Award-Winning ACT Reading Tutors serving Memphis, TN

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Anusha
Certified ACT Reading Tutor
Anusha
BA Emory University
9+ Years Tutoring

I am a rising sophomore at Emory University working towards a Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology, as well as a minor in global health, culture, and society. I tutored in multiple subject areas in high school as a peer tutor as well as a tutor to younger students in elementary and middle school. I also tutored elementary school students in multiple subject areas during my first year at Emory. I tutor in many subjects, but have always been passionate specifically about tutoring in math. I have been tutored by peers many times throughout high school and college in different subjects, including the ACT. I found unique ways to solve problems and expand my problem solving skills through this, especially because I felt as though my peers were better able to relate to me, and therefore cater to my needs as a student. My approach is catered specifically to each student by first learning how he or she best learns, and then using tactics that will benefit them the most as they learn and grow as a student.

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Andrew
Certified ACT Reading Tutor
Andrew
BA Indiana University-Bloomington
10+ Years Tutoring

I am a big sports fan so I spend a large portion of my free time playing or watching either basketball, golf or baseball.

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Dotty
BA Swarthmore College
7+ Years Tutoring

I am a graduate of Swarthmore College, where I studied Quantitative Social Science and Education. I currently work in marketing analytics for higher education institutions. My skills range from writing/editing to data analysis. I would love to chat and make a plan to help you reach your goals!

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Grant
BA University
9+ Years Tutoring

I am a graduate of the University of Memphis. I graduated magna cum laude in English with a concentration in Literature. While being a student I was part of the Honors Mentor-ship Program where I helped incoming honors freshmen get acclimated to college life. I held weekly meetings with them and helped them from homework assignments to where they could find good food in or around campus. I will be pursuing a masters degree in the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in the summer and hopefully one day become employed as a high school English teacher. I tutor in high school and college level English literature, writing, and grammar. Since my concentration was in literature my favorite area to tutor would be in any literature related assignment. Whether it be for reading comprehension, critical reading, or for research purposes. I believe education is very important and should not be taken for granted. The choices you make in a 4-8 year period greatly influence the rest of your life and getting a strong and well-rounded education helps set-up for future success. My spare time is generally filled with video games and reading (casual or academic) and always striving to learn new things.

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Eileen
BA Vanderbilt University
5+ Years Tutoring

Most ACT Reading mistakes happen not because students misunderstand the passage but because they misread what the question is actually asking — "main idea" vs. "the author suggests" require completely different retrieval strategies. Eileen, a Vanderbilt neuroscience major who scored a 36 composite, walks students through a passage-mapping technique that cuts rereading time dramatically and keeps evidence-based answers distinct from inference questions.

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Kerr
BA Vanderbilt University
8+ Years Tutoring

The ACT Reading section gives students just 35 minutes for four dense passages — a pace that rewards strategy as much as comprehension. Kerr teaches a passage-mapping technique that isolates each paragraph's purpose so students can answer detail and inference questions without rereading entire sections. He earned a 36 ACT composite and brings that same efficiency-minded approach to every practice set.

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Daniel
BA Vanderbilt University
9+ Years Tutoring

I am an Undergraduate Student at Vanderbilt University. With years of tutoring experience and a solid academic foundation, I am fully equipped to teach in various subjects at many different levels.

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Charles
BA Yale University
1+ Years Tutoring

I am a junior Mechanical Engineering major at Yale, and I hope to become a Naval Aviator after college. I am also a varsity sailor, and enjoy playing music with friends when I can get some free time. I have been tutoring my fellow students throughout my entire academic career, and I would best describe my tutoring style as one that adapts to each students' needs. For example, I have always tried to frame questions in a different way so that the student can better understand the question. Some students need visual representations of numbers and systems to understand them, and others benefit more by understanding the concepts behind each formula. I prefer to tutor in math and physics, and especially with real world application problems. I hope to help students improve their standardized test scores and their understanding of the math and sciences so that they can achieve their academic goals!

