Studying for Verbal

[pbehzad]

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I know that doing verbal passages is the best way to prepare for the verbal section, but I was wondering what other studying methods did everyone do to prepare the verbal sec.? Does reading newspapers like NY Times and Washington Post help, and books over politics? Thanks.

 

[surfdevl02]

No, don't read the paper...do the Princeton review passages, they're more like the real thing. The kaplan passages are too short and aren't hard enough.

 

[vinoyp]

Hi,

I read various sections of the New York Times everyday for a month and a half. Articles from the front page, the arts section, the science section, the editorial, and the book reviews. I spent like 30-45 minutes every morning doing this. In addition, I did Princeton Review practice passages and questions every day. My score on the VR went from mid single digits to a 12 in a month and a half's time.

This is just the strategy that worked for me, but I think reading the New York Times or some other paper or opinion magazine (with a moderate to difficult reading level -- NOT cnn.com or something like that) at least gives you some practice on topics with which you may not be very familiar. Later on in the day,while in the car or waiting in line at the bank, test yourself on recollection of details in and on your comprehension of the articles you read.

I agree with surdevl02 that the Kaplan passages aren't that helpful.

Hope this helps,

--Vinoy

 

[HessExpress]

I have just been picking up books that correlate with my major...you may not experience the direct results from practicing verbal passages by gaining experience, but books may generally improve your verbal skills.

 

[powermd]

Since MCAT verbal passages are usually pulled from academic essays, I picked up a copy of the Norton Reader (collection of essays). Over a few weeks you can really improve your reading skills if you try focusing on what they typically ask about in verbal questions. Scored a 12 (up from a 9 previously!). That was about four years ago... I'm a fourth year med student now.

 

[zambuca]

Everyone has a different way fo studying for the verbal section.. it just depends on you and what way will work for you. For me, my problem the first time I took it was that I didn't have enough time to complete all my passages, so I would have like one and a halg passages blank that I randomly filled out. So what I did for the second time I retook it was I read The Times and other magazines and newspaper artciles *(it will also help you on the writing section too), but I did that just to increase my reading time, and try to concentrate at the same time.. next time I took it (a year later) I scored three points higher on verbal. But I also did alot of passages everyday.. like 10 passages a day for 6 weeks, and my time always improved.