This is for people trying to fix problems with RC. I find it strange that I get about 99% questions right on CR and only 50% correct on the RC. And finally the answer was revealed to me today (28th April) when I got enlightened by Ron Purewal - the Master Jedi. Pls see the link for more information-
http://www.manhattangmat.com/thursdays-with-ron.cfmSTRATEGY CHANGE :There are two sides of the thinking - one is real world (like me
) and other is formalistic thinking. When attempting the questions you have to set the expectation right - what the credited answer will look like.
Global / Main topic / Strengthen / Weaken - the answer will be real world thinking. i.e. You can make reasonable assumptions not extreme.
Inference / Conclusion / Detail questions - the answer will be formalistic. If you make an extra assumption here - however small it might me - the answer will be wrong and you will be surprised how unreasonable GMAT can be i.e. GMAT will camouflage to make you wrong. Please leave common sense on the door when answering a detail question. The same applies when answering "inference" questions.
Now that we are ready to jump into the game - I can divide the questions in 2 broad categories.
"No" common sense used
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The author indicates "explicitly" - Detail
"According" to the passage which of the following is true - Detail
The other "detail" keywords are "cited" and "stated".
CAUTION : NEVER "PREDICT" the "detail" answer. Put the finger on the screen if you can and just read the line which is highlighted. The answer will probably restate what is in the highlighted portion or what is being referred.
Same strategy applies to
Inference questions and following are keywords.
The passage "implies" which of the following - Inference
The author "suggests" - Inference
The author will most likely "agree" - Inference
The passage provides "support" -Inference
It can be "inferred" from the passage that - Inference
Common sense used
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The author mentions X "in order to" - Logic
The author's primary "purpose" - Global
The "central idea" of the passage - Global
The author's primary "objective" in the passage is - Global
The passage is primarily "concerned" with - Global
Which of the following if true would most "weaken/strengthen" the theory - Strengthen / Weaken
MAJOR NOTES
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1. Inference means paraphrase of what is given. No new assumptions !
2. Strengthen / Weaken / Logic questions on RC can be treated like the
usual CR questions. You can make reasonable assumptions.
Hope that helps! And don't blame me if the accuracy becomes 99% on RC
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