My approach at the reading comprehension was that I read the
topic sentences of each paragragh first to "map-out" the passage sort-of-speak. The topic sentence informs you as to what that particular paragraph is about, and all of them together tell you the topic and scope of the passage. Once you know that, let the questions lead you to the passage. We are all human and we are generally [at least I am] overly careful. So, even when you mistakingly read the whole passage before you approach the questions you are going to feel inclined to go back a second time to find your answer once you know what the question is. You should trust your memory to an extent, but why not remember a few topic sentences rather that a whole friggin passage. Rest assured. you WILL go back to the passage to find an answer
just to make sure, even if your "memory" thinks it already knows the answer.
Here is what I did. For example--I would keep something of this sort in the back of my mind---
"paragragh one is on prevention," "paragragh two is on diagnosis", etc. Then, after quickly and carefully absorbing the topic sentences I carefully scanned the whole passage at warp speed looking for key scientific words along the way. That whole process takes only ~1-minute. Now all you have to remember are those topic sentences and possibly any key scientific words along the way--rather than the entire passage. Then I
systematically approached and answered each question. There will always be a "big" word(s) in the queston stem and topic sentence that should catch your attention and lead you the the respective passage. NOTE: "big" word is the stimulus that reminds you of either the topic sentence or the key scientific word you found and stored in your head while scanning the passage at warp speed. Drat has some good key words/phrases to pay attention to in the topic sentence, passage [look for them while you scan], and question stem. Here is Drat's list of "big" words/phrases:
1. primary and secondary syphillis
2. causes
3. congential parallels primary and secondary
4. danger to fetus
5. cong. syphillis development
6. crack
7. $$, early treatment
Like I said, this method gave be ~1min per question. It also only took ~1min to soak in the topic sentences and scan the passages for key words. Doesn't it make total since? If you read the whole passage you will give yourself minimal time with minimal accuracy to do the un-planned inevitable--and that's to go back and inefficiently look for the answer. With the method Drat and I have recommended, you will give yourself ample time with maximum accuracy to do what you have already practiced/planned for because you will have practiced your approach over and over again.
As you see there is a big difference in the potential for success by using the bad way versus the smart way of approaching the reading comprehension section.
I personally believe reading the whole passage is a big mistake, unless you're are an extremely fast reader. It was imperitive for me to be
scientific with the passage. As applicants to dental schools we are all scientists in our own way. Search for
key words in the question stem and focus on that word while carefully scanning the passage for it. It worked for me---however use what you find works best for you. Also, I imagine you are more tuned to reading texts on a computer screen than in books. Taking the DAT on the computer was a big help. I sat up-right the whole time, and I could scroll up and down with ease.
The bottom line, if you have had trouble with a particular strategy before, do not use it again. Buy
Top Score Pro from
www.scholarware.com, the
Kaplan big blue book, or take the
Kaplan free online exam.
Practice on the computer--- Go to it!
The only method I recommend not doing from Drat's list is writing the words/phrases down on paper. This will take a lot of time and energy. Studies have shown that we remember small words, phrases, blocks of words/phrases better than large groups of things--of course. Look at phone numbers, account numbers, SS#'s, people's passwords--all arranged in an easy to remember way. If you try Drat's way [minus writing the words/phrases down on paper] and my way you will be very surprised at the amount of easy-to-remember key words/phrases you will have stored in your brain come to time look for the answers.
I only recommend against Drat's writing the words/phrases down on paper just because I am trying to encourage time-effeciency. The reading comprehension section is physically and mentally draining [and you will be physically and mentally drained before you get to the reading comprehension section anyway], so do as little physical activity during this section [like writing on paper] as possible. The reading comprehension section IS a marathon. If you read the WHOLE passage from beginning to end or write stuff on paper so that now you have two points of focus, it's more like a biathalon. Which would you rather do?
Best of luck to you!
-Richard
