LATER PASSAGES
The Basic Approach works on all passages with figures, not just the Now passages featuring consistent
trends in tables and graphs.
Step 1: Work the Figures
Some ACT passages will feature an illustration, a diagram, or tables and graphs with no consistent trends.
Take 10–15 seconds to review the figure. When there are no consistent trends, a figure doesn’t reveal the
main point as readily. You’ll learn the main point as you work the questions and answers. Spend the
limited time devoted to Step 1 looking for any patterns or terms.
Step 2: Work the Questions
Even on Later passages, several questions will ask you to look something up on the figure. The more
confusing the figure, however, the more likely you are to waste valuable time trying to figure everything
out from staring at the figure, waiting for a flash of inspiration to hit. Use your POOD to seek out the most
straightforward questions in a passage to tackle first. As we wrote above, most questions will ask you to
look something up on the figure. For more complicated questions, move to Step 3 and use POE.
Step 3: Work the Answers
The wordier the answers, the more you should use POE. Read each answer, then review the figure and
