CR - Read the stimulus first?

Question

Hi all,

I'd like to know your opinions about reading the stimulus first against reading the question first. 
What is preferable and why?

Thank you in advane.

Posted from my mobile device

AjiteshArun · Answer

Some test takers prefer reading the question stem first, as they feel that primes them to start thinking about what the correct answer could be immediately after reading the stimulus. Try it and see if it works for you before you take a call. Just don't expect your choice of entry point to do wonders for your accuracy or speed. That comes only through practice.

For what it's worth, I read the stimulus first.

souvonik2k · Answer

Hi
I would suggest to read the question first and then move on to the stimulus.
With this strategy, you can directly know the question type and start thinking about the possible answers as you read the stimulus.
Try this strategy and see if it works for you. Else, read the stimulus first and then read the question.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi lynnglenda,

There are actually 2 benefits to reading the question in a CR prompt before reading the paragraph that precedes it. First, the type of question will define the type of work/note-taking that you'll need to do to answer it (so knowing the 'task' before you read the prompt can be quite helpful). Second, the question will sometimes include a 'hint' as to how to solve it or provide a point of emphasis in the prompt that you'll need to consider; having that extra information BEFORE you read the paragraph would likely help you to solve those individual CRs faster than if you read the paragraph, then the extra information... and then had to read the paragraph again to incorporate that additional information.

From your post, it sounds as if you've identified CR as an area that you need to work on. There might be other areas though, so before I can offer 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?
2) What study materials have you used so far?
3) How have you scored on EACH of your CATs/mocks (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?

Goals:
4) What is your goal score?
5) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
6) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
7) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

wajahatmehdi · Answer

Instead of reading the stimulus, I personally just like to have a glance at the stimulus. If the Question is a straight-forward Strengthen, Weaken or assumption question, I keep that in my mind while I read the question....otherwise, if the stimulus is lengthy and not a straight-forward Strengthen, Weaken or assumption question, I simply move on without wasting anymore time on it.

CR - Read the stimulus first?

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