Listen. PSAT Critical Reading doesn't sound fun. I'll give you that. However, in order to score well on the PSAT test, and you do want to get a great PSAT score, by the way, you'll need to master the PSAT Critical Reading section. It's just one of the three sections on the PSAT test, along with Writing and Math, but it's the one in which your score can be boosted the most by a little practice.
PSAT Critical Reading Basics
Before I jump into the nitty gritty of PSAT Critical Reading, let me give you the basics of this section:
- Contains two 25-minute sections
- Contains 48 questions total
- Two question types
- Can earn you between 20 and 80 points, or 1/3 of your PSAT Score.
PSAT Critical Reading Average Scores
I know, I know. One third of your PSAT points is a lot to stake on reading! The good news is the average Critical Reading score for juniors in 2009 was a 48, and the average for sophomores was a 46. See? No one is perfect.
PSAT Critical Reading Question Types
As I stated before, you'll have two types of questions to complete on the CR section:
PSAT Critical Reading Practice
If reading comprehension has you a little mystified, then take a look around my PSAT Critical Reading Practice Page for some main idea, inference, vocabulary in context and other practice questions!
