<p>I have a lot of trouble with CR passages (600~650 range), but every time I go over the answers using the Xiggi method it seems so obvious to me what the correct answer is. Does this mean that I'm improving and does anybody have any advice on a situation like this? My goal is to attain a CR score of around the 700~750 range.</p>
<p>umm. . .I am pretty sure that a big reason for the obvious answers is that you KNOW the answers already, which subliminally alters your thinking. . .yeah. . . that happens to me every time too, i don't know about the Xiggi method. . .from what i heard,it's pretty much what I am doing. HOWEVER I think you are definitely learning some of CB's patterns, so you should do cumutively better.</p>
<p>Don't lose hope on CR. Practice, practice, practice... even if at first you don't see improvement... it will come. Jumping from 600-650 range to 700-750 range is NO problem if you continue working diligently. There is no secret method to doing better on CR... all you can do is practice reading (to increase speed/comprehension) and do practice sections so you get used to finding what CR questions will ask for. After a while it will be automatic almost and you'll even be able to predict what kind of questions are coming as you go through the passage. Stick to it, you will definitely see progress!</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice guys.</p>
<p>Oh ya, would you guys use this book---Kaplan New SAT Critical Reading Workbook (Paperback)---</p>
<p>Yes, I know, it's not a book by CB, but I'm worried about not having enough practice for CR even though I'm still on my 4th test in the blue book.</p>
<p>retribution, i have that book too. the cr passage questions seem easier or something. i used it and i would miss only about 1 or 2 questions at most for each practice thing, but i miss more for cb blue book. i am on my fourth test in Cb book also and my cr score is what's dragging me down. i hope to improve to 700's <em>crosses fingers</em> after i have done all 8 practice tests. good luck to you and tell me how the kaplan book goes for u.</p>
<p>Actually I don't have this book yet (yet* based on if you guys suggest it) Also I'm still trying to determine whether or not I should read the passage before doing the questions, and I'm leaning toward reading the passages right now.</p>
<p>I'm in the same boat! my critical reading won't go above 710ish... I'm aiming for a 750+.</p>
<p>For me, it's usually one passage that I get like five questions wrong and it just brings me down 50 plus points. GRRR... must get rid of short and narrative passages.</p>
<p>The kaplan CR workbook is worth the money. However, the sentence completions are WAY TOO EASY. I got 100% 100% of the time in Kaplan's book, but on the Blue book, I get like 85% of the sentence completions right. The passages are easier than the college board's, and the curve is VERY LENIENT. it goes along the lines of 800,800, 800, 800, 800...??? (don't quote me on that)</p>
<p>retribution, i don't think you should get this book because the questions and passages seem wayy easier than the cb's, possibly the barron's workbook someone mentioned on here might be a better investment. i don't know, but when i have time i will go to the bookstore and look for another cr book and if i find a good one i'll let ya know (or vice versa :))
usually they say to read the passages first, the only time to read the questions is if there's three or less questions or else you'll overload your short term memory.</p>
<p>read the passages. definitely. after practice, you'll be quick enough in reading that you will be able to read through the whole passage first and do the questions with ample time remaining. plus, after reading the passages you'll have a MUCH better idea of what to look for when you attack the questions.</p>
<p>get sparknotes new SAT...it costs almost as much as Kaplan's CR..but its worth it. Although they've got only 3 practice tests..the strategies are quite helpful and the tests are quite difficult.</p>