Strategies for SAT Reading Timing?

Hey everyone! I'm struggling a little with the timing on the SAT Reading section. I can answer the questions accurately when I have enough time, but I'm having trouble finishing within the allotted time. What are some strategies y'all have used to improve your reading speed and efficiency?

Hey! Timing can definitely be a challenge in the SAT Reading section, but with some practice and the right strategies, you should be able to improve your speed and efficiency. Here are a few tips to help you out:

1. Skim and prioritize: First, skim through the passages and questions to get an idea of each passage's main topic and the types of questions asked. Prioritize passages based on your comfort level - tackle the ones you find more manageable first, and leave the tougher ones for later.

2. Read actively and strategically: Be an active reader, and focus on understanding the passage's main argument as you read. Take brief mental notes of important details, but don't get bogged down in the minutiae. It may also help to read the questions before the passage, so you know which areas to focus on while reading.

3. Practice the process of elimination: Learning to eliminate incorrect answer choices quickly will help you speed up your decision-making. As you read each option, think about why it might be incorrect and look for clues in the passage that support or refute it.

4. Answer line-specific questions first: For questions that direct you to specific lines or paragraphs in the passage, tackle these first. You'll become more familiar with the passage as you answer these questions, and can utilize that knowledge when approaching the broader, passage-based questions.

5. Budget your time: Divide the total available time by the number of passages (typically 65 minutes/5 passages = 13 minutes per passage). Aim to spend around 10 minutes reading and understanding the passage, and the remaining 3 minutes on answering the associated questions. Make sure to also keep an eye on your watch and pace yourself accordingly.

6. Practice, practice, practice: The more you practice reading under time constraints, the better you'll get at managing your time and improving your efficiency. Work on completing several SAT Reading sections under timed conditions to become more comfortable with the pacing.

Remember, improving your reading speed and efficiency takes practice, so keep working on these strategies, and you should start to see progress in your performance over time. Of course, it's also never a bad idea to do some reading in your free time, to build up your overall processing speed. Good luck!