Desperately need help with CR. Please advise.

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Hi guys, it really annoys me that I cannot seem to improve my CR accuracy.

I have been reading Powerscore CR bible, MGMAT CR, and forums. I have done CR in OG thrice and I still got some of the previously wrong questions wrong again! I read all the explanations at the back of the tests. I understand them but they don't seem to improve my process of thinking. Also, I finished GMATprep CR collection and read explanations by Ron. The explanations were more useful. I also did verbal test on gmatclub and six CAT exams. Still, I stuck at around 50%-60% accuracy.

For some reasons, I feel that CR does require some imaginations as you read the stimulus. Sometimes, when I read the explanation, I feel like.... I wouldn't be able to think of this. Sometimes, the reasons or assumptions behind the argument go deep and beyond what I can think of.

So, now I have no clues on how to improve CR. I don't know what directions to take.

Could anyone please advise?? :(:(
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by AbhiJ » Wed Nov 16, 2011 9:16 am
How much time do you have ?

I would not suggest you to read Manhattan GMAT and Powerscore CR together. It would only confuse.
Better stick with Powerscore.When you see a CR problem, you must know exactly how to attack the problem. Common wrong option; better create a 3-4 page cheat sheet.

This can be gained from studying Powerscore CR chapter wise and solving the corresponding question from the list at the bottom of the page.

https://www.powerscore.com/crbible/question_ref12.cfm

Don't worry about timing initially, focus on accuracy. I would suggest you to take even 5 mins for trying every question. For each question note in short why do you think each option is incorrect.

For example for weaken

In OG 12 for weaken questions the common wrong answers are - options that strengthen the argument, and out of scope options . Try to select an option that weakens the conclusion and not the premise.

Its like trying to drive a bicycle - first you need to drive correctly gaining speed is the easier part.

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by Luke.Doolittle » Wed Nov 16, 2011 1:16 pm
When you read an argument, how good are you at being able to identify the WRITTEN parts of the argument (premise, counter-premise, conclusion)? How good are you at being able to identify the UNWRITTEN parts of the argument (assumptions)?

That would be a starting point. If you can't identify which statements are conclusions and which are premises then that's where I would focus my efforts.

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by alexissy » Thu Nov 17, 2011 6:53 pm
Thank you for the replies.very good suggestions.

yea, I'll cut off MGMAT CR and concentrate on Powerscore. I only have around a week left so hopefully I can get it sorted out. Also, I think the problem is that I cannot identify the unstated part of the argument (assumptions). I have to try to think a lot more. will see how it goes. :)

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by David@VeritasPrep » Thu Nov 17, 2011 8:04 pm
Alexissy -

Powerscore may not be the way to go with only a week left. You have been at it for a while and you are down to the wire. If you are to see results in a week that you did not see in the extensive studying you have already done then you need to see CR in a new way.

I humbly offer the following links to articles, postings, and questions that I have written. It seems to me that you need to simplify and try to take things down to their essence. If you do not easily see the assumptions then that may not be the way for you to proceed. You can do nearly every type of question based on what is actually written there.

Best of luck with whatever you decide!

David

https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2011/02/ ... duncan-way


Paradox
https://www.beatthegmat.com/artificial-s ... tml#309781
https://www.beatthegmat.com/cold-climate ... tml#288243
https://www.beatthegmat.com/bird-feeders ... tml#292587

Bold Faced
https://www.beatthegmat.com/bold-faced-f ... tml#307471
https://www.beatthegmat.com/salt-water-p ... tml#291765
https://www.beatthegmat.com/bold-faced-e ... tml#293014


Inference
https://www.beatthegmat.com/hardiness-zo ... tml#288241
https://www.beatthegmat.com/waves-on-the ... tml#290932

Plan
https://www.beatthegmat.com/grade-inflat ... tml#289908
https://www.beatthegmat.com/stock-market ... tml#291213

Assumptions
https://www.beatthegmat.com/computers-as ... tml#302237
https://www.beatthegmat.com/horses-hoove ... tml#289122
https://www.beatthegmat.com/nuclear-powe ... tml#296304


How to Approach Different Question Types:

Inference/ conclusion question:
https://www.beatthegmat.com/how-to-appro ... tml#319885
https://www.beatthegmat.com/gmatprep-mus ... tml#314342
https://www.beatthegmat.com/zoos-t72940.html

Plan question:
https://www.beatthegmat.com/businesses-t ... tml#313911
https://www.beatthegmat.com/strenghtenin ... tml#313159

Assumption question:
https://www.beatthegmat.com/nuclear-powe ... 29-15.html

https://www.beatthegmat.com/an-odd-cr-fr ... 68008.html

https://www.beatthegmat.com/reduce-fatal ... 68915.html


General Posts:
https://www.beatthegmat.com/using-signal ... 71164.html

https://www.beatthegmat.com/bold-faced-f ... tml#307471

https://www.beatthegmat.com/control-alar ... tml#305090

https://www.beatthegmat.com/the-soviet-b ... tml#304739

https://www.beatthegmat.com/the-last-out ... tml#304425

https://www.beatthegmat.com/bold-faced-q ... tml#294134

https://www.beatthegmat.com/lsat-problem ... tml#332976
https://www.beatthegmat.com/crs-that-hav ... tml#339479

https://www.beatthegmat.com/an-inference ... tml#341259
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by ariz » Fri Nov 18, 2011 9:29 am
Great resources David, thank you! :)

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by alexissy » Fri Nov 18, 2011 5:48 pm
Thank you very much David for compiling all the links. I didn't think of learning CR through those articles before. I actually went through some of those links and found them very helpful. So, I'll definitely give it a try. Thank you again! :)

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by prateek_guy2004 » Wed Nov 23, 2011 11:02 am
In a short span of time you should only cover important topics like strengthen,assumption and weakening....just spend a day reviewing Power score....Use your error log for practicing ques...
Don't look for the incorrect things that you have done rather look for remedies....

https://www.beatthegmat.com/motivation-t90253.html