Reading Comp....

[ggi7]

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I am trying to improve on RC. Currently I am using the Kaplan method of writing down key words in each paragraph of the passage. Curious, do any of you use the same method? Had success with it? What other techniques are you using?

 

[fldnstrm]

Yeah I had great success using the Kaplan method. I did however limit the keywords I wrote down. I would also answer as many questions as I went through mapping the passage.

 

[de de es]

I am trying to improve on RC. Currently I am using the Kaplan method of writing down key words in each paragraph of the passage. Curious, do any of you use the same method? Had success with it? What other techniques are you using?

can you explain the Kaplan method..
i have the latest Kaplan book and it didnt say anything about this...

 

[nze82]

can you explain the Kaplan method..
i have the latest Kaplan book and it didnt say anything about this...

In this method you read through the paragraphs and write down the key words, key figures and stats, and anything that you feel is important. When you're done reading the entire passage, you refer to your notes to locate the proper paragraph that contains the answer to a particular question.
This method simply didn't work for me the first time (RC 18). I think it's extremely time consuming, because you're wasting time writing down stuff that may not provide you with the answer to any of the questions.
I personally prefer Seek and Destroy (search the forum for more details on this), and my RC scores improved dramatically during my 2nd DAT (RC 23).

 

[razblo]

In this method you read through the paragraphs and write down the key words, key figures and stats, and anything that you feel is important. When you're done reading the entire passage, you refer to your notes to locate the proper paragraph that contains the answer to a particular question.
This method simply didn't work for me the first time (RC 18). I think it's extremely time consuming, because you're wasting time writing down stuff that may not provide you with the answer to any of the questions.
I personally prefer Seek and Destroy (search the forum for more details on this), and my RC scores improved dramatically during my 2nd DAT (RC 23).

Do you think S&D will work for any RC passages?

 

[nze82]

Do you think S&D will work for any RC passages?

It worked for all my practice exams and my DAT. Some people say it doesn't work on the Piano passage, but I haven't seen that passage, so I can't comment on it.
However, if you manage to become an efficient reader using this method, then I don't see why it could work for some passages and not the others.

 

[cowboy17]

,

 

[mashimlro]

I used the kaplan method the first two times...16 (frap) then 17 (piano) so obviously it didn't work for me. The 3rd time I used search and destroy and got a 22.

Did you get frap or piano pssg in the 3rd one?! If not, I guess you got the better score because ur not frapped or pianoed-

Kaplan just seemed like a waste of time to me, but if it works for you then do it!

However, if yes ur frapped or pianoed in the 3rd again, I agree w/ ya (using S&D method)-

 

[parry]

I gave up on the Kaplan method as well. It just took too much time and never helped my scores. I like to read through the passage once and then go straight to the questions.

 

[cowboy17]

,

 

[ggi7]

Thanks for the input everyone!!! So, it seems everyone is in agreement with S&D. Now, I will do a practice passage tonight or tomorrow morning using S&D only. So correct me if I'm wrong, but skim EACH paragraph (without writing anything down), and THEN go to the questions....correct???

 

[nze82]

Thanks for the input everyone!!! So, it seems everyone is in agreement with S&D. Now, I will do a practice passage tonight or tomorrow morning using S&D only. So correct me if I'm wrong, but skim EACH paragraph (without writing anything down), and THEN go to the questions....correct???

Wrong!
Read the first question, then start reading through the text until you find the answer. Mark the correct answer, and move on to the next question. Repeat this process for every single question.
If you come across "tone" questions, mark them. You should come back to these questions after you're done reading the entire passage, because it's only then when you have a clear understanding of what the passage is about and what's its tone.
Don't expect your scores to jump to 20+ over night. This method requires lots of practice and the most important factor to succeed using this method is to keep calm, even when you've read through 3-4 paragraphs and you still haven't found the answer to the first question. Continue reading at the same paste until you find the answer.

 

[sugarsting]

I personally prefer Seek and Destroy

Agree. The Kaplan method is way too time-consuming and error prone. If you miss a key key word you are screwed.

The method I used was a little different from nze82's. My method was to read the question (mark and skip tone questions til the end) and skim the passage for key words mentioned in the question/answer and read that paragraph. This method Search and Destroy allows you to read the passage out of order while answering questions to maximize time. I think the level of success depends on how good your eyes are at spotting key words from the question/answer within the passage and how good you are at analyzing context (to be able to understand the tone aspects of the passage having read the passage out of order).

 

[de de es]

ok i dont get how this search and destroy stuff works

i just tried it and did poorly.. the questions are NOT asked in the order that they appear in the passage.. so how does it help to read the question.. read the passage.. answer.. read the next question.. read the passage.. answer.. etc ?

😎

 

[sugarsting]

ok i dont get how this search and destroy stuff works

i just tried it and did poorly.. the questions are NOT asked in the order that they appear in the passage.. so how does it help to read the question.. read the passage.. answer.. read the next question.. read the passage.. answer.. etc ?

😎

Read the question and SKIM the passage for the key words. Don't READ the passage. When you find the paragraph about your question, read that paragraph. You read the passage out of order. Save the tone questions for last.

 

[dentene ice]

Do you guys remember on average how many paragraphs exist on the real DAT? Is it comparative in length and difficulty to the practice DAT passage, "Ionizing Radiation:Risk and Benefit"

 

[Sasha324]

This was my strategy for actual DAT: read first 3 questions, then start S&D for whichever question you find first, mark the other ones for review. Don't panick if you don't find the answer for the first questions when you're already on your fourth - believe me, once you get to the last questions you will surely come across the answer for that question because you have been skimming so many times already. Read Comp Score: 22

 

[ggi7]

So....just took a RC practice test utilizing the S&D approach (instead of writing key words, dates, etc.) and liked it much better. For my first time, I scored 37/50. Does anyone have an idea of what that score would be???

 

[nze82]

So....just took a RC practice test utilizing the S&D approach (instead of writing key words, dates, etc.) and liked it much better. For my first time, I scored 37/50. Does anyone have an idea of what that score would be???

I'm guessing 19+ (Not sure though). Nevertheless, the important part is that you feel more comfortable with this method than the other one!

 

[imthebluffmaste]

Hey i just wanted to ask for some tips regarding the reading comprehension section.

Most sources ive referred to are a split been the "search and destroy method"----searching for answers w/o reading passage or after skimming the passage and jotting down notes Or Reading and then answering

Im not a fast reader and i have trouble answering questions without having some general concept of the passage. I want to score a 20+ on this section so was wondering if anybody could give any tips on a APPROACH to practice....and also a good practice test source for the reading section---achiever perhaps?

 

[whawha]

Which practice test is this from?

Do you guys remember on average how many paragraphs exist on the real DAT? Is it comparative in length and difficulty to the practice DAT passage, "Ionizing Radiation:Risk and Benefit"

 

[titoextk9]

Which practice test is this from?

This is from the Practice test on the ADA website. It is listed as Sample test items on the right hand side. It was from a DAT that was given in 2000 so its pretty old.