The QUICKER Method for SAT Reading and Writing

The QUICKER Method is designed to be a memorable, universal approach to SAT Reading and Writing questions. Although the format and content of these questions vary, the basic structure remains the same: a single paragraph (occasionally accompanied by a graph) followed by a question stem followed by four answer choices. If you follow the logical process described below. you should gain both confidence and accuracy as you work through the Reading and Writing sections.

Read the Question first.
This may feel odd at first, but wouldn’t you rather read the passage while knowing what you’re looking for? The questions tend to line up in a predictable order in the section, one you’ll get used to in no time.
Understand the question type.
Does the question call on you to fill in the blank with the appropriate word? draw a conclusion based on information? strengthen or weaken someone’s argument? make a language choice based on grammar or written expression? summarize a study? Answering this question is crucial. Although it may feel like there are a lot of question types, familiarity will teach you the limited number of approaches you’ll need for SAT verbal questions.
Identify the kind of information you see.
Usually, you’ll see text in paragraph form, but sometimes the text will come in bullet point form.
About 10% of the time, a graphic accompanies the text.
Context is king as you read; read only as much as the question type requires.
You may not need to read all the information! It depends on the question type. For Information and Ideas questions, you should read the whole passage, but there is text you can skim or skip in the Words in Context and Rhetorical Synthesis question types.
Knock out answer choices that don’t fit. In knowledge-based questions, wrong answers may not match the tone of the passage or may simply be irrelevant. Answers marked by extreme language are often wrong.
Examine your preferred answer to the end.
An answer may seem correct at first but then take a wrong turn near the end. This is the classic “half right, half wrong” answer choice. On grammar questions, answer choices with small differences in punctuation need to be closely scrutinized.
Review your answer in the original context to confirm that it fits.
If your answer is meant to fill in a blank, make sure you actually plug it in! Be sure it sounds right in context. If you’re less than certain about your answer or are still debating between two answers, reread the passage carefully as time permits. If you’re short on time, choose an answer but flag the question for later review in hopes you can come back later.

Read the Question first.
This may feel odd at first, but wouldn’t you rather read the passage while knowing what you’re looking for? The questions tend to line up in a predictable order in the section, one you’ll get used to in no time.
Understand the question type.
Does the question call on you to fill in the blank with the appropriate word? draw a conclusion based on information? strengthen or weaken someone’s argument? make a language choice based on grammar or written expression? summarize a study? Answering this question is crucial. Although it may feel like there are a lot of question types, familiarity will teach you the limited number of approaches you’ll need for SAT verbal questions.
Identify the kind of information you see.
Usually, you’ll see text in paragraph form, but sometimes the text will come in bullet point form.
About 10% of the time, a graphic accompanies the text.
Context is king as you read; read only as much as the question type requires.
You may not need to read all the information! It depends on the question type. For Information and Ideas questions, you should read the whole passage, but there is text you can skim or skip in the Words in Context and Rhetorical Synthesis question types.
Knock out answer choices that don’t fit. In knowledge-based questions, wrong answers may not match the tone of the passage or may simply be irrelevant. Answers marked by extreme language are often wrong.
Examine your preferred answer to the end.
An answer may seem correct at first but then take a wrong turn near the end. This is the classic “half right, half wrong” answer choice. On grammar questions, answer choices with small differences in punctuation need to be closely scrutinized.
Review your answer in the original context to confirm that it fits.
If your answer is meant to fill in a blank, make sure you actually plug it in! Be sure it sounds right in context. If you’re less than certain about your answer or are still debating between two answers, reread the passage carefully as time permits. If you’re short on time, choose an answer but flag the question for later review in hopes you can come back later.