Understanding RC Forum

[InsertCleverName]

I need help. This section is the only thing keeping me from the 170s and I can't seem to get anywhere. I feel like I'm stumbling through these passages blind and don't really understand what I'm looking for when I read them.

I'm hoping some of the people that do well on it can explain how they do it. What words or phrases jump out at you when reading the passage? What is the thought process you go through when answering questions, and how do you quickly find evidence to eliminate answer choices or determine the correct answer? What argument structures or patterns have you noticed in the questions? And what else do you think is important to know to do well on the section?

[ArchRoark]

points of view (author's and others).
tone
argument
main point
examples

I personally marked up the passage up pretty intensely but it took me awhile to be able to do that while still taking in all the information and not slowing down my reading. The marks helped me when returning to the passage to check/find the answer.

Are you finishing the section in time?

TBH - this section was the one that gave me the most trouble. I ranged from 0-6 missed questions on practice tests. It was fairly unpredictable for me.

I would basically trick myself to think the passage was enjoyable and that seemed to help in retaining the information. I would also try and answer each question before I would return to the passage. If I wasn't 100% sure, I would return and find the correct answer.

[InsertCleverName]

Ok, sorry. Probably should have explained how I'm doing. I usually miss about 7 per section. I'm finishing right on time, usually with 30 seconds or so to spare without rushing.

One weird trend I've noticed: I usually miss one question on three of the passages, but there always seems to be one where I miss four. Doesn't seem to be a clear pattern as to which one that is though.

[northwood]

rc is a royal pain in my side... I can do 3 passages, only missing 1 on each, but run out of time. When i try to increase speed ( and get through 4) i end up missing 2, or 3 questions that I should have got right, and end up getting 8-10 wrong on the entire section.

I sometimes wonder if it would be better to just do 3 passages and leave the hardest passage, or one with the least amount of questions) and just pick B for all answers and be done with it. I just hate the idea of purposly leaving one passage out to chance, knowing that there must be a way for me to be able to do all of them, and do all of them well