How to Improve Your Critical Reading SAT Score

Is it possible to improve a critical reading score on the SAT?

I often hear the misconception that a critical reading SAT score cannot be improved, and while it is true that empirical evidence shows average score gains to be minimal (5-10 points), I managed to improve my reading score by 80 points.

So how did I improve my reading score?

I read -- a lot! And, I started the project with a rock-solid foundation in reading. Without that base, no amount of test prep could have saved me.

The best way to improve a critical reading score is ... to read. Reading improvement requires time devoted to practicing the skill to the point of automaticity. The summer is a great time to make headway and to build a routine.

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Tip: There is no shortcut to learning vocabulary.

The Matthew effect in reading (i.e. the rich get richer) is inevitable with vocabulary. According to research, you need to know 90-95% of a text’s words to understand what you are reading.

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Tip: More general knowledge can vastly help a critical reading score.

Research shows that background knowledge helps with comprehension. For example, a student who already knows about Descartes and dualism* will process a passage much faster and more accurately than a student who is unfamiliar with the topic – even if their decoding and strategy skills are identical.

*Click to read these Descartes and dualism reading passages from the 2010 PSAT my son took, as well as the College Board's explanations of the answers.

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Here is a related post, if you would like more information about improving on the critical reading section.

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Illustrations by Jennifer Orkin Lewis.

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