The problem is the time is short and you are not asked just to make re-statements of the contents of the passage but often interpret. This is somewhat more difficult. Let me give you and example using the following "passage" and example MCAT question:
Originally posted by JulianCrane
I dunno about anyone else, but I think that "studying" for the Verbal section of the MCAT is rather ill-founded. I mean, if you know how to critically read and understand information and can draw conclusions (which should be a skill developed in college course work), you should do fine on the MCAT. Sure, I bought a verbal book so I can simulate the conditions of the exam, but I think that going to extremes of reading newspapers and other materials just as prep is not wise. Does anyone agree with me?? That's just my 2 cents.
Example MCAT questions based on the passage:
1. According to the author:
a) Preparation for the verbal section is largely unnecessary as the skills tested are developed in college
b) People should not read newspapers
c) Even utter geniuses in the verbal section need to buy a book
d) He knows better than everyone else and is going to breeze the section everyone else finds hardest
Analysis:
Answer (b) is a standard MCAT trick. it takes something from the passage "reading newspapers and other materials just as prep is not wise" and turns this into a more generalised statement "People should not read newspapers". Answer (b) is therefore wrong. Answer (c) is similar, except it goes beyond what the passage tells us - at no point does the author actually state he is a genius. We are therefore left with answers (a) and (d). Which one is correct depends on ones reading of the above passage and it may take several re-readings to decide which most accurately reflects the authors point of view.
So you see, as it is often interpretation or inference, rather than just re-statement of the passage MCAT verbal is a bit trickier than it seems....at least for most of us. Hope that helps explain it