ACT Reading Strategies for Slow Readers | ACT Pacing Tips

[@MagooshHS]

What part of ACT reading do you need help on? Ask a question in the comments and we'll help you out! 🤓

[@thejaballershow1036]

MagooshACT i need help, i wanna get a better grade. I think I need to improve pacing so I am able to finish all questions

[@MagooshHS]

That sounds like a great thing to focus on! Good job identifying your plan of attack!

[@disfuk]

MagooshACT I get super stressed out

[@kristen.aubrey]

I hate when the answer sheet says “all of these answers are correct but this is the most correct” like if they are all correct then don’t mark it wrong ???

[@snowyowl1028]

@@kristen.aubrey so true

[@AryanLohia-qu1gk]

For me, I struggle with timing. Because of this, I panic and then it just gets into my head. Then I realize that I have barely any time left and I start guessing.

[@nathanpal9161]

Same

[@drvren030]

SAME

[@justjarod7440]

ME ☹️☹️☹️

[@zacharyquinn2144]

Same and it’s like this on every test I ever take

[@YouTheChampion]

A L could not have read anything more relatable 🙏

[@paige2597]

"Pretend there's a cash prize for getting the questions right" well... there kinda is... 😂 (scholarships)

[@Extradub32p]

For me I just pretend that this all literally doesn’t matter in life, and I’m gonna be calm while solving and more focused.

[@theangerwhale3434]

I struggle with staying on topic with stories that don't feel very interesting. I am too jumpy and I just cant really stay calm and focus on a section.

[@nathaliadavila9705]

TheAngerWhale SAME especially with the time constraints

[@ibbith8900]

The fact it’s 40 questions on comprehension of passages in only 35 minutes

[@victoriaserra8769]

My focus tends to fade away as I’m reading the passages and I waste time going back and trying to make sense of what I’m reading! I’ve tried writing a few words next to every paragraph but that does seem to help either.

[@MagooshHS]

Great question! Here are some tips: When practicing, make the text "louder" in two ways. First, pretend the author is blaring in your ear and you are unable to shut it out. Also, when you're practicing, read aloud. As soon as you feel your attention drift, say out loud or to yourself, "This passage is fascinating because ____". At first, you will have to force yourself to come up with reasons why it's fascinating. As you practice, you will start finishing the sentence without trying. Be curious to see how close you got. Visualize the scene in your head like it's on a movie screen. Pretend you have an inner coach that can read your thoughts and can tell when your attention fades. Also, physical circumstances matter a lot: Read with very bright lights, don't wear a jacket or sweater, adopt a tenser position: lean forward on the tip of your chair, grip your pencil tight, even pinch your hand with your fingernail. I know it sounds silly, but just by adopting a body posture that "looks" like you're riveted, your mind will start to act like it is.

[@uha8146]

this video alone moved my score from a 27 to a 32 in the reading section thank you so much no other strategy has helped me

[@MagooshHS]

Wow! That's awesome to hear :) Maybe next time you watch it you'll go from 32 to 36! 😂

[@marinalang3967]

okay the reading first and concluding paragraphs and then reading the first and last sentence of the body paragraphs just blew my mind! I just tried it and I got 100% THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO

[@MagooshHS]

Ah, glad to hear it! Skimming is indeed one of the most powerful strategies you can learn :) It will serve you well after the ACT too!

[@gavindawson8429]

I always struggle with timing but what I also struggle on is debating about the questions. I use the eliminating method, but I always fall between two questions that I feel like are extremely similar. This stresses me out and eats away at my time.

[@jameschillery4174]

I took the act on july 13..... I got a composite score of 27.... 21 on reading ...i really messed up.......i do so well in the individual practice tests but i always rush and lose focus on the full tests..... I'm retaking the test on Sept 13

[@tommyhurst8741]

For me there ain't a specific type of question i miss. Some passages i just dont comprehend for some reason.

[@sabahboudalia6695]

The issue I have with the reading section is me not being interested in the topics and hence losing my attention span.

[@ryanforeman2277]

Thank you for your help, Magoosh! I struggle with the questions where you need to make inferences based on the passage, however it was very helpful that in another one of your videos you discussed avoiding superlatives unless explicitly used in the text to support a certain argumental point. This avoiding of superlatives definitely helps to narrow down answer choices.

[@laurenkadlec659]

I have trouble keeping my attention during the test because I am often thinking about pacing and how slow I am. I know I spend too much time looking at the clock, but when I disregard it I end up WAY behind. As of now I have always had to make blind guesses on harder questions and tend to only have 40-55% acuracy on my overall test. I have done some research, but most advice seemed geared toward fast readers - so if you have any advice it would be much appreciated.

