It's helpful when a tutor can identify your specific weaknesses quickly (vocabulary, inference, pacing) rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach. Experience teaching other Chicago high school students is valuable too, as tutors understand local school schedules and testing deadlines. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors experienced in ACT Reading preparation who can create a personalized study plan based on your diagnostic scores.

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