Is there any strategy to crack the bold faced questions?

Question

Is there any strategy to crack the bold faced questions? 
though every question is very unique ... and it is very time consuming as well.... 
also, can someone suggest the upper limit of time to be spent on such a question?

esledge · Answer

Many people find that those bold face text questions take a little longer than the average 2 minutes for other CR questions, mainly because the arguments tend to be longer and it's sort-of two questions in one (about 2 different bold sections).

However, there are some tips to avoid spending too much time:
(1) Identify the conclusion of the argument first. This is key because the bold text can only play one of three roles in relation to the conclusion: the text IS the conclusion, it is a premise that SUPPORTS the conclusion, or it is a premise that COUNTERS the conclusion.
(2) Write down on your paper what each bold does. For example, you might simply write "(1) supports, (2) = conclusion."
(3) Eliminate the choices that blatantly disagree with what you have written. For example, you might eliminate a choice that says "The first is a statement that the author contradicts...."
(4) Of the remaining choices, pick the one that most closely matches your notes. Note that you will have translate synonymous phrases such as "...advances in support of..." or "advocates for the conclusion" or "reinforces the opinion" rather than just looking for the simple "supports."

Most importantly, don't get too bogged down in the content or details of the argument! The choices are VERY general, about the relation between premises and conclusion. If the argument is about sales taxes and the effect on the ice cream industry in a certain town, the choices probably won't even mention taxes or ice cream! So, no need to take detailed notes, in my opinion.

meenal8284 · Answer

thanks... this suggestion has come after a long time.... but now.. after having practiced this... i realised that "paraphrasing" or taking notes in the bold faced question has been effective in cutting down my time by 1/3rd ... 
given the fact tht these days there are atleast 2-3 bold faces questions.. with practicing this method i can save good 1-2 minutes... 
thanks a lot!!

thangvietname · Answer

it is great that we should look for main conlusion first and do not bogged down to details. However, after find out conclusion we should find out evidence and draw diagram. This process will not take too much time. We can not lable S,C, Counter as we do in the step 2 because the step 2 requires our underderstanding of diagram.
diagramming take not much time and helps us do the step 2.

However, after following the steps above I still spend 2minutes 30 second though the accuracy is higher.

SOURH7WK · Answer

Thanks esledge
Great strategy!!!

PUNEETSCHDV · Answer

although the post is very old but my answer might be helpful for new viewers. . DO try e-gmat strategy available in their free trial it will take only 15 minutes. .that helped me to improve accuracy in bold faced ques

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Is there any strategy to crack the bold faced questions?

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