How can anyone finish the Reading test...

<p>hi..
my native language isn't english and thus a slow reader...
i finished 3 passages in 34 min when i discovered there's a IV passage...
any help to speed me up??
please help, thanks...</p>

<p>and i have 9 out of 30 answers wrong and im taking the test THIS SATURDAY...
tears...</p>

<p>Can you take the TOEFL?</p>

<p>You should probably take the test in december again, if you are a senior since it seems like this is your first time doing the ACTs. Don't worry even native speakers seem to have trouble finishing the passages. When you read, try not to memorize the passage, but absorb whatever you can , and use your pencil while reading to jot notes / underline. In any case, you should just read a lot more, in order to learn to read at a faster rate and familiarize with the format of the reading sections, they are always fairly similar for the last 3 passages.</p>

<p>i got the full score in toefl reading test...
it says on the ACT guide that read a passage in 2.5 min but it's simply impossible to me.
how do you do them? read the passage first or read while answering?
it seems like the questions aren't arranged in order in ACT like it does in SAT</p>

<p>I think its always better just to skim all the questions before. This takes me rougly 20 seconds. I am just trying to get the idea of the story so i won't dive into the passage head first.</p>

<p>I think 2.5 min per passage is a little rough. I believe you have about 8.5 mins per passage, and i think i take about 4-5 mins to read each passage. I usually refer back to the passage constantly when answering questions, but the key is to never get distracted and dont get discouraged. Just work on timing!</p>

<p>I think it's a better idea to read the passage first (not exactly thoroughly, but comprehensively enough that you understand the purpose of each paragraph, the author's thesis, stuff like that -- well beyond skimming though) before even looking at the questions. I got a 36 on reading this way. If I read the questions first, sometimes my preconceived notions about what the answers should be (if it's a popular social topic on which i have background knowledge, etc) will supersede the passage text. Different people may use different strategies though, and I think you should do what makes you most comfortable. </p>

<p>As to time, it's not surprising that you'll have a hard time finishing the test. I don't think that the ACT is well designed for people who are not native English speakers, because it is very fast-paced. I think the SAT is usually easier for non-native speakers (except its essay, but then again, the ACT essay isn't much better). Strategies will only get you so far but you'll need to practice a lot to be able to do read more quickly and with better retention.</p>

<p>I don't know if things have changed in the almost 2 decades it's been since I applied to college, but my husband was an international student. While his SAT V was fine (500s), he was applying to top schools. He took the TOEFL, and got a respectable score and got into his top choice schools. Non native-speakers aren't expected to do as well on these tests. I think you are worrying too much and being too hard on yourself.</p>

<p>honestly, you should take lots of practice exams, especially for reading, and develop your own strategy. some like to read the questions and some read only like half the passage
I hate the reading section lol its my weakest and i'm a native :&lt;/p>

<p>haha you make me feel a lot better, it's hard to everyone...
can anybody tell me about details during the test?
like what you should fill in before you start the test?</p>

<p>That sort of information is pretty easy.</p>

<p>Mostly name, gender, ACT ID, stuff like that.</p>

<p>Well here is how the format goes:</p>

<p>English test
Math test
-Break-
Reading
Science
-like 1 min break-
Essay</p>

<p>Even I am English and I can't finishing the reading section without really rushing, I feel your pain.</p>