What are some effective strategies for ACT Reading?

I'm working on improving my ACT Reading scores and could use some strategies or tips that might help. What techniques have worked for you guys in the past, and are there any specific approaches that you find beneficial in tackling the reading section on the ACT?

One effective strategy for the ACT Reading is to take a layered approach to answering the questions. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do this:

1. Skim the passage: Before diving into the questions, take a minute to quickly skim through the passage. Get a general idea of the key points, the main characters, and the overall tone. This will help you answer a few questions without having to read the entire passage in detail.

2. Read the questions first: After your initial skimming, read through all the questions related to the passage. This helps you actively identify the information you need to find when you read the passage more thoroughly later.

3. Find and mark: Go back to the passage and underline or make a mental note of the relevant information for each question. At this stage, don't try to analyze or interpret what you read. Just locate the parts of the passage that can help you answer the questions.

4. Answer the questions: At this point, you should know where to find the answers to each question. Refer back to the parts of the passage you've marked, and use this information to answer the questions. Be sure to read the question and answer options carefully, as some questions may try to trick you with tempting but incorrect choices.

5. Check your work: If you have extra time, go through your answers again and make sure they align with the information from the passage. Double-check any questions you were unsure about or had to guess on.

Some additional tips to keep in mind:

- Work on your pacing: The ACT Reading section has 40 questions and you're given 35 minutes to complete them. This means you have less than a minute per question. Practice your timing on practice tests so you can allocate your time wisely.

- Practice active reading: Focus on understanding the main ideas, arguments, and key details while reading the passage. This will help you retain information and answer the questions faster.

- Don't get stuck on a single question: If you find a question too difficult, mark it and move on to the next one. You can come back to it later if you have time. Your goal is to answer as many questions as possible, so don't let one question eat up too much of your time.

Be sure to do practice tests and review your mistakes to tailor these strategies to your strengths and weaknesses. Good luck on your ACT Reading preparation!