Why is critical reading an important skill for students to master?

Most of the points awarded to your assessments are usually based on how well you analyse the subject you're discussing and analysis is all about being critical. 

What's the most common mistake students make in this area?

Students spend too much time in their assessments simply referring to, if not cutting and pasting, lecture notes/class handouts/the lecturer's words - this should be used as a springboard to develop your own argument. In short, telling us what you've already been told in class does not show critical thinking; telling the reader what you think about what you've been told or read, does.

What top tip would you give to students wanting to improve their critical reading?

Whatever aspect(s) of the text seems most important to you, from a paragraph to a single sentence, make a note of this and then ask yourself this basic question: what does this mean to me? That's the starting point for being critical.

Sources

sage publishing
Read-Critically