<p>Hi!
I'm gonna take the ACT on this September for my first time and need help for the reading section.
I am aiming for somewhere around comp score of 32.
So, in order to achieve the goal, I have to do very well on every sections.
I'm certain that I can get 36s on the math and the science sections and expecting my English score to be around 29. Thus, I have to get a 27 on the reading section.
Nevertheless, I am consistently getting 24 and 25 on the reading section of the practice tests and as a result of that, my comp score is always 30 or 31.</p>
<p>So, can you guys teach me tips for the reading section? Please</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Buy a Barron’s ACT 36. They don’t tell you obvious things like “pace yourself, read questions” and that sort of stuff, they go to a “next level” and explain things much more thoroughly. Also, their practice questions are harder than the actual ones and imo, that’s helpful. If you will understand a bit harder questions, the real thing should appear easier.</p>
<p>And in terms of tips, well, everyone is different. Some people scan through questions first, some firstly do line ref. questions, some just do it the regular way. A useful tip could be to not to get too much concerned with details, but to focus on a whole thing and its meaning. If a question ask about a specific detail, you will already know where to look and what for.</p>
<p>Thanks killparis, I will try the Barron’s 36</p>
<p>What I posted on a thread earlier copied and pasted for you:</p>
<p>I scored a 33 on the Feb test and a 34 on the April test (I only missed one on it; I ordered my test booklet). What works best for me is to read through it completely to understand where everything is, and to be able to instantly answer questions. </p>
<p>Obviously if you’re a really slow reader then this will not work. What I generally suggest to my friends to do (this usually helps them) is to read the first paragraph, the first sentence (sometimes first two if the first sentence is vague or meaningless) of every paragraph, and then the entire last paragraph. This helps to understand where in the passage they will find an answer; furthermore, if you are short on time on the last passage knowing the content in the first and last paragraph can allow you to take an educated guess or eliminate the other choices in a question that focuses on the passage as a whole. I hope this helps!</p>
<p>Thanks Patton370
Yea, I feel like I’m not spending enough time to read passage because of the time- pressure.
So next time, I’m gonna try your method!</p>
<p>I sucked at reason until I did the Princeton review tips. Here’s my strategy:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Read questions and underline any leadin words (names, vocab", objects, etc)</p></li>
<li><p>Scan passage (don’t read) and underline the exact same words you underlined in the questions.</p></li>
<li><p>Read fast, take notes to the side.</p></li>
<li><p>Do questions.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Might sound like a long process but step 4 takes so much less time cause you can just refer to underlined words quickly.</p>
<p>I raised my reading score to a 33!</p>
<p>Thanks LordEango
I’ve never taken any note while I’m reading because I was thinking that it would take too long.
But your advice convinced me to take note. I’ll try it</p>
<p>I think the best tip is to eliminate possible wrong answers and take an educated guess. When you guess, you have a 23% chance of getting it correct, eliminate one answer and you magically have a 33% of getting it correct, 50% for two answers eliminated.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice AznSkyDragon </p>
<p>The tip that you told me seems like the simplest way but also the most effective way!
I’m gonna try it.</p>
<p>Thank you all for the valuable advices
I’m thinking about using the Barron’s online prep. It’s $69 and bit expensive but it has 3000+ practice questions and 5 practice tests.
I have already tried the free sample and felt not bad.
But Princeton’s 1296 also looks useful.
Which one should I try the Barron’s or Princeton?</p>
<p>Either will work. I know for a fact that that Princeton book is good though. Probably both wouldn’t hurt tbh.</p>
<p>Thanks LordEango!
I’m gonna go to a bookstore to see the Princeton one tomorrow before I decide!</p>