Verbal Reasoning improvement

[krogers21]

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Hello,

I'm in need of some help for verbal reasoning. I'm averaging around a 9-10 on VR and I'm hoping to reach a 12-13. I am planning to write 8/16 but I'm contemplating pushing back to any of the September dates. Anyone know how I can increase my VR 2-4 points within this timeframe? I've been using EK 101 and it's helped me some. I average missing 2 questions per passage (in fact, i missed 2 on every passage but 2 where I missed 1 and 3). My biggest problem seems to be passages that relate to verbose passages . They seem extremely esoteric to me and cause me to have difficulties retaining information in the passage. For example, Passage 7 in Test 2 of EK 101 goes into music appreciation and speaks of medieval music where the science behind the music is not well understood and then compares this to serial music that is, in itself, esoteric to uneducated listeners. After reading the explanations, the puzzle pieces come together; however, I find it difficult in focusing on the dry material.

 

[sakabato93]

Hello,

I'm in need of some help for verbal reasoning. I'm averaging around a 9-10 on VR and I'm hoping to reach a 12-13. I am planning to write 8/16 but I'm contemplating pushing back to any of the September dates. Anyone know how I can increase my VR 2-4 points within this timeframe? I've been using EK 101 and it's helped me some. I average missing 2 questions per passage (in fact, i missed 2 on every passage but 2 where I missed 1 and 3). My biggest problem seems to be passages that relate to verbose passages . They seem extremely esoteric to me and cause me to have difficulties retaining information in the passage. For example, Passage 7 in Test 2 of EK 101 goes into music appreciation and speaks of medieval music where the science behind the music is not well understood and then compares this to serial music that is, in itself, esoteric to uneducated listeners. After reading the explanations, the puzzle pieces come together; however, I find it difficult in focusing on the dry material.

Check out the EK lecture book for Verbal. They have great tips for increasing verbal score without any "plans" or "tricks" that TPR and Kaplan and other companies teach. Its only like 4 lessons, and they teach you how to tackle passages in a very relaxed way. They even teach you how to answer some questions without even reading the passage!

 

[mnn16]

Hi,

I'm new to SDN, and I am currently studying for the mcat. I took this exam last year, and I need to improve. I am an ESL. Currently, my verbal score is at an 8, and I would like to increase my score to a 10. I am not a fast reader, and so far, the best strategy I have found for verbal is the EK strategy. I have been reading the SDN forums this summer, and I have seen that many people recommend reading challenging articles from New York Times or the Economist. How helpful is this? And what are other ways to improve verbal over a 5 month period?

I also am weak in physics. I read Kaplan physics and did the 1001 EK questions. This was helpful and increased my understanding of physics some. However, this is still my weakest subject. What are the best physics content books/strategies to improve in physics (to the point that I could explain the concepts to someone else)? My current PS score is at a 7, and I would like to improve it to a 10. I do well in chemistry mostly, but physics is what is bringing my score down.

Thank you for your responses! 🙂

P.S. I am trying to improve, so I would like advice that is honest. I am here for constructive criticism not rude comments, and I am coming here because I have seen how helpful the advice from the SDN members can be.

 

[jw1985]

I think what helped me a lot was the BR Physics. Their set seems to go more in depth with the material than EK. EK is brief and I feel like it is more fitting for individuals who already have a strong grasp of the information but just need a refresher.

BR was more of a re-learning experience me. Hope this helps, best of luck.

 

[mnn16]

I think what helped me a lot was the BR Physics. Their set seems to go more in depth with the material than EK. EK is brief and I feel like it is more fitting for individuals who already have a strong grasp of the information but just need a refresher.

BR was more of a re-learning experience me. Hope this helps, best of luck.

Thanks! I was trying to decide between EK content or BR content for physics!

 

[Gauss44]

Hello,

I'm in need of some help for verbal reasoning. I'm averaging around a 9-10 on VR and I'm hoping to reach a 12-13. I am planning to write 8/16 but I'm contemplating pushing back to any of the September dates. Anyone know how I can increase my VR 2-4 points within this timeframe? I've been using EK 101 and it's helped me some. I average missing 2 questions per passage (in fact, i missed 2 on every passage but 2 where I missed 1 and 3). My biggest problem seems to be passages that relate to verbose passages . They seem extremely esoteric to me and cause me to have difficulties retaining information in the passage. For example, Passage 7 in Test 2 of EK 101 goes into music appreciation and speaks of medieval music where the science behind the music is not well understood and then compares this to serial music that is, in itself, esoteric to uneducated listeners. After reading the explanations, the puzzle pieces come together; however, I find it difficult in focusing on the dry material.

Your very best bet is to find a tutor who is good at what you lack. This is because s/he can observe you directly, diagnose your problem, and make sure that you are on the right track.

Going off of your general description, my best guess is that you need to pay more attention to the author's point and less attention to confusing details. If I were mentally mapping a passage like the one described, I would make note that medieval music has something in common with serial music. I wouldn't bother deciphering what, unless it was asked. I would also practice reading those kinds of articles. They probably appear in journals for professional musicians. A music professor could probably point you to some.