1. Skim the questions *before* reading the passage: This approach allows you to have a purpose while you read. You'll be looking for specific information related to the questions, making your reading more focused and efficient. This is particularly helpful if:
* The passage is long and complex: Having a preview of the questions helps you prioritize what information to focus on and what you can skim over.
* You're short on time: Targeted reading saves time compared to reading the entire passage and then trying to recall relevant information.
* You tend to struggle with recalling details: The questions give you a roadmap to what to look for.
2. Read the passage *first*, then review the questions: This approach allows you to gain a comprehensive understanding of the passage before focusing on specific details. This might be better if:
* The passage is relatively short and straightforward: You can easily retain the key information without needing the questions as a guide.
* You prefer a holistic understanding before tackling specific questions: This approach can help you understand the overall context and author's argument more effectively.
* The questions are inference-based rather than factual recall: You need a strong grasp of the whole passage to answer these effectively.
In summary: There's no universally "best" approach. Experiment to see which method works better for *you*. Consider trying both methods on practice tests to determine which one leads to a higher score. Ultimately, the goal is to find a strategy that helps you answer the questions accurately and efficiently.