Help with Reading Comprehension

Question

Good morning GMATclub member, Im Roberto and I have just started my preparation for the Reading Comprehension part of the GMAT since I’m not a native speaker I struggle a bit in understanding how I should approach these type of questions, could some of you please help me?
Thank you so much have a nice day

bb · Answer

The best approach is the one outlined in the MGMAT Books - you read the passage slowly and carefully once once - stopping after each paragraph and paraphrasing what you have read. They also recommend taking notes which I would recommend that you do as well. You also read for purpose (Why did the author put this sentence here).

This approach makes it very easy and fast to answer about 70% of the RC questions. The other 30-40% may require a bit more time or effort that you can pursue after you master this approach.

Carcass · Answer

After what was suggested by bb, you could also take a look at our RC guide for the GRE. The RC sections are virtually the same https://gre.myprepclub.com/forum/gre-th ... ml#p112422 Best

hr1212 · Answer

Just to add, one thing that often helps people retain more information is trying not to go back to the passage once you start answering the questions. This isn’t a strict rule, but if you practice this approach, it forces you to be more attentive and proactive during your first read, which naturally improves your time management as well.

Another tip that really helped me was to read in a more active way. Instead of reading just to get through the passage, try to engage with it as if you’re part of the discussion. If you can explain the idea clearly to someone else in your own words, it usually means you’ve understood it well. This mindset also helps you notice shifts in tone and argument more clearly.

Also, try to build a habit of reading in general, even fiction. It helps you develop a reading rhythm and become more comfortable with vocabulary, which in turn improves overall comprehension. There’s no restriction on what you read. Just pick up whatever you genuinely enjoy.

MartyMurray · Answer

Hi Roberto,

One move you could make is to regularly read articles from journals and other sophisticated publications to familiarize yourself with reading of the type involved in GMAT RC. Here's a list of publications you could check out.

· Smithsonian
· BBC History
· Life Magazine
· Economist
· The New York Times
· New Yorker
· Archaeology Magazine
· Science Magazine
· Scientific American
· Science Daily
· Astronomy Magazine
· American Scientist
· Atlantic Monthly 
· Physics Today
· Wall Street Journal
· Harvard Business Review
· Harvard Magazine

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

To get better at Reading Comprehension (RC), your main priority is to build a clear and dependable understanding of what you read. Most RC mistakes aren’t caused by clever questions, they're typically caused by small gaps in understanding that lead to the wrong answer.

Early on, accuracy matters much much more than speed. If a sentence doesn’t make sense on the first pass, slow down and reread it until the meaning is clear. That extra care pays off. As your comprehension improves, your speed will follow naturally. Conversely, rushing your reading without complete understanding will almost always backfire.

While reading a passage, aim to understand the overall message rather than getting caught up in details. Pay attention to what the author is trying to say, why each paragraph is there, and how new ideas connect to what came before them. You don’t need to memorize facts. Instead, focus on the passage’s structure and logic so you know where information resides and how it all fits together.

Staying mentally present is also important. If you find that your mind often wanders while reading long RC passages, pretend you're reading the most captivating content ever written (*Fantastic! This passage is about the history of Brazilian tariffs on carrot imports!!*). That kind of mindset keeps you engaged and makes the material easier to digest and retain.

When analyzing answer choices, be mindful of common traps. Some trap choices reuse words from the passage but subtly change the meaning. Others are too extreme, using language like “always” or “never,” or they may be factually true but fail to address what the question is asking. A good habit to adopt is asking yourself whether an answer choice follows directly and precisely from what the passage says.

Finally, treat every missed RC question as useful feedback. Be sure to determine whether you misunderstood part of the passage, lost sight of the author’s main point, or fell for a familiar trap. Over time, this kind of review will sharpen both your reading and your answer selection. As your understanding becomes more consistent, both your accuracy and your speed will steadily improve.

More here: 
-  GMAT Reading Comprehension Tips: Top 8 DOs and DON’Ts 
-  How to Score High on GMAT Verbal on the Focus Edition

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