Verbal Reasoning nonsense

[Uafl112]

I find it really intriguing that some people are just naturally good at verbal reasoning , some people are bad but they quickly pick up the techniqes and show linear progress, and some people are just stuck (like myself). What is it that makes it easy for some and not others? I know some people who never read a whole lot as kids but they are naturally gifted enough to get 11s on the section with no sweat. I always felt like I was a smart guy. The only time I ever felt the section was easy was when I honestly gave up on it. I did another passage expecting to fail it and I got them all right. I thought it was a fluke and kept doing them until I failed, but kept getting them all right. I kept this up for three Days until I finally thought I had made it click. Then it went right back down the drain. Now I can't seem to get back there.THEY ARE JUST WORDS CONVEYING AN IDEA!!! WHY CAN'T I GET IT!?!

Rant over. How is everyone else feeling on verbal? Words of encouragement perhaps?

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[ciestar]

I started out relative high with verbal with zero practice. I just started noticing trends and whatnot with answers, and the reasoning behind them. I also learned how to analyze a passage better. Started reading the questions first too, which helped a lot. (not sure why I NEVER did this before..)

 

[medic86]

I started out relative high with verbal with zero practice. I just started noticing trends and whatnot with answers, and the reasoning behind them. I also learned how to analyze a passage better. Started reading the questions first too, which helped a lot. (not sure why I NEVER did this before..)

If you don't mind I ask: what did your VR start at originally?

 

[Litth]

It is going to sound cliche but it takes practice. Verbal is not like a formula where you can memorize and apply it to different questions, which is what is taught in many premed classes. Just trust the process and stay consistent with your practice.

Good luck.

 

[CherryRedDracul]

It is going to sound cliche but it takes practice. Verbal is not like a formula where you can memorize and apply it to different questions, which is what is thought in many premed classes. Just trust the process and stay consistent with your practice.

Good luck.

This. Plus, OP, I think you caught onto something when you "gave up on it". One of the biggest problems I had with the verbal reasoning sections was that I would overthink each question and, through specious reasoning, pick the wrong answer. Once I got rid of the overthinking problem, I did a lot better, and scored an 11 for VR when it mattered the most.

Also, if you haven't checked out yet, ExamKrackers for VR is golden (IMO).

 

[Litth]

^
Yeah EK is golden. TPR had some good verbal practice as well. But make sure to use them efficiently and not finish it way ahead of time.

 

[Uafl112]

Thanks guys, I appreciate it. This was just like a 2 am crisis rant thing that I needed to get off my chest before sleeping. Thanks for the tips

 

[ciestar]

If you don't mind I ask: what did your VR start at originally?

Around an 8/9. Which is great for me, as I usually come up way short for VR on standardized tests.

 

[lpp06]

If you want more verbal tips:

Just like it was said above, don't hyper-analyze questions and answers, especially on science based passages. On those, because you're taking a test that makes you focus so hard on studying hard science, you are so tempted to overthink and integrate outside knowledge. In reality, the science passages and questions are designed to be read and answered by individuals with an extremely basic understanding of sciences.

Make sure all of your answers agree with the passage. I'd take a second after finishing all the questions to read my answers in succession and made sure that, as a whole, my answers presented the same ideas as the passage.

Read the questions first.

I always liked to scroll and see the author, year, publication of every passage. This helped me place each passage in better context.

Read with intent, don't scrutinize everyword, but actively realize what the author is saying and why. If you have to take a second to stop and think about this, by all means go ahead.