RC tips and tricks

[Eri3]

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Out of all of the sections I think RC has the least amount of strategies out there. So these are few that I read somewhere: ( sry i don't remember the source- if you are a psych major you totally understand this).

(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 the source contrast questions are the most common in this section.
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.

I hope that helps some people. Also, additional tips and tricks are always welcomed.

 

[hope_to_match]

Out of all of the sections I think RC has the least amount of strategies out there. So these are few that I read somewhere: ( sry i don't remember the source- if you are a psych major you totally understand this).

(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 the source contrast questions are the most common in this section.
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.

I hope that helps some people. Also, additional tips and tricks are always welcomed.

thank you

 

[LazyP]

yep posted it twice no idea how (don't know how to delete it so I "edited" it lol

 

[LazyP]

I am taking a Kaplan class (found this forum a tad bit late after I paid the hefty amount so still getting my money's worth) and they have pretty good reading strategies. The ones you mentioned are definitely the ones they teach but they are more such as...

Continuation: and, moreover, also, etc...
Sequence: next, first of all, finally, etc...
Illustration: for example, according to, one instance, etc...
Evidence: because, indicate, etc...
Conclusion: therefore, hence, etc...

My general strategy is skimming the passage but writing down the topic of each paragraph (numbered) in a few words and any significant info. for example if the first paragraph just describes what a certain disease is, i will write down the "1. disease name/ cause". the second paragraph usually then would describe disease in a molecular view "2. chemistry" blah blah "3. unusual causes" blah blah "4. evidence of "unusual cause" blah blah u get the point but also make note of the author's view when it changes regarding a topic or overall (positive, negative, etc.)

Some might say it takes time, it does but saves time at the end when doing the questions. I am a slow reader because I want to understand what I am reading but with the DAT its all about time management and maximizing the correct answers. Skimming takes ~8-10 minutes with notes for each paragraph then I have 10 minutes to answer the questions. Since I know where to find the answer and which paragraph, it takes 30 seconds to answer the questions. thus 20 minutes per passage. However this works for me so far with me getting at least 40/50 right. I always miss the questions due to thinking too much about it but the authors know that thus they always have distractor answers (answers are always in the passage some require a BIT, not a lot, of deduction) From here its all about practice and reducing that time!

 

[Eri3]

Another thing 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.

For some reason the more I write the more tricks I'm recalling...
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.

 

[miathescientist]

Great tips! Thanks😀

 

[mostprecious]

My general strategy is skimming the passage but writing down the topic of each paragraph (numbered) in a few words and any significant info.

I do this too, but mentally. I read the paragraph, then re-read the topic sentence one more time before going on to the next paragraph. This way, I know what the paragraph is about and will not forget it. For me, this takes less time then writing numbers and words, then switching to look at notes and the screen back and forth. My eyes get tired that way! I like to just let my eyes fix on the screen only and do everything there.