How do I prep efficiently for the SAT reading test?

Hi everyone, I'm a rising junior. I've been struggling a bit with the Reading portion of the SAT. Are there any specific strategies you guys find effective? Any insight would be really appreciated!

Sure, happy to help! The Reading portion of the SAT can often be challenging due to the breadth of topics it covers and the need for strong comprehension skills.

First, familiarize yourself with the structure and types of questions asked on the SAT reading portion. Each passage covers a different topic – literature, history, social science, or natural science - so don’t be too worried if you’re not familiar with the specific subjects of each passage. What's really being tested is your ability to understand and analyze written material, rather than subject-specific content knowledge.

To build these skills, you should practice reading challenging texts across a variety of genres. This will also help you get comfortable with different writing styles and build your vocabulary, both of which will be beneficial for the test.

To approach the passages effectively, always read the blurb that comes before the passage first. This little chunk of text will give you context and help you understand what you're about to read.

When reading the passage, try to identify the main idea, supporting ideas, and the tone of the passage. Doing this can help you answer many of the questions effectively.

For the questions, always refer back to the text to confirm your answer. Every correct answer is supported by the passage. If you're stuck between two possible answers, ask yourself which one is lawfully true based on the text.

Time management is crucial in this section, so try and pace yourself at around 5 minutes for reading each passage, and about 30-40 seconds to answer each question. Every question carries the same marks, so don't spend too much time on a single one.

Finally, remember to practice! The Bluebook™ app provides a full-length practice test that mirrors the digital SAT. Also, CollegeBoard's question bank can be a useful resource for practice. Seeing different question types and passages can really help you get comfortable.

So in short, familiarize yourself with the test structure, practice reading skills, develop a strategic approach to tackling passages and questions, manage your time effectively, and practice, practice, practice! Good luck!