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Some people might find it difficult to ace the reading comprehension part of the GMAT. However, if you have the right strategies and prepare well enough, you will be able to do just that.
This guide will provide tested methods and tips that can help you pass the reading comprehension section of GMAT.
GMAT Reading Comprehension Section Overview
The reading comprehension section in GMAT is designed to gauge how well test takers read material, understand it and analyze it. It involves reading passages with different lengths and levels of difficulty followed by multiple choice questions. Passages can be in any academic field and may be taken from sources such as newspapers, magazines, journals or books among others including online materials.
There are three parts of the GMAT reading comprehension section namely;
- The Passage
- The Questions
- The Answer Choices
The passage is the most important component of the reading comprehension section as it gives candidates information they need to answer questions correctly. Usually there are multiple-choice questions after a passage meant to check whether one can infer or interpret what he or she has read.
For instance, questions in this part are meant to evaluate candidates’ ability to determine main ideas of a text as well as interpreting presented information which could be asked around the author's opinion about something. Why does he write this way? What does X mean here?
Finally but not least important are provided answers where by considering understanding towards both questions itself together with context given within passage should enable one choose the right option among provided alternatives.
Also Read: GMAT Self-study Plan
Tips for Acing GMAT Reading Comprehension Section
Scoring high marks on GMAT reading comprehension tests can pose various challenges but these hints may make process easier:
1. Carefully read entire passage
When trying to ace GMAT reading comprehensions, always ensure that you go through all sections carefully before attempting any question. Although this might appear time consuming because some answers lie within texts only becoming clear after taking some time to digest everything.
Besides, having a full understanding of passage may facilitate identification hints that were not obvious at first.
2. Simplify complex sentences & paragraphs
GMAT test makers like using complex sentence structures and formal language in their passages which often make them difficult for even native speakers of English to understand easily. So it is important to slow down and break such sentences into smaller parts so as to get their meanings right.
For example if there’s one long sentence try dividing it into clauses then concentrate on each clause separately before answering any question about that paragraph.
Also read: GMAT preparation
3. Pick out keywords
Before starting on any passage, take a moment to skim and pick out key words that jump out at you—these will indicate what the passage is all about. Be sure to pay close attention to verbs; they often tell you what to look for as you read through. After you’ve found them, jot them down so you can refer back to them later while navigating the passage.
4. Understand vocabulary
Approach every passage with an understanding of any unfamiliar words, phrases, or sentence structures that might come up. Take note of new vocabulary words as they arise so that you can look back on them. Also, consider looking at how these words are used in context within the rest of the text—they may become clearer to you then.
5. Determine the tone
Also try and figure out what kind of attitude/feeling this author has towards their subject matter; it may give a hint as to why he wrote this particular piece or even help pinpoint its main idea/theme while reading through other parts for further support(s).
Whether positive/negative/neutral – knowing whether someone likes something (or not) helps narrow down answer choices quickly and select one that best reflects overall sentiment expressed throughout passages themselves.
Also read: GMAT exam syllabus
6. Look over questions first
Once done with initial run-throughs of texts themselves — go straight ahead into questions section without delay! This will enable getting general sense what each item type requires from test taker’s perspective; thus guiding which areas need closer attention during actual reading phase itself.
You should be able “read with a purpose” since now having some basic ideas about what needs answer in order for question(s) turn out right.
7. Use process of elimination
The GMAT reading comprehension section presents four possible answers for each question asked. When doing problem solving work involved in answering these types items using process elimination (POE) proves quite effective strategy narrowing down options available until only one is left.
Look for wrong choices that are obviously unrelated to passage contents or directly contradict what was stated therein – cross them off immediately! Now it becomes easier figuring out which option has got to be right as we have less number of possibilities remaining.
Also read: GMAT verbal reasoning
8. Answer in order
As much as possible, try to answer questions following same sequence they appear on paper. This avoids unnecessary back-and-forth movement between items thereby saving time and reducing confusion levels among readers themselves; also makes use of information contained within previous queries serve as hints for those coming after.
9. Watch your time
Usually GMAT reading comprehension section takes longest period during examination process with limited duration per item given. Therefore, you should take note of this fact and ensure not spending too much time on any one question such that doing so might cause you miss answering others altogether within allocated timeframe. If stuck at some point move forward then return later if still there’s chance before test ends; otherwise make sure more than enough queries are covered before deadline elapses.
Also read: GMAT exam pattern
10. Practice reading questions response
With regard to the GMAT reading comprehension part, practice is key. You need to be familiar with different kinds of passage styles and how to answer the most common types of questions if you want to do well in this section.
Furthermore, it would be helpful for you to read through example passages and try answering them under timed conditions as this will enable you adjust yourself into answering GMAT reading comprehension questions fast and accurately.
These are just a few tips that can help you get through the GMAT reading comprehension section successfully. With practice and preparation, anyone can excel in this area and achieve the scores they need for admission into their dream schools.
Strategizing, practicing, and having knowledge about the test are some of the things one needs in order to ace the GMAT reading comprehension section. A good understanding of reading fundamentals may give you confidence when tackling GMAT’s reading comprehension part.
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