Award-Winning ACT Reading Tutors
serving New York, NY
Award-Winning
ACT Reading
Tutors in New York
Private 1-on-1 tutoring, weekly live classes for academic support, test prep & enrichment, practice tests and diagnostics, and more to elevate grades and test scores.
Based on 3.4M Learner Ratings
UniversitiesSchools & Universities
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I am a Neuroscience and Behavior major at Columbia University. Although my major is centered in the STEM field, I am also passionate about human rights work, global engagement, and local outreach. While my future plans are subject to change, I see myself continuing in academia, going to medical school, and becoming a physician.

I am an aspiring applied mathematician, with particular interest in image processing and climate science. I graduated in May 2017 from Washington University in St. Louis with a bachelor's in physics and mathematics, and am beginning a PhD program in September 2017 at the University of Chicago in Computational and Applied Mathematics. I've tutored introductory physics students for three years and enjoyed it thoroughly, as a chance to help other students while revisiting fundamental concepts to enhance my own knowledge. I'm eager to continue reaching out and helping students of math and physics to succeed and, furthermore, to appreciate the beauty and power of these subjects.
A government major at Harvard, Richard spent his coursework doing exactly what the ACT Reading section rewards: rapidly digesting competing political arguments, identifying an author's central claim, and distinguishing stated evidence from implied conclusions — skills that map directly onto the social science and humanities passages. His perfect 36 ACT composite means he's navigated every passage type under real testing pressure and knows which time-management habits actually hold up when the clock is running.
Scoring a 36 ACT composite means Vivian didn't just read the passages — she learned to dismantle them, distinguishing between what the author states explicitly and what's merely implied. Her approach to the Reading section zeroes in on how to handle the dual-passage comparisons and inference questions that trip up even strong readers. Rated 4.9 by students.
The ACT Reading section punishes students who read every passage the same way; a science excerpt and a humanities narrative require different strategies for locating evidence under time pressure. Aaron, who earned a 36 composite, walks students through passage-mapping techniques that cut re-reading time and sharpen answer elimination on inference questions.
The ACT Reading section gives students just 35 minutes for four dense passages, which means most score gains come from learning how to read strategically rather than thoroughly. Michelle teaches a passage-mapping approach — identifying the author's argument, tone shifts, and key evidence before touching the questions. With a 35 ACT composite and deep experience in literature and reading instruction, she knows exactly where the test tries to mislead careful readers.
Reading dense passages quickly and accurately is something Chelsey does every day as a literary reader for an Off-Broadway theatre company. She applies that same skill to ACT Reading, teaching students how to identify main arguments, track authorial tone, and answer inference questions without re-reading entire paragraphs — techniques that turned her own ACT into a 35 composite.
I am originally from Alabama and graduated from Birmingham-Southern College with a BA in English Language and Literature. Immediately after undergrad, I relocated to New York City to pursue my law degree at Fordham University. After earning my Juris Doctor and passing the NY bar exam, I worked for five years as a litigator in New York. In 2009, I took the opportunity to fulfill a lifetime dream to live abroad and moved to South America. Upon arriving in Chile, I worked as an ESL teacher for children and adults as well as an editor of investment research and corporate trainer. I love language and am passionate about helping others learn to speak, write and read in a more effective way. Language is a tool, and I truly believe anyone can learn to use it better. I'm excited to be back in the US and eager to work with motivated students.
The ACT Reading section gives students 35 minutes for four dense passages, which means raw reading speed matters less than knowing what the questions actually ask. Matthew's self-study approach to the ACT — he scored a 35 composite — taught him to categorize question types (detail retrieval, inference, author's purpose) before even touching the passage. He teaches students a consistent annotation strategy that cuts re-reading time dramatically.
The ACT Reading section isn't really about comprehension — most students understand the passages just fine. The challenge is locating evidence and eliminating wrong answers in under nine minutes per passage. Grace, who scored a 35 composite, teaches a passage-mapping strategy that turns each reading into a quick reference guide so students stop second-guessing their answers.
