GMAT Strategy

I've taken two MGMAT practice tests and on both I've answered each 700-800 RC question wrong. On my 2nd test (680), I only got 1/12 RC questions right--- they were all 700-800 level questions. I used to consider myself to be good at RC, but it seems that its my only weak point for verbal now.

I am wondering how I can improve my RC. I have no issues with timing, I finished the verbal section with 30 minutes to spare on my first test, and 25 minutes to spare on 2nd test. I do take interest in every passage and am a quick reader. I hope someone can help me figure this out.

Thanks in advance

My 0.02$

That's exactly the area you need to give a little more thought "take interest in every passage and am a quick reader" You too would concur that GMAT RCs are boring enough to take interest while reading and although they aren't as long as compared to other standardized tests being a quick reader can at times back fire.

- Read slowly or atleast start slowly so as to figure out the author's position, it's very important to catch the author thought process while reading the RC. Get in a argumentative mode.
- Track the transition words in RCs they are check posts which eventually will help you to figure out the tone, scope and purpose of the passage.
- Many RC questions are CR questions in disguise so strengthening your CR acumen will help solidify your RC performance

BTG already has a lot of articles on approaching RCs search and go through them. Personally I have benefited from practicing RC a day with a lot of time devoted to analyzing questions types. You too should be able to figure out patterns.

My recommendation would depend on why you are getting those wrong - do you have something close to the right answer in mind first and then get distracted by an appealing answer choice or do you have an incorrect answer in mind when you go to the answers.

if it is the former then I would recommend taking a new approach - look at each answer choice and figure out why it is the wrong one. This will help you to see the ways in which the test writers create attractive wrong answers and you will then be able to avoid those in the future.

if it is the latter then I would say to be sure you are going back to the passages and finding support for the answers you are choosing.

sgarora wrote:I've taken two MGMAT practice tests and on both I've answered each 700-800 RC question wrong. On my 2nd test (680), I only got 1/12 RC questions right--- they were all 700-800 level questions. I used to consider myself to be good at RC, but it seems that its my only weak point for verbal now.

I am wondering how I can improve my RC. I have no issues with timing, I finished the verbal section with 30 minutes to spare on my first test, and 25 minutes to spare on 2nd test. I do take interest in every passage and am a quick reader. I hope someone can help me figure this out.

Thanks in advance

Hi


We recommend you to keep taking practise tests to gauge your performance. It will help you in identifying your weak areas and you can focus on them accordingly.

There are various ways you can use to practise for your GMAT. It could be combination of online classes, coaching institutes, practise books and even smart phone applications. Having this combination will be giving you access to different styles and it won't be monotonous for you. We would advise you to take multiple tests in different styles as mentioned so you can see if the pattern you are worried about is actual or just a coincidence.

All the best!!