Starting to work out your college preparations? We know it’s not easy, especially when ACT is filled with subjects that can either bring you up or pull you down.
The Reading section can often be challenging because of two things, its tight timing, and variety of passages.
To conquer this section, you need to know some ACT Reading tips to help you meet this test’s demands.
What’s ACT Reading All About?
For many of us, the Reading section feels like this crazy race against time—four passages, 40 questions, and only 35 minutes. It’s like trying to speed-read a book you found at a cafe that is now in its closing time.
But don’t sweat it too much. With a few street-smart strategies, you can tackle this challenge.
Picture this: you’re given four passages. Each one comes from a different world—maybe from a novel, the other a historical event, a reflection on art, or a chat about ecosystems. It's like your Facebook News feed but for reading.
And then there's the kicker: you must answer questions about what you just read. Quick and accurate—that’s your goal, and here’s how we can help:
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1. Master the Art of Skimming
You don’t have to tire your brain with every word. Go for the lines that have caught your attention.
- • Hit the intro
- • Catch the conclusion
- • Grab the first and last lines of each paragraph.
It is this simple. It’s like to trying to point out the ingredients of a particular dish. This way, you get an idea of what’s happening without tiring your brain with all the reading.
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2. Read Smart, Not Hard
Jump straight to the questions. Some will be as easy as pie, but there will be others that will frustrate you. Resolve the easy ones first and get those points.
How about the ones you find tricky? Mark them and get back to them later.
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3. Time for Elimination
Sometimes, figuring out what's not the answer is way easier than figuring out what is.
If something smells fishy or sounds way off in the questions, strike it out. It's like cleaning up your room by tossing the obvious trash first.
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4. Words Are Tricky
The ACT is known to be playful with words – especially the Reading section.
Sometimes, the test tosses an answer that makes sense. It will make you feel that it’s right. But, news flash: it has twists that can make it wrong.
Remember to keep your eyes on these sneaky words like “always” and “never”. They’re often red flags.
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5. Dive In, But Don’t Drown
When scanning the section, try to bring yourself into the shoes of the passage.
- • Get the main idea.
- • Ask yourself what the writer's trying to say.
- • Move on.
It’s like listening to a friend's story: you don't need every detail, just the highlights.
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6. Build That Reading Muscle
If no one has told you yet, the Reading section is not only a test — it’s a marathon! So, prep as if you are an athlete training for a competition.
Using Testing Timers as a guide, you can practice diving into different reading materials. Train your brain daily; by the test day, it will feel as if time passed by productively.
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7. Mind Over Matter
Lastly, chill out. Stay positive, even when you can’t find a quick solution. A panicked brain is like trying to read with foggy glasses. Take a deep breath, keep cool, and trust your prep.
To Wrap It Up...
Navigating the ACT Reading section is less about being the world's fastest reader. You need to be street-smart, strategic, and calm.
With these ACT Reading tips, throw in a healthy dose of practice. So that on the test day, you'll be ready to top some scores!
