what to do when you don't understand a RC passage

read the first and last line of each paragraph. You will know the structure and have some idea about the "main purpose" of the passage.

Sometimes, when I am in the same situation, I try to match up some of the words in the passage to certain words in answer choices. I try to look at the passage as a big mathematical formula, and the answer choices as things that can either fit in with it or leave it lacking.

Hope this doesn't sound too crazy. Good luck!

oh gosh this happened while i was studying today on this passage about caffeine and other chemistry scienterrific words!

there are a few different things you can do ...

you can start with the above, looking at the first sentences to get a feel. then, look at the answer choices. eliminate the answer choices that have something you KNOW is not correct in them. for ex, with my passage, i knew it was about a theory on caffeine. so i eliminated the passages that talked about the main idea being a "phenomenon", and the one about it being about "3 theories" .

you could also try quickly going over the passage again and using really basic, kid-speak to summarize each paragraph in one or two sentences. that will help you get a better feel for it.

hope this helps!

Another good tip is just to ask yourself "what is this passage about?" For example, perhaps it is about "monopolies in 19th century England." Most - but not all - of the correct answers will also relate to monopolies in 19th century England. For example, an answer choice regarding monopolies in 20th century England would likely be wrong.

Make sure you understand each sentence after reading it the first time. In the instances you do not, stop and re-read the sentence. It does no good to read the entire passage if you are not understanding and comprehending the material as you read.

I'm new to GMAT prep, but I have taught MCAT Verbal Reasoning and LSAT Reading Comprehension. One thing you can do is try to determine if there is a pattern to the passages that trouble you. I find that my LSAT students are least comfortable with science passages, so I often advise them to read Scientific American for a few months. I have also recommended The Economist and other journals to brush up on a particular subject that troubles you. That only works if you find a predictable pattern to the passages you can't understand.