Received a PM asking me to reply.
neoreaves asks some great questions. Are you taking too long on ALL types of CR questions? (Too long = 2:30+) Or are there only certain categories that tend to be the "too long" categories?
Also, just FYI - you should aim to average 2m on CR, not use a max of 2m. For CR, the max is about 2m30s. Generally speaking, you should not be trying to answer a CR in only 1m; that kind of speed often leads to careless mistakes.
What have you been using so far to study CR? Do you know how to identify what kind of question you have? You identify the question type by reading the question itself - and you should read the question before you read the argument. Once you've read the question, you should already know (based on the question type):
(1) the kind of information you need to find
(2) the kind of analysis you need to do on that information
(3) characteristics of a correct answer for that type
(4) characteristics of wrong answers for that type
This is all BEFORE you've even read the argument itself. For example, as soon as I read a question and realize it's a "Draw a Conclusion" question, then I know I should identify any facts or opinions they give (but I should NOT find a conclusion in the argument), and I should understand exactly what the argument has told me versus what it might imply. The correct answer will be something that must be true according to the information given, without bringing in any outside knowledge or assumptions. Incorrect answers will often go "too far" by assuming additional information that we don't actually know.
Also, how many times do you re-read all or part of the argument? How many times do you look at each answer choice?
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Stacey Koprince
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