Reading Passages Strategies

Reading Passages

Parts of the WEST–B have test questions based on reading passages. There are several strategies that may be employed for test questions with reading passages.

Use the strategy that works best for you. Whatever strategy you choose, it is best to avoid answering the questions based on your own opinions of the material in the passage; rather, you should answer the questions based on the facts contained in the passage and the inferences you derive from the material presented there.

 

• One strategy is to read the passage thoroughly and carefully and then answer each question, referring to the passage as needed

 

• A second strategy is to read the questions first and then read the passage with the questions in mind.

 

• A third strategy is to scan the passage quickly to gain an overview of the content and then answer each question by referring back to the passage for the specific answer.