What SAT Critical Reading Is All About | The Complete SAT Course - Class 10 PDF Download

To excel in the SAT Critical Reading section, one needs more than just memorizing vocabulary words and tricks for test-taking. It requires strong analytical and critical reading skills, with active reading being the most crucial skill. Active reading means reading with specific questions in mind, allowing you to approach any challenging passage confidently.

The Three Key Questions for Aceing SAT Critical Reading

To excel in the SAT Critical Reading section, it is crucial to approach each passage with three key questions in mind: 

• What is the purpose of this passage? 
• What is the central idea of this passage? 
• What is the general structure of this passage? 

SAT CR questions are centered around these questions, making it essential for test-takers to focus on them as well.

• The purpose of the passage can fall into one of three categories: examining a topic objectively, proving a point, or telling a story. 
• The central idea of the passage is the single idea that provides the focus of the entire passage. 
• The general structure of the passage refers to how the paragraphs work together to convey the central idea. Strategies for finding answers to these questions will be discussed and practiced later.

Put the Horse before the Cart—and the Passage before the Questions

• Reading the questions first can be tempting, but it can also be a trap. When you read the questions first, you are essentially allowing someone else to dictate what you should focus on in the passage. This can lead to a fragmented understanding of the text, and you may miss important details that are not explicitly asked about in the questions.
• Instead, it’s important to read the passage first and try to understand its purpose, central idea, and structure. This will help you get a sense of the author's overall message and how the different parts of the passage relate to each other. Once you have a good understanding of the passage, you can then approach the questions with more confidence and a better understanding of the context.
• Of course, this approach requires more time and effort than simply reading the questions first. However, it is a much more effective strategy in the long run. By focusing on the big picture first, you'll be able to answer questions more accurately and efficiently, and you'll also develop better critical reading skills that will serve you well in college and beyond.

"Don't read the questions first. Read the passage first (including the introduction), but read actively and briskly to answer the three key questions. You often can answer the first two questions after just reading the introduction and the first paragraph or two! At that point, read the remaining paragraphs just to note how they support the central idea. The big picture is what counts! If you practice, you will learn to read SAT passages briskly and confidently."

These Aren’t Your English Teacher’s Questions

The questions asked in the SAT Critical Reading section differ from the ones posed by English teachers. Unlike teachers, who encourage subjective interpretation, symbolism exploration, and reading between the lines, SAT questions must be objective and have definitive answers. These questions only focus on the literal and logical implications of the passage, disregarding any suggestions it may hold. Moreover, external knowledge is not required to answer these questions, as all the necessary information is present in the passage. Therefore, highlighting the relevant parts should suffice. Creative connections, subjective interpretation, and personal opinions are not required, as the main objective is to identify what the passage means or implies logically.

Get Psyched Up, Not Psyched Out

Don't sabotage yourself in the Critical Reading section by assuming that the passage will be dull and unimportant. This negative mindset can become a self-fulfilling prophecy, causing you to overlook key ideas and points of interest. Your attitude plays a significant role in your reading success. Remember that SAT Critical Reading passages are selected because they cover topics taught in college classes. Instead, tell yourself, "I will gain interesting and valuable insights from this passage!" This positive approach encourages active reading and engagement with the text, rather than passively attempting to absorb information by merely understanding the words.