<p>I've studied a lot for the reading section on the SAT and after taking an ACT test, I've realized that the two reading sections are very different. For example, the ACT has little line references, questions don't go in chronological order, and the questions also seem to ask for a more holistic analysis of the passage.
For the SAT I've always looked at the questions first and then went to the passage. But this same strategy d/n work for me on the ACT. Some people I've talked to said to read half of the passage, answer questions, then finish the rest. </p>
<p>I've tried going straight to the questions, skimming the passages, and reading portions of the passages. I would recommend reading all passages carefully. Unlike the SAT, the ACT reading questions seem to be more general in scope. However, there are always a couple of questions here and there that you need to go back to the passage to double check.</p>
<p>I would say try different strategies and find what works best some basic strategies are to:</p>
<ol>
<li>Skim and answer</li>
<li>Get the general idea then answer</li>
<li>Look for specific questions, line references ect. then use those to get an a broad idea. </li>
</ol>
<p>Just find out what works best for you and use it.</p>
<p>Reading strategies are different for everyone, so you have to do a couple practice tests in order to find one that works for you. What I do is break the story into three equal chunks. I read each chunk and find questions relating to what I just read. I don't skim because I usually miss the answer or end up having to reread. Once you find a good pace you should easily get done with 5 minutes left.</p>
<p>Honestly I think the best strategy (for the ACT especially) is to just really get interested in what you're reading. Their passages aren't as challenging as the ones on the SAT, so it should be easier. When you're really interested in the passage, you'll find it easier to remember the specifics.
Also if you're a fast reader, try to make sure you read each passage 2 or even 3 times. That really helps me because I see some of the things I've missed the first time around. These "strategies" gave me a 35 on the ACT and a 79 on the PSAT, I don't know if they'll work for everyone, but they def. work for me.</p>
<p>to me the SAT reading q's seem more straightforward and easier. But what can i say i still got 2 reading q's wrong on the cr SAT, one of them happening to be a level 1 q.
The ACT reading seems so much harder.
Last year on the plan i got in the 60th percentile in my school while for the rest of the 3 sections on Plan i gto 95+ percentile in my school.
BTW i got 740 on SAT cr.
I hope i do better on the real ACT.</p>
<p>I straight up read and answer, and I managed to get 32's and 33's on the practice tests with that method
(And yes i abided to the time constraints)</p>
<p>I recommend reading the whole passage first then answering the questions, make sure you understand the passage.
I got a 36 on the reading portion by doing this, it also helps to be a reader; i read quite a bit. Look at the questions and the possible answers and rule out any answer that has anything that is false in it even if the other parts are true.</p>
<p>I went straight to the questions, as I'm a relatively slow reader. ACT is all about timing. It fared well for me though, as I managed to rip a 36 on the reading section in December.</p>