Reading!

<p>i just checked my score on this past ACT, and i got a 30 composite with a 25 on the reading section. the reading secion is always the most difficult for me due to the time constraints and my inability to focus well. does anyone that was in a similar situation have any good tips for improving the reading score?</p>

<p>Well, you will need to focus. I find it easier to focus if I have a large breakfast and wear comfy clothes, sounds stupid, but makes it easier for me.</p>

<p>And for the reading:
Skim, do not read to remember everything. Skim in a way that you can follow the articles though. For most questions they tell you where to look, so if you understand the overall story you can answer just looking back where they tell you. </p>

<p>Read the sentence before and after the sentence they tell you to look at. They like to have sentences that by themselves are misleading, but are easy to grasp in 2-3 sentence segments.</p>

<p>And read books in general so that you are a fast reader, being a fast reader might be the biggest thing for the section.</p>

<p>If you have trouble focusing, read a speed-reading book. They often teach you to use your finger or pencil as a guide to force your mind to read at a steady pace. Remember you should have 8.5 minutes per passage + questions. For me, I spent a little more time on prose and a little less on science. When practicing, notice how much time you use for each section, and how much time you need to answer the questions. Don't just practice, practice smart. Optimize your time allocation each subsequent time.</p>

<p>I also have a hard time trying to focus. Does anybody read the questions first and then read the passage?</p>

<p>thanks, guys. that's really helpful!</p>