Prioritize the Order of Reading Passages (ACT/SAT)
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Prioritize the Order of Reading Passages (ACT/SAT)
Optimize your score by prioritizing which order you will read the passages based on how many passages you think you can finish accurately, and your interest in and effectiveness with the passage type.
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First, set a realistic goal for the number of passages you think you can complete to the best of your ability. Either take a practice test and self-evaluate or use your Mindprint Test Prep report to set your goal. -
Create a set order or plan in which you will complete the passages. Some students prefer to start with their area of highest interest. Others prefer to start with the passage that they think will be more challenging so they can get it over with. Consider if you are the type of person who needs time to ramp up or if you can work at a consistent pace throughout.
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Given your target number of passages, calculate the average time to spend per passage, allowing for a few minutes at the end to randomly guess on any remaining questions.
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Based on your time allocation above, calculate an average time for reading the passage and an average time per question. Sticking to a schedule and not spending too much time reading or trying to find a key detail is critical to success on the Reading section. If you cannot locate an answer you need, it is important that you allow yourself to guess and move on. Most students have no time to spare on the Reading.
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If you will not be tackling the passages in the order provided, have a strategy for marking your answer sheet to ensure you are filling in the answers correctly for the problems you are answering. For example, you might clearly cross off the question number that you have already filled in so you know it is done.
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Additional strategies to increase efficiency can be found here.
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Passages will always be in the following order: Prose Fiction, Social Sciences, Humanities, Natural Sciences.
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The Fiction passage usually has the most words and you might find it most challenging if verbal reasoning is not a relative strength.
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The Humanities or Prose Fiction passage might be two shorter comparison passages. While these questions are not necessarily more difficult, many students find that the comparison passage takes them longer.
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Passages are not given in a pre-set order, but there will always be World Literature (1), Science (2), Social Studies (2). One of the five will be two shorter comparison passages.
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The short blurb that precedes the passage provides basic context including the author, genre, overall topic and date to help you decide what it will be about and whether or not you want to read it. Reading the blurb can help you decide if you want to prioritize the passage, especially if you have weaker attention or working memory.