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Seeking advice on Critical Reasoning strategy

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dreamchase
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Seeking advice on Critical Reasoning strategy [#permalink] New post   05 Jan 2012, 11:55
I am in the final stages of my preparation. I've been scoring 40+ in Verbal on all popular mock tests.
But I've noticed a probably strategical flaw in my approach to Critical Reasoning questions.
All this time, my CR accuracy has been around 90-95% till 700-720 level questions and thus I have never felt the need of reading any book on CR (Powerscore, Manhattan etc.). But recently, I notice that when it comes to tough questions, say 720-750 level, the accuracy drops to 60-70%.
So, my question is : Is it necessary to learn the techniques of CR to ace higher level questions ? Does plain logic, which seems to be working just fine upto a certain level, fails after a point ? Or tough questions are still tough with or without techniques, and the accuracy ought to drop in that range of questions and I shall stop worrying about it ?
Please suggest.
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vbetanabhatla
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Re: Seeking advice on Critical Reasoning strategy [#permalink] New post   22 Jan 2012, 13:05
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Hi Vailad,

I almost forgot about my promise to report about how I like CR Bible. I read 6 chapters (covers 5 of the most imp question types) and its absolutely fantastic. Not sure how much of my liking will translate into higher score on the test, but now I am not as clueless while approaching CR questions as I used to be.

If you have the time, get the book ASAP and read at least the chapters 1,2,3,4,6,8,9

Good luck
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vbetanabhatla
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Joined: 03 Jan 2011
Posts: 38
Own Kudos [?]: 224 [1]
Given Kudos: 94
Concentration: EE - Power Systems
Schools:McCombs, ISB, Insead, LBS
 Q47  V36 GMAT 2: 700  Q48  V38
GPA: 3.3
WE 1: 1.5
WE 2: 5.5
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Re: Seeking advice on Critical Reasoning strategy [#permalink] New post   22 Jan 2012, 14:16
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Appreciate the Kudos.

As thick as the book looks, I could read through the chapters rather quickly. If you are getting more than 5 to 6 CRs in CATs wrong, then you might want to read the book.

I will tell you my trick about how I dealt with the dilemma of reading the book. I just treated it as my practice for RC. I read through the chapters quickly and was testing myself on how much of it I was really "comprehending". It kind of worked for me. In fact some where in that process, I started liking what I was reading and it made the reading go even faster.

Good luck with the test. Mine is getting ever closer (Feb 9th) :scared
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vbetanabhatla
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Schools:McCombs, ISB, Insead, LBS
 Q47  V36 GMAT 2: 700  Q48  V38
GPA: 3.3
WE 1: 1.5
WE 2: 5.5
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Re: Seeking advice on Critical Reasoning strategy [#permalink] New post   05 Jan 2012, 12:09
I am surely not an expert but I understand your concern as I am in the same dilemma whether to use textbook strategies for CR or keep it simple and pick the answer that feels right.

I read some very good reviews of PowerScore CR Bible and went ahead and ordered it. I already have the MGMAT CR guide but it was not very useful (the rest of the MGMAT gudies are godsend). Since I only have 35 days to go and not too much time per day for studying, I am going to skim through the Bible and see what I can pick up. But so far I heard only good things about CR Bible.

Good luck
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dreamchase
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Re: Seeking advice on Critical Reasoning strategy [#permalink] New post   05 Jan 2012, 13:12
vbetanabhatla wrote:
I am surely not an expert but I understand your concern as I am in the same dilemma whether to use textbook strategies for CR or keep it simple and pick the answer that feels right.

I read some very good reviews of PowerScore CR Bible and went ahead and ordered it. I already have the MGMAT CR guide but it was not very useful (the rest of the MGMAT gudies are godsend). Since I only have 35 days to go and not too much time per day for studying, I am going to skim through the Bible and see what I can pick up. But so far I heard only good things about CR Bible.

Good luck


Hi vbetana,
I also plan to take it in early Feb., so our concerns are very close. Do give me an update on the edge you achieve, if any, after going through CR bible while tackling tough questions.
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vbetanabhatla
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Joined: 03 Jan 2011
Posts: 38
Own Kudos [?]: 224 [0]
Given Kudos: 94
Concentration: EE - Power Systems
Schools:McCombs, ISB, Insead, LBS
 Q47  V36 GMAT 2: 700  Q48  V38
GPA: 3.3
WE 1: 1.5
WE 2: 5.5
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Re: Seeking advice on Critical Reasoning strategy [#permalink] New post   05 Jan 2012, 14:15
I sure will let you know if I like it or not. Generally, my experience has been I takes a while to start seeing results for anything I study. So not sure how useful the information will be for you if I notice the benefits in like 2 weeks from now. Nevertheless, I will let you know my thoughts on the book.
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dreamchase
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Joined: 26 Jun 2011
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Schools: CBS '15 (D) Darden '15 (A) Ross '15 (WL) Anderson '15 (D) Kellogg '15 (I) Johnson '15 (WL) Sloan '15 (WL) ISB '14 (A)
GMAT 1: 760 Q51 V41
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Re: Seeking advice on Critical Reasoning strategy [#permalink] New post   22 Jan 2012, 13:15
Glad to see your response.

But your positive review puts me now in a greater dilemma. I have booked the date now, and I am not sure if I can fit this thick book into my already tight schedule. But considering your situation as similar as it gets to that of mine before you read the book, I will have to spare it a thought. Duh ! I hate double minds ! :?

One last thing, how much time it would take to get done with ?
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dreamchase
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Joined: 26 Jun 2011
Posts: 218
Own Kudos [?]: 115 [0]
Given Kudos: 26
Location: India
Schools: CBS '15 (D) Darden '15 (A) Ross '15 (WL) Anderson '15 (D) Kellogg '15 (I) Johnson '15 (WL) Sloan '15 (WL) ISB '14 (A)
GMAT 1: 760 Q51 V41
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Re: Seeking advice on Critical Reasoning strategy [#permalink] New post   23 Jan 2012, 07:59
You sure are real close then. Good luck !! :)
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Re: Seeking advice on Critical Reasoning strategy [#permalink]
23 Jan 2012, 07:59

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