Must-Know SAT exam Reading Tips

If you want to clear SAT, then you have to prepare for each and every section of SAT- Reading/Writing, Mathematics and essay (optional). Reading section is one of the three sections that you will face in your new exam format. Reading is sometimes, considered as more complicated than other sections as it requires more time to answer the questions based on passage reading. Some people can only answer the questions if they read the whole passage whereas some people do not waste time in reading whole paragraph, they read the questions first and start hitting the answers in the passage. Everyone follows his/her own technique.

You need to be very particular about your approach if you want to complete the exam in a given time frame. Make your own strategy to crack the exam and start following it from day 1. Here, I am going to suggest you some SAT reading tips. Have a look.

• Know the scoring criteria of the test: In new SAT exam, there is no penalty for a wrong answer whereas earlier, ¼ marks deducted for each guess. So, this time, it is suggested not to leave any question,just make a guess which may add on to your total SAT scores.

• Know about this section: Reading section of SAT has further 2 divisions. First division has 2 parts, each of which contains 24 questions to be completed in 25 minutes and third division carries 19 questions to be completed in 20 minutes. In total, there are 67 questions including 48 passage based and 19 sentence completion questions.

• Follow the most appropriate SAT reading comprehension strategy:

1. Read a passage and make short notes for each, in your own words, so as to get an idea about the topic and purpose of the passage.
2. Underline the important dates, names and opinions.
3. Then read the questions and hit the answers using your short notes, keywords or other references.
4. Try own prediction before jumping to the given options.

Note: If the passage is short, then read the questions first and try answers in the passage, whereas for long passage, it is advised to read the passage once before moving to the questions.

• Make notes for long passages only: No need to make notes for short passages because you can easily find the answers there. Make notes for long passages while reading only.

• Types of Questions asked in reading comprehension: You can be asked about-

1. the main idea behind the passage,
2. something that is inferred from the passage,
3. main dates or persons in the passage,
4. synonyms or antonyms of the words used in the passage, or
5. the purpose behind some specific part of the passage.

• Sentence completion questions: Follow similar approach for all sentence completion questions.

1. Read the given question, first
2. Predict your own answer that can be filled in the blank
3. Match your prediction with options

• Type of sentence completion questions: There are three types of sentence completion questions in exam.

1. Definition based
2. Contrast
3. Cause-and-Effect based

• Manage your time properly: A proper time management is very important. Every section has its own time duration. Read some tips to manage time in your SAT exam. Do not waste too much time on one question.

• Don’t run for new study material, a day before an exam: Never try new approach or new study material, one day before the exam. It will lead to discouragement if you could not answer.

• Physical and mental preparation is must: Above all, a physical and mental preparation is must before you go for any exam. Sleep well, a night before the exam day. Take a healthy breakfast in the morning. Verify all the required material with the instructions in the admit card.

Above all, the best thing is- Preparation. Sometimes students consider this part very easy. But SAT reading comprehension section is not like the one that you were attempting in your schools. Study hard and prepare you for the best. Join best SAT coaching institute.