How to improve in RC ??

[aru4912]

Folks,
I am getting low scores(32-35) in verbal section in the practise tests. I did an analysis and found out the pattern of mistakes that I make.

1.Biggest problem is that I mess up my timings in RC; Also I get only 50% accuracy rate in RC
2.Due to the above problem, I run out of time in answering even the easiest CR and SCs

Please suggest me how I could show a rapid improvement(I have my GMAT in 1 month time) on RCs.Will practising LSAT RCs will do ? Your advise would help me.Thanks.

[aru4912]

any help pls.

[750+]

Hi before i suggest anything i would like to know the process u follow for reading comprehension.

[aru4912]

1.I read the full passage for approx. 4 min
2.Then I answer the questions, taking approx 2 min for each qn.

The problem I face is : even after reading the entire passage for 4 min., I dont get the complete hold of the passage.


Thanks,
Arun B

[750+]

Hi, i had similar problems like u with rc ... n i tried several methods ... n what i have finally settled on is as follows ... try it out n c if it works for u .... u need to do atleast 10 passages to master this technique ... during this practise do not time yrself ...

the first para is the most imp of the entire passage ... be slow while reading the first para ... as that is the key to understanding the entire passsage ... after every sentence write down in yr own words what u understood from what u jus read ... use yr own notation ... like author says this strategy is good ... after u have read the first 2 sentences u wld have a rough idea of the topic ... take a stand ... either for or against ... either u agree with the author or u dont .... then as u read the passage ... talk to yrself after every sentence ... as in see what this guy is now saying ... is this possible ... lets seee what he has to say ahead ... check this guy ... hes wrong ... etc ... whenever u come across a new idea paraphrase it n write a short note ... like now the author says its good ... some scientists say its bad ... but the author still says its good ... he has done experiments ... etc ... at the end of the passage ask yrself why has the author written this passage and what was the structure of his argument ... 1st defined it ... 2nd gave examples ... 3rd there was criticism ..and then further support thru examples ... then attack the questions ... whenever its a particular detail question ... refer to that part of the paragraph n read a little above n below it ... practice atleast 10passages till u get a grasp n improve yr speed ... all the best .

[750+]

Hi, i had similar problems like u with rc ... n i tried several methods ... n what i have finally settled on is as follows ... try it out n c if it works for u .... u need to do atleast 10 passages to master this technique ... during this practise do not time yrself ...

the first para is the most imp of the entire passage ... be slow while reading the first para ... as that is the key to understanding the entire passsage ... after every sentence write down in yr own words what u understood from what u jus read ... use yr own notation ... like - author says this strategy is good ... after u have read the first 2 sentences u wld have a rough idea of the topic ... take a stand ... either for or against ... either u agree with the author or u dont .... then as u read the passage ... talk to yrself after every sentence ... as in - see what this guy is now saying ... is this possible ... lets seee what he has to say ahead ... check this guy ... hes wrong ... etc ... whenever u come across a new idea paraphrase it n write a short note ... likefor eg - now the author says its good ... next - some scientists say its bad ... next - but the author still says its good ...next - he has done experiments ... etc ... at the end of the passage ask yrself why has the author written this passage and what was the structure of his argument ... 1st para defined it ... 2nd gave examples ... 3rd there was criticism ..and then further support thru examples ... then attack the questions ... whenever its a particular detail question ... refer to that part of the paragraph n read a little above n below it ... practice atleast 10passages till u get a grasp n improve yr speed ... all the best .

[kannn]

My 2 cents.

(Since you've 1 more month u can try this)
I guess u should start practicing with at least 10 mins for the passage.
Dont bother abt the timing.
Try to understand the complete passage. Even if it takes 1 hr. Spend the whole 1 hr to understand the passage.
Now try to answer the questions.

If you are able to answer all of them correctly, u r perfectly alright.

Do this for 3 passages and analyze urself how u managed to get at least 90% of the questions correct.
Most likely a strategy that is unique to u will pop up.

Then try to tailor according to the timing and thy need.

Personally I feel skimming and scanning is not a good idea in RC.
Try personalize the passage.
Something like: If the sentence says:
"The gene's sequence of nucleotides is transcribed into a molecule of messenger RNA (mRNA), which reproduces the information contained in that sequence. "

Try to think the bottom line of the sentence: Ok! Nucleotides is the reason for the sequence

2 key thing u may try is: Try to see the bottom line of long and convoluted sentece. And connect each of that.

This has helped me. Reason: My boss is very very talkative(nice guy though). He takes 10 sentences to convey his message. So whenever I talk to him deep in my mind there is always a question running on "What is thy point dude? Why dont u come to that?" Try this.

[cooldude929]

I have not succeeded in this area yet. But failure tought me few lessions.

1. Reading each and every line .. 100% on every passage doesn't get us anything. May be, we can answer score/main idea questions.

2. All the passages are too wordy to follow.. So, just have to read critical parts and Striking / Trigger words.

3. Pacing and Gist of the passage are two important things we need to master.

4. For me, Vocab is important too. Coz some statements use different wording for the same meaning. for example:

Ecological changes in X caused Y.

In other words, Growth in X caused Y. This is a kinda trap test makers play.

[aru4912]

Thanks for your inputs 750+,Kann & Cooldude.I am going to try these out. Thanks again.

Arun B

[chinnasa]

I had the same problem that Arun is facing....will try to follow your tips...Thanks a lot!!