A few days ago
Anonymous

Speed Reading on SAT Critical Reading Section/Test Taking Techniques?

What are some test taking strategies or techniques I can use on the SAT, notably on the Critical Reading section? I’ve heard about speed reading, but if I speed read then I’ll most likely skip over the important information (which means I’ll have to reread some parts of the passage). Any other test taking techniques? I also tend to freak out about the time, and running out of time…pacing in general.

Top 3 Answers
A few days ago
Anonymous

Favorite Answer

Critical Reading help:

When reading the SHORT ONE PASSAGE sections, don’t even read the passage and first go directly to the questions. Identify what it’s asking in the passage, then LOOK for the answer as you read. As for the LONG ONE PASSAGE sections, the questions are typically in chronological order, so just answer them AS YOU READ the passage. When dealing with a TWO PASSAGE COMPARISON section, complete the questions about one section first after reading the first section, and then the second employing the same techniques described above.

General SAT Tips:

SAT Questions

In order to prepare EFFECTIVELY for the SAT, I would suggest the following:

1) Purchase a test prep book. I recommend the KAPLAN, Princeton Review, or the Official College Board book to study. If you have the time, consider buying two, although that is not necessary. I DO NOT recommend purchasing the SparkNotes Review Books or Barron’s Review method. SparkNotes does not present accurate test questions similar to that of an actual SAT and Barron’s contains NUMEROUS errors which are a headache when trying to study. While reading, ANNOTATE the book (write notes in the column, underline key hints, etc.) and write specific things you may need to remember (such as math formulas/vocab words) on an index card and quiz yourself periodically.

2) Sign up for the College Board “Question of the Day.” If you haven’t already, sign up for an account with College Board at collegeboard.com and sign up for the Sat Question of the Day. It’s a great way to practice Sentence Completions, writing questions, and math problems even though it does not include any reading passages.

3) READ READ READ. It’s the best way to increase your vocabulary and get used to the passage readings. Besides regular fiction, read the newspaper, magazines such as Time and Newsweek, and editorials. Look up words you don’t know while thinking about the author’s purpose, tone, etc.

4) REVIEW! Purchase a SparkChart in the area you believe you need the most help and review the materials. Although SparkNotes makes mediocre books, they make awesome review charts. I highly suggest the NEW SAT: Math.

5) PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE! You won’t get better just by studying! You need to take FULL-LENGTH, TIMED practice SAT tests periodically. You need to get used to the seemingly never ending sections.

6) And in desperate need, sign up for an SAT class. If you are diligently working at home and find yourself being distracted or chronically unsuccessful, consider taking an SAT Course with KAPLAN or the Princeton REview.

Best of luck to you!

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A few days ago
Anonymous
What worked for me was reading a little passage from a book before bed every night and making up questions about it that were in that passage that i needed to answer… also don’t think about the time. If you don’t think about how much time you have you will more than likely finish in the alloted time you have and always remember you always have mutiple times you can take the SAT! 😉
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5 years ago
Anonymous
I always read first because I’m a fast reader. Reading the questions first is good because it gets the questions in your head… but since your taking the frickin’ SAT, you’ll probably be so stressed out that you won’t remember any of them when you go to read the section.
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A few days ago
Liz M
The thing that helped me the most was carefully reading the questions before reading the passage, and then speed-reading the passage. If you know what you’re looking for ahead of time, you’ll probably find it even if you speed read.
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