For those who are struggling with how to prepare for the RC section, this is a method that has worked for me.
(1) Read and Outline at least one article per day. Articles should be around 1500 words or 14 paragraphs.
(2)Articles can cover anything from biology,anthropology, physiology, geology and anything in between - so the best way to find articles is to either go to your local library and ask for science periodicals. Pick periodicals from the fields listed above. Or I this site offers online articles. http://highwire.stanford.edu/lists/freeart.dtl
If the articles are more than 14 paragraphs only outline/ read 14 of them or about 1500 words.
Outlines should just include key words and as you read each paragraph note down the main point of the paragraph - Ask what is the purpose of this paragraph? How does it relate to the overall thesis or the article?
(3) Start timing yourself on each article- you want to get to a point where you can read/outline a 1500 word article in 8 to 10 mins.
(4) Once you can consistently read/outline an article in 8-10 mins start practicing with timed practice tests. Some free sources are: 2007 DAT, 2009 DAT, DAT boot camp ( you can upgrade for more practice tests). Also, I think some programs offer free sample tests and most DAT prep books have practice tests in them. You want to be spending about 20 mins per article- including answering the Qs.
Tips & Strategies
(1) Parenthetical information- is most likely to be tested bc many of us are taught to skip this info when skimming passages and the test-makers know this.
So when ever you see a parenthesis make note of it- ex. p5- ()
(2) Contrast keywords- according to numerous sources contrast questions are the most common question types.
So when you're skimming make note of words such as: but, however, unless, yet, despite, alternatively, although.... b/c they're likely to be tested.
(3) Emphasis keywords- these are very helpful in telling the author's tone b/c they're often subjective. Some examples include above all, most of all, most importantly, primarily... Also keep in mind that we are reading science articles and most authors will be neutral so emphasis words give you great clues on tone questions.
(4) Another trick is that main purpose questions appear toward the end of the questions set so if you're running out of time and you have 3 - 5 questions left and you get a question like : what is the main purpose of the passage....
Eliminate very specific answer choices. The right answer is often the least specific answer choice. You won't have time to go back and re-skim the whole passage again so use what you remember to eliminate wrong choices choose an answer, mark and move on b/c the next couple of q's may be really easy detail questions- for example definition questions that are given in parenthesis.
(5) On the topic of Marked questions: After you get done with a passage and you have a few mins in your 20 min per passage time- review the marked questions before you move on to the next article. This way you can keep the material fresh and you don't have to recall everything at the very end after reading 3 articles.
(6) When you are reading an online article and you follow along with the mouse - if you are right handed - practice using your left hand to control the mouse so you can keep your marker in your hand and note down words as you read.
Please let me know what other strategies I can include. I hope this is helpful for some of you.
(1) Read and Outline at least one article per day. Articles should be around 1500 words or 14 paragraphs.
(2)Articles can cover anything from biology,anthropology, physiology, geology and anything in between - so the best way to find articles is to either go to your local library and ask for science periodicals. Pick periodicals from the fields listed above. Or I this site offers online articles. http://highwire.stanford.edu/lists/freeart.dtl
If the articles are more than 14 paragraphs only outline/ read 14 of them or about 1500 words.
Outlines should just include key words and as you read each paragraph note down the main point of the paragraph - Ask what is the purpose of this paragraph? How does it relate to the overall thesis or the article?
(3) Start timing yourself on each article- you want to get to a point where you can read/outline a 1500 word article in 8 to 10 mins.
(4) Once you can consistently read/outline an article in 8-10 mins start practicing with timed practice tests. Some free sources are: 2007 DAT, 2009 DAT, DAT boot camp ( you can upgrade for more practice tests). Also, I think some programs offer free sample tests and most DAT prep books have practice tests in them. You want to be spending about 20 mins per article- including answering the Qs.
Tips & Strategies
(1) Parenthetical information- is most likely to be tested bc many of us are taught to skip this info when skimming passages and the test-makers know this.
So when ever you see a parenthesis make note of it- ex. p5- ()
(2) Contrast keywords- according to numerous sources contrast questions are the most common question types.
So when you're skimming make note of words such as: but, however, unless, yet, despite, alternatively, although.... b/c they're likely to be tested.
(3) Emphasis keywords- these are very helpful in telling the author's tone b/c they're often subjective. Some examples include above all, most of all, most importantly, primarily... Also keep in mind that we are reading science articles and most authors will be neutral so emphasis words give you great clues on tone questions.
(4) Another trick is that main purpose questions appear toward the end of the questions set so if you're running out of time and you have 3 - 5 questions left and you get a question like : what is the main purpose of the passage....
Eliminate very specific answer choices. The right answer is often the least specific answer choice. You won't have time to go back and re-skim the whole passage again so use what you remember to eliminate wrong choices choose an answer, mark and move on b/c the next couple of q's may be really easy detail questions- for example definition questions that are given in parenthesis.
(5) On the topic of Marked questions: After you get done with a passage and you have a few mins in your 20 min per passage time- review the marked questions before you move on to the next article. This way you can keep the material fresh and you don't have to recall everything at the very end after reading 3 articles.
(6) When you are reading an online article and you follow along with the mouse - if you are right handed - practice using your left hand to control the mouse so you can keep your marker in your hand and note down words as you read.
Please let me know what other strategies I can include. I hope this is helpful for some of you.
