The Dominate Test Prep Podcast - 39. What Should I Be Reading? [Mailbag]

39. What Should I Be Reading? [Mailbag]

02/16/21 • 21 min

The better you are at reading, the better you'll do on your standardized test. And the more you read, the better you'll get at reading.
But what should you be reading?
That's the question we seek to answer in this episode of The Dominate Test Prep Podcast, in response to the following e-mail we recently received from one of our listeners:
"I want to start reading and I bought Pride and Prejudice and OMG!!!!!!!!!! It is the most boring book I ever read, so I stop. Do you have any suggestion? I need to improve my verbal and I want to read more to get more ability for the longer passage. English is my second language. Thank you so much again." -- Yohanna
First, it's important to understand the purpose of reading as it pertains to helping you on your standardized test. We explain several of the most important benefits you can expect to receive by increasing the amount that you're reading between now and test day.
But it's also important that you're reading the right things. The bulk of this episode is devoted to giving you recommendations on the types of reading material you should add to your prep, including specific genres, authors, and titles. Pick something and start reading it today!
RESOURCES

Join our class at readtheory.org using the following class code: 8MURF3ZC
Questions? Suggestions for future podcast episodes? Contact Us!
Sign up for one of our comprehensive prep courses: https://www.dominatetestprep.com

A DOSE OF MOTIVATION
“Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.” — Harry S. Truman

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Get more free content on the DTP YouTube Channel
Register for a comprehensive prep course (GMAT Exam, Executive Assessment, GRE, LSAT, SAT)
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Questions? Comments? Email us at [email protected].

Join our class at readtheory.org using the following class code: 8MURF3ZC
Questions? Suggestions for future podcast episodes? Contact Us!
Sign up for one of our comprehensive prep courses: https://www.dominatetestprep.com

A DOSE OF MOTIVATION
“Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.” — Harry S. Truman

Connect with Us

Get more free content on the DTP YouTube Channel
Register for a comprehensive prep course (GMAT Exam, Executive Assessment, GRE, LSAT, SAT)
Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

Questions? Comments? Email us at [email protected].

Previous Episode

38. 3 Ways to Worry Less for Better Test-Day Performance

Worry is a natural human emotion. But it doesn't serve you well when preparing for your standardized test and it doesn't have to be your story on test day. Doing well on your exam involves winning what we call the inner game of testing, and learning to control your anxiety so that you can perform with calm, equanimity, and confidence is a huge part of getting a high score.
In this episode of the Dominate Test Prep Podcast we examine the concept of worry and share three proven ways that you can reduce your anxiety in the lead-up to your exam. Specifically, we discuss:

The important lesson Tom Hanks learned about worry in the movie "Bridge of Spies" and how it translates to your ideal test-taking mindset
The difference between the inner and outer game of test preparation, and why worrying less is so crucial for winning the inner game
The inverse relationship between preparation and worry
How Michael Jordan was able to stay calm in the most stressful moments of big games, and how you can do the same on your exam
Why getting the focus off yourself is so helpful for reducing your anxiety -- and where you should place your attention instead
The importance of a healthy "big picture" perspective (blowing things out of proportion never helps!)
The contrast between two hypothetical candidates in terms of their approach to test day... and why you should be more like Candidate B
And more!

Whether you're just getting started preparing for your exam and you're nervous about the road ahead, or test day is getting close and you're worried about not getting the score you need, you'll benefit from the tangible tips and perspectives we share in this episode. At the very least they'll help you live a healthier, less-stressful life... and oh, yeah, they should help you score higher on test day, too!
RESOURCES

The Cosmic Eye - This is the YouTube video I told you about that does an amazing job of putting our place in the Universe into perspective.
Comprehensive Prep Courses - Cover all your bases so that you capitalize on the inverse relationship between preparation and worry.
Subscribe to our Dominate Test Prep YouTube Channel - Get more free test-taking tips and strategies.
Contact Us - Questions? We're here to help.

A DOSE OF MOTIVATION
“Pressure is a privilege." — Billy Jean King

Connect with Us

Get more free content on the DTP YouTube Channel
Register for a comprehensive prep course (GMAT Exam, Executive Assessment, GRE, LSAT, SAT)
Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

Questions? Comments? Email us at [email protected].

Next Episode

40. Proven Principles of Perfect Practice, with Mike Bergin

The great American football coach Vince Lombardi famously said, "Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect."
When it comes to preparing for your standardized test, practice is obviously an important component of your ultimate success. But how you practice matters. So what are the components of "perfect" practice and what should you be doing to ensure that your practice sessions are as effective as possible and will translate to a high score on test day?
To help shed light on this important topic, we're joined in this episode of The Dominate Test Prep Podcast by Mike Bergin, founder of Chariot Learning and founding President of the Board of Directors of the National Test Prep Association. We discuss:

The 4 Steps of Deliberate Practice;
The distinction between "studying" and "practice" and the role that each should play in your test preparation;
The danger of taking too many practice tests;
How often you should take practice tests, and things you should do to ensure that they replicate the actual test-day experience;
Why some students perform worse on the real exam than on their practice tests, and what you can do to ensure that doesn't happen for you;
The important link between fun and practice, and how to inject some fun into your practice sessions;
Advice for students who are reluctant (read: scared) to take full-length practice tests and feel like they need to "know it all" before giving it a go;
How to know when you're ready for the real exam.

Study time is precious, so you don't want to just go through the motions during your practice and then wonder why your scores aren't improving. If you take to heart and implement the mindsets and strategies we discuss in this episode, we're confident that the benefits you derive from your practice will improve -- and by extension, your results on test day will improve as well. Enjoy!

RESOURCES / LINKS
Here are some studies and articles with additional tips and insight into effective practice:

The Power of Testing Memory: Basic Research and Implications for Educational Practice, by Henry L. Roediger, III, and Jeffrey D. Karpicke
Practice Testing Improves Retrieval, by Chariot Learning
Practice Makes Myelinated Perfect, by Chariot Learning
Deliberate Practice and 4 Not-So-Easy Steps to Success, by Chariot Learning

SIMILAR EPISODES
If you enjoyed this episode, we know you'll benefit from these other similar episodes of The Dominate Test Prep Podcast:

Episode 2 - 5 Proven Study Habits for a Higher Score on Test Day
Episode 15 - Overcoming Test Anxiety

Connect with Us

Get more free content on the DTP YouTube Channel
Register for a comprehensive prep course (GMAT Exam, Executive Assessment, GRE, LSAT, SAT)
Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts

Questions? Comments? Email us at [email protected].