A summary of my Critical Reading method

1. Read the passage slowly until you figure out the point. Usually that
information will be contained somewhere close to the end of the
introduction or in the first body paragraph. Once you figure out the point,
focus on the first and last sentence of each body paragraph, then read the
conclusion carefully. Underline the last sentence.
2. When you finish the passage, write the tone (positive/negative) and the
point in 4-6 words. OR, if you see the point directly stated in the passage,
underline it and draw a big arrow/star, etc. so you remember to keep
referring back to it. 3.
When in doubt about the main point or purpose of a passage, consult 1) the
last sentence of the first paragraph, 2) first sentence of the second
paragraph, or 3) the last sentence of the passage. For short passages, focus
on the last sentence.
4. Pay particular attention to major transitions, interesting punctuation, and
strong wording in/around the lines given in the question they usually
signal the presence of the information necessary to answer the question. 5.
When you read a question, go back to the passage and try to sum up the
answer quickly for yourself. If you cant come up with anything in a few
seconds, look at the answer choices and cross off everything that absolutely
does not make sense. If there is any chance an answer could work, leave it.
When youre down to two or three answers, go back to the passage and
check them out.
6. The correct answer will typically contain a synonym for a key word in the
passage. Same idea, different words.
7. Just because they give you line numbers doesnt mean that the answer is
in them it might be a few lines above or below. Always start from the
sentence before the one given in the question and read to the sentence after
if necessary. The answer to a question about the purpose of a given line (i.e.
the point) will usually come in the sentence before OR at the beginning of a
paragraph (topic sentence).

8. For tone questions, play positive/negative. Extreme answers are unlikely to

be correct.
9. For vocab-in-context questions, look for context clues in the line. Very
often the word in question will clearly be the synonym for another word in
the line (as indicated by the transition and) or directly opposed to another
word.
10. When you cross off answer choices, cross off the whole thing, not just the
letter, but dont let it slow you down. Just a quick line through it.
11. If you have no idea and feel like you would have to take a random guess,
just skip the question. A couple of skipped questions are better than a couple
of questions gotten wrong, and skipping questions can actually have a
positive impact on your score.
12. For Passage 1/Passage 2 relationship questions, figure out whether the
two authors would agree or disagree. before you look at the questions. If
they agree, you can get rid of most negative answers; if they disagree, you
can get rid of most positive ones. Try define each part of the question (lines
given in a particular passage + main point of opposite passage) before you
look at the answers.
13. Anything you know for sure will take a lot of time (e.g. all of the following
EXCEPTquestions), skip and come back to if you have time.
14. Be willing to revise your original assumption. If you understand what a
question is saying, go back the passage, formulate your own answer, and
nothing seems to work when you look at the answers, youve been thinking
in the wrong direction. Ask yourself what youre missing, go back to the
passage, and see if you can approach the question from another angle. Dont
just guess.
15. Whatever happens, dont just stop and ponder things over! That
wastes more time than anything else. At all times, you should be
actively trying to figure out the answer. The test is set up so that you can
reason your way to the answer. If you dont know, get rid of what you can get

rid of and then keep flipping between the passage and the question. If you
get stuck, leave it and move on.