You\u2019re not alone. The Reading section can feel a bit elusive. It\u2019s not like the Math section where you can just drill practice problems, or the English section where you memorize rules. Reading feels harder to \u201ccrack\u201d.<\/p>\n
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But here\u2019s the good news: there are<\/em> strategies that work. The 11 ACT reading tips we will share with you today will help you stay calm, read smarter, and walk in feeling way more prepared.<\/p>\n Even if you only apply a few, you\u2019ll already have an edge\u2026though we definitely recommend going for all 11 if you can.<\/p>\n And if you\u2019re also brushing up on grammar, don\u2019t miss our favorite ACT English tips<\/a> to help you boost your score across the board.<\/p>\n Before you start to think of more advanced ACT reading strategies, it helps to know what you\u2019re dealing with.<\/p>\n The ACT Reading section has:<\/p>\n So yeah… less than 9 minutes per passage (including answering 10 questions each). Time management is the whole game. Keeping this in mind will help you not get stuck on any singular question for too long.<\/p>\n You should also be aware that there are different types of passages that will each require different skills and will come with their own questions.<\/p>\n The ACT reading section includes four passage types:<\/p>\n Getting familiar with each type will help you be able to adjust your reading approach and avoid being surprised on test day.<\/p>\n You might be surprised to hear this, but: Reading every<\/em> word is not necessary.<\/p>\n Instead, skim for:<\/p>\n Just keep in mind that you\u2019re not reading for fun. You\u2019re reading with a mission.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t get lost in the details too soon. A lot of questions ask about the author\u2019s main point<\/em>, the overall tone, or why they included certain examples.<\/p>\n So always ask yourself:<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s the big idea here?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n If you know the core message, then answering those questions gets a whole lot easier.<\/p>\n When a question gives you line numbers (like \u201cIn line 42\u2026\u201d), go back and read around<\/em> it. Don\u2019t just read the one sentence and disregard everything else. Check 2\u20133 lines before and after. Context is everything.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a trick: read the question, skim the answer choices, and then go back<\/em> to the passage to search for what actually matches. You\u2019ll save time and avoid getting lost in the text.<\/p>\n Most ACT questions have at least two<\/em> wrong answers that are obviously off. Does something sound too dramatic? Or slightly off-topic? Only half true? Get rid of them. Then make your best choice between what\u2019s left.<\/p>\n Some questions are tough. That\u2019s okay. But spending 5 minutes on one tricky question is not ideal.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re not sure, circle it and move on. Come back later if there\u2019s time. Getting stuck early can throw off your entire section.<\/p>\n Practice might not always make perfect, but it makes progress<\/em>. Use real ACT reading practice tests to spot patterns and build your skills.<\/p>\n Need prep materials? Try The Official ACT Prep Guide<\/a> or ACT Made Simple<\/a>. And for more strategies, check out these general ACT tips<\/a>.<\/p>\n Some wrong answers sound convincing\u2026but they\u2019re traps. ACT loves to include choices that:<\/p>\n Practice spotting these traps, and your score will thank you.<\/p>\n Yes, really.<\/p>\n Reading regularly (even just 15 minutes a day) can build your speed and comprehension. Try articles, essays, or short fiction. Anything that feels just a little<\/em> smarter than scrolling TikTok.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re already a big bookworm, then this should be an easy tip to follow. And if you\u2019re not the biggest reader yet, try to find a genre that sounds interesting. Even if it\u2019s \u201cjust\u201d an action-packed thriller or a spicy romance novel, that\u2019s still a win.<\/p>\n The more you read, the more you get exposed (and used) to writing styles, correct grammar, spelling and punctuation. You also gain skills like being able to read faster (reading speed) and being able to understand the materials quicker (reading comprehension). These skills can even help you with the other ACT sections (like English and even Science).<\/p>\n The ACT Reading section is about reading smarter<\/em>. With the right tips, a bit of practice, and a calm mindset, you can go into the ACT with confidence.<\/p>\n Of course, don\u2019t forget to prepare for the other ACT sections. But if you do follow the 11 tips for ACT reading we shared in this blog, you\u2019re setting yourself up for success on the reading part.<\/p>\n And one extra tip: don\u2019t stress when you\u2019re taking the test and feel overwhelmed by any of the texts or questions. Even if the first passage is a wild one about 18th-century farming methods (ugh), take a breath. You\u2019re not alone, and you\u2019re more prepared than you think.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The ACT Reading section can feel kind of…weird. If you\u2019re not a big reader, just looking at four full passages might already be stressing you out. Or maybe you are a reader, but with the ACT coming up, you\u2019ve spent most of your study time memorizing math formulas, brushing up on grammar rules, and figuring […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3973,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"amp_status":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[167,168],"yoast_head":"\n11 ACT Reading Tips<\/h2>\n
1. Get to Know the ACT Reading Section<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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![\"Get](\"https:\/\/www.campusbooks.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Get-to-Know-the-ACT-Reading-Section.png\")
<\/p>\n2. Know the Passage Types<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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3. Skim Like a Pro<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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4. Focus on the Big Picture<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"Focus](\"https:\/\/www.campusbooks.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Focus-on-the-Big-Picture.png\")
<\/p>\n5. Use Line References Smartly<\/strong><\/h3>\n
6. Work Backwards from the Answers<\/strong><\/h3>\n
7. Eliminate, Eliminate, Eliminate<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"Eliminate,](\"https:\/\/www.campusbooks.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Eliminate-Eliminate-Eliminate.png\")
<\/p>\n8. Don\u2019t Get Stuck<\/strong><\/h3>\n
9. Practice With Real ACT Reading Questions<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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10. Learn to Spot Trap Answers<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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![\"Learn](\"https:\/\/www.campusbooks.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Learn-to-Spot-Trap-Answers.png\")
<\/p>\n11. Read for Fun (Seriously)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Apply Our ACT Reading Section Tips For Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n