What OSR Means for Reading

• Optimize routine
  Build a fixed workflow for every passage so decisions are automatic. Use the 17-20-23 timing split with a 60 second move-on rule and confidence tags H, M, L.
• Stabilize skills
  Drill the skills that Reading actually tests. Locate speed, function reading for headings, polarity and quantifiers for True False Not Given, precision for completion items, and distractor resistance.
• Retest under pressure
  Run realistic mocks with the same timing and review rules. Compare the same four metrics each time so progress is visible.

Your four core metrics

1. Average locate time to find the right paragraph
2. Low-confidence count L per test
3. Type accuracy for headings, T F NG, matching, completion
4. Distractor resilience count where a keyword trap fooled you

The OSR 14-Day Schedule

The plan is split into four phases. Each day lists Reading first, then a short support task from another skill that helps Reading stamina, logic, or precision.

Phase O: Optimize Routine (Days 14 to 12)

Day 14: Setup and baseline

• Reading
  Run one full mock with the 17-20-23 split. No pausing. Mark with the key. For every wrong answer, copy a proof phrase of 3 to 7 words that justifies the correct option. Tag error reasons: locate issue, function error, polarity oversight, scope mismatch, time pressure, vocabulary gap.
  Record the four metrics.
• Support
  Writing 10 minutes. Draft two topic sentences that state a claim and a function such as contrast or cause. This reinforces function reading for headings.

Targets

• Do not chase a score today. Aim to complete clean logging and proof phrases for all errors.

Day 13: Routine scripting

• Reading
  Write your one-page routine. Include preview in 30 seconds, question scan, locate then read 3 to 5 lines, proof phrase, confidence tag, 60 second move-on, final 2-minute L sweep.
  Drill 12 mixed items with the routine. Timebox 20 minutes.
• Support
  Speaking 10 minutes. Practice a long turn on how you handled a past problem. Focus on logical connectors such as however, despite, consequently. These signal words are the same markers that decide T F NG.

Targets

• Read routine from memory in under 45 seconds before starting any set.

Day 12: Timing mastery

• Reading
  Run a half test. Passage 1 in 17 minutes, Passage 2 in 20 minutes. Stop exactly on time. Mark, copy proof phrases for wrong or low-confidence items.
  Drill a 6-item completion set for accuracy on number, plural, and hyphen.
• Support
  Listening 10 minutes. Map a monologue with timestamped bullet points. This trains fast information mapping that helps with locate speed.

Targets

• Locate time under 50 seconds by the end of today
• Fewer than 8 L tags across the two passages

Phase S: Stabilize Skills (Days 11 to 6)

Day 11: Headings focus

• Reading
  Do 14 headings items from two different passages. Routine: read first and last sentence, name the paragraph function in 5 words such as contrast, method, limitation, result, example, then pick.
  Build a mini table with two columns: Function guessed vs Final heading chosen. Note mismatches.
• Support
  Writing 10 minutes. Write a one-paragraph summary of a passage in 80 words. Keep the central function visible. This sharpens focus on what a paragraph does.

Targets

• Headings accuracy 70 percent or higher today
• Reduce time per heading to under 80 seconds without rushing

Day 10: True, False, Not Given and polarity

• Reading
  Complete 12 T F NG items. For each, circle quantifiers and negatives in the statement and in the text. Write a two-word reason for each wrong answer such as scope or time.
  Run a 6-item speed round with the 60 second move-on rule.
• Support
  Speaking 8 minutes. Answer quick why or why not prompts. Emphasize quantifiers like most, many, a minority, some. This mirrors the logic Reading uses.

Targets

• T F NG accuracy 75 percent or higher
• No answer changes unless a new proof phrase appears

Day 9: Matching names and information

• Reading
  Build a quick reference table: Name, Role, Unique detail. Then answer 10 matching items. When torn between two options, write the tiny break detail that rules one out.
  Add three entries to your distractor lab with the reason each wrong option almost fooled you.
• Support
  Listening 10 minutes. Follow a discussion and attribute claims to speakers. This trains attributions used in matching names.

Targets

• Matching accuracy 75 percent or higher
• At least three explicit break details recorded

Day 8: Completion precision

• Reading
  Do 12 sentence or summary completion items. For each blank, decide the word form and number before reading options. Check plural, hyphen, and spelling on transfer.
  Repeat three items where you lost points to form. Write the fix rule.
• Support
  Writing 10 minutes. Create a 6-line table of common science collocations such as significant increase, strong correlation, limited sample. These reduce guessing on completion items.

