How to Read for the SAT and ACT: Three Methods

ACT SAT
By Colleen

Screen Shot 2017-11-15 at 5.55.02 PM.png

One of the hardest sections to prepare for on the SAT and ACT is the reading section. For the other sections, like math and English, there is particular content to learn. For the reading section, however, the exam is testing how well you understand and interpret what you read. Most importantly in this section, you need to manage your time well. What are some strategies for approaching the section efficiently and thereby gaining maximum points? I break down three methods below.

What Strategies Should I Follow?

Everyone reads differently. When I work with students, we try different methods of reading the passages and answering questions. It is well worth your time to find out what works best for you. Here are three strategies. Many students follow one of these, but what works best for you might be some combination of the following.

1. Read the entire passage carefully, then answer the questions.

Taking time to read the passage means that you can pay attention to what it is saying, without having to keep track of what the questions are. The downside of this method is that if you take your time reading the passage, you have less time to answer the questions.

This method might be good for you if: you are a careful reader and can understand most of the passage’s details from one reading.

This method might not be for you if: you like knowing what information you will need to answer the questions or if you like rereading parts of the passage while answering the questions.

2. Skim through the passage so that you can know where to find information once you get to the questions.

With this method, you don’t spend as much time reading and understanding the passage as in Method 1. Instead, you get a broad sense of the purpose and content of the passage, so that you can know where to look for the information you need once you get to the questions.

This method might be good for you if: you like spending time on the exam going back to the passage while you answer questions. It might also be good for you if you understand the passage content best when you read it twice. If you are going to read the twice anyway, it saves a lot of time if you just focus on the big ideas on your first time though.

This method might not be good for you if: you like knowing what the questions will be or if you have trouble skimming. If skimming means that you either remember nothing or that you take as long as your normal reading pace, then don’t skim!

3. Read the Questions First

For this method, you read the title of the passage to understand its main theme and then jump straight to the questions. Skim the questions and see what they are asking about. Are they looking for the meaning of the passage? A close reading of particular words? Keep these questions (and even particular lines) in mind. Then, go through and read the passage. As you find answers to the questions, mark them down. Finish any remaining questions once you finish the passage. 

This method might be for you if: you like to know what you should be looking for in the passage. Do you get lost, or do your thoughts wander off? Knowing the specific information that you need to look for can help you keep on track.

This method might not be for you if: you find it difficult to remember the questions and read at the same time. Do you get distracted thinking about the questions, causing your mind to drift away from the passage? Maybe it’s best to stick to reading the passage with a clear mind first and then move on to the questions.

How Do I Know Which Method to Use?

Take practice tests and go through practice passages. Do one method for a couple passages, then switch to another. Which feels more natural? Which method is fastest? And which method lets you earn the most points? One method will probably stand out to you, but if not, don’t feel afraid to experiment. Learning how you read will gain you points, so your time is well spent. Plus, the more practice tests and passages you see, the more you will be prepared for exam day. 

Where Do I Go from Here?

Looking for more practice on the reading section? Check out my posts on practicing reading, types of reading questions, and answering reading questions, or get in touch with Cambridge Coaching to schedule private tutoring sessions and practice your reading strategies!

Need support on the SAT in Boston or in New York?

Would you like to read more on the SAT?

The Key to Selecting the Right Answer on the SAT & ACT: Part 1

The Key to Selecting the Right Answer on the SAT & ACT: Part 2

What's the Difference Between the Old SAT and New SAT? 5 Major Changes on the Reading Section

Comments

topicTopics
academics study skills MCAT medical school admissions SAT expository writing college admissions English MD/PhD admissions strategy writing LSAT GMAT GRE physics chemistry math biology graduate admissions academic advice ACT interview prep law school admissions test anxiety language learning premed MBA admissions career advice personal statements homework help AP exams creative writing MD study schedules test prep computer science Common Application summer activities history mathematics philosophy organic chemistry secondary applications economics supplements research 1L PSAT admissions coaching grammar law psychology statistics & probability legal studies ESL CARS SSAT covid-19 dental admissions logic games reading comprehension engineering USMLE calculus PhD admissions Spanish mentorship parents Latin biochemistry case coaching verbal reasoning DAT English literature STEM excel medical school political science skills AMCAS French Linguistics MBA coursework Tutoring Approaches academic integrity chinese letters of recommendation Anki DO Social Advocacy admissions advice algebra art history artificial intelligence astrophysics business cell biology classics diversity statement gap year genetics geometry kinematics linear algebra mechanical engineering mental health presentations quantitative reasoning study abroad technical interviews time management work and activities 2L DMD IB exams ISEE MD/PhD programs Sentence Correction adjusting to college algorithms amino acids analysis essay athletics business skills careers cold emails data science dental school finance first generation student functions graphing information sessions international students internships logic networking poetry resume revising science social sciences software engineering tech industry trigonometry writer's block 3L AAMC Academic Interest EMT FlexMed Fourier Series Greek Health Professional Shortage Area Italian Lagrange multipliers London MD vs PhD MMI Montessori National Health Service Corps Pythagorean Theorem Python Shakespeare Step 2 TMDSAS Taylor Series Truss Analysis Zoom acids and bases active learning architecture argumentative writing art art and design schools art portfolios bacteriology bibliographies biomedicine brain teaser campus visits cantonese capacitors capital markets central limit theorem centrifugal force chemical engineering chess chromatography class participation climate change clinical experience community service constitutional law consulting cover letters curriculum dementia demonstrated interest dimensional analysis distance learning econometrics electric engineering electricity and magnetism escape velocity evolution executive function freewriting genomics harmonics health policy history of medicine history of science hybrid vehicles hydrophobic effect ideal gas law immunology induction infinite institutional actions integrated reasoning intermolecular forces intern investing investment banking lab reports linear maps mandarin chinese matrices mba medical physics meiosis microeconomics mitosis mnemonics music music theory nervous system neurology neuroscience object-oriented programming office hours operating systems