<p>I got a 440 on my Critical Reading for the SAT.
I need to improve my score to at least a 700 by June.
What strategies work?
Read the passage first, and then do the questions?
Read the questions, and then read the passage?
Read the questions, and then skim the passage?
Do not read the passage at all and do the questions?</p>
<p>I have about 2 months to improve.</p>
<p>Please opinions needed.
Thank You.</p>
<p>ANY OTHER STATEGIES THAT WORKED FOR A 700-800 PLEASE.</p>
<p>I'd hate to break it to you, but a 700 by June is a bit of a stretch, especially if you're doing things other than just studying. It's hard to improve on critical reading. I'm not even going to answer the question about whether to read the passage first and then...., because it all depends on personal preferences. I personally like to read the first question I can answer and then read the passage until I find the answer and do that until I get them all, but other people like other methods. Why don't you try and see what works for you.</p>
<p>There are tons and tons of posts on improving critical reading. Before you post this, you probably should read the other posts, which are all pretty much exactly the same as this.</p>
<p>Again, at least a 700 by June, in my opinion, is a long-shot. I think a more reasonable goal is 600, and then 700 when you retake in fall. Here are some posts from Friday up to today on critical reading (Seven!), and this isn't even all of it!</p>
<p>You can imagine how it gets annoying. But not to worry--there'll probably be another critical reading emergency crisis situation by tomorrow.</p>
<p>Notice that everyone has different ideas, but the same general concept:</p>
<ul>
<li>Get used to reading by reading magazines, books, newspapers, that you enjoy reading.</li>
<li>Learn vocabulary.</li>
<li>The way to tackle critical reading passages depends on what works best for you (notice that people recommend lots of different methods).</li>
<li>Practice.</li>
</ul>
<p>Honestly, a 440 is pretty good evidence that you've only read 3 books in your entire life. I'm not saying this to be disparaging, but you NEED to start reading. It's imperative. The basic principle behind a lot of reading strategies (such as that used in Rocket Review, which I recommend you buy) is to gain the highest level of comprehension possible of the passage in a matter of minutes, and then allot your time accordingly to the questions, referring back to the passage as necessary. Without a solid foundation in reading, you will not be able to comprehend an SAT-level passage (which should be relatively easy compared to your private reading material) at all, much less in 3-4 minutes. The level of comprehension needed for the QUESTIONS is far greater than that needed for the passage, and that too will not be possible for you if you are not well read (or as much is possible in the next few weeks.)</p>
<p>Go buy like 15 books. Now.</p>
<p>A lot of people here come asking how to get a 700 but don't put the effort and time needed. If you aren't one of them, then you'll follow these tips to get a 700.</p>
<p>-Learn thosuands of words. Start with Sparknotes 1000, but even that won't be enough. you need to go into overdrive and start learning thousands of words.</p>
<p>-practice passages, a lot. My advice is to read the passage VERY quickly at the beginning, just a beginning skim. Then do all the line reference questions. So yeah, there you go. To get a 700, learn thousands of words and improve your reading skills by doing tons of practice tests and reading magazines in general.</p>
<p>Godfatherbob, back off. There are a lot of factors in someone's SAT score: saying that he or she has read "only 3 books in his or her life" is unkind. Public forum rule #1: Don't be mean. Your advice is really good, but you are being too harsh on the OP. You don't know his/her life.</p>
<p>Dchow, nice post: that's exactly right IMHO.</p>
<p>OP, in general, the lower your score, the more important vocabulary will be. You should <em>learn some words.</em></p>
<p>You should also go check out all the threads listed in dchow's post.</p>
<p>Lastly, as dchow says, you must revise your expectations. I have seen plenty of kids go from 440-700, but none in your time frame. It usually takes 14 mos at least.</p>
<p>^Godfatherbob I’ve read over 100 books and the last year and i made a 440 on my sat CR portion. Reading books isn’t everything. I suggest reading the passage and answering the questions as you go i made a 750 on the sat CR portion the second time around reading and answering the questions when the line reference comes up.</p>