Reading Strategies
If you approach the SAT Reading Test in the same way you approach a school-based reading test that assesses text recall, you will have some major difficulty. What is True or False.
What is true. There are many fundamental differences in how you should tackle typical school-based reading tests vs. the SAT Reading Test.
You need to pace yourself to read at a pace of about 150 words per minute. What is True or False.
What is True. This is about as quickly as people can talk.
Skimming the questions first before reading the passage is always best. What is True or False.
What is false. Pick which strategy works best for you. Some students find it more helpful to put their energy into developing a strong initial understanding of what is written first then answer the questions. Whatever you do, decide before the day of the test which approach better suits you.
Before each passage, there is a brief summary that will give you some information about what what you are about to read. What is True or False.
What is true. Be SURE to read this it will give you a preview of the general meaning of what follows.
Go back to the passage as often as you need. What is True or False.
What is true. Most test are closed-book.-the SAT Reading section is open book. It makes sense to use the text whenever necessary. Please remember to not get caught up on one overly difficult question & waste time.
SAT test questions are often about specific facts, so it is vital that you memorize details and definitions as you read. What is True or False.
What is false. SAT test questions are more often about inference, purpose, and big ideas, so focus on general paraphrasing instead of specific memorizing.
Focus on the passages that are easier for you. What is True or False.
What is true. Every question is worth the same, so pick your battles.
You are NOT expected to have any background knowledge on any topics in the reading passages. What is True or False.
What is true. Everything you need to answer the questions will be given to you in the text and, if applicable, the accompanying graphics.
You are unable to write all over your test booklet. What is True or False.
What is false. Do not hesitate to write down some brief notes as you read. Consider making small notes and annotations as you are reading the passage.
If an answer is only 99% correct, it is 100% incorrect. What is True or False.
What is true. A single word can contaminate an answer, making it completely wrong.
SAT questions are very well written, and there will be just one correct answer to each question. What is True or False.
What is true. The College Board does not want to throw out the results for hundreds of thousands of test-takers, so they invest tremendous resources into ensuring that the questions have answers that are 100% correct.
There is no guessing penalty on the SAT. What is True or False.
What is true. If you are unsure about a question or you are running out of time, be sure to bubble in a letter.
On Fiction and Literature passages only read the last paragraph. What is True or False.
What is false. Read the the first paragraph or two a bit more carefully, and read the remainder of the passage normally. This can help you fully understand the characters and setting before you move into the rest of the story.
The first questions after a passage will typically be about the overall meaning of the passage. What is True or False.
What is true. If you have not fully grasped the overall meaning, come back to the general questions after having done more specific questions.
When you don't know a word's meaning, that choice is usually wrong. What is True or False.
What is False. While memorizing vocabulary will help you prepare, you should especially sharpen your skills in picking up on the meanings of words based on context.
If you have told yourself that you are "a bad test-taker," ask yourself: "Am I taking the SAT in the same way I take a school-based test?" If so, the problem is not with you but with your strategy. What is True or False.
What is True. There are some fundamental differences in you should tackle typical tests and the SAT Reading test.
Focus on the questions that are easier. What is True or False.
What is true. The questions that will likely take the least amount of time are the Words in Context questions (which ask about the meaning of a word), Anchor questions & vocabulary questions.
Non-Fiction passages are typically more structured than fiction. What is True or False.
What is true. Read the first paragraph, first sentence of each paragraph, and last paragraph a bit more carefully, and the rest normally. These parts will typically give you more critical information, such as the thesis of the essay & general topics of each paragraph.
One good strategy is to cover the the answers as you read the questions. What is True or False.
What is true. Some of the SAT questions are written to mislead you. Formulate an answer first & narrow it down. Take control of the questions and don't let them control you.
When uncertain about your strategy, give the SAT the benefit of the doubt. What is True or False.
What is true. The SAT is an extraordinarily well-constructed assessment. Do not waste your time looking for flaws on the test. Instead, focus on how you can improve your reading comprehension & critical thinking skills.
The SAT is open book-you don't have know anything ahead of time or memorize the passage. What is True or False.
What is True. You can go back to the passage as often as needed.
Do not look at the passage titles and descriptions before you begin the test. What is True or False.
What is false!!! This helps you determine which passages are easier for you. Do the passages that seem most interesting easiest first.
PASSAGE 1 & PASSAGE 2-Do not read these with a focus on the overall meaning and the overall relationship between the two passages. What is True or False.
What is false. There will be several questions that involve comparing the similarities & differences between the two reading selections.
It is not necessary to underline & circle key words as you read the questions. What is True or False.
What is false. Skipping a key word while reading a question will likely lead to a wrong answer.
What do the initials SAT stand for?
What is Scholastic Aptitude Test.
Scholastic=concerning schools & education
Aptitude=a natural ability to do something
Test=measures quality & performance