Answers Before Passage

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Cinji18: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 84; Joined: Sat Feb 20, 2010 5:11 pm; Thanked: 1 times

by Cinji18 » Tue Apr 27, 2010 6:30 pm

Just wondering what your opinion is.

On CR questions, is it ever a good idea to go through the answers before reading the passage to eliminate answers that either:

1) have words that are too strong such as all, never, etc.
or
2) especially for strengthen/weaken questions, show that one of the answers are going in a different direction from the other four (ex. see that one answers strengthens while the other four weakens without reading the passage beforehand)

??

Thanks,
Cin

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Source: Beat The GMAT — Critical Reasoning | Tue Apr 27, 2010 6:30 pm

Testluv: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 1302; Joined: Mon Oct 19, 2009 2:13 pmFollowed by: 164 members; Location: Toronto; Thanked: 539 times; GMAT Score:800

by Testluv » Tue Apr 27, 2010 7:31 pm

1) have words that are too strong such as all, never, etc.

Such words may well be correct in sufficient assumption and stn/wkn questions. See: https://www.beatthegmat.com/strengthen-t ... tml#246583. (They may be correct even in some necessary assumption questions.)

especially for strengthen/weaken questions, show that one of the answers are going in a different direction from the other four (ex. see that one answers strengthens while the other four weakens without reading the passage beforehand)

It may be difficult to judge directionality without the context of the argument (especially if some of the choices are directionless).

On CR questions, is it ever a good idea to go through the answers before reading the passage

I think it is an interesting idea, and it's one I've never heard or thougt about before. But, my first reaction is that it is risky. Will it save you time?...not so sure about that. You will likely be able to eliminate obviously wrong choices more quickly after reading the argument rather than before. So, I think the risks outweigh any possible benefits related to saving time.

Kaplan Teacher in Toronto

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bichoo: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 48; Joined: Mon Dec 07, 2009 3:18 pm

by bichoo » Wed Apr 28, 2010 9:20 am

I agree with Testluv, it might take you longer but give it a try and see how long it takes you.

You need to find a technique that works for you. You could try reading the passage first, then argument, than answers. This seems to work for me as it allows me to focus 100% on the passage to understand it and think of any possible problems with it as I read. I found that by reading the argument first, I was focusing in too much on the passage to find the assumption/strengthener/weakener rather than actually understanding it. This is the Kaplan method but it doesnt work for me. Figure out what works for you. Good luck!

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Cinji18: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 84; Joined: Sat Feb 20, 2010 5:11 pm; Thanked: 1 times

by Cinji18 » Wed Apr 28, 2010 9:28 am

bichoo,

Sounds like the PowerScore method. Is that what you're talking about? I'm going through that book right now. We'll see if it helps.

Thanks,
Cin

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