Personal SAT Problem

[littlemonster39]

Hello CC Community,
I have been working on the SAT for quite a while, and I would say that I have taken about 20 tests by now. I am consistently above 750+ in Math and Writing on most tests, but I cannot get past the 650-700 range in the Critical Reading sections. I have done many different workbooks and done many tests, but I seem to always be hitting a block. I am taking the final, January 2016 SAT, and I am starting to panic because I want to get to at least mid 700s.
On a personal note, I sometimes get anxious or tensed up whenever I do a Critical Section because I try my hardest to do the best I can, but I always end up in the same 650-700 range. It is extremely frustrating because I feel like I am letting myself down a lot, and the results always lowers my self esteem. Nowadays, I don’t even want to do SAT practice because I kind of developed a learned helplessness of never getting past 700.
Is there any way to change my way of thinking, or any kind of key strategy that many of you all use to ace the Critical Reading section? Please reply…I am freaking out…

[azwu331]

What are you struggling with? Is it the vocab or the reading comprehension?

Here is a thread that may help: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/750399-how-to-attack-the-sat-critical-reading-section-effectively-p1.html

[littlemonster39]

I am struggling with the reading comprehension. I just seem to pick the wrong answer when I have eliminated it down to two choices. Or sometimes, I just plain out eliminate the right answer.

[azwu331]

Oh, then maybe the above guide will be helpful. I think the most helpful line is this:

A second word about approach: You didn’t pay CollegeBoard 45 bucks so that you could be nice. When you’re faced with five choices on a question, you’ve got to be ruthless. Stop internally justifying why one answer could be right, and instead make the shift to asking yourself why that answer could be wrong - play Devil’s Advocate, as cliched as that may sound. I can’t tell you enough how much this shift in thinking has helped me when I have been stuck between two seemingly correct choices. Despite appearances, all choices ARE different and one is certainly the best, or else CollegeBoard would be losing thousands of dollars to successful lawsuits. Keep this in mind. You have got to find the right answer.

Make sure you aren’t reusing practice tests, and read the blurb before each article. Studies have shown that interest increases comprehension. Find a way to immerse yourself and approach your reading with enthusiasm - even if the piece is ridiculously boring. Place yourself in the author’s shoes and make connections while you read. I can’t guarantee that this will help, but maybe changing how you approach the passages can help out and improve your score.

[littlemonster39]

Thank you @azwu331 for you replies, I am trying to immerse myself into the passages. Also, is there a way to read the passages more quickly because sometimes it takes me a while to read the details.