VR how do you remember ideas?

[pezzang]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I am having trouble remembering main point of each paragraph. I feel like my short-term memory is in trouble or I am doing something wrong. I skim the passage (~3min) and go on to problems. I get the big picture but when I try to answer questions, I can't seem to remember main point of each passage that makes up the big picture. Anybody had this kind of problem with verbal or any ideas what I should do? Wow, VR is frustrating....🙁

 

[ikester04]

I am having trouble remembering main point of each paragraph. I feel like my short-term memory is in trouble or I am doing something wrong. I skim the passage (~3min) and go on to problems. I get the big picture but when I try to answer questions, I can't seem to remember main point of each passage that makes up the big picture. Anybody had this kind of problem with verbal or any ideas what I should do? Wow, VR is frustrating....🙁

I agree VR is VERY frustrating. I've done everything i can for this section but still not doing so well. Today im trying my last strategy and hope it will help me a bit. I have my test on the 9th. I have a similar problem too with retaining the info in each paragraph so I try to pinpoint the authors views in each paragraph. Most of the questions are going to be based on what the author thinks or doesnt think. Or what most likely weakens or strengthens his/her statement. So for each paragraph, read with the intent of identifying the authors views...if its positive, mark a positive for that paragraph, if negative or refuting or arguing against something, mark negative. So at the end you will know what paragraphs the author agrees with something or disagrees. Its not always going to be like this for all the passages however. But try your best to pinpoint what the authors views are. Another thing that helps me, especially with trying to read the passage quickly(and sometimes thoroughly in minimal time) is narrowing the passage width. If you're practicing with a book, this is impossible but if you're using Kaplan online resources you can. On the computerized test you can widen or narrow the width of the passages. So what I do(just started doing) is narrowing the passages; this enables my eyes to move faster down the paragraghs than reading a loong line. And you'll find yourself reading it within 3-4 minutes depending on the length of the passage and how fast you read. Im definetly not a fast reader but this helps me read faster. I hope doing this can help you out a bit and also keep you focused on what the author is saying in each paragraph. While reading try not to look at the time because it may cause you to lose your attention and add more pressure. I tried this approach today and had 7 minutes left for the last passage which usually never happens. So i hope it works for you too. Good luck.

 

[pezzang]

I agree VR is VERY frustrating. I've done everything i can for this section but still not doing so well. Today im trying my last strategy and hope it will help me a bit. I have my test on the 9th. I have a similar problem too with retaining the info in each paragraph so I try to pinpoint the authors views in each paragraph. Most of the questions are going to be based on what the author thinks or doesnt think. Or what most likely weakens or strengthens his/her statement. So for each paragraph, read with the intent of identifying the authors views...if its positive, mark a positive for that paragraph, if negative or refuting or arguing against something, mark negative. So at the end you will know what paragraphs the author agrees with something or disagrees. Its not always going to be like this for all the passages however. But try your best to pinpoint what the authors views are. Another thing that helps me, especially with trying to read the passage quickly(and sometimes thoroughly in minimal time) is narrowing the passage width. If you're practicing with a book, this is impossible but if you're using Kaplan online resources you can. On the computerized test you can widen or narrow the width of the passages. So what I do(just started doing) is narrowing the passages; this enables my eyes to move faster down the paragraghs than reading a loong line. And you'll find yourself reading it within 3-4 minutes depending on the length of the passage and how fast you read. Im definetly not a fast reader but this helps me read faster. I hope doing this can help you out a bit and also keep you focused on what the author is saying in each paragraph. While reading try not to look at the time because it may cause you to lose your attention and add more pressure. I tried this approach today and had 7 minutes left for the last passage which usually never happens. So i hope it works for you too. Good luck.

Wow, thank you for yrou help., good luck with you! Do you know if we can adjust the vertical line separating VR passage and questions?

I constantly find myself getting wrong on answering questions off the "main idea" that seem to have more then one answer choice that resembles the main idea. How do you choose between the two?

 

[Zoom-Zoom]

Wow, thank you for yrou help., good luck with you! Do you know if we can adjust the vertical line separating VR passage and questions?

I constantly find myself getting wrong on answering questions off the "main idea" that seem to have more then one answer choice that resembles the main idea. How do you choose between the two?

I hate main idea questions. When your reading, try to relax and ask yourself, "why is this guy writing? What is his motivation?" If you need to go back to the passage focus on the first and last paragraph. Look for a thesis in the beginning and a conclusion at the end. The hardest main idea questions force you to pick between an idea the author presented in the beginning and one he presented in the last sentence of the passage. Does the conclusion offer evidence to support the thesis, or were the first paragraphs merely a segue to the conclusion? You want to look for the broader, more encompassing answer. Some passages have many main points but all of them will be in support of one central idea- that's what you're looking for.

I agree about making the passages narrower. This is actually an old speed-reading technique- because it keeps more of the text in your peripheral vision. Can anyone verify that you can modify the column width on the actual MCAT?