In a monumental shift, the GRE has said goodbye to the long and often cumbersome passages, giving you the opportunity to navigate through 3-4 shorter passages in each verbal section during your test-taking journey. This change means each passage will be under 150 words and accompanied by 1 to 3 questions.
Let’s delve deeper into how this transition can benefit you and the strategies you can employ to excel.
Understanding the New GRE Passages Dynamics
- Verbal Section 1 & 2: You will encounter 3-4 passages in each.
- Question Count: Each passage comes with 1-3 questions for you to answer.
- Passage Length: Rest assured, no passage will exceed 200 words.
With this change, you can anticipate easier time management and a more focused test-taking experience. This means a more inclusive setup that favors even the slow readers, giving you the chance to thoroughly comprehend the passages in a limited time span.
Now let’s talk about all of the tips, tricks and techniques to solve shorter GRE passages.
In this Article
Tip 1. Commit 90 Seconds to Reading
Whether you are a slow reader, a non-native English speaker, or simply someone who wishes to enhance their performance in the GRE short passages section, the 90-second rule is your golden ticket. Here’s why and how you can effectively use this strategy:
Why 90 Seconds?
Short passages in GRE are designed to be succinct, meaning every word is there for a reason — there is no fluff. Consequently, giving yourself a tight 90-second window forces you to engage actively and attentively with every part of the text, ensuring that you absorb the necessary details without getting caught up in over-analysis.
The Deliberate Reading Strategy
Reading deliberately involves more than just visually scanning the words; it means immersively engaging with the text, where you grasp the nuances, the underlying tones, and the semantic structures at play. During your 90 seconds of reading, try to dissect the essential details from each sentence, building a comprehensive understanding of the text as you proceed.
Focus on Every Single Word
Given that every word in these passages carries weight, you need to approach them with a meticulous lens. While reading, make it a point to understand each term and its implication in the context of the sentence. This strategy will not only help you get the main idea but will equip you with a detailed understanding to tackle questions that delve deeper into the passage’s elements.
No Filler Content
With the absence of filler content in GRE short passages, every phrase serves a purpose. This makes it critical to not disregard any part of the text as irrelevant. To master this, start practicing to differentiate between main ideas and supportive details without dismissing any information prematurely.
Understanding the Essence
The ‘essence’ refers to the underlying message or the core idea conveyed in the passage. While the supporting details are important, distinguishing the central theme from these details will be your cornerstone strategy. To capture the essence, you might find it helpful to mentally summarize each sentence or paragraph to retain the core message.
Implementing the Strategy
Start by timing yourself while practicing with various passages to get a feel of the 90-second timeframe. Gradually, as you get accustomed to the time limit, you will notice an improvement in your reading speed and comprehension skills, setting a strong foundation for tackling the GRE short passages successfully.
To Sum Up
Implementing the 90-second rule is about striking a balance between speed and comprehension. It encourages an active, engaged reading approach where every word is scrutinized, every sentence is understood in depth, and the passage’s essential message is crystallized clearly in your mind. This strategy stands as your first step towards mastering the GRE short passages, guiding you to sieve through the vital details effectively within a defined timeframe. Remember, the goal is not just speed but understanding and retaining the crux of what you read.
Tip 2. Spot Key Transitional Words
As you dive into the GRE short passages, paying keen attention to transitional words can be your secret weapon to decoding the true intent and direction of the passage. Let’s delve deeper into why spotting transitional words is vital and how to go about it.
Understanding Transitional Words
Transitional words are pivotal in steering the direction of the argument presented in the passage. They are often utilized to introduce contrasts, concessions, extensions, or pivots in the line of reasoning. Words like ‘but’, ‘although’, and ‘however’ signal a shift in perspective or a contradiction to the preceding statement, thereby playing a crucial role in shaping the argument’s trajectory.
Why Focus on Transitional Words
GRE tends to artfully weave these transitional words into passages, sometimes to enhance the depth of the argument and sometimes to set traps for the unwary. Being alert to these words not only helps in understanding the complex dynamics of the argument but also aids in avoiding pitfalls that could lead to incorrect answers.
Identifying Subtle Changes in Direction
These transitional elements often herald subtle shifts in the argument’s direction. Being able to identify these shifts is akin to having a roadmap to the passage’s central argument. It helps you stay on track, ensuring that you understand the argument from various angles as presented in the passage without losing sight of the main idea.
Note-taking within 90 seconds
While the 90-second rule remains paramount, if you find it beneficial, you can jot down brief notes highlighting the significant shifts indicated by these transitional words. It might be a notation of a change in stance or a conflicting viewpoint introduced. This approach guarantees that even as you maintain a brisk reading pace, you are not glossing over the critical twists and turns in the argument.
The Balanced Approach
Spotting transitional words and understanding their implications should become a balanced act of vigilance and swiftness. It is about training yourself to naturally spot these words and instantaneously gauge the shift in narrative they are signaling, without breaking your reading flow.
Building the Skill
To master this, begin with identifying common transitional words and understanding their usage in sentences. Gradually, as you read various passages, try to consciously notice these words and the change they bring to the narrative. Regular practice will make this a subconscious skill, enhancing your reading and comprehension capability manifold.
