patricklin27

I recently purchased The New York Times for 2 months in attempt to improve my verbal score.


Is this a good source?

If not, what magazines/newspaper are optimal for improving verbal scores?

Demonic

The best way to learn the vocab is to learn the prefixes/suffixes and to make good guesses.

I do that and basically never get SAT vocab wrong.....

But reading stuff helps a lot because it gives you familiarity with random words. The New York Times is a good source. Just read it more carefully, focusing on the word choice

dchow08

Yes, yes, yes! The very first article I read contained a useful word. I can't remember what it was though. I wish you would read the newspaper because it's good for your reading skills, more than just caring about test scores. Reading newspapers of that quality will definitely help you become a better reader, if you make an effort to read at a reasonable speed and to try not to reread the same sentences over and over (which I still do sometimes). I also learn words everyday when I read something like Time or the Atlantic Monthly, so make sure you have a dictionary nearby. But before you look it up, try to make an educated guess at the definition. I suppose the answer to your question depends on how good you are at vocab right now. The New York Times is awesome.

milessdude

YEPP!! Reading the NYT definitely helps you improve your verbal skills!! I LOVE the New York Times.

tmi

Reading the NYT will also help your writing skills!!!!!

ballin4ever

Yes, but should not only read passively, but also ask yourself important questions as you read. For example, say you read an article about Robert Mugabe's corruption. Read and then define the main point and any words you don't know. Also, understand how individual sentences contribute to the main idea. The 5th sentence in the 2nd paragraph might strengthen the assertion that Mugabe is an uncompromising, stubborn man who is unwilling to step down while his country is in bad shape. Stuff like that. That should help. [=

patricklin27

thank you ladies and gentleMAN.

Ajjared

Most newspapers will contain higher level vocab, so any newspaper should work.

simple1

I recall coming over several questions on the writing section of the SAT's that were borrowed directly from the NYT. So I think it may be of good use.