Getting there faster -- Critical Reasoning

Question

Hey all, I've found my weak point: Critical Reasoning

. I've worked really hard to understand the different types of questions and I am able to read the passage, identify the type of questions and understand what I am looking for. BUT by the time I do that, I've hit my 1:35 second mark. It usually takes me a little bit of time to think through how the pieces all connect together - my brain is just slower in this area. This eats up the majority of my time. Once I am set up and understand what I'm looking for it's like BAM BAM BAM - right answer! - next! I've practiced and practiced and PRACTICED (emphasis on the practice). I can't seem to get to a point where I am answering med-harder questions in the allotted 1:30. I'm working on speed reading (every night I read for "pleasure" dense text to help me read faster and get more familiar with formal writing) but I'm just not getting to the right answer fast enough. Generally, I am able to get the answers right for the most part (or at least narrow it down to two where one is the right answer), but my average time still sits at about 2:30. I need to shave a whole min off - definitely could use that time for RC!! Has anyone found the missing piece here? Any secret sauce to share? I'm willing to try anything. For context, I am currently at a 610 score (which *seems* low but is actually a huge improvement for me). Aiming to get to Q45/V41 (sitting at about V30 with CR being a major drag). My first exam is in 3 weeks but I'll likely be taking this test again (maybe even twice). What I mean by "practice": I target 10-15 questions and review slowly/untimed to see if I can get the meaning as fast as I am able; then, I do timed sets in 40 min increments. Study on, champs!

MohitGeat · Answer

The game-changer here is to know what you are looking for. You don't need to understand the question in its 100 facets but only for what is asked out of you. 
This mental state of mind is absolutely necessary if you are to hit the time.

Happy to connect and share more. Drop me a PM if what I said makes any sense to you.

globaldesi · Answer

You are bound to spend some extra time on difficult questions. There would be some questions which you will be to answer in less than a minute. SC easy level and RC obvious questions. the main key point here is the accuracy.
You can also improve your reading speed, that helps you in doing RC questions faster. Don't look at RC as the time spent in reading the passage and time spent in each question individually.
Look out if you are able to complete reading + questions in number of questions *1.4 minutes or not

DisciplinedPrep · Answer

kmara2020 - There is no secret sauce. Wasn't that the message of the Kung Ku Panda movies? On a serious note, you need to understand that 1.5-2 min is the average time you need to spend on each question. Notice the word average, meaning some questions can be solved in less than a minute and some questions can take a little over 3 minutes. You first need to learn to read critically. Trust me Critical Reasoning was initially my nemesis but I improved tremendously; in fact, per my ESR, I scored a 50 points in the CR section in my first attempt with almost no incorrect answers. In my early stages of preparation, I got 8-9 CR questions incorrect in each practice test, pulling down my overall verbal score.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi kmara2020,

Many GMATers face pacing issues in the Quant section, the Verbal section or both – so you are not alone. However, it's important to remember that pacing problems do NOT exist on their own - they're the results of OTHER problems. In addition, a typical CR should take you about 2 minutes to solve (with the harder ones taking up to 2:30), so trying to answer each CR in 1:30 is NOT good pacing advice. Based on this idea, we should probably take a better look at how you're handling all of the major question types and if you have developed any 'bad habits' during your prior studies that are keeping you from scoring higher.

Before I can offer you any additional advice for your studies, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) How long have you studied? How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) What study materials have you used so far? What "brands" of CATs/mocks have you used?
3) On what dates (or approximate dates) did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?

Goals:
4) What is your overall goal score?
5) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
 
 760+: What GMAT Assassins Do to Score at the Highest Levels

ramlala · Answer

Hi  kmara2020

I would like to say that there is more weitage in SC & RC than CR. If CR puzzle is not getting cracked than try for SC & RC. An improvement in SC & RC helps you for higher score.

Your aim is to improve GMAT score not CR score.

Think out of box.

GMATWhizTeam · Answer

Hi kmara2020

I think you are doing the wrong thing here. Never practice questions when you don't know the right process to solve questions. It's clear that your process of solving CR questions is not correct and needs a change. So, I suggest you to first learn the right methodology and then move to practicing questions. Let me help you here.

How to approach CR questions?  
Most of the CR questions are based on one of the four frameworks:

Plan-goal 
 Causality 
 Quantitative 
 Comparison

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCrobt7hZl8

And each framework has a set of guidelines to pre-think. So, once you know the frameworks and understand the guidelines to pre-think, the process of solving CR questions will become a lot more simple and structured. But before that, you need to understand the individual elements such as the argument, premise and the conclusion. Only then, you can start learning the process.

The process of solving CR questions includes many steps:
  Reading the argument 
 Identifying the premise and the conclusion 
 Reading the question stem 
 Identifying the missing link 
 Eliminating answer choices which are irrelevant, out of scope or distorted

As you see, even if you falter in any one step, the entire process goes wrong. Here are a couple of articles which will help you understand the right way to solve CR questions.

Basics of Causal arguments

Causal arguments practice question

So, I suggest you to focus more on the process than on practicing questions. If you need any resource to learn the basics and the methodology to solve CR questions, then you can check out the CR module of GMATWhiz.

If you have any more queries, feel free to get in touch using the below link.

Click here to schedule a call

Getting there faster -- Critical Reasoning

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