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Nat
BA Vanderbilt University
9+ Years Tutoring

Before arriving at Vanderbilt's engineering program, Nat spent a summer teaching SSAT prep and reading classes to middle schoolers through Higher Achievement in D.C. — experience that built a practical sense for how younger and less confident readers approach timed comprehension tasks. With a 35 ACT composite and dual training in math and computer science, Nat brings a systematic, evidence-first approach to the reading section, teaching students to eliminate answer choices by tracing each one back to a specific line in the passage.

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Amelia
BA Vanderbilt University
8+ Years Tutoring

I am a freshman at Vanderbilt University studying biochemistry and involved in analytical chemistry research. Despite my studies being very science oriented, I also enjoy studying English and the humanities. I'd be happy to tutor you in any of these areas!

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Michelle
BA Duke University
4+ Years Tutoring

The ACT Reading section rewards a specific kind of speed — knowing when to skim for structure and when to slow down for inference questions. Michelle scored a 36 composite and teaches students to identify question types quickly so they can allocate their time where it actually matters across the prose fiction, social science, humanities, and natural science passages.

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Dennis
MS Vanderbilt University • BA Grinnell College
1+ Years Tutoring

Speed is the real enemy on ACT Reading — four passages in 35 minutes leaves almost no room for re-reading. Dennis, who scored a 34 ACT composite, teaches a triage approach: how to identify passage structure quickly, distinguish main claims from supporting details, and eliminate answer choices that subtly distort what the text says. His background in both science and humanities means he's equally comfortable coaching students through the natural science and literary narrative passages.

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Isaac
BA University of Denver
5+ Years Tutoring

I am a student at the University of Denver! I've tutored people informally for a few years now, and I'm excited to work with Varsity. I can help with math up to pre-calculus, grammar, and especially biology. Science was my favorite subject in school!

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Teo
BA Vanderbilt University
8+ Years Tutoring

I am today, and is something I love to share with the students I teach.

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Alexander
BA Vanderbilt University
8+ Years Tutoring

After earning a 32 on the ACT, Alexander developed a passage-mapping technique for the Reading section that cuts down on the back-and-forth between questions and text. He's especially sharp on the social science and humanities passages, where his history background at Vanderbilt gives him a natural edge in parsing dense arguments and author tone.

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Rachel
BA University of Michigan
1+ Years Tutoring

I'm not striving towards that lofty goal, I'm trying to relax by doing yoga, reading novels, and eating lots of cupcakes.

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Heather
BS in Human and Organizational Development Vanderbilt University
9+ Years Tutoring

I am a recent graduate of Vanderbilt University where I received a BS in Human and Organizational Development. I also minored in Quantitative Methods and have a passion for statistics. I have spent time living in France and England and love to travel. My time abroad has cultivated a love of language and writing and how to use academic tools in order to create opportunities in life beyond the classroom. I am excited about helping students achieve their academic and personal goals.

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Allyson
MS Syracuse University • BA Syracuse University
5+ Years Tutoring

I am a Chemical and Bimolecular Engineering PhD student at Vanderbilt University. I have my B.S. and M.S. in Bioengineering and have been tutoring for 3+ years. I am looking forward to tutoring you and helping in any way I can! Feel free to contact me!

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Kevin
BA Vanderbilt University
7+ Years Tutoring
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Joshua
BA The University of Alabama
9+ Years Tutoring

I am a rising sophomore at the University of Alabama and I am majoring in Mechanical Engineering. I have been working with fellow students ever since kindergarten with questions they had on the subject matter the teacher was going over or on concepts from other classes I had previously taken. I personally enjoy tutoring many areas of mathematics. Math has always been my favorite subject as many of the concepts come easy to me upon initially learning them. My personal way of tutoring involves breaking down the problem into its individual concepts and making sure the student understands each of the concepts and then moving on to explain how the concepts tie together into the problem.

