<p>Ok, well I have made fairly large improvements on CR. I started with like a 54 on my sophomore PSAT and raised to about a 690-710 range on the actual SAT. I am really proud of and happy with this; however, I kind of want to improve further. On the SC section, I memorized Hit Parade and Direct Hits vocab lists, thus most the time SC is fine (with the exception of a few sections that have words those lists miss). However, I make a few errors on the passage based questions. First, how should I approach the "This word most nearly means what" questions. Also, at times I will miss a question and then come back after checking it Then, after thinking critically about it, I understand why "ETS answer" was right. Is there an approach to the CR section that would help me come to realize these answers before I check the test? (ya, this is kind of a dumb question but o well =/ ) </p>
<p>Thanks,
Robbie</p>
<p>Hey Robbie,
A common method for the word meaning questions is substituting the word in the passage, reading it, and seeing if it seems right.
I don't know if this will necessarily help you, but I think a good way for dealing with these and all CR section questions is to never, ever overthink. Overthinking has been the death knoll for a lot of my friends who've asked me about the CR section. So if it's a word, just look for the best word, nothing less, nothing more. I can't say I know for sure, but if you don't mind, I'll hazard a guess: I don't think ETS has necessarily thought it through more "critically" than you have. In fact their answer is probably more straightforward.
So the approach I suggest to you is, if you can't find proof for your answer in the passage, chances are it's wrong.
If you have any more questions, feel free.</p>
<p>John</p>
<p>Thanks a ton, this really helps!</p>
<p>But for me the problem is having enough time to prove each and every question from the passage. I read, and pick what I think is right according to the passage. Maybe thats why i have trouble with this too. lol</p>