Reading a passage or questions first?

[noname]

Hello pals.

I was wondering if it is a good idea to first read the questions and then read the passage, so that you have a main idea what areas of the passage to concentrate on.
Is it ok to read the questions first and how approved would it be to do so?
I, at least, think that this approach would let a test taker pay more attention to the details required to answer the questions.

What do you think?
Oh, and is it ok with the TOEFL? Will the test administrator allow me to do so?

Thanks.

[lleona]

Originally posted by noname

Hello pals.

I was wondering if it is a good idea to first read the questions and then read the passage, so that you have a main idea what areas of the passage to concentrate on.
Is it ok to read the questions first and how approved would it be to do so?
I, at least, think that this approach would let a test taker pay more attention to the details required to answer the questions.

What do you think?
Oh, and is it ok with the TOEFL? Will the test administrator allow me to do so?

Thanks.

Hi,noname!

Actually I don't know whether the test administrator will allow you to do that.

In my opinion it is a good idea first to read the questions but it should be as quickly as possible as not to lose time. It is good also to read the first sentence of each paragraph and the last sentence of the passage. You should also do that as quickly as possible. This stragedy helps me to understand what I am reading and form the general idea of the topic.

regards,
leona

[Erin]

You're allowed to read the passage any way you want--passage first, questions first, with your head to the left, etc. You cannot take notes while you're reading, but you can go back to previous questions (unlike in other parts of the test).

You need to do what works best for you. Personally I don't like to read all the questions first--it's usually a waste of time. I think it's better to read one question first, go back and read until you can answer it. Something like that.

Or perhaps you could do the vocab questions first, as those questions can be answered without reading the whole passage (but be sure to read enough of the sentence and surrounding sentences to be sure that you understand the meaning of the word).

[noname]

Thanks guys, your replies are really appreciated

[thaiva]

Yes as Erin said you have to find a way that best suits you. I read the questions through once then focus on the passage by reading the questions then you have some idea what to look out for in the passage, another way that work's well is by reading the passage through once then going to the questions one by one...

Really though up to you to find a way that work's best....