GMAT Reading Comprehension Tips: Top 8 DOs and DON’Ts
Master GMAT Reading Comprehension with these easy-to-follow tips! Discover the top 8 DOs and DON’Ts to ace your GMAT exam effortlessly. Start boosting your reading skills today with PW.
Shivani Kumari24 May, 2024
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GMAT Reading Comprehension: The GMAT Reading Comprehension section aims to assess your ability to comprehend, analyze, and apply information from diverse passages. This segment holds significant weight in the GMAT exam, crucial for admission to various business schools.
- Students, to excel in this section, effective strategies are paramount. Key tactics involve actively engaging with passages to get main ideas, details, and logical structures.
Also Read: GMAT Syllabus 2024
What is GMAT Reading Comprehension?
GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) is a section of GMAT Verbal Reasoning that assesses your ability to read and understand complex passages. Here are the key points about GMAT reading comprehension:- It tests your understanding of logical relationships between ideas, the main ideas being communicated, and quantitative concepts incorporated into the text.
- Passages are generally 200–300 words long, written in an academic or neutral tone, and cover topics like history, science, the humanities, or business.
- You will see 3–4 questions per passage. You cannot go back and change answers once a question is answered.
- Common question types include main idea, detail, inference, function, and style/tone questions.
GMAT Reading Comprehension Tips: Top 8 DOs and DON'Ts
Mastering GMAT Reading Comprehension is crucial for achieving a high score on the Verbal section of the exam. To help you succeed, we've compiled a list of the top 8 DOs and DON'Ts to keep in mind when tackling RC passages and questions.DOs
Here are the list of 8 Do’s as a part of GMAT Reading Comprehension Tips listed below:1. Read the passage carefully and completely before answering questions
It's important to read the passage thoroughly, focusing on the overall structure, purpose, and main ideas. Avoid the temptation to skim the passage or read it hastily. Taking the time to carefully read and comprehend the passage will pay off when answering the questions.2. Identify the main point or purpose of the passage
One of the most common question types in GMAT RC is the Primary Purpose or Main Idea question. Be sure to identify the author's main argument or the overall purpose of the passage as you read. This will help you answer these questions and provide context for the other questions.3. Take notes and outline the passage
As you read, take notes on the key points and the structure of the passage. Outlining the passage can help you stay focused and organized. Note the purpose of each paragraph and how the ideas connect. This will make it easier to refer back to the passage when answering questions.
4. Pause and predict after each paragraph
After reading each paragraph, pause and ask yourself what the purpose of that paragraph was and how it relates to the overall passage. Predicting what the author might discuss next can help you stay engaged and focused.5. Eliminate wrong answers
When answering questions, carefully read all the answer choices and eliminate the ones that are clearly incorrect. Focus on finding four wrong answers, not one right answer. This strategy is especially important on harder questions where the wrong answers may seem plausible at first glance.6. Use the passage to support your answers
Always refer back to the passage to support your answer choices. Avoid choosing answers based on your own knowledge or opinions. The correct answer will be supported by evidence from the passage.
7. Manage your time effectively
Budget your time wisely, spending more time on longer passages and harder questions. A good rule of thumb is to spend 6-8 minutes on each passage, with 2-3 minutes for reading and 4-5 minutes for answering the questions. Use a timer during practice to get a feel for the pace.8. Practice with official GMAT questions
Use official GMAT questions for practice whenever possible. The official questions are the most representative of what you'll see on test day and are carefully crafted to test specific skills. While third-party questions can be helpful for additional practice, official questions should be the foundation of your RC preparation.DON'Ts
Here are the list of 8 Don'ts as a part of GMAT Reading Comprehension Tips listed below:1. Don't read the questions before the passage
While it may seem like a good idea to read the questions first to know what to look for in the passage, this strategy is often counterproductive. Reading the passage carefully and completely before the questions will give you a better overall understanding and make it easier to answer the questions efficiently.
2. Don't try to memorize every detail
It's impossible to predict which specific details will be tested, so don't waste time trying to memorize every fact and figure in the passage. Instead, focus on understanding the main ideas, structure, and purpose of the passage.3. Don't get bogged down in unfamiliar vocabulary
GMAT passages often contain specialized vocabulary or jargon that may be unfamiliar. Don't let this intimidate you or slow you down. Use context clues to make an educated guess at the meaning and keep moving. The questions will test your overall comprehension, not your vocabulary.4. Don't change your initial answer
Once you've selected an answer choice, stick with it. Second-guessing yourself is a common trap that can lead to incorrect answers. If you're unsure, re-read the question and the relevant part of the passage, but avoid changing your answer unless you're absolutely certain it's wrong.5. Don't rely on outside knowledge
The GMAT tests your ability to comprehend and analyze the information presented in the passage, not your prior knowledge on the topic. Avoid bringing in outside information or making assumptions not supported by the passage. Focus on what is stated or implied in the text. Achieve your MBA target by clearing GMAT with commendable scores. Join PW GMAT Online Coaching to strategically prepare for GMAT under the guidance of India’s best faculties.GMAT Reading Comprehension Tips FAQs<span style=
What is GMAT Reading Comprehension?
GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) is a test section in GMAT Verbal Reasoning evaluating your ability to understand complex passages. It assesses your knowledge of logical relationships, main ideas, and quantitative concepts in passages typically 200–300 words long. Each passage is followed by 3–4 questions of different types.
What are some DOs for mastering GMAT Reading Comprehension?
To excel in GMAT Reading Comprehension, read the entire passage carefully before answering questions. Identify the main point, take notes, and outline the passage. Pause after each paragraph, eliminate wrong answer choices, use passage support, manage time wisely, and practice with official GMAT questions.
What are some DON'Ts to avoid when approaching GMAT Reading Comprehension?
Avoid reading questions before the passage, attempting to memorize every detail, getting stuck on unfamiliar vocabulary, changing initial answers without certainty, and relying on outside knowledge. Instead, focus on understanding the main ideas presented in the passage.
How can I effectively manage my time during GMAT Reading Comprehension?
Allocate 6-8 minutes for each passage: 2-3 minutes for reading and 4-5 minutes for answering questions. Prioritize spending more time on longer passages and harder questions. Practice with a timer to develop a sense of pace.
Why is it important to practice with official GMAT questions?
Practicing with official GMAT questions is crucial for effective preparation. They are representative of the actual test, designed to test specific skills required for GMAT. Official questions provide the most accurate preparation, while third-party questions can be used for extra practice.
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