Why So Many Students Struggle With Reading on Standardized Tests — And How to Fix It

Many parents are surprised when strong students still underperform on the SAT or ACT reading section. The reason is almost always the same.

The Real Issue

• Students think they’re reading the full passage.

• But more than 70% of the time, they’re actually:

  • Skimming for keywords

  • Hunting for matching phrases

  • Jumping between questions and text

This shortcutting feels efficient—but it leads to confusion, missed context, and wrong answers.

The Simple (but Not Easy) Fix

• Students must actually read the passage with the goal of understanding it—no skimming, no keyword hunting.

Enter the “Detective” Mindset

• Once the passage is read, students need to become detectives.

• This is the primary metaphor I use in tutoring:

  • Look for clues.

  • Gather evidence.

  • Use the actual passage—not your memory of the passage, not your instinct—to solve each question.

How Parents Can Help

• Encourage your student to slow down and read with intention.

• Remind them: real comprehension first, answer choices second.

• A tutor can help retrain habits so students approach each passage like thoughtful, evidence-driven detectives.