BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Help with "Describe the role" questions.

This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 64
Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2010 10:55 pm
Thanked: 1 times

Help with "Describe the role" questions.

by prada » Mon Mar 03, 2014 5:40 pm
Hey Guys,

While studying the CR section, I've realized that the only area I'm not comfortable with is describe the role questions. The ones where 1-2 parts of the stimulus is/are in bold. Does anoyone have any videos or write ups that explain it well?

Thanks
Top
Source: — Critical Reasoning |
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 1052
Joined: Fri May 21, 2010 1:30 am
Thanked: 335 times
Followed by:98 members

by Patrick_GMATFix » Mon Mar 03, 2014 9:39 pm
Prada. My (admittedly biased) recommendation is that you used the GMATFix App tool to really target areas that give you trouble. Doing several similar questions in sequence and then reviewing your work can help you build good working habits for that particular topic, and the App has in depth videos discussing the strategies used to solve all types of GMAT questions. In your case, I'd follow the steps below (screenshots attached).

1) Setup drills of the question type you'd like to study; You can pick the topic(s) that interest you, and even dial the difficulty level up or down.

Image

2) After your drill you will get a drill report. Study it to figure out how you're spending your time; you'll have the opportunity to compare your pace as well as your accuracy to the network averages.

Image

3) If you right-click a Question ID (blue numbers in the previous screenshot) and hit Review, you will get to a video that discusses this question and offers strategies for solving similar questions. Study these videos carefully and adjust your approach accordingly.

Image

Hope that helps,
-Patrick Siewe
GMATFix
  • Ask me about tutoring.
Top
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 64
Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2010 10:55 pm
Thanked: 1 times

by prada » Tue Mar 04, 2014 5:34 pm
Thanks Patrick I will have a look at it.
To a certain extent I have done my own analysis. My trouble areas are mostly
1)Verbal: Sentence Correction
2)Math: Data Sufficiency.

For the last couple months I've worked on improving the Verbal Section, perhaps not fully to my liking. However I think if I can get the RC part nailed I can get a very good verbal score.

Next is studying Math which is my weakness. I require more improvement here for a better score. This is where your tool can come in handy since I haven't really pinpointed my problem areas.
Top
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 2630
Joined: Wed Sep 12, 2012 3:32 pm
Location: East Bay all the way
Thanked: 625 times
Followed by:119 members
GMAT Score:780

by Matt@VeritasPrep » Tue Mar 04, 2014 5:45 pm
Here's what I'd recommend for roles questions:

(1) Make sure you identify the conclusion of the argument, if there is one. Most roles questions will try to tempt you into saying that one of the two boldface portions is the conclusion, so make sure you know where that conclusion is.

(2) Read EVERYTHING. It's not safe to only read the boldface portions: you need to know their place in the argument as a whole.

(3) Try putting the argument in your own words first. Don't be intimidated by the density of the argument; most roles questions feature quite complex arguments -- more complex than other CR arguments -- but this is because your understanding of the argument doesn't have to be particularly profound. (You don't need to strengthen it, weaken it, or draw any conclusions from it, only describe it in broad terms.) So put in your own words first, then try to find an answer that matches your description.

(4) If you're still stuck, look for excuses to eliminate answers. Is the first bold statement really a "contention", or is it just a fact related by the author? Is the second statement really a "consequence" of the first one, or is merely the opposing view? etc.
Top
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 64
Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2010 10:55 pm
Thanked: 1 times

by prada » Wed Mar 05, 2014 5:11 pm
Thanks Matt, yes those are some types of tips I was looking for. I will try them and see if I a get better. I agree the language and words used are more convoluted. That is why it seems more "intimidating" IMO.
Top
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 2630
Joined: Wed Sep 12, 2012 3:32 pm
Location: East Bay all the way
Thanked: 625 times
Followed by:119 members
GMAT Score:780

by Matt@VeritasPrep » Wed Mar 05, 2014 5:29 pm
prada wrote:Thanks Matt, yes those are some types of tips I was looking for. I will try them and see if I a get better. I agree the language and words used are more convoluted. That is why it seems more "intimidating" IMO.
Yup, most roles questions are like that: the arguments are quite complex (and often feature lots of difficult vocabulary), but don't worry - you don't need to process them in depth, you only need to understand what role the boldface portions play!
Top

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 16207
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pm
Location: Vancouver, BC
Thanked: 5254 times
Followed by:1268 members
GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Thu Mar 06, 2014 7:39 am
Hey Prada,

As you are trying to identify the roles played by the boldfaced part(s), keep in mind some of the common roles that statements can play in arguments. They INCLUDE:
- Concluding
- Summarizing
- Contradicting
- Providing supporting evidence
- Providing an example
- Providing a counterexample
- Generalizing

Cheers,
Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
Image
Top
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 64
Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2010 10:55 pm
Thanked: 1 times

by prada » Thu Mar 06, 2014 6:01 pm
Thanks guys, I will try your strategies. You are all right that I should try to understand the role rather then the literal meaning. In the OG guide they briefly talk about categorizing sentences as Premises, Conclusion or other. I will practice on the weekend to see.
:)
Top
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1