<p>So I took a test from the blue book today and noticed that I often had a lot of extra left over on much all of the sections. For math I usually had 5-10 minutes left after completing all the questions, likewise I had around 3-7 minutes leftover on the critical reading sections. My question is what should I do with this time? While taking the test I mark questions that I may be unsure of, so that I can go back and check them with my extra time. However, it feels like I'm wasting my time doing that because I rarely if ever change my answer. If it helps my scores are (calculated from the average of released curves): Math - 790, Critical Reading - 670, Writing - 650. The only time I miss math problems is when I make stupid mistakes, however I struggle with a lot of the CR because I usually miss a few (like 3-5) sentence completions and often times I'm torn about answers to the passages. I've read about splitting up the passages, etc, but I think its best for me just to read the whole thing through and then answer the questions. For writing I just need to review the grammar rules, because right now I just guess based on what sounds right. Anyways, if you guys have any suggestions for improvement or time management that would be great!</p>
<p>Instead of blowing through the questions, SLOW DOWN! This approach is much better than going back to check your work, because as you said, you rarely ever find an error. If you slow down, you’ll prevent yourself from making the error in the first place, and problem solved.</p>
<p>^^^ I agree! Slowing down is the single most important “strategy” there is. I can’t tell you how many times I have been tutoring someone who missed a question and had them realize as we reviewed it that they never actually read the question in the first place!</p>
<p>Yeah, take your time… 
And if you really have extra time, check your answers :D</p>
<p>Maybe, I’ll try going slower… but it doesn’t seem like I’m rushing while taking the test. I know you’re suppose to check your answers, but I rarely if ever actually catch a mistake, rather I find myself confirming my previous answers or worse changing my answer that was already correct. I really feel that I suck at critical reading and writing because I’m not sure about the answers, not stupid mistakes or lack of time. Is there anything I could do that would give me a better chance of being able to answer the questions? Like individually crossing out choices, etc? Thanks…</p>
<p>Slowing down helps everything you just said. It eliminates the possibility of changing a right answer and it’s much more effective than checking your work.</p>
<p>Other than that, you’re going to have to give specific examples of the types of questions you’re missing for us to give you advice on how to not make those mistakes.</p>
<p>I think I can improve writing by reviewing grammar, however I’m not sure how much I’ll be able to improve my critical reading. I’ve just started doing some flashcards and I’ll go through Direct Hits so I should be able to eliminate three of my sentence completions errors… however I’m not sure how I’m going to improve my on the passages. I’ve read about several different ways to split up the passages, etc but I always do best reading it through. </p>
<p>Today I missed the following critical reading problems:</p>
<ol>
<li>“The passage is primarily focused on…” (tone question)</li>
<li>The author uses all the following as examples, expect (some what factual)</li>
<li>The character’s attitude can been seen as (forces you to differentiate)</li>
<li>“Passage 1 and Passage 2 share the general tone of” (tone/summary)</li>
<li>“In the context of the passage the statement… suggest” ? (interpretation/context)</li>
<li>“June’s observation in lines… suggest” ? (implication)</li>
<li>The purpose of an example was too… (implication)</li>
</ol>
<p>I usually narrow it down to 2 answers, which I guess from. I think part of the problem is my mindset. I don’t see it as a right/wrong question, but rather an question of interpretation which may have several answers. Any advice would be welcomed!</p>