Strong readers are not faster readers — they are faster deciders. A fixed routine removes hesitation and saves the minutes that decide a verbal score.
The 3-pass routine
- Map (about 40 seconds). Read for the shape, not every detail: main idea, the author's stance, and where the turn happens. Note roughly where each topic lives.
- Attack questions in smart order. Do the cheap ones first:
- Main idea / purpose — you already know these from the map.
- Detail / line-reference — scan straight to the spot.
- Inference / "most likely" — slower; save for last.
- Verify by elimination. For every question, cross out three choices with a reason. The survivor is your answer.
A pacing rule of thumb
| Time left feels... | Do this |
|---|---|
| Comfortable | Map fully, answer in order |
| Tight | Read question stems first, then scan only for what they need |
| Almost gone | Answer every detail question you can locate; never leave blanks |
Never leave a blank. There is no penalty for guessing, and elimination usually leaves you a one-in-two shot.
Two reading orders
- Passage-first works when the passage is short and the questions are broad (main idea, tone).
- Question-first works when the passage is dense and the questions are narrow (specific details). Read the stems, then hunt.
Pick the order before you start reading, based on the question types — switching halfway wastes time.