<p>Reading is my WORST subject. I constantly get 20's, which really annoys me. I can read the whole passage in time, but I am having trouble comprehending the passage. Maybe it's my approach, maybe it isn't... </p>
<p>I know there are many strategies out there, but how do I know which one is for me? </p>
<p>Like I said, I just have trouble comprehending (My reading speed isn't the problem)... so what approach should I take?</p>
<p>Well, I always had trouble with Reading on the ACT, but my main problem was retaining the information (there were times in which I read the entire passage but wouldn’t remember one detail…). I found my best strategy was to read the passage as fast as possible (and sometimes jot a few words down pertaining to what each paragraph is about) then go straight to the questions and quickly look back at the passage if I have to find a certain detail.</p>
<p>That’s exactly my problem… retaining info. Perhaps I should practice using your strategy</p>
<p>Before you start the passage, try making yourself believe that you’re REALLY interested in the passage and keep that mindset through out. It has helped me improve retention, and just read quickly and reference back every once in a while to make sure the info you have retained is accurate.</p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>Thanks a lot!</p>
<p>My reading strategy is like stePads: Read the passage first, you don’t have to spend a lot of time. Then look at the question and go back into the passage. That’s what I do and I always have 5-10 minutes left to spare at the end and I got a 34 on the reading section.</p>
<p>I also agree with ifgodwills, if I take more interest in the passage I will also retain more. And picturing what’s actually happening (it’s easiest to do this on the prose fiction) helps me comprehend it as a whole also. I was such a good reader when I was in elementary school, but I got SO lazy during middle/high school with reading, which is why the Reading section on the ACT always killed my score.</p>
<p>I just read the first paragraph , the first and last sentences of every body paragraph and then the last paragraph. I can usually answer all questions just from that, but if not I have MORE time to go back and read a particular section again.</p>
<p>If you read more, you will find it is easier to retain more information if you try to remember it. There isn’t much of a trick. Underlining key sentences helps too.</p>
<p>To know which one works best for you, get a timer/stopwatch. Go get a book or go to a website with several ACT reading practices. Try each strategy and see which earns you the most points within the time limit.</p>
<p>there are practices on the sparknotes website.</p>
<p>:]</p>
<p>It helped me to read a lot and build up reading speed by giving myself less time during practices. </p>
<p>Also, underlining/circling important words or phrases in the passages helps too :]</p>
<p>What I’ve learned from guides/internet/myself taking tests- if you aren’t a very fast and comprehensive reader (I am not), then you should read the passage first and then answer the questions. Focus heavily on the beginnings and endings of paragraphs, but do not ignore what is in between because there are some very specific questions that ask questions whose answers are almost direct quotes from the passage.</p>