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<p>I find these questions are some of the trickiest of the SAT CR. My recommendation is to read the question, then <em>very</em> quickly skim over the passage again. Once you’ve skimmed the passage, go back to the question and read the answers. Some should stand out to you as being completely wrong. Cross these out on your paper. Now, for all your remaining answers apply the “think like the test-maker” approach. Carefully examine the answer choice and pretend you know for sure it’s wrong. Try to figure out WHY this answer would be wrong. Does the text imply it, but not directly support it? Does it sound good, but have no basis in the passage? If you cannot figure out any reason this answer would be wrong, move on to the next answer choices you were stuck on. Hopefully the others will provide clear reasons they are wrong, and you will then be left with the correct answer choice–the choice which you have the hardest time defending as wrong. Keep in mind that the correct answer can ALWAYS be found by looking at the passage. Other than that, practice practice practice!!!</p>
<p>I agree with CornelHopeful–that is why my guide instructs you to go back to the passage for each question which directly references a specific paragraph, sentence, or word, and reread the applicable part of the passage.</p>
<p>Insofar as making notes in the margin, I don’t recommend this method. I tried a couple practice tests doing it this way, but found I could concentrate better when I didn’t have to constantly stop to write stuff down. If you’re reading a book for English class or for fun do you normally write a summary of each paragraph? Probably not. But I’m guessing you also probably understand what’s going on in the book. CR is about being a close, careful reader. It’s unnecessary to summarize the passage as you go, and I find this upsets my flow, focus, and concentration.</p>
<p>However, I recommend trying a few practice tests and seeing which method works best for you. Different approaches, of course, will work better for different people. Obviously if you’re pressed for time you shouldn’t take the time to write extra stuff in the margins. I normally have additional time, and I find that I’d rather use this time to thoroughly double-check answers and go back to questions about which I’m unsure rather than write down summaries.</p>