SAT-ACT Speed Reading Ebook
SAT-ACT Speed Reading Ebook
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Speed Reading eBook For SAT/ACT
FOR SAT/ACT:
SPEED READING
EBOOK
PETER STONN
STEPHAN ZIMMERMANN
This e-book is protected by copyright law. Any reproduction, distribution, or sharing – in whole or in part – is
prohibited without the express written permission of the publisher.
This e-book is intended solely for the personal use of the registered reader. Any commercial use or distribution
to third parties is strictly forbidden.
The content of this e-book has been created with great care. However, the publisher and authors assume no
liability for any errors or consequences resulting from its use.
Peter Stonn
[Link]
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Speed Reading eBook For SAT/ACT
Introduction
Chapter 1
Where Do You Stand Right Now? 5
1.1 Your Reading Baseline 5
1.2 How Do I Interpret My Results? 6
1.3 What Does This Mean for You? 6
Chapter 2
The Problem: Losing Time & Feeling Stressed 7
2.1 The Myth: “Everyone Can Read, Right?” 7
2.2 The Biggest Time & Reading Traps 7
2.3 Emotional Fallout: Stress and Blackouts 8
2.4 Mini-Takeaway 8
Chapter 3
The Three Key Techniques 9
3.1 Reducing Subvocalization 9
3.2 Avoiding Regression (Read Forward) 10
3.3 Chunking (Reading in Meaningful Groups) 10
Chapter 4
Strategic Reading Techniques for the SAT/ACT 11
4.1 Time & Structure Overview (SAT vs. ACT) 11
4.2 Step 1: Read the Questions First (Preview & Scanning) 12
4.3 Step 2: Quick First Read with Chunking 12
4.4 Step 3: Answer Questions—Picking Up “Leftovers” 13
4.5 Sample Timing (ACT) 13
4.6 Handling Uncertainties 14
4.7 Conclusion: Your New Reading Strategy on Test Day 14
Chapter 5
Your Training Plan 15
5.1 Daily Micro-Exercises (5–10 Minutes) 15
5.2 Weekly Intensive Session (30–60 Minutes) 16
5.3 Building a Routine 16
Chapter 6
Test Day: Stay Calm and Use Your Skills 17
6.1 Mental Prep 17
6.2 Pre-Reading Ritual 17
6.4 Afterward 18
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Speed Reading eBook For SAT/ACT
INTRODUCTION
No time, no points?
You’re sitting in the Reading section of the SAT or ACT, the clock is relentlessly ticking,
and you’re wondering, “How am I ever going to read all these passages and answer the
questions?” You know every point can determine your chances of getting into your
chosen college. But too often, time simply runs out before you’ve covered everything
thoroughly. Stress, panic, and the feeling that you’re about to lose track are almost
guaranteed.
But what if you could read much faster—and still read thoroughly?
A lot of people think they “learned” how to read back in elementary school and can’t
change anything now. But the truth is, your reading speed and reading comprehension
are skills you can train! That’s exactly what we’ll show you in this eBook.
Who we are
At Improved Reading, we’ve been helping people improve their reading skills for years—
whether they’re high schoolers, college students, or working professionals. We’ve
noticed that time pressure becomes a major issue in test situations like the SAT or ACT.
Our approach: Speed Reading + smart text management. All our tips are based on
proven methods that hold up under test-day stress.
What to expect from this eBook:
• Chapter 1: How to nd out about the state of your current reading skills
• Chapter 2: The biggest reading and timing traps that cost you points
• Chapter 3: The most important speed-reading techniques—short & sweet
• Chapter 4: How to apply reading strategies speci cally to the SAT/ACT
• Chapter 5: Your training plan for more speed and better comprehension
And of course, practical tips to help you not just read faster on test day, but also read
smarter. Get ready: after reading this, you’ll tackle the Reading section with way more
con dence—and maybe even have time to spare. Let’s dive right in!
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Speed Reading eBook For SAT/ACT
CHAPTER 1
WHERE DO YOU STAND RIGHT NOW?
