1. Multiple Choice Section:
Approximately 55 questions covering four or five passages
Prose and poetry passages; can also include drama
Time limit: 60 minutes
Approximately one minute per question
Weight: 45% of total test score

2. Multiple Choice Section
Read instructions carefully, paying particular attention to critical words like not, only, except, etc.
Frequently check to make sure that the number of the question on your answer sheet corresponds to the number of the question in your exam booklet.
Double check your status about every ten questions or after each selection.
TIP: Check this every time the question number ends in a 0
Stay aware of the time. Bring a watch, and put it on the desk/table next to you.

3. Multiple Choice Section
Multiple-choice scores are based on the number of questions answered correctly
Points are not deducted for incorrect answers, and no points are awarded for unanswered questions
Because points are not deducted for incorrect answers, you should answer all multiple-choice questions.
On any questions you do not know the answer to, eliminate as many choices as you can, and then select the best answer among the remaining choices

5. Multiple Choice section (45%)
Expect at least two poems, two prose passages (occasionally an extra piece of drama). Out of the four passages, 2 are British and 2 are American.
Test only uses literature from 1575-present (no Middle English or Old English) and no translated works.
One passage will include a minority writer.

6. Multiple Choice section (45%)
Work systematically; do NOT skip around from passage to passage. Answer all the questions for a passage before continuing.
Skim the questions before reading the passage (works for most). DON’T read the answers yet! Look 3-4 specific ideas to search for, ignoring the “generic” questions. Turn it into a scavenger hunt.
Read the passage ONCE. Avoid rereading at this time; get the content by reading
a. Actively
b. Visualize (2 meanings)
c. PARAPHRASE as you read(each paragraph and whole passage)! Write on the test! Underline key words.
d. Analyze for theme, style, speaker, structure, tone, figurative language
Read the questions CAREFULLY! Many wrong answers stem from misreading the question; know what is being asked. Accuracy and efficiency count.
Read ALL answer choices, eliminate wrong ones as you go. Remember directions call for the BEST answer choice.

7. Kinds of Multiple choice Questions
Factual questions will ask about the content of a passage. For example:
In context, the word “sensibility’’ (line 6) is best interpreted to mean:
self-esteem
forthright and honest nature
capacity to observe accurately
ability to ignore the unimportant
awareness and responsiveness

8. Kinds of Multiple choice Questions
Technical questions will ask about aspects of an author’s technique. For example:
The style of the third paragraph differs from that of the first and second paragraphs in that it is
(a) instructive rather than descriptive
(b) argumentative rather than expository
(c) interpretative rather than metaphorical
(d) objective rather than representational
(e) conversational rather than analytical

9. Kinds of Multiple choice Questions
Analysis questions will ask about the effect of an author’s choices. For example:
The speaker’s allusion to Hercules and Adonis (lines 15–16) serves primarily to
(a) imply an undercurrent of aggressiveness in Mr. Jones’s personality
(b) suggest the extremes of physical attractiveness represented in Mr. Jones’s appearance
(c) assert the enduring significance of mythical beauty
(d) symbolize the indescribable nature of Mr. Jones’s countenance
(e) emphasize how clearly Mr. Jones’s features reflected his personality

10. Kinds of Multiple choice Questions
Inferential questions will ask you to make educated guesses about an author’s purpose. For example: The first two paragraphs indicate that the speaker assumes that (a) accurate observers of human nature are rare (b) spirited and sensible people are by nature rather effeminate (c) a person’s character can be accurately discerned from his or her outward appearance (d) a correlation exists between an individual’s “personal accomplishments’’ (line 1) and his or her physical prowess (e) good-naturedness in a person is usually not readily apparent

11. Strategies for Success
Before beginning, skim the section quickly to see how many passages there are.
Answer all the questions for a passage at one time; don’t skip around.
Write on the test booklet! Underline! Make margin notes!
For questions that seem impossible, limit at least two possible answers then guess.

12. If you’re running out of time…
Answer the shortest questions.
Answer the questions that direct you to a specific line of the passage.
Answer specific detail/ definition questions.
Answer self-contained questions (questions that do not require you to return to the passage.)

13. If you are very short on time…
and have to skip an entire selection, you should choose one letter choice(a,b,c,d,e) and then bubble all answers for that section with that same letter.
Statistically, your chances of getting some of your guesses correct go up with this technique.

14. REASONS ANSWERS ARE WRONG
Irrelevant to the question
Contradictory to the passage
Unreasonable (the “Huh?” choice)
Too general or too specific
Never addressed in the passage
Absolutes and/or qualifiers
Look for the SPECIFIC WORDS that make the answer wrong