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

Redeem

Strategy for Tough RC

This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 165
Joined: Wed Aug 04, 2010 9:44 pm
Thanked: 8 times

Strategy for Tough RC

by sandy217 » Thu Aug 11, 2011 5:50 am
Hi All,

I need an expert advice on how to tackle Tough RCs.When i say tough am talking about passage that is tough to comprehend not the tough (inference) questions.

I finished 10th edition Verbal OG RC,which contains around 280 questions.My accuracy hovers between 75 and 85%.I did not find any passage that is very tough to comprehend. But I took kaplan diagnostic test yesterday. Incorrect SC-2 CR-5 RC-12. Yes 12 incorrect in RC. 12 is seriously a concern.
I have a week before my GMAT.I took few other CATS, where my accuracy of RC was just alright(around 75-80%).

My question is how are GMAT RC passages in general? What is the possibility of getting a very tough passage(as kaplan's)in GMAT. And more importantly how do one attack such RC's under aggressive time constraint.


Thanks
~
Top
Source: — Reading Comprehension |
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 1035
Joined: Fri Dec 17, 2010 11:13 am
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Thanked: 474 times
Followed by:365 members

by VivianKerr » Sat Aug 13, 2011 9:00 pm
Every tutor has his/her own approach. This is what works for me :)

I take notes on every single passage. I don't mentally separate "easy" and "hard" passages and approach them differently. In my mind, every passage is the SAME passage. Every passage has a purpose and a topic, has paragraphs that elaborate on that topic, and the author always has a point of view. The questions always ask about those things, so I extract them as I read. I focus on structure and avoid the details.

This is a basic template for what I do:

Topic:
Scope:
1st:
2nd:
3rd:
Author's POV:
Purpose:

The numbers correspond to the Function of each paragraph, which I express as an infinitive verb.
You can see an example of my notes here: https://www.beatthegmat.com/rc-99-passage-39-t81093.html

You'll find there is no shortcut for RC. If you worry about pacing too much early on and don't have a solid strategy your accuracy will never improve. The key to a better score is actually slowing way down and working untimed until you are a note-taking RC rock star. Then you can pace yourself up as needed. Good luck!
Vivian Kerr
GMAT Rockstar, Tutor
https://www.GMATrockstar.com
https://www.yelp.com/biz/gmat-rockstar-los-angeles

Former Kaplan and Grockit instructor, freelance GMAT content creator, now offering affordable, effective, Skype-tutoring for the GMAT at $150/hr. Contact: [email protected]

Thank you for all the "thanks" and "follows"! :-)
Top
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1