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Miah
Current Undergrad, Political Science and Government Vanderbilt University
1+ Years Tutoring

Most ACT Reading mistakes happen not because students misunderstand the passage but because they fall for answer choices that are almost right. Miah's approach, refined through her own 34-composite performance, trains students to eliminate distractors by pinpointing exactly where in the text each answer is — or isn't — supported. Her 5.0 rating speaks to how well this method clicks.

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Lawrence
Current Undergrad Student, Chemistry Vanderbilt University
9+ Years Tutoring

The ACT Reading section rewards students who can quickly distinguish between what a passage says and what it implies — a skill Lawrence sharpened through his dual focus on chemistry and English at Vanderbilt. His 33 ACT composite means he's tested under real pressure and developed strategies for pacing across the four passage types, from social science to literary narrative. He teaches students to identify answer traps by reading for argument structure rather than hunting for keywords.

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Joshua
BA Harding University
4+ Years Tutoring

I am passionate about helping others learn foreign languages! I have been studying Spanish for 6 years now and am now proficient on the professional level. As a graduate with a degree in Spanish with an education licensure, I look forward to helping others understand this beautiful language better! I always look to help students reach their goals with the language whether it's reaching proficiency, keeping up the skills, or simply learning how to use the language well enough for an upcoming test. Regardless, I aim to help others understand and appreciate Spanish and other languages in general.

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Grant
BA Vanderbilt University
1+ Years Tutoring

Speed is the real obstacle on ACT Reading: four passages, 40 questions, 35 minutes. Grant teaches a passage-mapping technique that lets students locate evidence without rereading entire paragraphs, which alone can recover five or more missed questions. With a 33 ACT composite and a 5.0 client rating, he knows how to turn timed-section practice into consistent score gains.

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Nathan
Current Undergrad, Chemistry Southern Adventist University
10+ Years Tutoring

I am a student at Southern Adventist University who will be applying to medical school in a year.

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Meredith
BA Sewanee: The University of the South
6+ Years Tutoring

Scoring well on ACT Reading comes down to extracting main ideas and locating evidence under serious time pressure. Meredith, who scored a 33 ACT composite and reads voraciously as an English major, teaches active-reading strategies that cut through dense passages in social science, humanities, and natural science. Her approach turns a speed problem into a technique problem.

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Ruiy
BA Vanderbilt University
9+ Years Tutoring

I am a second-year student at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. I am double majoring in Cognitive Studies and Psychology with a minor in Computer Science. I have tutored high school and middle school subjects, standardized test prep, and helped students build college applications in Westchester County, NY and Fairfield County, CT. I have tutored in a range of subjects but particularly enjoy helping students gain both the skills and confidence needed to excel at essay writing. In my free time, I like to read non-fiction in a variety of subjects, SCUBA dive, and have recently taken up knitting. I look forward to helping you achieve your goals!

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Matthew
BA Middle Tennessee State University
9+ Years Tutoring

Most ACT Reading mistakes come from misreading what the question is actually asking, not from failing to understand the passage. Matthew, who holds an English degree and a 34 ACT composite, teaches students to distinguish between "according to the passage" questions and inference questions, then match their reading speed and annotation strategy accordingly.

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Marjorie
BA Vanderbilt University
1+ Years Tutoring

Speed is usually the real enemy on ACT Reading, not comprehension. Marjorie teaches students a deliberate passage-mapping strategy — identifying the author's argument structure and tone markers on the first read — so they can answer inference and detail questions without rereading entire paragraphs. She scored a 34 composite and is rated 5.0 by her students.

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Megan
Current Undergrad, Mechanical Engineering Vanderbilt University
1+ Years Tutoring

I am currently a senior at Vanderbilt University studying Mechanical Engineering with minors in both Mathematics and Financial Economics. I am an active leader of my sorority and outside of school I enjoy spending time with my friends, enjoying the outdoors, and soaking up everything Nashville has to offer before I graduate in May! After graduation, I will be moving to Washington D.C. to do technology consulting for Deloitte in their Federal practice. I am originally from the San Francisco Bay Area and love to travel to see other parts of the US and the world!

