By knowing the common types of reading comprehension questions, you can anticipate information you'll be asked about as you read each passage and make quick notes as you read, saving you valuable time when it's time to find answers. The key question types are the main idea or author's purpose, vocabulary-in-context, the author's tone or opinion, and inference questions that require you to use your own logic and reasoning to find answers not explicitly in the text. Practicing answering these types of questions will improve your speed and confidence on test day.
If you find that your lack of vocabulary knowledge is slowing you down as you read, consider taking steps to improve your vocabulary before test day. There are many books and flash cards available with common SAT vocabulary words. If you find that you quickly forget the meanings of words after memorizing them, take a more active approach to learning vocabulary by using new words to create your own sentences and stories.
Time is of the essence on the critical reading section, so improving your reading speed is key. Spend a few minutes each day reading at a faster rate than usual. Using your hand or an index card as a guide, try reading two to three words at a time instead of one. Time yourself to see how long it takes to read three to four paragraphs and continue practicing until your time improves. Read back over passages slowly to make sure you're not simply skimming and missing the main ideas.
Ultimately, the best preparation for the SAT verbal section is simply reading more. Reading improves speed, vocabulary and comprehension. Read fiction with a good vocabulary level, such as classic literature or young adult books like the "Harry Potter" series. Read newspapers to improve vocabulary and enhance your knowledge of current events, something you may be able to use in the SAT essay. As you encounter words you don't know, look them up and keep a list to review before test day.