Trouble with Reading Comp and GMAT Stategy/Outline

Question

Currently, I am using the Kaplan Premier GMAT book, and I am still struggling on the Reading Comp section. I was hoping to find a book that shows in detail how to actually create a passage map.

Also, If anyone has any tips on preparation for the GMAT. I have been alternating between Quants and Verbal, and taking a practice exam once a week. I have a month and half before the GMAT test, I was wondering if anyone had advice how to be more strategic?

AjiteshArun · Answer

What you're doing sounds fine, but your question is too broad. Try to be more specific. For example, you could list the areas that you need to work on, the amount of time you can give your prep, and the material that you can access. Also, go through  this post , just in case there's something there that can help you at this stage of your prep.

As for RC notes, go through a few examples, but there is no one correct way to take notes. I suggest you not overthink this. Prioritize actually working through RC passages and questions over trying to get some RC "theory" material.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi gcantre3,

Before I can offer you the specific advice that you’re looking for, 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 (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?

Goals:
4) What is your goal score?
5) What is your exact Test Date?
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

rohan2345 · Answer

Hi gcantre3 For RC, I will highly encourage you to look at this post- https://gmatclub.com/forum/experts-topi ... 41004.html . It will really help you improve and achieve a good accuracy in RC. Further taking multiple mocks might help. Apart from the GMATPREP, Manhattan GMAT tests and Veritas Prep Tests in my experience have good verbal and Quant section and will certainly help you point out and improve your weak areas. Further another advantage of taking many mocks is to build up your stamina. Apart from the GMATPREP tests, taking practise tests of any major GMATPREP company ought to do that. I would also encourage you to purchase the GMATPREP QP 1 for some great additional practice. Here is a link that will help you with your decision. https://gmatclub.com/forum/best-gmat-ve ... ml?fl=menu Hope this helps. All the best.

VeritasPrepBrian · Answer

There's a little bit of irony in what you wrote about "in detail" regarding a passage map. And I say that because one big point of a passage map is having a general idea of where to go when you do need to find the details, so passage maps should be pretty general. Details are only important if they as you about them! And with only 3-4 questions per passage there are only so many details they can ask you about, so most details in the passage won't end up mattering.

Here's what we recommend:

At the end of every paragraph, see if you can summarize in a few words "what was this about and why was it written?" (for example, "to introduce the old theory of immunology" or "to summarize the activities of early trading companies").

Within each paragraph, pause when you get to words that signal transitions ("however," "but," etc.), continuations ("furthermore," "also"), and conclusions ("therefore," "thus," etc.) and do the same as the above - for that portion of the paragraph, see if you can say what it was about and why it was written.

And then for both of those, write in quick shorthand (I aim for 3-5 words) a really brief summary of "what's it about / why it was written" and note any major transitions/conclusions you want to make sure you don't forget.

This should:

1) Help signal to you where you should go for details when you're asked about them

2) Guide your understanding of the primary purpose

3) Help you stay engaged and quickly realize if you've "checked out" (if you can't answer "what was it about / why was it written" then you need to reread that paragraph or portion up to the transition...you'll know well before you get to the end of the passage if you haven't focused, and that saves you time when you have to re-read and re-focus.

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