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William
BA Boston University
9+ Years Tutoring

William's linguistics training at Boston University — where he studied how languages structure meaning — gives him an unusual edge on ACT Reading: he teaches students to recognize how authors signal their argument through word choice, sentence structure, and paragraph transitions, which is exactly what inference and tone questions test. His 32 ACT composite and 4.9 student rating reflect an approach rooted in how language actually works rather than generic test tricks.

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Maggie
BA Rhodes College
9+ Years Tutoring

Speed is usually the biggest obstacle on ACT Reading — four dense passages in 35 minutes leaves almost no room for re-reading. Maggie teaches a passage-mapping technique that prioritizes locating evidence over deep comprehension on the first pass, which frees up time for the trickiest inference and vocabulary-in-context questions. Her 35 ACT composite and 5.0 rating speak to how well this approach translates to real score gains.

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Kira
MS Clemson University • BA High Point University
9+ Years Tutoring

I am a recent graduate from High Point University. I earned two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Computer Science and Game Design and graduated with minors in Math and Business Administration. I have been tutoring and instructing math (more specifically Calculus and Algebra) since my freshman year of college, and I love it. I'm a passionate and energetic person who loves to share her enthusiasm with everyone. These traits are my greatest strengths when it comes to working with students, and I look forward to getting the opportunity to work with you!

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Matthew
Current Undergrad, Mathematics and Psychology Lipscomb University
10+ Years Tutoring

I'm an incoming junior at Lipscomb University in Nashville majoring in Mathematics and Psychology, and I specialize in tutoring students in mathematics. I worked at Mathnasium Math Learning Center in high school, where I tutored students ranging from 1st-12th grade, so I feel comfortable tutoring students of any age! I was homeschooled all through highschool, and like to use my experience of teaching myself to help other students become more independent in their own studies! I'm excited to hear from you and to help you in any way that I can!

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Kunal
BA Vanderbilt University
8+ Years Tutoring

I am a math and science enthusiast, always curious to learn more and share my knowledge with others. In my free time I love to hike, bike, lift weights, play badminton, play drums, and just relax or meditate.

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Monitha
BA University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
3+ Years Tutoring

The ACT Reading section gives students just 35 minutes for four dense passages — so speed without sacrificing comprehension is everything. Monitha teaches a passage-mapping strategy that prioritizes identifying main arguments and author tone quickly, then returning to the text surgically for evidence-based questions. Her 32 ACT composite backs up the approach.

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Elizabeth
BA Tennessee Technological University
9+ Years Tutoring

I am here to support and inspire you every step of the way.

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Darby
BA Butler University
5+ Years Tutoring

I'm Darby! I recently graduated from the University of Birmingham with an MA in Creative Writing. In 2021, I graduated from Butler University with bachelor degrees in English (on a creative writing track) and Spanish. I also studied history as a minor and was a part of Butler's honors program. I'm currently living in Nashville.

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Kacey
MS Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus • BA Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
14+ Years Tutoring

Civil engineering graduate work at Georgia Tech means Kacey spends her days extracting critical details from lengthy technical reports and regulatory documents — the same rapid-comprehension skill that separates strong ACT Reading scores from mediocre ones. She teaches students to build a mental outline of each passage's argument during the first read, so detail and inference questions become targeted lookups instead of panicked re-scanning. Her 32 ACT composite confirms she's applied that approach under real test conditions.

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Alyssa
BA Samford University
9+ Years Tutoring

I'm a Nashville native. I graduated from Franklin Road Academy in 2012. While in high school I played basketball, volleyball, and softball. I was also involved in the literary magazine.

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Testimonials

Because the right ACT Reading tutor makes all the difference.

4.9

Average Session Rating – Based on 3.4M Learner Ratings

Worked with an ACT Reading Tutor

Your customer interface is A+, being your agents or your site, The tutor you found for me is perfect, no formulas or canned lectures but easy flowing lecture addressing my needs. Congratulations for a job well done.

