The Importance of Reading

Parents often ask how to prepare young kids for test prep. Should children start studying for the SAT in 6th grade? That’s not something I recommend! But helping children build strong foundational skills early on is a great way to set them up for future success on the SAT and ACT.

Why is reading important for the standardized tests? The reading sections include complex passages with advanced vocabulary and subtle reasoning. Students need to feel comfortable navigating these types of texts. But reading is also important for the math section, which includes complicated word problems that many students struggle with.

One of the most valuable habits a student can develop is regular reading. I’ve personally seen a drop in reading skills among high school students over the past few decades, with many students opting for electronic means of entertainment instead of books. Like any skill, reading requires consistent practice. Nobody became a great athlete after just a few workouts!

So how can you improve your reading skills? Make reading an enjoyable habit! It’s important to read things you enjoy reading so that it doesn’t feel like a chore. High school students can benefit a lot from reading classical literature (this contains many vocabulary words that show up on standardized tests), but even lighter reading can help build your reading skills!