Verbal - help needed

Hi - welcome to GMAT Club.

Many people end up in your situation and there are a few ways out of it but most involve hard work.
1. You can choose to create notes - a great way to memorize content while you are writing it down (the fact of taking notes is what helps the most for your brain to process it)
2. You can slow down
3. You can take a step back and get MGMAT Verbal Foundations

Regardless of the path (would recommend making notes either in a notebook or on a computer), I would also get the MGMAT Roadmap book - it is quite helpful with similar questions and best practices.

Let me know if anything else!
BB

P.S. Keep an error log and save all the questions you get wrong.
Time your practice if you are doing it in the books.

Thanks for the inputs.
After I posted the message, I realized its not in the right forum category. So added one under Verbal section. Can you remove this post from this Annoucement section. I will move your reply there.

Thanks for the suggestion. I am definitely getting lost between the weeds.
I see the importance of Pattern recognition. I hear enough about it throughout the guide as well. I hope I get them thru practice eventually. At this point, when i see a sentence, I am spotting the error out of intuition or usage (my understanding or as how I have been using). Nothing runs thru my mind as to what I read. Every sentence carries the subject verb, linking verb etc. So Not readily able to apply what I read, but if it sounds weird I look closer. Not sure if its the correct approach or should I focus on theory (not to mention the vast rules and exceptions).

I think I am overwhelming myself. I need to take it easy and keep practicing and eventually I will get it or may work as I expect (or want it to, as its lots easier than applying theory), i.e. those that I think that are correct usage get corrected and when I read I know whats wrong and use the theory (or force my mind to remember the theory at this point alone) only where two sentences contend for correct.

Thanks again for the inputs I hope the thread helps others as well. I will update as I come out of this cloudy state.

Dear Rich,

I would recommend a slightly different approach. GMAT SC is now baser more on meaning rather than pure grammar. . As per OG, the Sentence Correction section tests your ability to identify a correct and effective expression to express the given meaning. (Refer page 651 and 656 in OG12). The original meaning is central to this exercise. I would recommend that you take our free trial. If you register today, you will also get an invite to a free session on "How to master GMAT SC". This session takes place on Saturday.

https://e-gmat.com/secure/register.php

Regards,

Rajat Sadana

Thanks Rajat. Thanks for reinstating the core - Meaning emphasizing the correctness and effectiveness. Theoretical grammar can be overwhelming to remember (just from thory point and not from practical stand point). Exception on those theoretical usage doesn't make it any easy.

I have seen your other articles in this forum. Thanks for those. I will register with e-GMAT as I see the need.

Before posting I posted the same concern in the wrong section of the forum. I have asked the admin to move/remove.
BB responded to that thread with below response. It could help others as well.
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Thanks BB for the precise to the point answers.
1. I am writing notes as I read the chapters. Though while writing notes I feel like I am wasting time, rewriting on another sheet what's already available in the book (I could easily underline or so). I pray/hope its of use at some point. Maybe I am jotting down too much.
2. I am seriously thinking about it. Even the mere thought is so good. When I started GMAT, I liked it, enjoyed solving math and found interesting when I found errors and learnt how to solve it. Things changed when I took SC book. Too dry and too detailed. Don't know what state I will be when I do verbal (after 2.5hrs). least I want is hastily click a choice to get over with the test. Will see. I started altering between verbal and mat chapters, to add some interest.
3. Will do so, after I feel that way, after scoring some practice problems. More I think about it, I am just a mediocre person getting lost in the cloud of detail. I think I need to read the material and reinforce my practical understanding , rather than following or trying to apply theory blindly. I probably should practically read the sentence and spot the error (where it sound weird) and see answer choice and eliminate again those that sounds wrongs and apply theory among the one that contends. I am afraid to take this approach fearing GMAT may trick me with sentence that may sound correct. May be over practice I will correct those.

I have one more question abt pace of completion. How much time do people take to complete a chapter, specifically in SC guide. I may be over pacing as BB says. I try to cram them in 1-2 sittings (usually 2-3 hr time per sitting). Is that normal. Without that I don;t see how I can be ready in 3 month time frame. I would like to have GMAT done in 3 month time frame.

Will definitely follow or take effort to make a change and post result if it helps me overcome this cloudy state.
Meanwhile, other let em know if you had been or currently here and what remedies you take.

Thanks