[@MagooshHS]

Hi Lauren :) How long do you have until you test date? Even though we suggest 8 minutes per passage in the video, this is something you should work up to. How long does it take you to work on a passage right now? Time yourself next time and then set goals that work toward this 8-minute mark. Once you have reached your ideal time, keep practicing until it feels natural. As you get used to working with a timer, it will become less distracting. In addition, if you are a slow reader you will want to incorporate reading into your daily study schedule. As you read, practice active reading and skimming. ​

[@adriano1309]

Would you recommend reading the passage and answering the questions at the same time??

[@itssteph4693]

my mayor problem is the reading section is really hard for me because English is my third language and am trying to comprehend the questions but! I just don't get it. PLEASE HELP!!

[@MagooshHS]

Hi! There resources might help you :) magoosh.com/hs/act-sat/2017/english-language-learners-prepare-sat-act/ magoosh.com/hs/act/act-video/2018/act-reading-strategies-for-slow-readers-video-post/

[@palakporwal6631]

I really struggle with the details question. It is very hard to find evidence for the questions asked.

[@MagooshHS]

Hi Palak! True, it can be very hard to find the evidence in the long reading passage. On test day, we recommend guessing if you haven't found the answer in less than 30 seconds. However, before test day it's just a matter of practicing scanning. When you scan you want to look for a couple key words in the passage. It's not as easy as it sounds, but with practice you will get it :)

[@Grannyrat1]

LOVE LOVE LOVE this video!! SO very helpful!!! You touched so many points and problems that I had with the reading act and some I didn’t even know I had!!! I so very needed this! THANK YOOOUUUU❤️❤️❤️

[@amani7909]

Honestly time management. It’s so hard for me because I’m very thorough

[@serhiybutyaga7000]

Thank you! Great tips! They work!

[@go2ryankim1617]

I'm always finish the reading section with only 3 stories done and have to guess on the last one. So I guess my main problem is with timing. I find myself looking for every detail and cannot put myself in the time frame of 8 minutes per passage.

[@MagooshHS]

Hi Ryan :) It does sound like you need to work on your pacing. In general, reading daily will help you, but there are also some strategies you can try. I think this blog post will help you: magoosh.com/hs/act/2017/act-pacing-time-management/#reading

[@sanjanakulkarni8150]

I tried the skimming strategy and it worked, but I cannot get my score higher than a 28 on 36. I know I can understand the questions really well, because I have gotten a 35 on 36 in the section numerous times, but I almost always cannot do that when I am taking a full practice test. I always go way too fast while reading and cannot focus on accuracy while answering the questions. Any tips on how I can do better?

[@MagooshHS]

Hi Sanjana! It sounds like you need to work on pacing and stamina :) This article has some good tips! magoosh.com/hs/act/2017/act-pacing-time-management/

[@estefaniavelazquez4113]

I tend to get anxious and let it get in the way of me answering a question. I sometimes don’t understand the question which will result in me taking longer to answer. I also tend to let my attention fade away while reading.

[@MrsKaylakat56]

I struggle the most on the historical passages. It takes a few reads for the very fanciful language to make sense and in that time frame, I sometimes zone out.

[@MagooshHS]

Hi Kayla! It sounds like you need to improve your fluency! The best way to improve this is by practicing reading historical documents like these: www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=75174 utc.iath.virginia.edu/abolitn/abaufda3t.html The more exposure you have to this type of writing the easier it will be for you to comprehend and thus, avoid zoning out! Taking simple notes as you read might also help you maintain focus :)

[@nouranyasser9709]

what is the average time for students to master the skimming strategy previously mentioned in the video??I have 20 days left till the exam .Will it be enough??

[@MagooshHS]

Mastery is relative, so you might not be an Olympic PhD-level skimmer in 20 days, but you can be much better than you are today! The more you work at it the better you will be, even in a short time frame :)

[@valerincon2614]

I was practicing for my act and the first times I was so good but now I’m being so bad 😭😭

[@connie8558]

I am struggling with timing. I can't grasp the main idea of the whole passage when skimming through it. English is my second language and thus it takes very long for me to comprehend the meanings. Moreover, spending that much time on each passage makes me panic and gets me distracted.

