More Bootcamp RC trouble

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teenteen

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So I posted a thread on this about three weeks ago and I just haven't been improving despite following all the advice that I was given. My test is in 27 days and I can't bring my RC score up. On bootcamp I just have not been able to have a consistent trend of scores. I go from less than 15 to 19 then to 17, 18 then back to less than 15 and I have been scoring ok on CDR (more consistent scores around 18,19). And I am not a slow reader. I manage to read the entire passage in a little less than 10 minutes, take notes on every paragraph and actually understand it. Even after I read each paragraph I kinda quickly sum it up in my head then move on to the next one but when it comes to the questions I just don't understand what the question is asking of me. so I spend so much time trying to figure out what the right answer is but of course end up choosing the wrong one. I want to avoid search and destroy as much as possible b/c that just gives me more anxiety. Do you have any advice given the amount of time I have left? Thanks in advance 🙂
 
When i was doing BC, i had a similar method where I would read a 3 questions, then read a couple of paragraphs, map, answer questions, repeat. This method worked well for me, I got 18-21 on avg on BC. That being said, on the actual DAT, I kind of changed my method to 50% search and destroy and 50% my method. Sometimes there were times where I didn't need to read a couple of paragraphs because there were no questions relating to them and that can save some time. Compared to BC, the DAT reading questions were more straightforward in my opinion.

If i were you, i would read some of the questions before I read the passage so you know what you are looking for. And once you answer a question, click next and go back to reading. It worked for me but it might not for you but it doesn't hurt to try!
 
When i was doing BC, i had a similar method where I would read a 3 questions, then read a couple of paragraphs, map, answer questions, repeat. This method worked well for me, I got 18-21 on avg on BC. That being said, on the actual DAT, I kind of changed my method to 50% search and destroy and 50% my method. Sometimes there were times where I didn't need to read a couple of paragraphs because there were no questions relating to them and that can save some time. Compared to BC, the DAT reading questions were more straightforward in my opinion.

If i were you, i would read some of the questions before I read the passage so you know what you are looking for. And once you answer a question, click next and go back to reading. It worked for me but it might not for you but it doesn't hurt to try!

I gotta agree with ^. Althought BC is good in the other sections, BC reading is not really representative of what you'll see on the real DAT from what I have heard, so don't panic. I would suggest trying different methods if your current technique does not working for you. Perhaps, read the passage 2 paragraphs at a time and try answering as many questions as you can, then continue reading the next 2 paragraphs.

And have you tried the 2009 DAT? If so, how did you do on that?
 
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You definitely aren't understanding the passages if you are still getting 15's... Reading fast is not always a good thing imo. I would recommend giving each article 20 minutes. Break up that time to really read the passage and take key notes (key words you think might show up). Don't just write down every fact you think will pop up that is a waste of time and not effective. If you are stuck on a question for more than 1 minute guess, mark it and come back if you have time.

If the mapping method isn't working for you just switch to search and destroy. I did this half way through my study plan and it is so much easier. You save time and energy since you don't even have to actually read you just skim the passage to see a keyword and read that part.


Do not worry so much. You have 27 days that is plenty of time to improve to get at least a 18 on the real DAT.
 
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