<p>So basically my CR is terrible(600) and about 150 points lower than my math and writing. I have a good memory and excelt at the sentence completions , only about 2 wrong. However, when it comes to the passage I don't know what to do. I read all the guides too online like the infamous effectively doing CR Passages, I did all the tests in the blue book already, but nothing is working. I bought Barron's CR, hopefully that helps...but How do you personally handle critical reading passages?any advice is appreciated</p>
<p>In all of the practice tests that I have done, I get nearly all (if not all) of the passage based questions right. </p>
<p>As you know there are 2 kinds of passages that will be given to you–either a pair of passages or a single passage. I find the pair of passages always easier to complete so I’ll deal with that one first. The two passages will either be contrasting or complementary. If you read the first sentence or two of each passage FIRST before doing anything else, you can usually tell whether they support or refute the other. Read the first passage and quickly move on to the second. Now that you have already decided the stand point on the second passage, you can read through it and look for points that stand out. For questions such as “the author of passage 1 would most likely agree that…” it is crucial that you know where each author stands on that particular topic. </p>
<p>Also, there is almost always going to be a super difficult, long passage to read on the SAT. If you are successful on the sentence completion questions then work through those quickly and effectively so you can maximize time on the passage. Read the passage thoroughly but only ONCE then continue on to the questions. When a question says “On line 15 the author…” refer back to the passage and read the first couple of lines before and after to get a better feel for the context of the sentence. Don’t be afraid to read SECTIONS of the passage while completing the questions. </p>
<p>And most importantly… know the types of questions that you will be asked for the passage based section. They are always in the same format! When you read the passage and you know what kinds of questions you will be asked later on, it is much easier to pinpoint what you need to focus on and what are simply just words in between. I read the first few lines and then I am already beginning to formulate possible questions that I may see later on. </p>
<p>Do not get discouraged if you are faced with an unfamiliar topic! Focus on the introduction of the passage because those points will continue to pop up later on in the reading. The intro is typically filled with background info that is necessary to understand the rest of the passage. </p>
<p>I hope that helped!</p>
<p>@Collegecrazy</p>
<p>DUDE! I’m in the EXACT situation! &@# the passages, they also kill me, but here’s what I’m doin:
- Short passages are easy, no worries about them.
- For long passages, read the blurb. Then go to line references in which the questions refer to and mark them clearly.
- Once you read to that line reference, absorb everything, and answer the question.
- Continue doing this, and then answer all the broad, general questions–they’re usually pretty easy.
- <strong><em>IMPORTANT</em></strong>do NOT bubble as you go–doing so will make you lose your focus on the passage.
- For 2 passage questions, do the same: answer questions related to first passage first then read second passage and answer questions on them.
- Read for contrast and comparison–usually, that’s what the 2 passages want you to figure out and the author’s clear stance.</p>
<p>Good luck, I’m also in the same struggle.</p>
<p>Always seem interested. No matter how boring the passage is. [:</p>
<p>should I read AND answer or read THEN answer?</p>
<p>I would read first THEN answer. If you’re still stuck on a question read again for verification. Try not to read a little bit, then answer a couple questions, then read more, then answer etc… as you can forget what the main idea of the passage is</p>
<p>But if I read and answer it seems like it saves time since I immediately read it, therefore I should immediately answer (line ref) it, so I won’t have to read it again after the whole passage, right? Or maybe I should try ur method if ur doing good with it</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/750399-how-attack-sat-critical-reading-section-effectively.html?highlight=noitaraperp[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/750399-how-attack-sat-critical-reading-section-effectively.html?highlight=noitaraperp</a></p>
<p>You can thank me later.</p>
<p>thanks so much guys especially Stones.
@Black painr- haha I tried reading that before and it didn’t help much
I also ALWAYS pretend I am interested I can do decent on the very shorts passages, then I tank anything else - even the supposed " easy" questions haha</p>
<p>another problem is… I guess I am a slow reader and I usually find myself running out of time or rushing liek crazy. On the June test I didn’t get up to like 7 questions on the last passage- thank god it was an experimental haha</p>
<p>If you are a slow reader then you either must learn to read faster (difficult) or mark up the line references before hand so you can prepare yourself for the questions that will follow. Missing 7 questions on one section will automatically drop your score to a 730 and thats without getting any wrong.</p>
<p>Play Devil’s Advocate.</p>
<p>thanks for you help guys :]!
another problem I am always able to narrow down the answer to 2… but then…I pick the wrong one like half the time :/</p>
<p>Every answer is backed up by the text REMEMBER THIS!!!</p>