â–?The reading comprehension questions test your ability to understand what you read.

â–?From each passage, you must be able to extract information, both expressed and implied.

â–?Phrases such as the passage implies that . . .and the author suggests that . . .require you to use the

given information to form your own conclusions.

â–?First, skim the passage for its subject matter.

â–?Jot down important or expressive words and phrases as you see them, and note line numbers in

which they are found.

â–?Adjectives that set a mood will help establish the author’s tone.

â–?As you finish each paragraph, determine its main idea. Jot it down.

â–?The main ideas of each paragraph can be quickly tied into a coherent whole that will express the

theme or point of the passage.

â–?Make note of details that support the author’s main point(s).

â–?Don’t write more than you need, but be sure you can make sense of what you write.

â–?Include line numbers along with your notes, so you will know where to look in the passage.

â–?Try to become interested for a few minutes in the subject of each passage.

â–?Try looking at the questions before you read the passage or before you reread it.

â–?Jot down the words and phrases the questions ask about, then look for those words and phrases in

the passage.

â–?If you don’t understand what a question is asking, rephrase the question using your own words.

â–?Once you understand a question, try to answer in your own words before looking at the answer

choices.

â–?Distracter answer choices may be close to the correct answer, but wrong in some detail.

â–?Distracter answer choices may be true statements, but not the correct answer to the question.

â–?Distracter answers may use language found in the text, but may still be the wrong answer.

â–?Elimination is an important strategy for reading comprehension questions.

â–?Expect to refer back to the passage on virtually every question, even if just to make sure you haven’t

fallen for a distracter answer.

â–?Read between the lines!

â–?Seek out your own difficult passages and practice writing questions about them.

â–?Practice these techniques before the exam.

â–?As you practice, try variations on the method to see what works for you.