2. If you can eliminate one out of the five choices, then you can guess and the mathematical weight is in your favor. Wrong answers are worth -1/4 points, while correct answers are worth a full point. You are not penalized for blanks.
3. Read the questions carefully.
4. Choose one of the following techniques (from Barron's How to Prepare for the AP...):
- Read the passage carefully from start to finish. Don’t try to remember every detail. As you read, ask yourself, “What is this passage really about?” You can usually get the general idea in two or three lines. When finished reading, state the author’s main point. Even an incorrect statement gives you an idea to focus on as you work on the questions. This strategy takes longer at the start, but allows you to make up the time later.
- Skim the poem passage for its general idea. Read faster than you normally would. At the same time, try to sense what the author is saying. Read the passage just intently enough to get an impression of its content. Don’t expect to keep details in mind. Refer to the passage as you answer the questions. This saves time and keeps your mind free of needless details.
- Skim the passage to get its general meaning; then go back and read it more thoroughly. Two readings, one fast and one slow, enable you to grasp the passage better than if you read it only once. During your second reading, confirm that your first impression was accurate. Proceed to the questions, referring frequently to the text. This technique takes the most time but offers you the firmest grip on the poem or passage.
