Too slow on ACT READING (need help from 30+ scorers)

ok so i am not a slow reader; however, it takes me 9-11m to complete a full act passage (when it should take 8-8.3m). I tried starting from questions w/o reading the passage (doing line questions first and broader ones last) but accuracy kills me (3-4 mistakes/ passage) and it takes me around 10m bc i take longer times to look for answers. I used to read the passage slowly (with good overall comprehension of the passage) and was more accurate (1-3 mistakes still around 10m). Do you guys have any advices for me (especially 30+ scorers? The detailed questions kill me on ACT reading (i always grasp a good overall understanding of the passage though). I want to get over 30 on reading from 24-26

Also do you guys recommend multiple approaches for each passage? Keep me informed

The first time I took reading, I freaked out and didn’t take in a single bit of comprehension. I got a 27 on that reading section. The next time I took it, I did even worse and got a 24 on reading. Again, I didn’t comprehend and had no strategy. Then, I watched this two hour Kaplan ACT Prep video on strategies for English and Reading. It changed my mind, strategy, and game. I used to try to read all of it by skimming quickly and then going to the questions. I wasted a lot of time by not knowing the answers to the questions and going back to the text. The strategy that helped me tremendously was by reading in-depth-but quickly-each paragraph and jotting down a phrase or two to help summarize the key points of the paragraph. I would get done with each passage in approximately 3-5 minutes, sometimes closer to 3. I’d get to the questions and know the answers. If I didn’t immediately know the answer, I’d know where to look quickly thanks to my notes. The third time I took the ACT, I got a 31 on reading and only missed 3 (I got the test release packet, which is how I know). The fourth time I took the ACT, I used the same strategy combined with a positive outlook and confidence and got a 34 on reading. Hope this helps a little! Remember: Read each paragraph and jot a summarized note!

^That doesn’t work for everyone. If anything, for many that will be a waste of time.

I got a 34 in Reading, and I didn’t even get to read or finish answering the last passage, so I would say shoot for accuracy more than filling every answer in. Take your time, even as you try to speed up that time. That said, if you have only a couple of minutes left, it’s also smart to start filling in answers for whatever you know you won’t get to; you’re not penalized for guessing.

No strategy will work for everyone. It is important to try various strategies before sticking with the one that works the best for the individual. Just wanted to share my personal strategy in hopes that it might help someone else. Not saying it will work for everyone.

I got a 36 on the reading section. I don’t think I’ve ever not gotten an A on some English exam. I’m not a genius or anything, I just didn’t have many friends when I was younger and read a fucking lot. I still read when I have the time but definitely not as much. I dont annotate the passages or do anything to them besides read them. But I would definitely do the other guys tip if you’re having trouble with comprehension. But I would also read in your spare time. I’m not talking about Edgar Allen Poe and stuff but books you actually want to read like Harry Potter or something. The more you do something, the better you get at it.

I went from a 27 to a 34 in reading:

  • First of all take a bunch of practice tests (so many can be found on google:“crack act”)
  • Here's a method that helped me: 1) Skim the passage within 1 or 2 minutes - this requires practice The main goal for the skimming is to gain a sense of where everything is in the passage so that when you get to the question you know where to look back to get the info No need to annotate during the skimming 2) Once you get to the questions (like you said) first do the line number questions these are questions that are like "In line 34 henry wants to do what?" (spend about 30 seconds for these questions) Some of these questions are worded exactly like the passage Make sure to read a line above and below 3) Do the ctl + f questions These are the questions that are very straightforward and straight from the passage except they do not have line numbers so they will require you to use your skimming to find out where to go (45 seconds) 4) Now that you have an overall feel for the passage answer the general questions (20 seconds)

-General Rules

  1. super duper important: Be very deliberate, dont spend time debating with yourself or the answer choice, spend time debating with the PASSAGE getting evidence from the passage
  2. Every answer should have evidence from the passage, if it is not in the passage then don’t even
    → just a side note, but going off of 1 and 2, what do you think the people making the test think the answer to be? There is only ONE answer that is in front of you that is correct and it has to be correct because otherwise the ACT board would get sued if their questions were subjective
  3. If there’s a question taking more than 30 seconds and you have no clue then skip and return
  4. choose an order for the passages (I did science first, because I liked science so I started the section off nicely)
  5. Cover up the answers and create your own answer ahead of time then see which answer best fits yours
  6. SHOW INTEREST in the passage I realize that comprehension isn’t your problem but even if the story is about someone’s grandma’s restaurant pretend to be interested and a active reader
  7. Never assume, just infer.

Would def recommend you to Meltzer’s reading book: https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide-ACT-Reading-2nd/dp/0997517824/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1480870122&sr=1-1&keywords=meltzer+reading+act

And the ACT Black Book: https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide-ACT-Reading-2nd/dp/0997517824/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1480870122&sr=1-1&keywords=meltzer+reading+act

I also got a 36 in reading and found that writing a few words summarizing each paragraph as I read was helpful. Also, if I was a little unsure of what a line meant and/or it seemed significant, I would underline it and make a little note of what I thought it was saying if I could. Most of the time those are the kinds of specific lines they ask about, so it was helpful to find them quickly and to already be familiar with them before I saw the specific question. It also sometimes helped me a lot to think of the answer to a question in the reading before looking at the options.

Edit: the four types of passages are always (as far as I know) the same (literary narrative, soc sci, humanities, natural sciences). If there is one that you consistently struggle with the most, save it for the end. That way, you can spend your time on passages on which you tend to do better and you’ll waste less time struggling with the actual comprehension.

I scored a 36 on reading. I’m not an English student. Here’s what I found myself doing: scanning each line with my pencil as I read. If I moved my hand across quickly, my reading would speed up. I could read each passage in less around 5-7 minutes. It’s important to be awake and aware. There really aren’t as many important details as much as one would think. It’s just being awake enough to process everything. This test is one of stamina!

liar, thats impossible. If you didn’t even finish the last passage thats atleast several wrong at most, and thats given you missed zero of the past 30 questions. to get a 34 you can only miss 2 at most, 1 on some practice tests.

@greenhopekid32 well you must be misinformed because I’m the only one who knows for sure what I put on my test. I didn’t read the last passage and bubbled random answers…it was a 34, the lowest section score I had besides writing.

Ok, how about you show me the score report then?

People here tend to exaggerate their scores by several points or so. Usually when someone says they got a 32, in reality they got a 28.

I recommend not taking the ACT again - move to the SAT. The reading timings are much more favorable on the SAT than the ACT, among all other sections as well. It’s simple enough, if you can’t make it for the test with the short time periods, focus on the test that you can finish in time.

@greenhopekid32 How do you propose I show you my score report exactly? Believe what you want. I came here 1 MONTH ago just to give OP the advice they asked for.

34 reading scorer here.

I forced myself to think that the article was interesting and read it completely before answering questions. Sometimes if you read the questions before, you’ll find a really simple question about a fact or something, so stop to answer those if you find the answer. But, just read the passage completely and as soon as possible. If anyone needs proof I got a 34 just pm me and I’ll screenshot my score report.

edit: realized this thread is a month old lol

@hhjjlala I don’t think anyone really cares for proof…

@IN4655

read previous posts please.

@hhjjlala Gotcha, not seeing that it just seemed like you were trying to gloat a bit lol. Still don’t know why anyone would lie about their score tho.