I’ve taken the test with a 30,31,30 in reading. I can’t seem to get any higher.
My technique is just read every word of the passages as quick as possible.
Work out the questions that have small areas needed like “line 64-72” so I have a better idea on summary and main idea passages.
Work main idea passages.
Is there a flaw in my technique? In my method, if I have 8 more minutes I’d make a 35-36. Each time I didn’t get a chance to read the final passage so I find it pretty good that I’m able to still pull suck a good score while semi guessing on 8 questions.
I usually do different techniques on different passages hahaha. Sometimes I skim the questions, and for the ones that point out specific words/lines/paragraph, I mark that spot in the passage. then read the passage, stopping to answer the questions about the marked areas. then answer the big picture questions. Sometimes I go directly to the specific spots and only read those areas, then answer those questions, then skim the whole thing and answer more questions.
Make sure you keep your eyes on the clock. Some people say that it’ll make you more nervous but that’s the point. The more you practice under pressure the more you’ll be able to do well on the actual test.
One technique I used was to save the first passage for last and start the last passage first. I managed to save a few minutes knowing that I could always finish the last passage faster than the rest. Ultimately, its through trial and error where you’ll find the best method to finish the reading passage. Good luck!
Well on the ACT, the last passage is always a science related passage whereas the first one is a prose or literature passage. I always did the science section first in ~7 minutes which left me with about 9 minutes each for the rest of the three passages. In the prose passage, I needed more time to think it through.
I’m not sure how it’s structured on the new SAT. If you want to pass the 32 mark in reading you NEED to read the passage thoroughly once. Get the complete idea of the passage. Also, if you only refer to the lines “#” without having the general idea, you might be fooled to pick the answer they want to trick you into picking.
My strategy changed my ACT Reading from scores like a 24 and a 27 to scores like a 31 and my most recent 34 on the September reading section. I read each paragraph quickly, but I make sure I comprehend it. Then, I jot down a phrase or two to summarize each paragraph. By the time I get to the questions, I know 90% of the answers without going back to the text. And if I have to go back to the text, I know exactly where to look thanks to my summaries. Hope this helps!