<p>I don't know if anyone else out there is in the same boat, but the critical reading section continues to be a frustration for me.</p>
<p>SAT: CR 660, M 700, W 750
PSAT: CR 640 M 800 W 680</p>
<p>I think part of the problem is time management. I read through the passages, then go look at the questions. The question often leads me back to a paragraph in the passage. By the time I've read the paragraph I've forgotten what question I'm on and what the question was even asking. By the time I figure out what the question was asking, I've forgotten what the paragraph I just read was about. Every. Time. (facepalm)</p>
<p>I was wondering if any of you SAT pros had any tips for someone like me. :) Thanks so much!</p>
<p>Noitaraperp’s Guide to Critical Reading is your best bet; I followed the advice there and managed to get a 800 the first time round. (Search the SAT Prep section of CC and you’ll find this thread: Best of SAT Prep Forum and FAQs. Click this link and scroll down.) Of course, learning the strategies there isn’t as important as actually using them - practice, practice, practice, and pace yourself. Good luck!</p>
<p>P.S: How did you get a 750 in writing though? I’m stuck with a 650 - any advice for me:)?</p>
<p>Marshmellowish , i made a 770 on writing . Honestly, going over basic grammar rules help. Just google them seriously. And google “false/dangling idoms”, they usually get people with that one. Although i didnt make a perfect score (75/80 and 10 essay) , i got a really good section score. Also on the essay, write about things that , as much as i dont want to say it, make you seem smart as well as support your argument. For my essay i wrote about Machiavelli’s The Prince as well as including a B.S. analysis of the values behind Confucius’ Analects.</p>
<p>just a suggestion, try this way and see if it works for you–first time through, scan the passage, don’t read it. this might go against your natural instincts, but do it anyways. then start on the questions. look for EVIDENCE in the passage to support your answer. tell yourself, the answer is this because the passage says “…” try to think of the answer in your head before you look at the answer choices.
i got an 800 in cr twice, and this is what worked for me. good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice guys! And Marshmellowish - I really don’t know about the writing score. I just picked whatever sounded right in my head, sorry that’s not very helpful. But yeah, like Boomboxboom said, I guess going over basic grammar stuff would help.</p>
<p>for the vocab, i recommend learning some common root words and downloading a sat vocab app.
what i did was skim through the passage to get the general idea/context, and then reference back to it after each question.
good luck!</p>
I just picked whatever sounded right in my head, sorry that’s not very helpful. But yeah, like Boomboxboom said, I guess going over basic grammar stuff would help.</p>