Most people have only a vague idea whether they’re “fast” or “slow” readers. Sure, you
might notice that some friends seem to read faster or remember more. But just how
much faster or how good your comprehension really is can only be measured by an
actual test.
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Speed Reading eBook For SAT/ACT
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Speed Reading eBook For SAT/ACT
CHAPTER 2
THE PROBLEM:
LOSING TIME & FEELING STRESSED
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Speed Reading eBook For SAT/ACT
◦ You nish a sentence, feel unsure, and re exively jump back to re-read
phrases.
◦ This makes reading slow and tedious. The brain also struggles to grasp
connections when info arrives in tiny pieces.
2.4 MINI-TAKEAWAY
These major obstacles are mostly learned habits—and can be unlearned. The good
news: by speci cally targeting subvocalization, regression, and xation, you’ll
automatically read faster and retain more. In the next chapter, we’ll check out some
concrete techniques to make that happen.
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Speed Reading eBook For SAT/ACT
CHAPTER 3
THE THREE KEY TECHNIQUES
Now it’s time to get practical. You know what slows you down—let’s look at how to
boost your reading speed without losing comprehension. We’ll focus on three core
techniques you can start practicing right away.
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Speed Reading eBook For SAT/ACT
◦ Watch out for times you ip back. Often, it’s a deeply ingrained habit or
a quick doubt (“Did I really get that?”).
2. Goal-Oriented Reading Through “Curiosity”
◦ Check what the passage is about before diving in. Ask yourself:
“What am I looking for?”
◦ This arti cially created curiosity keeps you moving forward, searching
ahead for answers instead of re-reading the same lines.
3. Slightly Faster Speed, Higher Focus
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Speed Reading eBook For SAT/ACT
CHAPTER 4
STRATEGIC READING TECHNIQUES FOR THE SAT/
ACT
SAT and ACT reading sections are notorious: many questions, limited time, and often
challenging texts. If you’ve practiced the techniques from Chapter 3 (faster reading,
forward focus, chunking), you might wonder, “How do I apply this in an actual test
scenario when I have maybe a few seconds per question?”
In this chapter, we’ll combine speed-reading methods with some test-related
strategies so that you’re not just reading quickly, but also targeting the right info in the
Reading section.
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◦ In 15–30 seconds, see what’s being asked. Any line references? Key
terms like “the author implies…” or “according to paragraph 3…”?
◦ Some passages have distinct sections. A swift scan can show how it’s
laid out.
Why do this?
By knowing what the questions want, you read with a purpose and avoid random
rereads. You develop “forward curiosity,” driving you ahead in the text.
◦ If something confuses you, mentally note it, but keep moving forward.
Often, context clari es as you go.
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Time tip:
• For the ACT: allow ~3–4 minutes for the rst read.
• For the SAT: ~5–6 minutes.
• The rest of your time is for the questions.
◦ Watch for line references (“lines 12–14”), key terms, or what exactly is
being asked (the author’s opinion? a fact from a certain paragraph?).
2. Targeted Backtracking
◦ Now you can jump back to the relevant lines. Think of it as the “second
sweep,” where you grab details you might’ve missed the rst time.
◦ With chunking + forward reading, you’ll relocate the right spot much
faster.
3. Elimination
◦ For SAT/ACT, crossing out wrong options is often easier than identifying
the right one outright. Quickly scan each choice and eliminate anything
that clearly contradicts the text.
4. Mind the Clock
◦ If you’re stuck, mark the question, pick a plausible answer, and move
on. You can come back if there’s time left. Your speed-reading
advantage gives you a bit of a time cushion.
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Speed Reading eBook For SAT/ACT
CHAPTER 5
YOUR TRAINING PLAN
Knowing the theory is great, but for speed reading to really help you on the SAT/ACT,
you need practice. Train until techniques like chunking or forward-focused reading
become automatic. The earlier you start, the calmer you’ll be on test day. Here’s a
sample plan:
◦ Ask yourself 2–3 questions about the content (e.g., “What’s the main
point?”).
