SAT Reading Tips Lecture

Introduction

• Objective: Share six best SAT reading tips to help achieve a score of 740+.
• Context: Traditional methods taught to students can hurt timing and accuracy.
• New Approach: Focus on understanding passages deeply rather than skimming.

Key Strategies

1. Reverse the Traditional Method

• Traditional Methods:
  • Skim passages quickly to have more time on questions.
  • Skim questions first, then read passages quickly.
• Reverse Method:
  • Spend more time reading passages thoroughly.
  • Less time on answering questions.
  • Suggested Time: 6-8 minutes per passage, 1-2 minutes per question set.
  • Total Time: 35 minutes reading, 8 minutes answering, 20+ minutes spare.
• Benefits:
  • Improved accuracy by understanding nuances.
  • Avoid trap answers.

2. Limit Referring Back to Passages

• Goal: Only refer back when necessary.
• Conditions to Refer Back:
  • Questions that specify lines or paragraphs (e.g., line meanings or specific line support).
• Benefit: Saves time and reduces unnecessary flipping.

3. Eliminate Answer Choices Efficiently

• Traditional Approach: Cross out each answer choice—time-consuming.
• Efficient Approach:
  • Recall where evidence was (beginning, middle, end).
  • Eliminate two choices based on recall.
  • Check only two remaining choices.
  • Underline lines in the passage for easy double-checking.

4. Avoid Primary Definition Answers

• Tip:
  • Do not choose primary definitions for context-based word questions.
  • Instead, substitute secondary meanings and see if it fits.
• Example: "Common"-> primary: usual/typical; secondary: shared.

5. Focus on Science and History Passages

• Instruction: Spend more time on these dense passages.
• Reason: Contains complex language, requires thorough understanding.
• Strategy: Ensure comprehension despite spending more time.

6. Eliminate and Move On

• Instruction:
  • Cross out choices for non-evidence questions.
  • Star difficult questions, guess, and move on.
• Benefit: Maintains timing and builds confidence.

Conclusion

• Bonus Tips:
  • Develop confidence and speed by building momentum.
  • Practice makes elimination and understanding efficient.
• Additional Resources: Links to videos for further improvement and speedrun explanations.

Closing

• Encouragement to subscribe for more tips and videos.