Traditional speed reading techniques will probably not be very effective with MCAT verbal. The passages are designed in a way that for the reader to understand what it's talking about, the reading must be focused with a critical frame of mind. Speed reading will help you get the jist of a body of information, but much of the verbal section tests your ability to analyze and infer. However, practicing fast and *focused* reading will help immensely. If someone can read and understand a passage in around two-three minutes thus allowing more time for the actual questions, they will likely earn a pretty good score on VR. Despite what EK Verbal preaches, however, please do pay attention to the details in a passage - just don't let them break your rhythm.