Dave, during timed tests did you actually write out your answers to SPAM or did you mentally formulate SPAM while you were looking for READ ACTIVELY markers?
I'm trying out both approaches of writing and not writing but I was curious to see how you had handled SPAM. Though I concede writing it out takes away time from questions I equate writing SPAM as diagramming is for LG. Your thoughts?
Thank you.
I do not personally write these things as I read (although I do always internalize them), but I can't imagine it taking more than a very few seconds to jot down a few words.
So, if you find it helpful, write away!
Sounds good...do you have any drills/methods to getting better at misinterpreting RC questions. Occasionally I find myself not reading a question correctly and prephrasing something that isn't even asked. I'm practicing by writing out the questions in my own words, any other methods you have found to be helpful?
EDIT: I did read your blog post about "I couldn't vs could care less about Justin Bieber's romantic inclinations" as a lesson for slowing down but even with that considered I think my improvement for misinterpreting question will come from drilling because as much I agree with you on the time saved slowing down will be worth the points gained, during the rush of the test I forget to remind myself to do that. Maybe I should just get a tattoo on my arm that says SLOW DOWN as a visual reminder. LOL
Another follow-up question,
I took a timed tests without the sticky note method, I noticed I am not prephrasing (for LR and RC) with the accuracy I like (meaning my prephrases lack the thoroughness now that I'm formulating them in my head), is this something you think I will improve on as do more PT's or do I need to do some more practice with the sticky note method to internalize the habit of prephrasing in complete sentences in looking for that sentence?
Then you should definitely write down what you're thinking. You don't have to use actual post-its to make this work - just write in the space between the question and the answer choices, and refer to that answer as you inspect the choices.
You could also try this drill to drive the point home:
Work an entire section at the pace that you'd like to work at. Don't rush, don't lag; just work through it methodically and thoroughly at a brisk clip. While you work, have the stopwatch on your iPhone running, counting up. Keep the iPhone facing down, and don't look at the stopwatch, or worry about time. Just keep moving at your steady, aggressive pace, ignoring the stopwatch altogether.
Once you've finished all four passages, turn over your iPhone and see what the stopwatch says. I bet it says something between 33 and 38 minutes. Either way, what you'll have shown yourself is that you can do the work in the time allotted, so long as you don't worry about the clock and concentrate on doing what you're doing (even if it takes you 39 minutes, you'll know that if you're moving at your natural rhythm, you're only a bit off the pace, and you can do another section tomorrow exactly the same way (timer in background counting up) but consciously moving a little bit faster). Knowing that you can do it will loosen you up so that you can do it.
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