Most ACT Reading mistakes come from spending too long on dense passages and rushing through easier ones. Jai scored a 35 composite and developed a pacing strategy that matches passage type to time allocation, so students learn to identify inference and tone questions quickly without misreading what the text actually says.
Between a neurobiology major and an economics minor at Harvard, Emma spent four years toggling between scientific research papers and policy-driven arguments — the exact mix of passage types the ACT Reading section throws at students in 35 minutes. She teaches students to identify what each paragraph actually does in the author's argument, which turns time-consuming re-reads into quick, targeted scans for detail and inference questions. Her 1550 SAT, 32 ACT composite, and 5.0 student rating all point to someone who knows how timed reading sections work from the inside.
I am very comfortable tutoring any subject that is listed on my profile.
I'm Sam! I am a sophomore at Cornell University where I study the world of labor and employment and work as a volunteer EMT. I am motivated to help students learn new things and overcome challenging obstacles. I have experience tutoring, working with kids in one-on-one and group settings, and I am dedicated, patient, and creative.
I am an incoming student at Washington University in St. Louis. I have been passionate about teaching ever since I had the opportunity to teach at an Indian public school in 2018. It's one of my favorite activities the gives me genuine joy. Hopefully, I'll be able to make teaching fun for you too! Let's succeed together!
Hi! My name is Alexandra, and I am a Princeton University Neuroscience major with 5+ years of tutoring experience. I specialize in SAT/ACT/PSAT prep and have successfully taught topics ranging from computer science and basic sciences to elementary reading and writing and college essay writing. In high school, I scored a perfect 36 on the ACT on my first attempt, a perfect 1520 on the PSAT/NMSQT, won "finalist" status in the National Merit Scholarship competition, and was a medalist in the New York Science Olympiad. As an undergraduate at the top-ranked university, I focus specifically on standardized test preparation, including the SAT, ACT, and PSAT. I have an understanding of the structure and timing of the exams and the strategic approaches that are required to achieve top scores. I have successfully supported students in improving their performance through individualized study plans because I understand that not all students can use the same approaches to succeed. My approach emphasizes effective time management and a mastery of recurring question types. Outside of college test preparation, I have tutored students ages 5 to 17 in a variety of topics. A common teaching approach I use is to introduce new concepts with example problems that we work through together. I then explain each strategy and help the student through another problem, encouraging them to explain their thinking step by step. Finally, I let the student tackle a problem independently. Once a student can articulate why a method works, they are truly ready to apply it on their own. While this method suits many students, I understand that everyone learns differently and pride myself on being adaptable within and outside of lessons.
Most ACT Reading mistakes happen not because students can't read, but because they spend too long on the passages and rush through the questions. Pia teaches a timed annotation method — marking key claims, tone shifts, and structural transitions on the first pass — so that answering detail and inference questions becomes a retrieval task rather than a re-reading task. Her Americorps teaching experience with first-generation college students sharpened her ability to make these strategies click for different learning styles.
Most students treat ACT Reading as a speed contest, but Nicolas flips the approach — he teaches a targeted reading method where students identify the question types first and then go back to the passage with purpose. His background in philosophy and literary analysis means he's particularly sharp on inference and author's-purpose questions, the two categories that trip up even strong readers. He earned a 35 ACT composite himself.
I am currently pursuing my Masters in Public Health at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. I received my B.A. in Psychology and Environmental Studies at Wesleyan University. In high school, I was selected by my teachers to tutor classmates in Chemistry, Physics, and Geometry. I helped students with homework problems and with test preparation (both for in-class exams and for the SAT Subject Tests). As an undergraduate, I was a teaching assistant for introductory Russian, and worked with students both in group and in individual sessions.
I am a Master of Architecture candidate at Columbia University with a Bachelor of Arts in Physics from Colgate University. While I tutor several subjects, I am very passionate about mathematics and physics because of the tangible progress which I am able to help students achieve, and I enjoy working with students of all ages and abilities. I have been a mathematics and physics tutor for the last eight years and have worked with students enrolled in middle school, high school, and university courses. As a tutor I work to build my students confidence and independence. In my spare time, I enjoy drawing and playing volleyball and tennis.
