<p>I have improved my CR score from 630 to 750 without much work. My vocab still remains weak, as I have not done many vocabulary words at all. However what I have done is change the way I have approached the CR section. Number 1, I have attempted to read classic novels a bit more. I have read 100 pages on the invisible man. But the big thing was that I changed my approach. When reading the passages, I go straight to the questions. But I don't read the sections that the lines refer. Instead, I circle all the questions that have specific line references and number them in order that they occur in the passage. Then I mark the sections referred to in the questions, so that I focus a bit more in them. Then I begin from the beginning of the passage and answer questions as I read along. That way I don't forget the material and I can compartmentalize the information. Another thing I do is that on the 2 passage questions. I mark the questions referring to the first passage with an X and the ones with passage two with an O. Any question referencing both I ignore. Then I read passage 1 and do the passage 1 questions. Similarly I do the same thing with passage 2. Then I do the combined questions. This, along with a new found focus on the Critical Reading section, has caused me to improve greatly. I have no idea how I improved this dramatically, as I have never done this well in the blue book until now. I guess just practicing the test is enough for a smart person to get better at it.</p>
<p>I'm going to try this out. Thanks for the post MasterYster</p>
<p>No Problem Dorky</p>
<p>I read 100 pages of Crime and Punishment and my CR still remains s.h.i.t.
My vocab scored 18/19 and 17/19 though.</p>
<p>My vocab sucks because I don't work much on it and always miss like 0-2 per section. But the passages are really easy. I almost never miss a passage question anymore</p>
<p>Thanks for sharing! But I have a question, I don't really understand what you mean by
[quote]
Instead, I circle all the questions that have specific line references and number them in order that they occur in the passage.
[/quote]
Aren't the questions already in the order that they occur in the passage? :S Sorry if it's a stupid question! My brain is on SAT overload ;)</p>
<p>Some questions, usually the first question of long passages, require you to read the whole passage before answering.</p>
<p>Wow, that is the SAME thing I did and I also raised my CR around 80-100 points.</p>
<p>I think the biggest part is marking the line references and doing them as you read, the definitely eliminates any future content the author may right about that might fling you off and it also allows for greater concentration on the line AND the lines that lead up to it.
Definitely an 800 strategy right there.</p>
<p>You skip the questions that ask for the general idea/etc and wait till the end for those</p>
<p>Though English is my third language, I knew I wasn't a bad critical reader... shoot, I comprehend diff. texts pretty well.</p>
<p>I went from being avg (mid-500s) to now scoring in the mid-600s. I'm definitely using your technique tomorrow.</p>
<p>Thanks for sharing dude!</p>
<p>No problem, I'm glad you could jump 100 points in 1 day</p>
<p>how long does it take you to do this?</p>
<p>about an extra 15 seconds</p>
<p><strong>bump</strong> so people can still see this</p>
<p><strong>bump</strong> so people can still see this</p>
<p>Hey MasterYster,</p>
<p>Really smart approach to the RC. Practicing quick comprehension (reading novels a few weeks/months before) is the best way to increase your general RC questions. The systematized approach that you took is great for specific LR questions.</p>
<p>Congrats on your success.</p>
<p>Craig Gonzales</p>
<p>Thanks, I hope more people can see this</p>
<p>best method IMO. I improved the same way.</p>