Targets

• Zero avoidable errors on plural and hyphen today
• Completion accuracy 80 percent or higher

Day 7: Mixed set and confidence sweep

• Reading
  Run a 35 minute mixed set across all types. At minute 33 start the L-only sweep. Change answers only with a new proof phrase.
  Update the four metrics and compare to Day 14.
• Support
  Five-breath reset practice. Inhale 4, hold 2, exhale 6, repeat. Use between blocks to protect Passage 3 stamina.

Targets

• L count 6 or fewer
• Locate time under 45 seconds

Phase R: Retest and Refine (Days 5 to 3)

Day 5: Full mock B

• Reading
  Full test under strict timing. Mark and capture proof phrases for every error. Sort the error log by type.
  Compare all four metrics with Day 14.
• Support
  Speaking 10 minutes. Tell a short story about how you handled a setback. Keep sentences short to reinforce clarity. Clear sentence rhythm makes function recognition easier.

Targets

• Improvement in at least three metrics
• Headings and T F NG combined accuracy over 72 percent

Day 4: Targeted repair

• Reading
  Choose your single weakest type from Day 5. Run two 12-item sets. After set 1, write a one-line fix action such as check polarity or read function first. Apply it in set 2.
  Update distractor lab with any new traps and break details.
• Support
  Listening 8 minutes. Do a short map or diagram task. Note orientation words such as left of, north of. This sharpens attention to tiny spatial markers akin to scope and time in Reading.

Targets

• Second set accuracy at least 10 percentage points higher than the first
• Clear written fix rule for that type

Day 3: Pressure rehearsal

• Reading
  Run a two-passage pressure test with slightly tighter timing. Passage 1 in 16 minutes, Passage 2 in 19 minutes. Keep the 60 second move-on rule.
  Finish with a 10-item T F NG speed drill to confirm that pressure does not break polarity checks.
• Support
  Writing 10 minutes. Draft an 80 word overview of a data set. Identify trends like overall rise, sharp fall, stable period. Seeing patterns quickly helps locate global meaning in long paragraphs.

Targets

• Maintain previous accuracy despite tighter time
• L count does not rise

Phase Peak: Lock and Taper (Days 2 to 1)

Day 2: Routine lock

• Reading
  Read your one-page routine. Run a 25 minute mixed set. Perform a strict L-only sweep for 2 minutes at the end. Mark any impulse to overcheck H answers.
  Finalize your exam-day checklist. ID, watch if allowed, pens or pencils, timing sheet, water plan.
• Support
  Five-minute vocabulary signal pass. Review connectors and quantifiers only. No long word lists.

Targets

• Fewer than 4 L tags in the mixed set
• No answer changes without new proof

Day 1: Taper

• Reading
  Warm up with 6 to 8 items from your weakest type. Keep it easy, stop while fresh. Look through your distractor lab for two minutes and read the break details.
  Sleep routine and light stretching. Recheck the 17-20-23 split in your head once, then stop.
• Support
  One minute breath reset before bed. Inhale 4, hold 2, exhale 6, repeat 4 times.

Targets

• Calm start state for exam day
• Routine remembered without notes

Templates You Can Copy

A) Timing sheet

• Passage 1: 17 min with 2 min reserve inside the block
• Passage 2: 20 min with 2 min reserve inside the block
• Passage 3: 23 min with 2 min reserve inside the block
• Section end: 2 min L-only sweep

B) Error log columns

1. Question ID
2. Type such as headings, T F NG, matching, completion
3. Error reason such as locate, function, polarity, scope, time, vocabulary
4. Proof phrase from the text
5. Fix action in one line

C) Distractor lab

• Wrong option chosen
• Why it looked right
• Tiny break detail that kills it
• New guardrail such as check scope or track time words

D) Routine card

• Preview 30 seconds
• Scan question types
• Locate paragraph
• Read 3 to 5 lines
• Proof phrase
• Tag H M L
• Move at 60 seconds
• Final L sweep

Two Worked Micro Examples

Example 1: T F NG

Statement: Researchers proved that all coral reefs are declining at the same rate.
Text: Many reefs recorded declines, while others showed stable growth due to conservation.
Process: Circle all and same rate in the statement. In the text, mark many and stable growth. Polarity and quantifier conflict with all and same.
Proof phrase: many reefs recorded declines while others showed stable growth.
Answer: False.

