One of the most commonly tested skills on standardized tests is Reading Comprehension (RC). It goes by many names: Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS) on the MCAT, Reading on the ACT and SAT, and just plain RC on the LSAT and ISEE tests. Whatever the name, reading a long passage and answering questions about the form, structure, and author’s choice, especially with the added pressure of time, can be incredibly challenging, even for the most adept reader.
When I first took the ACT, I struggled with the RC section. I knew I was a “good” reader, but it took me too long to get through the passages. With a lot of practice, I figured the tricks out, and ended up with a 36 (out of 36) on the ACT Reading section and, many years later, a perfect store on the RC section of the LSAT.
With that in mind, here are my top 5 strategies for attacking a Reading Comprehension section on any standardized test:
1. Read less.
This may sound counter-intuitive, but you do not need to know every detail of every passage, and if you do, you are just wasting time. Skim the passage once (and I really do mean, skim) and then go directly to the questions. It is perfectly okay, and even recommended, to read each question and then consult the passage again.
2. Skim efficiently.
If you see a question asking you about the author’s overall purpose, the main idea of the passage, or anything like that, you should be able to answer it from your first read. Focus on the first and last sentence of each paragraph, with special attention to the last sentence of the first paragraph and the last sentence overall. The correct answer choice will cover, in whole or in part, almost everything in those sentences.
3. Utilize highlight/underline tools.
As you skim, highlight/underline anything and everything that seems generalized, any numbers or data points, and parts of the passage that seem easy to forget. You are more likely to remember what you skimmed by using these tools, and you will be faster at reviewing the passage after you read each question.
4. Paired passages are your best friend.
Many RC sections have a series of questions based on two passages, Passage A and Passage B. The most common mistake with these questions is that you are more likely to mix up which passage said what. If you can avoid that, these questions are often lower in rigor – that’s a win!
5. Think like the test writer.
The people who write standardized tests are smart, and they are trying to think of the mistakes that are easiest for the average test taker to take. If you’re between two answer choices, and you really can’t decide, find the trick. Go back to the part of the passage in question, and find the mistake the test writer wants you to make. You are smarter than a test!
Go forth and conquer – you got this!
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