Most ACT Reading struggles aren't about comprehension — they're about speed and question strategy across four dense passages in 35 minutes. Dustin's training as a historian means he reads analytically by default, and he teaches students to identify passage structure quickly so they can locate answers without re-reading entire sections.
The ACT Reading section gives students just over eight minutes per passage, which means raw comprehension isn't enough — you need a system. Melody, rated 4.9 by her students, teaches an active-reading method that prioritizes identifying the author's purpose and tone quickly, so answering inference and detail questions becomes a matter of locating evidence rather than second-guessing.
I am ready to help all students by answering their questions and frequently addressing some questions to them....
Scoring a 35 ACT composite means Amanda knows how to navigate the Reading section's tight pacing — pulling main ideas from dense passages on prose fiction, social science, and natural science without getting stuck on trap answers. She teaches students to identify what each question is actually asking and to use passage structure as a shortcut to the right evidence. Rated 5.0 by students.
Speed is the real enemy on ACT Reading: four passages, 40 questions, 35 minutes. Micah teaches active-reading techniques — annotation shortcuts, identifying question types before returning to the passage, and knowing when to skim versus when to read closely — that consistently shave time without sacrificing accuracy. With a 34 ACT composite and experience across multiple tutoring programs, he knows how to turn a time-crunched section into a reliable score.
Unlike the SAT, ACT Reading gives students just 35 minutes for four full passages, so the ability to extract main ideas quickly is non-negotiable. Rebecca uses a first-pass skimming method tailored to each passage type — prose fiction requires different attention than natural science — so students know what to look for before the questions even start. She scored a 34 ACT composite and holds a 5.0 tutoring rating.
I am a pre-dental student at Vanderbilt University majoring in Human Organizational Development with a concentration in Health and Human Services. I am well versed in many science subjects (Biology and Chemistry, etc.), math, and Spanish. I tutor all ages and will tailor my methods based on any type of need.
I am an entrepreneurial travel-loving media professional living in New Orleans. I have a Master in Business Administration from Tulane University and I love teaching all sorts of subjects, especially math. In terms of hobbies, you can find me long-distance running, studying data science, exploring new restaurants and traveling the world.
I am a Junior at New York University's Courant institute of Mathematics and currently studying Computer Science and Data Science with a minor in Cybersecurity. I have 4 years of experience tutoring elementary through high school level students. Of my subject range, I enjoy tutoring ACT test prep and high school math related courses the most. I enjoy teaching because I love seeing the "lights come on" expression when my students finally grasp a concept they've been struggling with. My teaching style is active and organization focused, and I also hope to impart the mentality that has helped me succeed in my academic career. In my free time I cook some mean steaks, play valorant, listen to true crime podcasts and practice martial arts.
Three degrees in anthropology and educational studies meant years of reading ethnographies, policy analyses, and cross-cultural case studies — exactly the kind of unfamiliar, argument-dense material that shows up across all four ACT Reading passage types. Rasa teaches students to zero in on how authors frame their evidence rather than getting lost in content details, which speeds up both the initial read and the process of eliminating wrong answers on inference questions. A 35 ACT composite and 5.0 student rating back that up.
Speed is the real enemy on ACT Reading — four passages and 40 questions in 35 minutes leaves almost no room for re-reading. Sara teaches a passage-mapping technique where students identify the main argument and key evidence on the first read, so they can answer detail questions without hunting. She tailors her pacing strategy based on which passage types — literary narrative, social science, natural science, humanities — a student finds most challenging.
Most ACT Reading mistakes come from rushing — students skim the passage, half-remember a detail, and pick the answer that "sounds right." Elizabeth teaches a structured approach to each passage type (prose fiction, social science, humanities, natural science) that prioritizes finding textual evidence before even looking at the choices. Her 34 ACT composite and 5.0 tutoring rating speak to how well that method translates to score gains.
I am very proficient in math and economics as well as test prep in ACT and GMAT. I can tutor a wide arrange of subjects and have a passion for helping others learn from my knowledge and tutoring expertise.
