Time Mapping
Keeping a track of the amount of time you have allotted and the number of sections you have completed in that time is really important. Typically, four to five minutes per section is enough. Yes, four to five minutes! And you need a lot of practice to accomplish this time goal. Another important thing is to read all the given instructions thoroughly in the least possible time. This will give a brief idea of what are you exactly going to come across in your reading comprehension test. It also makes you aware about how to do what you are just about to do.
Read Readily
After going through the instructions you are all set to begin reading the selection. Read through the passage carefully. For your assistance, you can make rough notes about the main characters and important events that are described in the passage. Many students find this very helpful. This saves your time of going through the passage again and again, once you start answering the questions. This practice also helps you to retain information better and focus your thoughts on the important part of the passage.
Keep Q/A In Mind
While going through the passage, keep the question answers in mind. When you come across a keyword, go through the question containing it. This will increase your effectiveness in answering the reading comprehension. Read with the question in your mind. Mark the answer as soon as you find it and go on with your reading. The benefit of this practice is that by the time you complete your reading, you have already marked most of your answers.
Knowing The Format Helps
If you know the format of your reading comprehension test beforehand, you may find it helpful. Typically, there will be several questions dealing with facts , Some questions that deal with logical consequences of those facts, and an application-oriented question surfaces to force you to make connections with what you already know. Try and answer questions in this line-up: fact-based questions, inference problems and then application-oriented question.
This strategy will make you fell less burdened. This way you can panic less and concentrate more. So, now on we hope that you give reading comprehension your best shot and don't get goose bumps.
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