From my own experience preparing for the SAT reading section, I used to reread passages multiple times out of anxiety, fearing I had missed key details. This constant second-guessing only slowed me down and worsened my stress. What I learned is that rereading often stems from an anxiety response rather than a need for accuracy. Trusting your first read is crucial because your brain naturally grasps the main ideas on the first pass. I started timing myself with mock questions—setting 60 seconds per question as recommended by test experts—and forcing myself to go with my initial answer. At first, it was tough; I felt rushed and uncertain. But after about 10 days, this practice helped me build mental stamina and confidence. The improvement was clear: I rarely changed correct answers to wrong ones once I trusted my instincts, which also saved precious exam time. Using tools like question banks with built-in timers can simulate real test conditions effectively. My junior year AP English courses also helped refine my reading and argument analysis skills, further reducing my need to reread. Ultimately, managing test anxiety through trust in your first read, timed practice, and pattern recognition can make a significant difference in SAT reading performance, especially for students prone to overthinking.