How to Help Your Child Succeed in ACT and SAT English and Reading


Many parents say, “My child struggles with reading.”


But on the ACT and SAT, the issue is rarely just reading—it is strategy.



What Makes These Sections Challenging


The English and Reading portions of the ACT and SAT are:

• Timed

• Pattern-based

• Designed with predictable question types


Students are not only reading—they are:

• Analyzing structure

• Identifying tone and purpose

• Making quick, accurate decisions

Without strategy, even strong readers can struggle.


Common Challenges Students Face


Students often:

• Run out of time

• Overthink answer choices

• Choose answers that “sound right” but are not supported

• Miss key details in the passage

• Struggle with tone and inference questions

These are not ability issues—they are approach issues.


What Actually Improves Scores


Improvement comes from learning how the test works.


Students need:


Reading Strategy

• How to approach different passage types

• When to skim and when to read closely

• How to locate evidence efficiently


Question-Type Awareness

• Main idea

• Tone and author’s purpose

• Inference

• Vocabulary in context


Timing and Pacing

• How long to spend per passage

• When to move on

• How to make strategic guesses


Understanding Trap Answers

• Answers that sound correct but are not supported

• Extreme or exaggerated choices

• Partial truths


What Parents Should Look For


Not all support is the same.


Effective test prep should:

• Teach strategy, not just assign practice

• Break down question types clearly

• Include timed sessions

• Provide feedback on mistakes

If a program only gives passages and answers, students are not learning how to improve.


The Difference Between Tutoring and Test Prep


Traditional tutoring focuses on:

• General reading skills

• Classroom support

Test prep focuses on:

• How to navigate the test

• How to think under time pressure

• How to recognize patterns

Students need both—but for the ACT and SAT, strategy is essential.


A Message for Parents


Your child does not need to read more—they need to read with purpose.


When students understand how the test works, their confidence increases and their scores follow.


How St. Charles Tutoring Lab Helps


We provide structured, strategy-based preparation for English and Reading.


Students learn how to:

• Break down passages quickly

• Identify what each question is really asking

• Avoid common traps

• Improve accuracy and timing

Our goal is not just completion—it is confidence and results.




Get Started


To get started, text:


504-215-7820


Include:

• Your child’s grade level

• Your state

• Where you are in the test prep process

We will guide you through the next steps.

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