Should I try to "game" RC? Forum

[pjo]

Hey everyone I need some help... with the test less than 2 weeks away I'm stuck in the low 160's. My last five tests were 160, 165, 163, 161. My breakdown is almost always LG -1, LR-10 (-5&-5), RC -9. I think I can improve my LR by 2-4 points overall, I’ve been doing a section every night. My problem is definitely with RC. I just can’t seem to break -9. I really don’t know what else to do. I’ve used the powerscore method so far which is basically actively read the passage then answers the questions. This just isn’t working for me. What I was thinking was to 1) read the questions first and as I read the question, look into the passage to answer that particular question then move to the next, instead of reading the whole passage in its totality. Also I was thinking of giving myself 10 min for 3 games and just writing “E” for the last passage (maybe try to answer the first question). My thinking is that with the extra time I would improve my accuracy and end up missing only the last questions giving me a -6 or -5. The thing is, I’m really worried that come test day this could back fire (i.e. miss all the questions on the last game and still miss 2 questions on each passage which would give me worse than my average -9 on the section). Just wondering your thoughts on this strategy? Please help I need some advice.

[WhatSarahSaid]

I don't know that much about RC strategies, but it seems like a poor idea not to read the whole passage at least once.

As for doing three, the best way to see how this would go is to try it out on a practice test. Are you running out of time, or are you just unable to answer the questions? Try taking an RC section untimed to see how well you do; if you're doing just as poorly, then you might as well just try to do all four passages. Two weeks almost certainly isn't enough time to noticeably improve your RC skills.

[Dtackpat75]

RC was my worst section as well. It helped me when I started reading the passage briefly underlining concluding sentences and topic sentences. then quickly moving to the questions. I didn't ever skip reading the passage though.

[pjo]

I actually did this last night on a section and got a -7. I'm just worried its a fluke, but I’m going to keep testing it out. But yea, on the passages where I spent 10mins instead of 8:45 I got -1, -0, -1. Usually I get -2, -3, -2. So it seems like the extra time is helping… that or reading the questions first is.

[bartleby]

This can be really tricky for main point and author's view questions.

[PlugInBaby]

I am also running out of ideas on how to improve RC. It seems I can practice all I want with older RC passages (PT 40 and below)...the new ones just seem to be completely different and much more difficult (it's not a matter of having one comparative reading section either...I tend to do well on those). I especially miss a lot on the final passage. Currently I underline anything I find relevant, box key terms and names, and write quick summaries to the right of each paragraph. I am also considering numerating subpoints. Any tips to take on the modern RCs?

[pjo]

This can be really tricky for main point and author's view questions.

When I do this strategy I usually do main point last (by the time I answer the other questions I have basically read the entire passage and have no trouble figuring out the MP). For author’s view, I attack them fairly similarly. Above poster, I’ve been having more trouble with more recent RC passages also. Though, I think the comparative reading ones are the reason why. When I miss 3 in a passage its almost always in the comparative reading passage.

[PlugInBaby]

This can be really tricky for main point and author's view questions.

When I do this strategy I usually do main point last (by the time I answer the other questions I have basically read the entire passage and have no trouble figuring out the MP). For author’s view, I attack them fairly similarly. Above poster, I’ve been having more trouble with more recent RC passages also. Though, I think the comparative reading ones are the reason why. When I miss 3 in a passage its almost always in the comparative reading passage.

With the older ones I usually range from -0 ot -3. With these newer ones its -6 to -9. I do get more right on the LG on the newer tests but not enough to make that difference. I'd love to understand WHY they are so much more difficult than older tests and how I can focus on that difference to improve.