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How to Avoid the Two Most Common RC Mistakes on the GMAT
Many GMAT test-takers underperform in Reading Comprehension not because they lack the intelligence or the ability to understand complex material, but because their reading strategy is unbalanced. In most cases, they fall into one of two camps. Either they attempt to absorb every detail in the passage during their first read, or they skip reading the passage entirely and jump straight to the questions. Unfortunately, neither of these approaches leads to consistent, efficient performance.
Let us take the first approach. Reading for detail might seem like a thorough and diligent strategy, but on the GMAT, it is both impractical and unnecessary. The average test-taker simply cannot retain every fact, date, or example presented in a dense passage. Even trying to do so takes too much time. And beyond that, the strategy does not reflect how GMAT questions are designed. You are not expected to recall every detail. In fact, you will not know in advance which details matter for the questions and which do not. So, attempting to memorize or deeply process all the information during the first read is not only time-consuming, it is also inefficient.
Now consider the second approach. Some test-takers believe that they can save time by skipping the initial read entirely and going straight to the questions. Then, for each question, they try to scan the passage for relevant information. This may seem faster, but in practice it usually has the opposite effect. Starting each question without any context forces the test-taker to reread large parts of the passage repeatedly. Without a mental map of what the passage says and where different ideas are located, it becomes much harder to find the information needed. This strategy often leads to confusion, wasted time, and preventable errors.
Ironically, the idea that skipping the passage saves time is one of the most persistent myths surrounding Reading Comprehension on the GMAT. Many students adopt this method hoping to be more efficient, only to find that they are working harder to understand less.
So, what works better?
The most effective strategy is to begin with a first read that focuses on basic comprehension. Read the passage in full, with the intent of understanding its main ideas, structure, and tone. As you do so, make a mental note of where key discussions occur, but avoid getting bogged down in the details. Once you have this high-level understanding, you are far better equipped to approach the questions efficiently and accurately.
There are several advantages to this approach.
First, you avoid wasting time trying to retain information that may never be tested.
Second, by understanding the overall structure of the passage, you can quickly return to the relevant section when a question requires more specific information. You are no longer searching blindly or rereading at random.
Third, and perhaps most importantly, you gain the ability to spot incorrect answer choices much more quickly. With a firm grasp of what the passage says, you can often eliminate flawed choices at a glance because they clearly do not align with the author’s argument or the passage’s content. In some cases, this alone can significantly speed up your work.
Of course, if you have not read the passage in the first place, you do not have that advantage. You are starting from zero every time. And on a timed test like the GMAT, that can make all the difference.
Reach out to me with any questions about your GMAT prep. Happy studying!
Warmest regards,
Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep
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