Reading Comprehension Success in 20 Minutes a Day, 3rd Edition

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A P P E N D I X A : P R E PA R I N G F O R A S TA N D A R D I Z E D T E S T
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the question correctly. Fortunately, few tests are scored
using such elaborate means, but if your test is one of
them, know the penalties and calculate your odds
before you take a guess on a question.
If You Finish Early
Use any time you have left at the end of the test or test
section to check your work. First, make certain you’ve
put the answers in the right places. As you’re doing
this, make sure you’ve answered each question only
once. Most standardized tests are scored in such a way
that questions with more than one answer are marked
wrong. If you’ve erased an answer, make sure you’ve
done a good job. Check for stray marks on your answer
sheet that could distort your score.
After you’ve checked for these obvious errors,
take a second look at the more difficult questions.
You’ve probably heard the folk wisdom about never
changing an answer. It’s not always good advice. If you
have a good reason for thinking a response is wrong,
change it.

A f t e r t h e Te s t
Once you’ve finished, congratulate yourself. You’ve
worked hard to prepare; now it’s time to enjoy yourself
and relax. Remember that celebration you planned
before the test? Go to it!
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A P P E N D I X A : P R E PA R I N G F O R A S TA N D A R D I Z E D T E S T
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R
eading is like exercise: If you don’t keep doing it, you’ll get out of shape. Like muscles that grow
stronger and bigger with each repetition, your reading skills grow stronger and stronger with every-
thing you read. But if you stop working out, your reading comprehension muscles will deteriorate,
and you may find yourself struggling with material you could have easily understood several months ago.
So don’t stop now! You’ve really just begun. Reading comprehension is a skill to build throughout your whole
lifetime.