I have a major problem here. I always get stressed out during the test; I got a throbbing pain above my right eye during october, especially during the reading section. I think that stress really hinders my performance on test day and that I could do much much better. I believe what contributes to my stress is that in the reading section I take it upon myself to read every word in the passages, leaving my with every little time to analyze the questions’ choices and try to find fault with them to eventually arrive at the correct answer.
Doing bad on the first section carries on the stress to the rest sections. Forexample, before the October test I have done the two recently released practice tests, and scored 260R(30 correct) on the 5th test and 350R(45 correct) on the May one. Just to note that I took May after the 5th test, after carefully checking and analyzing my mistakes on the previous test, as I didn’t practice reading since June( Busy with SAT 2) which my explain my previous score.
On the October test, however, I got 290R(33 correct)
Can anyone explain the disparity between these tests? I just want to note, however, that I sat the 2016 May test and got 320R(41 correct), which might give you the impression that since I took it before might explain my increase in the second try.
How to control this stress? How do you approach the reading section? For me, I read it all, I just can’t skim as I already have trouble grasping the main idea or simply what is being said under stress.
Do you know this feeling you get when you’re reading a book and you just went over 2 pages without understanding anything? That’s the same feeling I get on test day.
Currently, I am getting 38 - 40 correct in Kaplan and Princton tests. I am planning to take the second PSAT tomorrow, any tips to improve the way I read?
Forgot to say that my vocab is a little above average.