I am a current undergraduate student at the City University of New York Baruch College and am working towards a Bachelor's degree in Actuarial Science with a focus in Economics and Communication. I am an honors student and will also be receiving a secondary degree from the Macaulay Honors College. I have tutored several middle and high school students in Algebra, Calculus, Economics, and SAT Preparation. Many of my students have gone on to do well on the New York State Regents Exams, AP Exams, and SAT and ACT Exams. I am most passionate and enthusiastic about teaching Math because I love how organized and formulaic it is. I have always loved tutoring students because I enjoy seeing them improve in subjects they have previously struggled with.
I am a graduate of the Master's program at the School of Education at St. John's University, and a graduate of the undergraduate English program at Washington University in St. Louis. I am currently eligible to teach 7th to 12th grade English in a New York City school under the Initial Certificate, and have a combined three years of experience in the Department of Education. I have a significant background in tutoring, including test prep, English, Mathematics, and Social Studies. My extensive background in education, coupled with my intense desire to bring about positive change in the lives of New York City school children and my belief in the importance of using emerging educational technologies to engage with and enrich the education of students, has made me both a successful teacher, and a popular tutor.
I am currently a sophomore at the NYU Stern School of Business. My hobbies and interests include reading, exercising, and following sports such as baseball and tennis. I love Math, Spanish, and Grammar, and would love to help you if you are having trouble in any of those subjects!
Mantong's 34 ACT composite came partly from treating the Reading section the way a historian reads sources: quickly identifying the author's purpose, tracking how an argument develops, and finding specific textual evidence to support each answer. He teaches students to stop re-reading entire passages and instead use targeted strategies for each question type — main idea, inference, vocabulary in context, and paired comparisons.
Between volunteering as a French tutor and diving into Russian literature at Columbia, Georgia has spent a lot of time making sense of unfamiliar texts quickly — which is essentially what every ACT Reading passage asks you to do. Her 35 ACT composite means she's handled all four passage types under real time pressure and knows how to zero in on what the author actually states versus what the answer choices subtly distort. Rated 4.8 by students.
I am happy to work with any student, no matter their level!
Speed is the real challenge on ACT Reading: four passages in 35 minutes leaves almost no room for re-reading. Eric teaches a passage-mapping approach where students identify the author's argument and tone in the first read, so they can answer questions from memory and only return to the text for evidence-based items. Rated 32 on the ACT himself, he understands the time pressure firsthand.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Most students improve 2-4 points with consistent, personalized instruction focused on their specific weaknesses. The national average ACT Reading score is around 21 out of 36, so improvement depends on your starting point and how much you practice between sessions. A tutor can identify whether you're struggling with pacing, comprehension, or question-type strategy—then target those areas systematically.
Most students see measurable improvement within 4-6 weeks of consistent tutoring combined with practice between sessions. If you're preparing for an upcoming test, starting 8-12 weeks before your test date gives you the best chance to build both strategy and confidence. The key is practice testing and reviewing errors regularly—your tutor will guide you through both.
The most common struggles are managing the 35-minute time limit (9 minutes per passage), distinguishing between similar answer choices, and understanding what the test makers are actually asking. Many students also underestimate the importance of reading strategies before diving into questions. A tutor can teach you efficient previewing techniques, help you identify question patterns, and build the pacing skills that separate strong readers from test-takers who rush.
Aim for one full practice test every 1-2 weeks, plus shorter 1-2 passage drills 2-3 times weekly. This spacing lets you apply new strategies and catch patterns in your mistakes without burning out. Your tutor can help you analyze each practice test to identify whether your errors come from comprehension, timing, or strategy—then adjust your studying accordingly.
Yes. Test anxiety often stems from uncertainty about strategy or past performance—both things personalized tutoring directly addresses. When you understand the test format, practice under timed conditions regularly, and experience score improvement, confidence naturally grows. Tutors can also teach you pacing and breathing techniques to manage stress during the actual test.
Look for someone with strong ACT expertise who understands not just reading skills but test-specific strategy—they should be able to explain why certain answers are correct and help you spot traps quickly. It's also important that they focus on your individual weak areas rather than generic test prep. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors in New York who can customize their approach to your exact needs and timeline.
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