AP Language Multiple Choice Strategies and Tips | Coach Hall Writes

Summary

This video offers essential tips for tackling the reading sections of standardized tests like the AP English exams, ACT, and SAT. It emphasizes strategies such as not lingering on tough questions, trusting your first instincts, managing time effectively, and using educated guesses when necessary. The creator highlights techniques like active test-taking, speed reading, and eliminating incorrect answers efficiently. The video also suggests tailoring test-taking strategies to personal preferences by practicing with sample tests. These tips aim to help students improve their performance and confidently approach test day.

Takeaways

• 📅 The video discusses preparing for standardized tests like AP English, ACT, and SAT, especially focusing on the reading sections.
• ⌛ Tip 1: Don't linger on difficult questions—make a guess and move on to save time.
• 🧠 Tip 2: Avoid second-guessing yourself—go with your gut when unsure between two answer choices.
• ⏳ Tip 3: Divide your time evenly across sections and passages based on the number of questions and total time available.
• ⏱️ Tip 4: Get a non-smart watch for testing to manage time properly since some testing room clocks may not work.
• ❓ Tip 5: Answer all questions since there is no penalty for guessing on the AP, ACT, and SAT exams.
• 🔍 Tip 6: Use active test-taking strategies by crossing out wrong answer choices to stay focused and avoid wasting time.
• 📖 Tip 7: Practice skimming and speed reading to get the gist of passages rather than reading every word.
• 🧑‍🎓 Tip 8: Experiment with different strategies—either reading the passage first or reading questions first to find what works best.
• 🔡 Tip 9: Don't try to find patterns in answers, such as choosing the same letter repeatedly or guessing based on myths like 'C is common.'

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The main focus of the video is providing tips for students preparing for the reading sections of standardized tests like the AP English exams, ACT, and SAT, with more specific advice for AP Lang and AP Lit later in the video.

Why does the speaker recommend taking multiple practice tests?

The speaker recommends taking multiple practice tests to experiment with different strategies in a low-pressure environment. This helps students discover what methods work best for them before the actual test.

What should students do if they are stuck between two answer choices on a difficult question?

If students are stuck between two answer choices, they should make their best guess and move on, avoiding spending too much time on a single question to ensure they finish the test.

Why is second-guessing discouraged during the exam?

Second-guessing is discouraged because many students change their answers and often switch to incorrect ones. It's better to trust their initial instincts, especially if they have narrowed down the options.

How should students manage their time during the reading sections of the test?

Students should divide their time evenly by calculating how much time they have per passage. For example, on the AP Lang exam, it's recommended to spend about 15 minutes per passage. Keeping a non-smart watch can help manage time effectively.

What should a student do if they don't finish all questions in a section?

If students don't finish all the questions, they should guess and move on, as there is no penalty for incorrect answers on tests like the AP exams, ACT, and SAT.

What does being an 'active test taker' involve?

Being an 'active test taker' involves marking up the exam by crossing out wrong answers and focusing only on the remaining options, which helps save time and avoids re-reading eliminated choices.

What is a recommended strategy if a student is pressed for time on a reading passage?

If pressed for time, a student can skim the passage, focusing on the first and last paragraphs to get the gist. However, this strategy may not work for everyone, and it is advised to practice it first to see if it's effective.

What are some strategies to simplify complex answer choices?

Students should omit extra words like adverbs or focus on key terms in the question. For example, they can eliminate words with positive or negative connotations that don't match the tone of the passage.

What is the speaker's advice for answering multiple questions in a row if running out of time?

If running out of time and facing multiple questions, the speaker advises selecting one letter (e.g., 'D') and using that for all remaining questions. This avoids trying to create patterns, which decreases the chances of answering correctly.