In the Reading part, what is a common approach to improve accuracy under time pressure?

• A. Read every word slowly
• B. Skim for gist first, then scan for specific details, and use context to infer meaning.
• C. Translate every sentence into your native language
• D. Answer in random order

Answer: (B)

Under time pressure in Reading, the best approach is to grasp the overall meaning quickly and then target the exact details you need, using context to understand any unfamiliar words. Skimming for the gist gives you a mental map of the passage—its topic, structure, and main ideas—so you know where to look when a question asks for a specific point. Then you scan for the precise details, passages, or examples that support those questions, rather than reading every word slowly. If you encounter an unknown word, using the surrounding sentences to infer meaning keeps you moving and helps maintain accuracy without getting stuck.

Reading every word slowly wastes valuable time and slows your pace, which hurts accuracy under a tight deadline. Translating each sentence into your native language is also inefficient and can distort nuance, making you slower and more likely to miss the writer’s exact intent. Answering in random order disrupts your flow and makes it harder to cross-check information, increasing the chance of mistakes.