Missing words (and even sentences) when reading.

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• 2 Likes

  kpj744___ Alum Member

  March 2019 edited March 2019 231 karma

  So there are a couple things you can try, and scaffold yourself out of each as you practice (in other words, try one for a while, then slowly reduce the number of times you do that strategy).

  1. Read out loud.
  2. Read with your pencil under each word, or use a ruler to keep the line straight so your eyes have to focus on that specific line. Sometimes, when stressed/ tired, people's eyes will jump to various places in the stimulus.
  3. Try using a sticky note to cover the answer choices so you aren't overwhelmed by the text.
  4. Use a highlighter for now, and mark off key transition words such as 'however', 'and', 'therefore', 'so', 'but', 'yet'. That might help you with parsing out the sentences better.
  5. You could also try reading 2x, where the first time you only read the key stuff -- so focus on subject and predicate (verb) phrases only, skipping over the things in commas (the extra info/clauses). That will help you get a main sense of what's going on. Then on the 2x through, read the whole thing, and make sure those clauses (within commas) aren't changing the meaning of anything. Often, that's where "filler" is.

  Lastly, if timed, sometimes it's just a way your brain is telling you to SKIP IT and move to the next question -- and then go back and look at it fresh when you've tried something else. Sometimes it's amazing how clear the answer becomes when you step away from it for a moment.

  You could also get a tutor -- @"Cant Get Right" is amazing in helping you parse the language of sentences to figure out the meaning, especially when it's subtle.
• KeepCalm Alum Member

  March 2019 807 karma

  Hey! I had a very similar issue as yours. The time constraints left me feeling extremely anxious and I could not process information. This is why blind review is so helpful. We allow ourselves to answer the questions without time being a factor. This has helped me in many ways and I believe it will help you too. I saw progressive improvement because of the time I spent analyzing and pretty much dissecting each question (lol). Yes, the exam questions are all completely different but they are fairly consistent as well. With continued BR, you will start to build confidence when you are reading exam questions which will help relieve the anxiety you may have from time pressure. Questions will seem familiar to you and you will read with ease. Soon, comprehending will be a piece of cake
• 1 Like

  KeepCalm Alum Member

  March 2019 807 karma

  @kpj744___ said:
  So there are a couple things you can try, and scaffold yourself out of each as you practice (in other words, try one for a while, then slowly reduce the number of times you do that strategy).

  1. Read out loud.
  2. Read with your pencil under each word, or use a ruler to keep the line straight so your eyes have to focus on that specific line. Sometimes, when stressed/ tired, people's eyes will jump to various places in the stimulus.
  3. Try using a sticky note to cover the answer choices so you aren't overwhelmed by the text.
  4. Use a highlighter for now, and mark off key transition words such as 'however', 'and', 'therefore', 'so', 'but', 'yet'. That might help you with parsing out the sentences better.
  5. You could also try reading 2x, where the first time you only read the key stuff -- so focus on subject and predicate (verb) phrases only, skipping over the things in commas (the extra info/clauses). That will help you get a main sense of what's going on. Then on the 2x through, read the whole thing, and make sure those clauses (within commas) aren't changing the meaning of anything. Often, that's where "filler" is.
     
     Lastly, if timed, sometimes it's just a way your brain is telling you to SKIP IT and move to the next question -- and then go back and look at it fresh when you've tried something else. Sometimes it's amazing how clear the answer becomes when you step away from it for a moment.

  You could also get a tutor -- @"Cant Get Right" is amazing in helping you parse the language of sentences to figure out the meaning, especially when it's subtle.

  Yes! @kpj744___ this is a great list!