kwkingdom123

I've been doing a lot of those passages with questions and the number of questions wrong I get are really inconsistent. I usually get 2-3 questions wrong out of every 10-12 questions and if I'm lucky, I'll only get 1 wrong. My strategy so far is to first read the questions and then underline or circle places where the questions refer to. I then read the passage and proceed to answer the questions when I reach one of those circled or underlined places. I usually have problems with remembering what I've just read. I know this sounds rather stupid but every time I go to read the question, I need to reread the section it is referring to, despite the fact I just read it like five seconds ago. The questions that really kill me are those that are like "the author of passage 1 would most likely make which argument in support of the observations made by the author 2" or "the author of both passages would most likely agree with which of the following". I don't know if anyone has experienced this before but after I read a passage, I can't really seem to remember much about it, let alone the difference or similarity of it to another one.

cocoforcollege

AMEN. I HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM.
yeah sorry, no help D:
but if you practice that method enough, your accuracy slowly builds!

aares1

I used to use your strategy and it didn't work. Honestly, just read the passage and concentrate. Look for these always:
Main idea:What is the main subject of the passage?
Argument: What position does the author take on the subject? What is the main purpose of the passage?
Tone:What is the author’s attitude or feelings toward the subject?
Technique: What rhetorical devices (simile, metaphor, personification, etc.) does the author use to convey his or her tone, main ideas, and argument?

When answering the questions, try to literally reiterate what the passage(s) said. It's as simple as that, don't let the other choices blind you. All they want from you is to choose the answers that the passage supports. This helped: The SAT Reading Comprehension: Basic Principles - FamilyEducation.com

Wood5440

I can't say anything definite without having a concrete example of a passage and watching you read it, but.....

Where is your attention? Are you thinking about the question while you read the passage and/or vice versa? Do you have to think about the definitions of words as you read? Are you thinking about how hard/stupid/irrelevant the passage and questions are as you read?

Can you put paragraphs and sentences into your own words? Do you take time to do this before you shift your attention? Do you do the same with the questions and answer choices?

Changez

I wouldn't recommend reading the questions first and then hunting for the answer in the passage. Doing so may cause you to not grasp the subtle nuances in tone that that may change the meaning of a sentence entirely. In fact, I'd be willing to guess that that's what's keeping you just off of a perfect score.

nate42

You just described the exact problems I have on the CR section of the SAT!

Johnbarron2011

take the act hahaha. but really all i would do is read the passages very thoroughly so i can answer the questions lightning quick. i have partial photogrphic memory though so maybe it doesnt work for other people in general but i dont see why it wouldnt

nate42

^ I have a photographic memory as well. I think the problem is that I'm just not really paying attention to what I am reading due to time constraints.

efirestone14

The real key to succeeding on the Critical Reading section of the SAT is to PRACTICE! I do not recommend looking at the questions first, I would just read and digest the passage and answer the questions. You really need to thoroughly read and be interested in the passage in order to answer the questions correctly.

From my own experiences, I have done a lot of practice tests and the Critical Reading has gradually come easier to me. As I said, the real key to succeeding is to practice. By practicing, you will become used to the time limit and you will develop strategies that work for you.