Diagramming on CR questions

Question

Hello,

I just started to study for the gmat with the MGMAT CR guide and they started off telling me to diagram each CR question... I find this very time consuming but I can see the use of it. Still I cant decide whether I should do it or not. How many of you guys ( aiming for 700+ ) do it?

bb · Answer

I have done some of it but then as I got more comfortable with questions, stopped writing anything down. I would say diagramming is more reliable than not, esp after 2.5 hours into the test.

My most helpful technique from CR was answering the question before reading the answer choices.

DestinyChild · Answer

hoffeman,

CR happens to be my favorite...! Do you want to team up to develop a credible CR solution strategy... its fine to if you are not interested... I reckon by doing that we can get a good handle our own.

surprisingly people over credit SC but CR is equally good at getting decent score. Here is a bit strange phenomenon with me...on a given day I get 100% right on CR and on a bad day it drops to as low as 60%... but even with that I'm at a strike range because the one I leave out is the right answer...! All done and said, whats important is what BB said... if we can make it stick with 2.5 hrs of test time...!!!

I read it somewhere in this forum... to solve CR... think like a lawyer trying to save an innocent victim... so far it works

TheSituation · Answer

This is what worked for me. However, it only came through sustained, intense practice. Eventually, you become conditioned to be actively thinking while reading the passage - which for me works better than diagramming.

ThomasD · Answer

I always read the question first, identify the question type and write myself a reminder of the question type on my verbal answer grid.
For example if the questions reads something like: ..... strenghtens the .....
I'll put a 'S' down for weaken or not strengthen a 'W' and inference question 'I' Evaluate Argument 'EA' etc. where applicable I also did that for RC. 
Then I read the argument. Then re-read the question. If possible pre-formulate the answer and then go through the choices in order, eliminating one by one. When I go through the answer choices I use my own system, if an answer does not fit I put a '/' on my grid, if it's a maybe '?', and if I think it is the right choice 'o'. For the sake of argument let's say I put 'o' for B I still go and look at the other choices. I also use combinations of those symbols, for example I'll get to choice D and I might put down '?o'. I will then go through the answer I think could be write and use POE. Sometimes I end up with three answers '?' which then tells me I do not have a good handle of the question and I reread the question, then the answers and if needed the argument. 
This approach worked for me, but I have not seen any 'authority' really promote this course of action

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Diagramming on CR questions

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