Read the Question Stem First
Because the passages are short, it is efficient to skim the question before reading. This focuses your attention on the detail or purpose the question will test.
Use Evidence from the Text Only
Avoid bringing outside knowledge. If the answer is not directly supported by words in the passage, it is not correct—even if it sounds reasonable.
Grammar: One Rule at a Time
For sentence completion and editing items, identify which single rule is being tested—such as punctuation, verb tense, or pronoun agreement—before looking at the answer choices.
Key Takeaways
- Let the question guide how you read each short passage.
- Underline or mentally mark the exact words that prove your answer.
- Classify grammar questions by rule to speed up practice and review.