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Gauging the Question Level in RC passages

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Gauging the Question Level in RC passages

by amjadshanu » Tue Oct 02, 2012 8:02 pm
Hello there,

Could anyone guide me the way how to gauge the question level of the RC passage (i.e 600 level or 700 level). Some folks have been saying that it depends on the number of questions in the passage. If they are less than 4, the passage/questions is of 600 level and vice versa. Any comments, please ?
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by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Tue Oct 02, 2012 8:36 pm
I think that, for any passage, there can be easy questions and hard questions.
I also think that some passages are inherently difficult and some are easier to follow.
That said, given the adaptive nature of the test, you will see difficult (700-level) passages and questions if you've correctly answered difficult Verbal questions earlier in the test. Conversely, if things aren't going well on the test, you'll see easier passage/questions.

My question to you is: What do you intend to do with this information once your question has been answered?

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by amjadshanu » Tue Oct 02, 2012 8:56 pm
Hey Brent,

Thanks for the reply! I guess the difficulty level varies from person to person.

Well, I require this information for 2 reasons. They are:-

Reason 1: This will help me to get the sense during the test whether I am doing well or not.

Reason 2: I am trying to figure out the additional source for RCs as per the difficulty level. However, as per your input, I fear that it is not possible to do without a real test/simulated scenario. Hence, I would like your input on the part of additional source. The options that I am considering are: a)OG 11 or OG 10- I hope there is no repetition of passages from the OG 12
b)Aristotle RC- Though I have heard about their RC 99, I don't have much clue about their new products RC-set1 and set 2. They have discontinued the earlier product due to some reasons. Also, I would like to tell that I have exhausted the passages from OG 12.
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by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Wed Oct 03, 2012 5:35 am
amjadshanu wrote: Reason 1: This will help me to get the sense during the test whether I am doing well or not.
Hi amjadshanu,

A lot of students want to know how they're doing during the test, and that's understandable. However, this will ultimately distract you from the task at hand: beating the GMAT. Try not to devote much energy to analyzing your progress during the test.
amjadshanu wrote: Reason 2: I am trying to figure out the additional source for RCs as per the difficulty level. However, as per your input, I fear that it is not possible to do without a real test/simulated scenario. Hence, I would like your input on the part of additional source. The options that I am considering are: a)OG 11 or OG 10- I hope there is no repetition of passages from the OG 12
b)Aristotle RC- Though I have heard about their RC 99, I don't have much clue about their new products RC-set1 and set 2. They have discontinued the earlier product due to some reasons. Also, I would like to tell that I have exhausted the passages from OG 12.
There's often a lot of repetition between consecutive editions of the OGs. However the OG10 might be worthwhile. You might also consider getting the Verbal-only Official Guide.

I've never read the Aristotle materials, so I can't help you there. However, the Beat The GMAT RC forum has tons of RC passages. The good thing about the passages/questions in this forum is that they are often 650+ passages/questions (based on the fact that students are having difficulties with them).

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by amjadshanu » Wed Oct 03, 2012 5:54 am
Hey Brent,

Thanks a ton for a comprehensive answer :). I'll go for the OG 10 while I'll consider the BTG passages for the later phase if I'll have time!. Is it true that OGs (12 or 10) usually have less number of difficult questions (700 level) and have more of 600 level ?
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by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Wed Oct 03, 2012 5:56 am
amjadshanu wrote:Hey Brent,
Is it true that OGs (12 or 10) usually have less number of difficult questions (700 level) and have more of 600 level ?
Iy's really hard to say. I find it difficult to distinguish 600-level RC questions from 700-level RC questions.
Anyone else want to comment on that?

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by GMAT Kolaveri » Wed Oct 03, 2012 7:56 am
Do not try to guess the difficulty level of the question on the actual test.

If you want to improve your accuracy in RC, then maintain a error log and analyze your mistakes to find out in which types of questions (main point, inference, detail ) you have low accuracy. Then you can fine tune your strategy for those "types" of questions.

I suggest Gin's approach to RC.
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by David@VeritasPrep » Wed Oct 03, 2012 5:50 pm
First, let me quote the GMAC representative Rebecca
"Your difficulty level depends on your ability to answer questions of the same question type. So your performance on Sentence Correction will not affect the questions you receive for Reading Comprehension or Critical Reasoning. Or any questions you encounter in the Quant section, for that matter. Thanks for asking!

Rebecca"
The link to the discussion is here. https://www.beatthegmat.com/how-does-the ... 14296.html


So unless GMAC is deliberately lying to us...this means that RC difficulty is not influenced by how you do on CR and SC. You should also know that RC does not adapt within the passage. So that makes RC the LEAST adaptive portion of the GMAT BY FAR!

There are only two or three chances for the GMAT to adapt on Reading Comp. The actual first passage will be likely be a middle level passage but the pre-selected questions might be of different levels of difficulty to try to see what you can do.

The second passage will be selected based on how you handled the first passage. The passage itself may be more or less difficult than the first and each question will have its own level of difficulty.

The third passage is then based on how you have done on the other two and then the fourth passage (if you get one) is based on all three. Add to this the fact that you might have one entire passage that is an "unscored item." It all adds up to not too many chances to prove yourself of RC.

The point is that the first passage has not adapted to you and the second passage is based only on what you did with the first. You cannot afford to bomb out on the first passage!! This is not like any other question type. You may be facing 4 or 5 questions (even 6) so make sure you give that passage your best and realize that although you might miss a tough question here and there you cannot afford to have an entire passage slip away from you.

Hope that helps!
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