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Julio Aranovich
Worked with an ACT Reading Tutor

Heejin has been very patient with me. I work a full time job sometimes even on the weekends. It has been a slow process with my Korean classes, but Heejin has been wonderful and patient.

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Angela Hussein
Worked with an ACT Reading Tutor

My son has had many quality tutors through this convenient service, and he can hop on at any time of day to get support for a homework assignment or test. It's very convenient and effective.

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Tara R
Worked with an ACT Reading Tutor

I've been working with my tutor for a few months now and the progress has been remarkable. The personalized attention and tailored lessons made all the difference compared to in-classroom learning.

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Michael Chen
Worked with an ACT Reading Tutor

The flexibility of scheduling combined with the quality of instruction is unmatched. I can get help exactly when I need it, whether that's late at night or early in the morning before a test.

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Priya Patel
Worked with an ACT Reading Tutor

My daughter went from dreading her sessions to looking forward to them. The tutor made the material engaging and built her confidence in ways I never thought possible. Highly recommend.

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Rebecca Williams

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Frequently Asked Questions

Score improvement depends on your starting point and commitment level, but most students see meaningful gains within 8-12 weeks of focused preparation. Students who work with tutors on targeted strategies—like managing pacing, identifying question types, and practicing retrieval techniques—often improve by 2-4 points on the ACT Reading section. The key is identifying your specific weak areas (whether that's vocabulary, inference questions, or time management) and addressing them systematically rather than generic test prep.

The three most common struggles are pacing (finishing all four passages and 40 questions in 35 minutes), understanding the nuances of inference questions, and managing test anxiety. Many students also struggle with vocabulary in context and identifying the main idea across dense passages. A tutor can help you develop a personalized pacing strategy, teach you how to quickly identify what each question type is asking, and build confidence through targeted practice with real ACT passages.

Your first session focuses on understanding where you stand and what you need. A tutor will review your practice test results (or administer a diagnostic), identify patterns in the questions you're missing, and discuss your timeline and goals. You'll also learn about the ACT Reading format, question types, and get a preview of the strategies you'll use going forward. This foundation helps create a personalized plan tailored to your specific challenges.

Effective strategies include active reading techniques (annotating key ideas rather than passively reading), learning to quickly categorize question types, and using process of elimination strategically. Many tutors teach the "big picture first" approach—understanding the passage's main idea and tone before diving into detail questions. Practice testing with timed conditions is essential; spaced repetition of challenging question types helps build automaticity so you can work faster without sacrificing accuracy.

Most students benefit from 3-4 hours of focused practice per week over 8-12 weeks, combined with 1-2 tutoring sessions weekly. This typically includes full-length practice tests (to build stamina and pacing), section-specific drills (to master question types), and review of mistakes (to identify patterns). Your tutor will help you build an efficient study schedule that fits your timeline and gradually increases difficulty, avoiding burnout while building real progress.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or uncertain about strategies, which tutoring directly addresses. Building confidence through repeated practice with real passages, mastering a consistent approach to each question type, and developing a pre-test routine all reduce anxiety significantly. Your tutor can also teach you mental strategies like breathing techniques and how to manage the pressure of the 35-minute time limit, so you can focus on the content rather than the clock.

Look for tutors with strong ACT Reading scores themselves, proven experience teaching test prep, and familiarity with current ACT formats and question types. They should be able to explain not just the right answers, but why wrong answers are traps—and teach you to recognize those patterns. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have demonstrated mastery of ACT Reading and the ability to translate that into personalized instruction that matches your learning style.

Varsity Tutors connects students in Memphis with tutors who offer flexible scheduling to fit your needs—whether you need intensive prep before test day or steady progress over several months. With personalized 1-on-1 instruction, you can work around your school schedule, extracurriculars, and other commitments. Your tutor can also adjust pacing and focus based on how you're progressing, so you're not locked into a rigid curriculum.

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