Skimming and scanning without losing accuracy
By Michael Ukwuma
Two fast reading skills and when to use each one.
Skimming gives you the map
Skimming means reading quickly to understand the overall shape of a text. Read the title, the first sentence of each paragraph and the last sentence of the passage. In about twenty seconds you will know the topic, the direction of the argument and where the details sit.
Scanning finds the answer
Scanning means looking for a specific word, number or name. Decide what the answer will look like before you search. If the question asks when, look for dates and times. If it asks how much, look for numbers and the word per.
When you find the area, slow down and read the whole sentence before and after it. Many errors come from grabbing a number without checking what it belongs to.
Do not fall into the speed trap
Speed only helps if accuracy stays high. If you answer quickly but miss two questions in every set, slow down by ten per cent. Use timed practice to find the pace where your accuracy holds.
Key points
- Skim first for structure, then scan for details.
- Predict the shape of the answer before you search.
- Read the sentences around a number or name.