One of the biggest problems I have on the SAT Critical Reading Section is being able to actual read the passages without having my mind wander off. The passages are so freaking boring that even if I make a conscious effort to try and read it I still just end up spacing out. I’ve heard people say to just act like I am genuinely interested in the passage and I have tried that but I can’t convince myself that I wouldn’t rather be getting my wisdom teeth pulled than reading these incredibly boring passages. I try to force myself to read the passages but the length of the test really takes its toll and I find it so hard to not to just think about something else or get distracted while I’m reading the passages. Reading is easily my worst section. I actually do decent on the sentence completions (I miss about 3-4 per test) but I miss about 16-17 passage based questions per test. I’m trying to get my reading score to 600+ (My Writing is 620 and Math is 690, Writing was 560). Any advice?
I also don’t think it’s a coincidence that on the Writing Section 3 of the 8 I missed on the March SAT were improving paragraphs. I missed 2 Improving sentences (out of 25), 3 identifying error questions (out of 18) and then 3 improving paragraph questions (out of 6) when the improving paragraph questions are very much like the passage based reading questions.
I think the passages are interesting. Maybe you have an attention span problem (or, worse, lack curiosity).
@Marvin I probably have both of those. I don’t really have problems reading stuff in school. (Although I absolutely hate every second of it, books just bore me I’m usually able to suck it up, if not I at least Sparknote it.) it is just something about having to do in on a test in a pressure situation that I just hate. I’m probably an above average writer and definitely have a large vocabulary. I just hate reading anything that I don’t choose to read voluntarily and it’s really hard for me to do that in a test situation.
I would just do the best you can and accept that you are not going to get a great score. You have made clear that you have a hard time paying attention and that reading something not of your own choosing is terribly boring to you. Schools are hoping to get an accurate assessment of your skills…
@CheddarcheeseMN I’m trying to get 600. I already know I’m not going to score 800 but Reading is really crippling my score on both the SAT and ACT. (I got a 22 Reading on the ACT and a 24 Science but a 27 English and a 32 Math) I got 560 so I’m not that far off from 600. I’m trying to get my reading so it does’t completely cripple my overall score. (I think I can get my writing to 650+ and my math to 720-730 if I prep a little bit, If I can at least get my Reading to 600 I can get 1950-2000 possibly)
I honestly don’t like movies and I don’t like books. There are exceptions for both but as I general rule I just don’t like that stuff.
Are you sure college is for you? You might not like it much.
Try reading an article a day from the newspaper or a magazine like the Economist or the Atlantic or Smithsonian. Underline and look up words you don’t know. Make sure you understand the main point of the article. Try to read and focus without any distractions for at least 10-15 minutes every day. Don’t look for the passage to be interesting, look for what it is trying to say. What’s the main concept?
@TNE2011 Alright I’ll try that.
@marvin100 That isn’t the point. I’m trying to get a decent job and college is probably the best avenue for me to do so.
Some people view education as something essential on its own. I view it as a way for me to get ahead in life whether or not I actually enjoy it or find it interesting. (Or honestly even learn anything).
yeah i also view study as a way to get ahead in my life…& can anyone of u help me through SAT …i’m new at it…& plzz help me by telling how i can prepare for it…& it’s pattern & eligibility criteria …