As of right now, I have a major problem when I solve questions in the reading section.
I can get most of the questions right if I read the passage carefully and think critically. However, I ALWAYS run out of time limit (I always need about 75 minutes to complete, instead of 65).
Thus, when I take a practice test, I always have to guess ALL the answers on the last passage, because I didn’t get to it.
Guys, is there a way to avoid this phenomenon? I am taking SAT in October, and I am seriously worried now…
Have you used the Kahn Academy prep course?
Yes, I use it regularly.
I am already used to the questions. It’s just the matter of speed.
Any more thoughts?
What are your reading scores on the practice tests?
Around 30
OK that translates to about a 600 but of course it’s averaged with writing to arrive at an EBRW.
65 minutes for 52 or so questions is about a minute and 15 sec. per question. However, I’ve heard that some of the reading is complicated and of course some of the passages are linked. So that minute 15 is an average - some passages will result in more time needed. But in general you want to get your processing time reduced to about that amount or even a bit less. Currently you are closer to a minute 30. That’s why you run out of time.
A couple of suggestions: skip the passages that you KNOW will take more time (example, you struggle more with literature than with data, or history) and come back to them later on. If you can knock off a bunch of questions early on in less than a minute 15 you’ll have more time for the more difficult passages. Not sure how many questions per passage but if you can identify some easier ones that actually have a great number of questions that will leave fewer questions to have to ponder as the test draws to a close. In other words, pick the passage you need to rush on. Because it could well be that the last passage could have been easily answered relatively quickly if only you had been there earlier. So skip around a bit and see if that helps you.
Another suggestion is . . . .DON’T read the entire passage first. Skim it and get a general idea. Then try to answer the questions by going back and searching for the relevant info. This might be esp. important on the more difficult-to-understand passages. It could be that you are getting hung up on trying to comprehend the passage rather than merely answering the questions correctly (there actually is a difference).
Third, practice under timed conditions - a LOT. Be aware of the time passing via a watch or timepiece. The more you are used to the types of questions the less you need to focus on every word of each passage.
Good luck to you!
Thanks for your wonderful advice!
I took another reading test like you suggested, and the score went up by 1 point (which is good btw).
Here is another question: Is it necessary to read the entire passage? Reading the entire passage usually takes me 8 minutes. Is this bad? (calculation: 8 min x 5 passages = 40min to read passages, 25 minutes to answer the actual question)
Am I doing something wrong? Is 8 minutes too much?
Don’t know for sure - people work with different strategies. In general it’s best to spend the least amount of time on the passage and the most on the questions. If one is a speed-reader it might make sense to read the entire passage first. But if not I’d skim and then return. See if that speeds you up a bit.
Keep in mind that testing agencies love nothing better than test-takers getting all tripped up over a passage. The reading section is going to be one where strategy pays off. That’s why I listed a couple of options above.
Check out the College Board’s reading sample questions and answers on their website. The way they describe the correct responses might give you a bit of insight into what can speed you up a bit.
Good Luck!
Ok thanks for the answer!
From what sources are you preparing?
Note that there are two more authentic SAT tests available on the Khan Academy website. The more practice sections you do, the better. I also think that re-reading passages that have given you fits might help, also, to get used to the language used. It seems to me that they are hitting 19th Century British and American source material pretty hard, and if those passages are causing trouble, you have to find more of them and get used to the language. If anyone has suggestions beyond just practicing and re-reading published tests, let us know.
I have some different advice. With the new SAT testing context so much…I do not recommend skimming and answering questions. Too easy to miss crucial context that would change the answer dramatically. For example, a question asking the definition of a relatively simple word (a “vocabulary in context question”) may seem easy to answer. But the context of the word is essential to selecting the correct answer.
Clearly you need to speed up your reading time without losing comprehension. I suggest using underlining, circling, marking, etc to help you read faster, track and be able to locate important points later on.
I also suggest doing more high level reading in your free time. Read long-form articles from NY Times, The Atlantic, The Economist, or from some science journals.
Best of luck!