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Speed Reading eBook For SAT/ACT
◦ Choose an o cial practice passage (SAT or ACT), set a timer for realistic
test limits (~8–10 mins per passage for the ACT).
◦ Follow the steps from Chapter 4: scan questions, quick read, then
answer.
2. Analyze
◦ Note what went well (“Less subvocalizing, fewer backtracks”) and what
gave you trouble (“Unfamiliar words slowed me down”).
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Speed Reading eBook For SAT/ACT
CHAPTER 6
TEST DAY: STAY CALM AND USE YOUR SKILLS
Finally, the big day: the SAT or ACT. You’ve practiced and know how to apply speed-
reading techniques—but how do you pull it o under pressure? Here are a few last
pointers:
◦ If you’re unsure about something, jump back speci cally to that part.
4. Don’t get stuck
◦ If one question takes too long, mark it, pick your best guess, and move
on. You can revisit if you have time at the end.
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6.4 AFTERWARD
• Use your breaks: If the test has multiple sections (like the ACT), take a breather,
sip some water, and reset.
• Quick re ection: What worked well? What did you accomplish? You’ll probably
notice you felt far less time pressure thanks to speed-reading. That boost in
con dence can help with the remaining sections.
CONCLUSION &
LOOKING AHEAD
Congratulations—you’ve now got a solid foundation in speed-reading techniques that
can really help you succeed on the SAT or ACT. You know how to measure your reading
status, spot the habits that slow you down, and read quickly yet thoroughly under
pressure.
You might still be wondering, “Is this enough to beat my time crunch and boost my
score?”
The answer: Yes—if you really commit to practice.
Imagine if you only increase your reading speed from 200 to 350 words per minute. In
the SAT Reading section, that could easily free up 1–2 extra minutes per passage for
answering questions. In the ACT Reading section, possibly even more—an incredible
edge when every second counts! You can use that extra time to double-check answers,
make fewer mistakes, and ultimately raise your score. Less stress, better results, and
one step closer to the college you’re aiming for.
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Speed Reading eBook For SAT/ACT
Keep in mind: After completing our full training, most participants read signi cantly
faster than 400 WpM while maintaining at least 80% comprehension. Even if you see a
major boost in your reading e ciency by applying the tips in this e-book, ask yourself:
have you truly reached your personal limit? Further improvement through structured,
guided training is not only realistic but also entertaining.
Investing in your reading skills can save you countless hours in your academic and
professional life. And of course, in every test you take.
◦ Use the micro-drills from Chapter 5 every day, even if it’s just 5–10
minutes.
◦ If you want to move faster or need feedback, check out our speed-
reading programs. In our Speed Reading Online Training, you’ll get:
▪ Con dence: A clear system that guides you step by step until
speed reading feels completely natural.
3. Retake your reading test
◦ You might be surprised at how much faster and more assured you are—
and how much extra time you end up having for the questions.
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Speed Reading eBook For SAT/ACT
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Speed Reading eBook For SAT/ACT
Peter Stonn is an expert in helping students read faster, smarter, and with better
comprehension. With a background in business psychology and years of experience as
a consultant for e ciency and strategy. But instead of just focusing on business
processes, he turned his passion for reading and learning into his career.
For more than 15 years, he has led Improved Reading in Germany, helping thousands
of students, college applicants, and professionals double or even triple their reading
speed. As a Speed Reading Coach, he understands the challenges students face when
preparing for the SAT/ACT or handling heavy reading loads in school – and he has
developed proven solutions that make a real di erence.
Believing that technology can transform the way we learn, Peter created the
Webcoached Platform – an interactive online training program designed to help
students improve their reading skills quickly and e ectively. He is also a co-owner of a
tech company that specializes in AI-powered tools for productivity.
What sets him apart is his dedication to helping students succeed. Peter works
closely with high school students, coaching them, improving their reading e ciency, and
even mentoring young entrepreneurs as they build their own student startups. His goal
is simple: to equip students with the tools they need to learn faster, understand more,
and maximize their chances of getting into their dream college.
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