Need advice on verbal

This topic has expert replies
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 31
Joined: Sat Aug 23, 2008 8:23 pm
Location: Toronto
Thanked: 1 times
GMAT Score:610

Need advice on verbal

by ebehboud » Thu Mar 12, 2009 11:31 pm
Can someone kindly suggest a few tips on how I can improve my verbal score, especially CR and RC.

Here is my current situation:
Kaplan CAT1/2: 710 (Q:99%, V:62%)
GMAT test date: April 20th..... (5 weeks left)
I don't run out of time at all.

Sources:
Kaplan 800, OG11, Kaplan Quiz bank, I can choose questions with various difficulty level and different topics.


My math is strong... Here is my overall strategy/weakness:

- I do 10 Math questions everyday to maintain my math strength.
- Developed an awesome SC flash card, and is working well. I do 10 SC question a day to keep up this strength as well.
- CR/RC remain an issue
- I plan to do as much GMATPrep tests in 2 weeks prior to the exam as I can with enough time to focus on my mistake. That leaves solid weeks to prep up. 1.5 weeks CR, 1.5 weeks RC.

I do have a basic understanding of different concepts on CR and RC, however I catch myself making repeated mistakes. Not entirely sure how to COMPLETELY understand CR/RC questions to avoid these repeated questions.

Should I buy OG Verbal workout?

Thanks folks.
Source: — GMAT Strategy |

Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 60
Joined: Mon Jun 04, 2007 7:37 am
Thanked: 6 times

A very similar problem...

by sonu_thekool » Mon Mar 16, 2009 6:12 am
Hi Ebehboud,

I dont have any suggestions to you as I am having a similar problem...CR and RC are killing my scores while I am able to consistently score around 47-49 range. I am planning to take the exam around April 18th...

I have been comfortable with SC but when it comes to CR and RC, no matter how much I concentrate, I cannot wrap my head around the important points of the passage. I have to read and re-read the passage literally for every question (in RC) even after spending about 3 minutes of initial reading. I am making silly mistakes or run out of time which wrecks my confidence. CR is pretty much similar. I have tried reading various articles online, have been doing constant reading from non-fiction materials but when a passage appears on the exam screen, it feels like I have no idea what it is talking about most of the time....

I am sure there is a good strategy for CR and RC but I am yet to find it. I am trying to invest some time in checking out LSAT books (not sure which ones to buy yet) that many top scorers have suggested as a good reading...I guess it takes lots and lots of practice !! Please let me know if you have success with any strategy.

Sonu

GMAT Instructor
Posts: 1223
Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 3:29 pm
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Thanked: 185 times
Followed by:15 members

by VP_Jim » Mon Mar 16, 2009 10:20 am
A tip I give my students when they have trouble concentrating on the RC section is to take notes when reading the passage. As you're going through the passage, write down what you think the main point of it is, important ideas to keep in mind, and generally, take notes on the big picture (you can always go back to the exact sentence they referenced if asked about specifics).

Hope this helps!
Jim S. | GMAT Instructor | Veritas Prep