The test grades you on the ability to answer questions, not whether or not you understand every nuance in the text. Do not try to memorize information. Make a slight mental note of something that seems important. Focus instead on the structure, the argument, and what the writer is trying to say. Draw a mental road map so that if you are asked a question on the detail later, you may quickly locate the information.

ALTERNATIVE STRATEGY- SPEED READING:

A common strategy to read quicker is to focus on the first sentence of paragraphs. Think about it, each essay is well written and well written paragraphs are usually summarized in the first sentence. Thus, you can theoretically ONLY read the first sentence and ignore the balance of each paragraph. Since you aren't graded on reading the essay (just getting the questions right) there is no reason that you have to read the entire essay.

You can construct a mental road map of the essay by simply reading the first sentence of each paragraph. This will save you time and give you more time to focus on the questions themselves.

In sum, there are six different strategies to analyzing reading comprehension sections.

A. Identify the writer's purpose and voice
B. Find the essay's main point
C. Find the purpose of each paragraph
D. Determine the scope of the argument
E. Determine the structure
F. Don't Read, Skim

 

II. Three Most Common Question Types