For longer passages, especially in Passage 2 and 3, losing track of which paragraph covered which subtopic is a common source of wasted time. A simple margin-noting system fixes this.
Why paragraph tracking matters. Matching Headings and Matching Information questions specifically require knowing what each paragraph is about. Without a quick reference, you may end up rereading multiple paragraphs repeatedly to relocate information — margin notes prevent this.
Keep notes extremely short. Two or three words per paragraph is enough: not a summary sentence, just a topic label like "causes," "early research," or "criticism of theory." The goal is a fast lookup tool, not a second copy of the passage.
Note the paragraph's function, not just its topic. Sometimes it helps to note what role a paragraph plays in the overall argument — "background," "main argument," "counter-argument," "conclusion" — since some questions test overall structure and argument flow, not just factual content.
Build this habit during practice, not for the first time on exam day. Margin-noting feels unfamiliar at first and can slow you down if you are trying it for the very first time under exam pressure. Practice this specific technique during regular Readlify sessions so it becomes fast and automatic well before your test date.
When to skip margin notes. For shorter, simpler Passage 1 texts, or when you are confident you can hold the structure in memory, margin notes may not be necessary. Use this technique selectively where it genuinely saves time, rather than applying it rigidly to every passage.