Struggling with Business-Style Passages Need Advice on Strategy!

Question

Hey everyone,
I've been working through RC passages and I've noticed that I particularly struggle with the business/economics-style ones. The language feels dry, the concepts aren't always familiar to me, and I find myself zoning out or re-reading too often. Sometimes I get the gist, but when it comes to answering the questions—especially the inference or function ones—I feel lost.
For those of you who’ve improved on this type of passage, how did you approach it? Did you do anything differently compared to how you’d tackle a science or humanities passage?
Any specific strategies, resources, or mindset shifts that helped you understand and retain the information better?

Appreciate any insights!

AjiteshArun · Answer

Hi napolean92728,

This is generally true of any topic that we don't really like (dry, unfamiliar). The good news is that although GMAT passages may be dry, they're never truly heavy, in the sense that they don't include advanced concepts. This means that even a little (targeted) practice or reading can go a long way. Focus on analysing the kinds of passages you mentioned, identifying the challenging bits, and understanding them.

napolean92728 · Answer

Thanks  AjiteshArun  for your insights.

Gmat750aspirant · Answer

I totally relate! What helped me was slowing down a bit at the start—really focusing on understanding the main argument and structure before diving into details. Also, practicing with sources like The Economist or WSJ improved my comfort with business language. Over time, it felt way less intimidating.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi napolean92728,

One key mindset shift is to stop expecting these passages to be engaging; instead, approach them like puzzles. Your goal isn’t to enjoy them—it’s to decode structure and intent.

Start by focusing on understanding the author's purpose in each paragraph. Ask yourself: Are they introducing a concept? Critiquing an idea? Explaining a cause-effect relationship? This helps you stay mentally engaged and makes inference and function questions feel less like shots in the dark.

It’s also helpful to practice summarizing each paragraph in your own words—this builds active engagement and retention. When you struggle with unfamiliar content, don't panic. You don’t need deep background knowledge—just track relationships between ideas and tone.

As for resources, The NY Times and Harvard Business Review offer great articles to mimic this passage style. Even 10–15 minutes a day with those, applying the same reading lens you use on RC, can build your comfort. Over time, you’ll find the structure becomes more predictable, and your confidence will grow.

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Struggling with Business-Style Passages Need Advice on Strategy!

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