[@MagooshHS]

Hi Connie! I'm sorry to hear you are worried! With practice you can definitely improve you reading! Try some of these tips! magoosh.com/hs/act/act-strategies/2014/ten-tips-to-quickly-improve-your-act-reading-score/

[@yukaowo4249]

I have trouble focusing when taking the test and often have to look back and forth multiple times for some questions. Also, I was low on time when I was on the third passage a few times so I just guessed for the rest of the problems. I feel like I spent way too much time overthinking and reading the passage. I will try the skimming technique though, thanks.

[@kevinpari9500]

Thank you! :)

[@wesleyburk7421]

So I recently just took the act and the reading REALLY brought me down. I tried doing that skimming stratagey but it seemed to not work for me. I was always having to go back to the passage trying to find answers. I recently just took a practice one where I took my time and read the whole passage at a normal speed. I did pretty well on it but I do not know how I can possibly bring up my reading speed without missing any crucial data from the passage. What should I do!???

[@rachelthoi7309]

Would it be more helpful if I read all the questions within the passage first and then analyze the passage later?

[@slee5259]

Timing has always been an issue for me in the resding section of the ACT.

[@MagooshHS]

Keep practicing! You'll get there :)

[@wangjing4442]

English is my second language, it's kinda hard for me. what tips do you have that can help me get a higher score on my English and Reading sections of the ACT?

[@victoriaserra8769]

I wish you guys would’ve posted this last week!!

[@omarhamdy8313]

how do i answer a question that is based on a whole passage if I just read it fast or skimmed it

[@MagooshHS]

When you skim the passage you should get a good idea of the structure and the main points. So you should understand the passage on a very broad level, even if you skipped a lot of the details. Questions based on the whole passage will be more general than detail questions, so you should probably know the answer after just skimming! Otherwise you might check the introduction and conclusion for additional details :)

[@omarhamdy8313]

@@MagooshHS thxxx

[@ronlifestyle837]

I need help one everything, what slack should I bring, am I handsome enough to take the test?

[@adomlightart]

Thank you!

[@aquonmcdyess8420]

What are some good tips on the Fiction section because i tend to miss more on this section

[@MagooshHS]

Fiction is all about placement, order, and the narrator (tone). To get a feel for this, you should practice fiction passages untimed until you improve at the following practices: For every single paragraph, ask yourself: Why is this paragraph here and not earlier and not later? Also, ask yourself: Who is the narrator and why do they care about this story at all? If you aren't sure, invent a reason and see if it "fits". When specific details are described, ask yourself, How does that description fit with the overall tone of the passage? Is it soft and sentimental, peppy and funny, mysterious and subdued? Also check out: examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-tone-in-a-story.html

[@kaelyntrigg3912]

I have trouble staying focused on the test and reading the boring passages.

[@Cahill318]

Great Tips!!

[@famoxxl5309]

I have a hard time deciphering what questions ask.

[@MagooshHS]

Hi! That can be really tricky! Knowing the commonly tested topics could help: magoosh.com/hs/act/2016/5-most-frequently-tested-act-reading-topics/

[@famoxxl5309]

MagooshACT Thanks Magoosh! 👍🏽

[@bridgetteschwank5618]

Do you have any tips for people with extended time, but are also slow readers

[@MagooshHS]

That's a common struggle, Bridgette. Check out this post from our blog for some advice: magoosh.com/hs/act/act-video/2018/act-reading-strategies-for-slow-readers-video-post/

[@aubreymeyer6852]

I struggle with timing. When I try reading fast, I get distracted and don’t get anything out of it. 😕

[@MagooshHS]

Check out this article from our blog for some pacing and time management tips: magoosh.com/hs/act/2017/act-pacing-time-management/

[@dylanl.bagley9382]

im so bad at the reading i cant improve my score and its been 5 months of trying... i give up

[@MagooshHS]

Never give up! Try reading more on your own, books, magazines, anything that interests you! It doesn't have to feel like studying, and is the most surefire way to increase your speed over time.

[@papagueye4263]

i just want to read a little more faster than i usually do.

[@feliperufinicrespio1324]

Finding the details is the most difficult for me

[@brucedienst7553]

When I'm answering the questions, I spend too much time looking back at the passage for the answer

[@MagooshHS]

That's okay, you can work up to it! Speed is one of those things that comes in time as you practice.

[@gil9320]

I tried this I did worse and had less time

[@MagooshHS]

Keep practicing! You got this :)

[@locorat229]

Hello it's wearabletunic84 1.analyse 2.idk not that far in to the video

[@locorat229]

My mind is blown :wearabletunic84

[@ShivamPatel-hl9ys]

Her facial expressions are uncomfortable