Q-SKIM-SCAN: Read Questions first, SKIM the passage for structure, then SCAN for specific answers. Never read the full passage word-by-word first.
Reading Comprehension Tricks
SBI POIBPS POSSC CGLCAT
Items to Memorize
- Question-first approach (read questions before passage)
- Main idea identification (first and last paragraphs)
- Inference vs. stated fact distinction
- Author's tone detection (positive/negative/neutral)
- Vocabulary-in-context questions
- Eliminating extreme options
Mnemonic Tricks
How It Maps
| Cue | Maps To |
|---|---|
| Q (Questions first) | Read ALL questions before touching the passage — know what to look for |
| SKIM (Structure) | Read first line of each paragraph — get the flow in 30 seconds |
| SCAN (Answers) | For each question, scan the relevant paragraph for keywords |
| Eliminate extremes | Options with 'always', 'never', 'all', 'none' are usually wrong |
| Tone = adjectives | Author's tone is revealed by the adjectives they use |
Why It Sticks
Reading the full passage first wastes 3-4 minutes. Q-SKIM-SCAN lets you answer most questions in under 90 seconds each.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to improve speed for RC?
Practice the Q-SKIM-SCAN method daily. Also: never sub-vocalize (read in your head without 'saying' words), and practice with a timer. Target: 2 minutes per question.
How to handle inference questions?
Inference = what logically follows from the text but isn't directly stated. The answer must be supported by text evidence — if you can't point to a sentence that supports it, it's wrong.