<p>I usually follow the passage with the questions; so I'll stop 5 lines after the line reference and answer the question. Sometimes I feel like I might be thinking things like, "this question is coming up!" instead of "what is the author thinking". I was doing really well on the Blue Book questions, getting about 3 wrong on each passage section(which comes close to a 700 on all 3 sections if you get the vocab questions right). </p>
<p>And I get a 560. I don't know if I should completely change my style(I have 2 weeks until the next test in March). It's hard to change your reading in 2 weeks, but should I be reading the whole passage first(the long ones) and then answer the questions? Doesn't it waste time to read it and then re-read all the references? Do you guys stop whenever you get to the line referencces, or you don't let anything stop you while you're reading?</p>
<p>Sme people like to read all the questions for a passage before reading the passage, and some people like to read the entire passage before reading the questions. However, I don't think you should do both at the same time. You'll have a harder time understanding the passage on a whole if you keep interrupting the flow of your reading to answer questions. Going back and reading a few lines might take a bit more time, but you'll be able to answer the questions more accurately if you better understand the passage itself first.</p>
<p>I would never read the questions because I can't remember all of them while I'm reading the passage. I only read the questions on the very short passages. I never expected a 560 though since I was doing so well on the practice tests. Also, I was reading some more strategies on speed reading. It said to focus more on the first and last sentences, but to read quickly over things like when the author starts to just discuss examples. When exactly is it okay to speed read, and when should(in the middle of a passage) realize that what you're reading should be read slowly(when he transitions to a different subject)?</p>
<p>Also, I already finished all 8 practice tests in the blue book, do you have any suggestions for books like Barron's 2007-2008 or Princeton Review passages?</p>
<p>Just don't read the passage too quickly. When you read it, don't look for any details at all. Just get a feel for it and see what the passage eventually develops into. Then be specific with the line references and questions.</p>
<p>Reading Comp. is my best subject on the SAT (I got 740 last year) and I got that score by reading a question, reading the passage up to that question's reference line, answering, reading the next question, seeing what line the answer will be in, answering that question, and so on. I skipped the questions that dealt with the passage as a whole and answered those last. While preparing lately, I've found that switching back to the "normal" way (Reading the whole passage quickly, THEN answering all the questions) seems more appealing now. That's what I'll be doing in March. </p>
<p>So I guess you're taking the SAT the same time I am. Good luck and Happy cramming.</p>
<p>Personally, I think reading and answering questions while you go along is the best way. You would skip the general questions, i.e. What's the tone of the passage? But, you might as well answer the line reference questions because if read the entire passage first, you would still need time to go back to those specific lines.</p>
<p>I'm reading Baron's 2400, and I didn't really consider its strategy until now, but now I really need to reconsider my strategy. Who knows, it might have been my first time using that type of logic on that type of test with those timed conditions that caused me to get a 560. Barron's is telling me to read the passage in 3-4 sections(per paragraph sometimes) and answer the questions in that paragraph since the paragraph will be more familiar. If you read the entire passage, then the first paragraph won't be familiar at all, and you need to re-read the line references again. </p>
<p>Also, I've noticed that with all my practice tests, quicky skimming over one sentence can cost you a problem(ie you miss a word that you later realize would have given you the question), obviously. Just one little fact changes everything, and while you shouldn't be reading every detail, you have to be hyper-aware while reading quickly over the fluff(ie when the passage quickly transitions into something important). I just never expected to get a 560 since I usually did so well on practice tests. Anyone have any good suggestions for practice tests besides the Blue Book(already gone for me). I have Princeton Review, how good is that?</p>
<p>I prefer to read the passage first and then look at/answer the questions. Whenever I read the questions first and try to look for them while reading, it distracts me and I unwittingly focus on trying to find the answers to the questions rather than trying to read and understand the passage.</p>