heyooo folks,
RC used to be the section I feared the most. Long passages, unfamiliar topics, and the constant feeling that I had forgotten what I read two paragraphs ago. Over time, though, I found an approach that made RC much more manageable and surprisingly consistent. I shall share it here for others

1. I stopped trying to memorize details
Earlier, I treated every passage like it was a fact sheet. Big mistake. RC is more about understanding the author's message than remembering every detail. Once I focused on the big picture, passages felt much lighter.
2. I tracked the author's purpose
After each paragraph, I would ask:
👉 "Why is the author telling me this?"
Was it background information? Evidence? A counterargument? A new theory? This helped me build a mental map of the passage instead of getting lost in the details.
3. I read actively, not passively Anymore TBH
I stopped reading like a novel and started having a conversation with the passage. Whenever the author made a claim, I mentally noted it. Whenever viewpoints changed, I marked the shift. This kept me engaged and improved retention.
4. I used the passage for detail questions
For specific-detail questions, I didn't rely on memory. I went back to the relevant part of the passage and verified the answer. RC rewards accuracy more than memory.
5. I focused on understanding before timing
Initially, I read slowly and made sure I truly understood the passage. As comprehension improved, speed followed naturally.
Mindset shift
The biggest change was realizing that RC isn't a reading test—it's a comprehension test. The goal isn't to read fast; it's to understand how ideas connect.
Results
RC went from being my weakest section to one of my most dependable.
Once I started reading for structure and purpose instead of details, both my accuracy and confidence improved significantly.