Most of the time I usually get a 4/5, 5/5, 5/6 or 6/6 etc...

Question

Most of the time I usually get a 4/5, 5/5, 5/6 or 6/6 etc... on RC. Basically perfect score or I only miss one.

However, every now and then I come across a passage I just don't seem to comprehend and I end up missing 2 or more answer choices. Sometimes even half the answer choices... 

How do you overcome this?

empty_spaces · Answer

Honestly, i believe that practicing more and more of the kind of RC that you are uncomfortable with is the best thing to do, keep an error log so that you can go back and look to find if there are some specific kind of questions you get wrong more then others, then work on them more.

initially dont worry about the time, take enough time to do the RC...and then when you start getting better at it....then ..start timing it. 

good luck

beckee529 · Answer

I have the same exact problem when it comes to those dreaded RC questions. Regardless of what the study guides suggest, I think it's really important to read the passages carefully through once to understand them globally (especially the author's purpose and tone) to answer the questions. Depending on the complexity and interest (of the material) of the passage, I find myself getting more correct when I spend 4-5 min reading the passages. The way I see it is that I never spend that much time on any one reading comprehension question so I might as well use that extra time on understanding it. Hope that helps!

misterJJ2u · Answer

Curious: what sources are you using for RC? OG? Zip files (found on this website)?

I've been focusing on getting my verbal up to the 40's and need a plan of attack.

For RC: i'm in the same boat. If I take my sweet @$$ time reading and understanding the passage I can get almost all right. When I rush or get too bogged down in details for longer passages, I choke and end up missing 3+. 

I approach RC in the same way as if I were writing the AWA. 

Try to look at the passage to see what the framework is--What is the thesis / purpose of the passage (usually detailed in the first paragraph)?

The the next paragraph usually provides supporting evidence for some argument or point of view. The next paragraph may provide more supporting evidence or counter a potential area of weakness.

Once I took this approach, it helped me get more of the RC questions right. 

However, I'm still having trouble wtih the super long scientific passages that ask "what purpose does the xyz drug serve in relation to pdq...". For example, the passage on the Effects of Caffeine on the Brain kills me.

RVD · Answer

my approach is fairly simple...spend some time reading the passage and don't rush. it seems like most of the study guides out there tell you to kind of skim through the passage and pay particular attention to the first part and the last part, etc.

i tried those tactics and they didn't really work for me because when it came to the questions, i would have to go back and basically re-read everything a lot of times (for the general questions).

i have the most success when i spend a few minutes (always less than 5 but usually 3-4) to actually read the passage as if i'm reading a story from The Economist.

when i do that, i find that i usually understand the passage and go through all of the questions pretty quickly. overall, i think i spend less time going this way.

a decent experiment would be to try doing a set of RC questions but don't worry about the clock. you should spend as much time as you want. when you're done, take a look at the clock and see how close you came and make some adjustments. i think most people will find that they are not far off.

RVD.

anonymousegmat · Answer

try to anticipate the questions you will see as you read it. sometimes you can get clues that what you are reading might be important... i.e. you notice a shift in the tone... or scholar so and so's theory is different from the main theory etc.

Most of the time I usually get a 4/5, 5/5, 5/6 or 6/6 etc...

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