To Sum Up
Spotting key transitional words is like having a compass while navigating the intricate landscape of GRE short passages. It directs you to the subtle, yet significant turns in the argument, helping you understand the passage in a nuanced manner. Remember, mastering this strategy is about meticulous attention to detail coupled with practice, eventually leading to a comprehensive understanding of any passage thrown your way. Incorporate this strategy into your GRE preparation regimen to stand a step closer to acing those short passages.
Tip 3. Skim Through Examples
Skimming through examples in GRE short passages can be a pragmatic approach to save time and avoid unnecessary complications arising from intricate details and technical jargon. Let’s unpack this strategy step by step.
The Nature of Examples in GRE Passages
In the realm of GRE passages, examples function as entities providing supplementary details to bolster the primary argument or idea being presented. These examples may often be dressed in technical jargon, potentially creating diversions from the central theme.
Why Skimming is Your Ally
The art of skimming allows you to glide over these examples without getting caught in the web of complex terminology that might not be central to answering the questions effectively. It enables you to extract just the amount of information needed without drowning in the details.
How to Skim Effectively
Effective skimming involves a selective focus on key details that align with the main idea. Here, you are essentially looking to capture the gist of the example without delving deep into it. This might involve quickly identifying and understanding the core point of the example while sidelining detailed explanations or complex terms that are not directly tied to the main argument.
Sharp Eye for Relevant Information
While skimming, maintaining a sharp focus on information that resonates with the central idea is essential. This means, even in the flurry of skimming, your eyes should be trained to spot and register any detail that holds relevance to the core argument presented in the passage.
Avoiding the Complexity Trap
GRE passages may use complex examples filled with industry-specific jargon or intricate details as a strategy to sidetrack the readers. Recognizing this trap is half the battle won. The strategy here is to not allow yourself to be lured into deciphering the complexity, but to remain steadfast in your pursuit of the central idea.
Practicing the Skimming Technique
To become adept at this, regular practice with a variety of passages is recommended. Try skimming through different examples, constantly fine-tuning your ability to sift through the noise and hone in on the key details that are genuinely pertinent to understanding the passage’s main idea.
To Sum Up
The strategy of skimming through examples is a nuanced one, acting like a filtering lens that enables you to sift through additional details swiftly, yet efficiently, grasping only what is absolutely necessary. While it aids in avoiding the potential pitfall of getting lost in technicalities, it ensures that you remain aligned with the central theme. Remember, this strategy is not about ignoring examples completely, but about intelligent and strategic engagement with the content to optimize your understanding and answer the questions more effectively. Incorporate this skill in your GRE preparation toolkit to steer clear of the distractions and maintain a laser focus on what truly matters in the passage.
Tip 4. Stay Focused on the Main Idea
Maintaining a laser focus on the main idea while navigating through a GRE short passage is paramount. It is a skill that safeguards you from diverging into a whirlpool of non-essential details. Let us delve deeper into understanding this strategy.
Why Focusing on the Main Idea is Crucial
The main idea is the nucleus of the passage, around which all other information revolves. Being able to identify and understand this central theme is like having a roadmap that guides your understanding of the entire passage. It essentially sets the stage for correctly answering questions as it allows you to sieve out the crucial points from the supporting details.
The Challenge of Diverging Details
GRE short passages often come with a sprinkling of details that, while interesting, may not be directly tied to the central argument or theme. These details are akin to a maze that can pull you away from the main argument, creating confusion and wasting precious time. Hence, developing a strategy to stay focused on the main idea is not just beneficial but necessary.
Discerning the Core Purpose of Examples
Examples in a passage are generally intended to substantiate the main idea. However, they can sometimes serve as a distraction, deviating from the central theme. Herein lies the need to develop a knack for discerning the core purpose behind these examples, understanding whether they align with the central theme or are mere distractions.
How to Stay Focused
To stay focused on the main idea:
- Read attentively: As you read, continuously ask yourself what the author’s main point is, and try to understand the purpose behind each sentence.
- Mental summarization: After reading a segment, pause to mentally recap the key points, ensuring that you grasp the central idea before moving on.
- Note down the central theme: If it helps, jot down the main idea in a concise sentence to have a clear reference point as you answer questions.
Building the Skill
Building the knack for focusing on the main idea is cultivated through consistent practice. Engaging with a variety of passages and actively working to identify the main themes will gradually hone this skill. Additionally, reviewing your approach and understanding what worked and what didn’t will be essential in fine-tuning this skill.
To Sum Up
Staying focused on the main idea is a pillar strategy in mastering GRE short passages. It operates as your anchor, helping you to navigate through the passages with a clear direction and a shield against the enticements of divergent details. Embrace this strategy to avoid being ensnared in the labyrinth of extraneous details and to champion the true essence of the passages with precision and clarity. It is indeed true that grasping the main idea is half the battle won; the other half is leveraging this understanding to answer questions accurately and confidently. Start practicing this strategy today to stand tall in your GRE preparations.
Tip 5. Consider a Second Reading
While tackling GRE short passages, sometimes a single read might not suffice, especially when the text is dense with information or features technical details. In such scenarios, considering a second reading could be a strategic move. