David,
I would like to first thank you for guiding me. I will tell you a bit more.
#1 - While reading a passage, I try to write down or at least diagram protagonists, antagonists, time frame, author's view point or any other name that may have appeared in the passage.
#2 - Initially, I used to answer RC questions based on my memory. I used to get 50-100% correct. I read MGMAT - RC book and liked their suggestion to take notes, at least the main idea, so that it becomes easy for us to engage with the passage. It really helped me initially. However, while practicising, I have noticed that I tend to read or possibly re-read the sentence multiple times until I understand the gist or ,in the worst case, I tend to skip the sentence with *some* idea about it.
I have noticed that if I skip that sentence, *sometimes* my brain makes connections between the ideas and gets author's point. Sometimes I miss questions because of not paying proper attention to that particular sentence. For instance, lines 25-34 OG 12 Page 384 really killed me. I was worrying about the time on one hand and accuracy on the other. I ended up missing 2-3 questions. However, when I took some *extra time* to relax and re-read the passage, I got the idea, and I was able to answer all questions perfectly.
So, I thought that it better works if I spend *some* extra time before hand to at least process such statements. These days, I am practicing LSAT passages because of two reasons:
1) they are annoying and their questions are much more intricate than those of GMAT.
2) they are lengthy and it helps me to get trained for the *worst*.
I went through a few videos posted by GMAT experts on this forum. They really helped me to focus on specific items such as transitions, mood, protagonists etc. while reading the passage.
To give another example - I was lost while reading LSAT #43, lines 15-29. After reading and re-reading these sentences multiple times, I was able to understand author's point. My hit rate on this passage was approx. 50-60%. I don't have issues with Science passages because I read a lot about science. I have trouble with humanities passages. My undergrad and graduate major was Engineering, Math.
Any tips? Again, I really appreciate your help.
Thanks again
Voodoo Child
