How to Solve Reading Comprehensions (RC) on GRE

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Reading comprehension questions form the lion’s share of the GRE Verbal section, so their due coverage must be an important part of a trustworthy GRE prep course. A common misconception is that reading skills cannot be developed within the limited preparation span for the GRE, but this is not true. Through a methodical approach, the skill required to solve reading comprehension questions with high accuracy and speed can be developed in a limited span.

Another common misconception is that there is not much to prepare for reading comprehension questions. While there is limited theory to study, the preparation itself is substantial. It includes adopting an efficient and methodical approach, becoming well-versed with repeatedly asked reading comprehension question types, and building reflexes for applying the methodology through rigorous practice. A crucial part of this process is analyzing all incorrect attempts and slow attempts, since most learning comes from them. Every incorrect question requires reflection on what led to the incorrect choice and what caused the correct choice to be eliminated.

The objective is to develop an efficient, methodical approach for solving reading comprehension questions, and on this page, we help you do just that. The following video and the theory that follows present the Mind Map Approach (MMA) devised by Experts’ Global, which has helped tens of thousands of students worldwide since 2008. The video explains the approach step by step and then applies it to GRE-style problems. Please take adequate time to understand this approach and integrate it into your reading comprehension practice across GRE drills, GRE sectional tests, and GRE mock tests. With regular practice over a few days, this approach settles into your reflexes and helps you handle reading comprehension questions in an organized and efficient manner, leading to higher accuracy and speed, and forming a strong foundation for success on GRE reading comprehension and the GRE overall.

The Mind-Map Approach for Solving all GRE Reading Comprehension Questions

The video lesson at the start of this page explains the methodology diligently and watching the video carefully is strongly recommended.

The mind map approach (MMA) for attempting all GRE RCs

Start by skimming the first byte of the passage to capture the core idea quickly. A byte represents a logical unit of text that you process in one look. Focus on the main idea of that byte and ask yourself what the byte does. Keep the answer short and simple, without adding how, why, when, or where details. The passage always remains available, so move on confidently to the next byte and skim it with the same goal. Ask again what this new byte does and link it to what the previous byte does. Continue this process for each byte in the passage. Read the question only after you build a complete byte level understanding, then apply a grid approach to eliminate incorrect answer choices efficiently.

Summary of Mind-Map Approach for Solving GRE RCs | Download this Slide

Summary: Mind Map Approach (MMA) for attempting all GRE RCs

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How the Mind-Map Approach Works for all GRE RC Questions

How does MMA help in all GRE RC questions?

Reading Comprehension questions fall into three broad categories based on how they use information from the passage. Structure-based questions focus on the organization of the passage, such as the flow of information and the role of different sections. Fact-based questions focus on specific, explicit information stated directly in the passage. Inference-based questions deal with information that is implied in the passage, even if it is not directly stated.

The Mind Map Approach works well for all three types. The approach helps you answer the structure-based questions directly, based on your mind-map and guides you back to the relevant part of the passage for fact-based and inference-based questions. This method promotes accurate navigation of the passage and precise use of information, helping you answer questions with clarity, ease, and pace.