I’m really struggling with the reading section on the SAT. I consistently run out of time and my score is way lower than I need it to be for the colleges I’m applying to. I seem to understand the individual sentences alright, but I’m having trouble grasping the overall meaning of the passages and remembering specific details when I get to the questions.
Specifically, I find myself getting tricked by the "main idea" and "inference" questions. I also have a hard time with passages that have old-fashioned or complicated language, especially historical documents. What are some specific strategies I can use to improve my comprehension and speed, especially when dealing with difficult texts? Are there certain types of passages I should focus on practicing with, and what kind of practice exercises are most effective? I’m currently scoring around 550 on practice tests, and I really need to get that up to at least 650, preferably closer to 700, in the next two months. Help!
Answer
To improve your SAT Reading comprehension skills, a multifaceted approach addressing both foundational reading abilities and test-taking strategies is essential. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to achieve significant improvement:
I. Building a Strong Foundation: Reading Comprehension Fundamentals
A. Expand Vocabulary: A robust vocabulary is crucial for understanding complex texts.
1. **Active Learning:** Don't just memorize definitions. Learn words in context. Use flashcards (physical or digital like Anki or Quizlet), vocabulary apps (e.g., Membean, Vocabulary.com), and incorporate new words into your writing and speaking.
2. **Contextual Clues:** Practice inferring meaning from surrounding sentences. Analyze how the author uses a word and the overall tone of the passage.
3. **Root Words, Prefixes, and Suffixes:** Understanding these word parts allows you to decipher unfamiliar words. Create lists of common roots and affixes.
4. **Read Widely:** Expose yourself to a variety of texts to encounter new vocabulary in different contexts.B. Improve Reading Speed and Fluency: Reading faster without sacrificing comprehension is key.
1. **Practice Active Reading:** Engage actively with the text by highlighting key points, underlining important details, and annotating in the margins. This forces you to process the information rather than passively scanning it.
2. **Avoid Subvocalization:** Subvocalization (silently pronouncing words as you read) slows you down. Practice reading without "hearing" the words in your head.
3. **Timed Reading Exercises:** Set a timer and read passages of increasing difficulty. Gradually reduce the time allotted while maintaining a high level of comprehension.
4. **Skimming and Scanning:** Develop the ability to quickly identify the main idea and locate specific information. Skimming involves reading quickly to get a general overview, while scanning involves searching for specific keywords or phrases.C. Enhance Comprehension Skills: Understanding the author’s purpose, main idea, and supporting arguments is vital.
1. **Identify the Main Idea:** Practice identifying the central argument or thesis of each passage. Look for topic sentences and pay attention to the overall structure of the text.
2. **Analyze Author's Purpose and Tone:** Determine why the author is writing (to inform, persuade, entertain, etc.) and identify the author's attitude toward the subject matter (e.g., critical, supportive, objective).
3. **Understand Text Structure:** Recognize common organizational patterns such as cause and effect, compare and contrast, chronological order, and problem and solution.
4. **Distinguish Between Facts and Opinions:** Learn to differentiate between objective statements that can be verified and subjective statements that reflect personal beliefs or judgments.
5. **Make Inferences and Draw Conclusions:** Practice drawing logical conclusions based on the information presented in the text, even if it is not explicitly stated.II. Mastering SAT Reading Strategies: Test-Taking Techniques
A. Understand the SAT Reading Section Format: Familiarize yourself with the types of passages and questions you will encounter.
1. **Passage Types:** Be aware of the different passage types, including literary narratives, historical documents, social science articles, and natural science articles.
2. **Question Types:** Understand the common question types, such as main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context, author's purpose, and tone.B. Develop Effective Reading Strategies: Optimize your approach to reading and answering questions efficiently.
1. **Preview Questions (Optional):** Some students find it helpful to briefly preview the questions before reading the passage to get an idea of what to look for. Others prefer to read the passage first. Experiment to see which approach works best for you.
2. **Active Reading (During Reading):** As described above, engage actively with the text while reading.
3. **Targeted Reading (After Reading):** Once you have a general understanding of the passage, focus on rereading specific sections to answer individual questions.
4. **Process of Elimination:** Systematically eliminate incorrect answer choices based on the evidence in the passage.
5. **Evidence-Based Answers:** Always choose the answer choice that is best supported by the text. Look for direct quotes or paraphrases that justify your choice.C. Time Management: Allocate your time wisely to ensure you can complete all sections.
1. **Set a Time Limit:** Determine how much time you have per passage and stick to it.
2. **Prioritize Questions:** Answer the questions you know first and come back to the more difficult ones later.
3. **Don't Dwell:** If you get stuck on a question, don't spend too much time on it. Make an educated guess and move on.
4. **Practice with Timed Tests:** Simulate the actual testing conditions by taking full-length practice tests under timed conditions.D. Practice, Practice, Practice: Consistent practice is the key to improvement.
1. **Official SAT Practice Tests:** Use official practice tests from the College Board to familiarize yourself with the format and content of the exam.
2. **Khan Academy:** Utilize Khan Academy's free SAT preparation resources, which include practice questions, video lessons, and personalized study plans.
3. **Review Mistakes:** Carefully analyze your mistakes to identify patterns and areas for improvement. Understand why you got the answer wrong and what you can do differently next time.III. Specific Strategies for Different Question Types:
A. Main Idea Questions:
1. **Focus on the Introduction and Conclusion:** The main idea is often stated in the introductory or concluding paragraphs.
2. **Look for Topic Sentences:** Each paragraph should have a topic sentence that expresses the main idea of that paragraph.
3. **Consider the Author's Purpose:** The main idea should align with the author's overall purpose.B. Supporting Detail Questions:
1. **Locate the Relevant Passage:** Use keywords from the question to find the specific section of the text that contains the answer.
2. **Read Carefully:** Pay close attention to the details in the relevant passage.
3. **Match the Answer Choice:** Choose the answer choice that is most consistent with the information in the passage.C. Inference Questions:
1. **Read Between the Lines:** Inference questions require you to draw conclusions based on information that is implied but not explicitly stated.
2. **Look for Clues:** Use contextual clues to infer the author's meaning or attitude.
3. **Avoid Extreme Answers:** Be wary of answer choices that are too broad or too specific.D. Vocabulary in Context Questions:
1. **Replace the Word:** Substitute each answer choice into the sentence and see which one makes the most sense.
2. **Consider the Tone:** The correct answer should be consistent with the overall tone of the passage.
3. **Use Contextual Clues:** Look for surrounding words or phrases that provide clues to the meaning of the word.E. Author’s Purpose Questions:
1. **Identify the Author's Goal:** Determine what the author is trying to achieve by writing the passage (e.g., to inform, persuade, entertain).
2. **Consider the Audience:** Think about who the author is writing for and what they want the audience to take away from the passage.
3. **Analyze the Tone and Style:** The author's tone and style can provide clues to their purpose.IV. Additional Tips:
- Read Regularly: Make reading a habit. Read books, articles, and other materials that interest you.
- Stay Informed: Keep up with current events by reading newspapers and magazines.
- Get Enough Rest: Being well-rested will help you focus and concentrate during the test.
- Stay Calm: Try to remain calm and relaxed during the test. Take deep breaths if you start to feel anxious.
- Believe in Yourself: Have confidence in your abilities and trust your instincts.
By consistently implementing these strategies, you can significantly improve your SAT Reading comprehension skills and achieve your target score. Remember that progress takes time and effort, so be patient with yourself and keep practicing.
