<p>Hey guys, I have a problem in critical reading like most people do.
My main problem is fully or getting the right idea of the topic. I am also a slow reader and I also have a short attention span. I've taken many practice tests from a variety of sources and I'm really starting to understand the questions and answers (the extreme answers, understanding what the questions are ACTUALLY saying, ignoring facts that do that answer the questions correctly, etc.) . However, I still tend to get a lot wrong and mostly because I MISREAD/MISINTERPRET the passage. It always seems that I get the first questions wrong and the last questions correct. I feel that after I have finished the passage and understood it FULLY, meaning I did not only read it, but analyze it THROUGH answering the questions according to it, I change the answers to my beginning questions and usually get it right.
The main problem with changing answers is the time.</p>
<p>My tutor suggested that I read the New York Times daily to improve my scores.
He told me that the writing style is kind of similar, and will help me get used to boring or "hard" topics aka. science-related topics like astronomy, and post modern painters/writers, philosophers, etc.
Do you guys think it will benefit me, and improve my reading skills?
Especially since most articles from New York Times have high vocabulary and complex writing styles?</p>
<p>Many of expressions and prose styles they ask you to interpret you just wouldn’t know unless you read a lot. Or you can pull an AP lit and start gathering clues from all over, but that’s a learned skill</p>
<p>I went from 680 -> 800 for the SAT and 27 –> 35 for the ACT reading sections. It depends on how much effort you are willing to put into studying for the test. General reading is a good albeit inefficient solution. Studying vocabulary alone may help you improve 50 points.</p>
<p>For me however, it was practice tests. The first time I took the test I found myself circling answers because something “sounded right” or “felt right” without any explicit justification. I had a lot of trouble on questions where they asked “what do you think the author’s opinion”, “what is the general meaning”, etc. If that sounds like you I’d suggest an alternative.</p>
<p>Once you take more tests you begin to realize that all but maybe 1-2 CR questions on each test are can be justified through extremely explicit and clear means. For every single answer you put down, make a mental note of WHY you picked the answer, and check your answer key’s manual (which frequently comes with explanation) and verify if your explanation is correct. For example, when asked about general meaning of passage, look towards beginning/end of the passage, and see if it tells you in plain words “the purpose of lalala, or etc”.</p>
<p>Thank you for theanswermark. LOL
Ill take your suggestion into consideration. However, the big difference between you and me, is that you started with good reading fundamentals. I average around 500’s and I’m a native speaker… hoping to reach 650+ since I’m pretty decent with writing and math 700+.</p>