Skip to main content
What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Boosting SAT Reading Score - Advice?

I'm a junior looking to increase my SAT reading score. I've been practicing but feel like I've plateaued. What techniques or resources have worked for you? I'm aiming for a 1500+ overall score, so every little increase counts. Thanks!

2 years ago

It's great to see you aiming high and being proactive about improving your SAT reading score! Here are some tips to help you break through that plateau:

1. Focus on building your vocab: While the SAT is not explicitly testing your vocabulary, having a strong foundation is beneficial. Try creating flashcards using a list of the most common SAT vocabulary words, and review them daily.

2. Practice active reading: Enhance your comprehension by asking questions, summarizing passages, and annotating while reading. Active reading involves engaging with the text, which can help you better understand and retain the information.

3. Work on your reading speed: Increasing your reading speed can give you more time to analyze questions and passages. Start by timing yourself while reading articles or books, with the goal of gradually increasing your speed without sacrificing comprehension.

4. Familiarize yourself with question types: The SAT focuses on a few types of questions, such as main idea, inference, purpose, tone, etc. By understanding the categories, you can approach each question with the appropriate strategy.

5. Use official practice materials: Use the College Board's official practice tests and Khan Academy resources for targeted practice. These sources are most indicative of the actual SAT, and tailored practice will be more helpful than using generic materials.

6. Experiment with different reading strategies: There are numerous SAT reading strategies out there, such as skimming the passage first, answering questions as you read, or reading questions before the passage. Experiment with these methods to find the approach that best suits your strengths.

7. Review your mistakes: Analyze the questions you got wrong and understand why you missed them. This will help you pinpoint your weaknesses and guide your study plan.

8. Set a study schedule: Consistency in your preparation is key. Create a schedule that balances SAT reading practice with other sections, ensuring that you dedicate enough time to each area.

9. Consider seeking help: If you're still struggling, you may benefit from the guidance of a tutor or SAT prep course. These resources can provide you with personalized feedback and additional practice tailored to your needs.

10. Stay patient and persistent: Improving your SAT reading score can be a slow process. It's important to stay patient and persistent, as consistent practice and review will gradually help you break through that plateau.

Best of luck in achieving your target score!

2 years ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.