My 2 Biggest Tips for the SAT/ACT Reading Section

Hello everyone! In this post, I’ll be talking about how to approach the SAT/ACT reading sections, and my 2 biggest tips. Read on to learn more!

The SAT Reading Section consists of 5 passages and 52 multiple-choice questions, to be completed in a total of 65 minutes. The ACT Reading section consists of 4 passages and 40 multiple-choice questions, to be completed in a total of 35 minutes. Both tests are pretty straightforward, and similar to any other comprehension-based reading test you’ve taken in school. There are slight differences in the format of each test, but they both aim to test your ability to think critically.

However, there are numerous approaches to the reading section for both of these tests. Everyone learns differently, and everyone has a different way of tackling the test. Some students thoroughly read the entire passage, and then answer each question. Others skim through the passage, go over the questions, and the refer back to the passage. And these aren’t the only approaches – there are so many other ways to complete this part of the test!

I’ll be going over the 2 most important tips when it comes to taking the SAT/ACT Reading section. While they both are different tests with different formats, the basic approach you take to answering questions should be the same. Both tests are based upon reading comprehension, and it all comes down to your analytical skills.

Tip #1: Actively Read the Passage

This tip helped me tremendously when I took the SAT and ACT. Regardless of whether you are skimming through the passage, or reading it in detail, this tip can help you. It’s all about taking a step-by-step approach to the passages.

If you’re skimming through the passage, then read one paragraph, and take a moment to digest the information. Understand what the author is trying to say, and then interpret the text. This will help you analyze the text better, and make it easier to answer questions.

If you plan on reading the passage thoroughly, then you should do the same procedure as stated previously, but do it for every 1-2 sentences. Take a moment after you read 2 sentences, and piece them together. Connect those lines with you’ve read so far in the passage, and try to understand the text from the author’s point of view.

By actively reading the passage, you’ll be much more prepared to tackle the questions. You’ll have a deeper understanding of the text, and it’ll be easier to quickly answer the questions.

Tip #2: Find the Match

Another very important tip: find the match! There’s always going to one correct answer for each question. That’s the beauty of multiple choice questions: you always know that one of them is the correct answer. All of the other options must have some incorrect aspect, otherwise they wouldn’t be wrong.

That being said, you can use this information when analyzing your answer choices. If you can’t find the right answer, then try finding a reason as to why other options are incorrect. You will certainly have some form of evidence in the passage to support the right answer choice, and weaken the wrong answer choices. It all comes down to finding the match.

I hope you all found this post useful! Feel free to contact me with any questions!

Until next time, bye!