Reading Comprehension on the GRE
August 24, 2010Many GRE test-takers tell me that their least favorite part of the verbal section is the Reading Comprehension. Perhaps this is because the passages are academic in tone, and reference subjects in which these test-takers have little interest and/or experience.
Since it is not ok to simply "do well" on passages you enjoy and "bomb" passages you disdain, you’ve got to find a way to make this a more interesting and manageable job. Cue: active reading. Active Reading
On the GRE, it is important to be actively asking yourself questions as you are reading. In this way, you can turn a somewhat boring passage into a treasure hunt of sorts. It is important to know who the main players are. For example, who is talking? By the end of the passage, your notes should reflect a complete "cast of characters".
It is also important to know each person’s point of view. The GRE loves to test people on the "who said what?" principle, because it is particularly easy for them to craft answer choices that cleverly distort details from the passage. You may find yourself reaching for a trap answer that confuses one of the main characters and his or her point of view. Keep it all straight in your notes!
Finally, it is important to know how these characters' opinions relate to one another. Is the author in agreement with this particular critic? Does the author disagree with that critic? Know how each opinion compares to others.
Taking Notes
I've mentioned taking notes, and I’d like to emphasize the importance of being brief. Your notes should be a Cliffs Notes version of the passage. I recommend arrows, underlining, and other visual clues that help you navigate quickly.
Remember that each reading comprehension passages features only two or three questions. Before writing down that long, elaborate detail, ask yourself: Do I really need to write this down? Can't I just go back and retrieve this information if necessary?
Your notes should reflect your active reading activities, and should mostly comprise your "cast of characters" and their respective viewpoints. Since you cannot underline parts of the passage on screen, your notes will be the substitute. Please remember to keep them navigable!
Questions to Ask Yourself
Before attacking the actual GRE questions, make a mental checklist of the answers to these three questions:
- In a word or two, what was this about? This is the answer to the "topic" question.
- Within that topic, what was the author’s main focus?
- What was the author's opinion? With whom did she agree/disagree?
With proper active reading, you can both increase your accuracy on GRE Reading Comprehension questions, and improve your speed. This process may be slow going at first, but remember that timed practice is essential!
Jeff Sackmann is a test-prep tutor based in New York City and the author of Total GRE Math, among other GRE and GMAT resources.
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