Example 2: Headings

Paragraph E introduces a technique, gives a successful case, then lists two reasons the approach cannot scale.
Options: A Breakthrough technique, B Success story, C Limits to the approach, D Historical background.
Function reading: method description that ends with constraints.
Proof phrase: however, the method fails when samples are small or noisy.
Answer: C Limits to the approach.

Skill-Specific Add-Ons That Lift Reading

• Listening to sharpen locate speed
  Practice quick preview and attention to modifiers. When you predict numbers, names, or time ranges, your eyes later jump to these anchors in Reading.
• Writing to clarify function
  Writing topic sentences that state contrast or cause helps you name paragraph jobs fast, which raises headings accuracy.
• Speaking to build stamina and control
  Short timed answers train your brain to make decisions without panic. Use the same connectors you track in Reading.

Keep add-ons short. Reading owns 80 percent of the time in this sprint.

Case Study Then Lessons

Case: Arif, target 7.0 Reading

• Day 14 baseline: 26 correct, locate time 58 seconds, 13 L tags. Headings and T F NG weak.
• Day 11 after headings sprint: 72 percent on headings sets, time per heading 85 seconds.
• Day 10 polarity drills: T F NG up to 78 percent.
• Day 7 mixed set: locate time 44 seconds, L count 7.
• Day 5 full mock B: 33 correct, distractor picks down from 8 to 3.
• Day 3 pressure run: accuracy held with tighter time.
• Day 1 taper: warmed up with 6 T F NG items and stopped.

Lessons from Arif

1. Function first works. Reading jobs like contrast and limitation decide headings.
2. Numbers create calm. When locate time falls, anxiety drops and accuracy rises.
3. Polarity is small but powerful. Tracking all, most, some, none converts near misses into points.
4. An L-only sweep protects score. He saved two marks by fixing supported items at the end.

Troubleshooting Fast

• Time melts in Passage 3
  Push the 60 second move-on rule harder in Passage 2 so you arrive with a buffer. Insert a five-breath reset before Passage 3.
• Headings feel like guesswork
  Name the paragraph function in five words before you read options. If two options still tie, write the tiny break detail that rules one out.
• I keep changing correct answers
  Use the proof phrase rule. Change only when you can write a new proof phrase. If not, trust the first choice.
• I fall for keyword repeats
  Add a scope check. If the option claims all or always while the text shows many, several, or sometimes, reject it.
• My eyes slide off dense paragraphs
  Read first and last sentence, then one middle sentence. State the function out loud in your head. Narrow focus to one job.

Measurable Targets to Hit by Day 3

• Locate time average 40 seconds or faster
• L count 5 or fewer per full test
• Headings 72 percent or higher
• T F NG 75 percent or higher
• Fewer than 2 unsupported answer changes in the final sweep

If you miss a target, recycle the matching daily drill rather than running another full test. Fix the cause, then retest.

Quick Checklist

Do

• Keep the 17-20-23 split and protect the last 2 minutes for L items
• Underline a small proof phrase during review for every answer
• Tag confidence H, M, or L after each item
• Maintain a clean error log and distractor lab
• Use short cross-training that reinforces Reading logic

Avoid

• Heavy annotation that hides the one line that matters
• Chasing speed before accuracy
• Answering from memory rather than the passage
• Changing answers without new evidence
• Testing without tracking the four metrics

Glossary

• Proof phrase: a 3 to 7 word chunk in the passage that justifies your answer
• Locate time: seconds to find the right paragraph before deep reading
• Function reading: naming what a paragraph does, such as contrast, cause, method, limitation, or result
• Polarity: positive or negative wording and quantifiers that flip truth value
• Distractor: a tempting wrong option that repeats keywords but changes meaning or scope
• Confidence tags: H high, M medium, L low certainty labels used to direct the final sweep

Action Plan Now

1. Print or copy the timing sheet, error log, and routine card.
2. Start at Day 14 today if you have two weeks, or compress by pairing Days 11 and 10 if time is short.
3. Track the four metrics every time you practice. Let numbers guide your drills.
4. Keep your routine visible and say it before each set.
5. Finish Day 5 with a full mock, fix one weak type on Day 4, and taper on Days 2 and 1.

OSR turns Reading into a repeatable craft. Optimize the routine so choices are automatic. Stabilize the real skills the test measures. Retest so you see the numbers move. When every answer points to a line, the exam stops feeling like luck and starts feeling like a system you can run.