What's the best way to improve your critical reading score on the PSAT/SAT?

Question

i know pretty much all the strategies (gotten from books) and ive tried tutors but they dont give a c**p so im getting scores roughly around 680. im trying to get it to 800. what do i do? ive taken plenty of practice tests and im almost about to run out!

Answer 1

Sorry to hear that those tutors have not been very helpful.  It sounds like you are close to 700 though.  It's not 800 but still a good score.  Here are some general tips that you may/may not have heard already:

- Practice by reading a lot.  Try Time Magazine or The New York Times for some information heavy articles.  This is not like reading for leisure.  Think about what the main idea of the article is, the author's viewpoint, and their arguments supporting their viewpoint.  (This can also help you build vocabulary).

- When you read the passage, don't memorize.  Skim to get the main idea of the passage. Write this down in 5 words or less. Jot down VERY short notes throughout the passage to help you remember what is going on.

- Go to the questions and DON'T read the answer choice. Just read the question and try to answer it in your own words. (The SAT tries to confuse students by putting in a ton of info into the answer choices). If the question asks about a certain part of the passage, go there and get what you need to answer the question.

- Now look at the answer choices and see what matches what you came up with.

I am offering free online tutorials at MITEACH.WORDPRESS.COM.  I haven't gotten to the Reading and Writing sections yet, but I am trying to keep my viewers updated on my activities at twitter.com/jackjr1

Good luck,

Jack

Answer 2

If you are testing low in critical reasoning scores, you need to continue to do the rote exercises you have been doing.  You need to do  something different, obviously.  I would look for another tutor who can drill you--it's as much about time as anything.  You need to make better decisions faster, basically.  Now that it's on computer, it's harder to mark up copy--learn to make notes about key facts in what you are reading.  Diagram sentences if you must, to get key topics and learn to do this in two readings.  I've worked with people on this, and it works.  Play slow classical music while you are doing this, as when you take the test you can recreate the music in your unconscious, and it relaxes you.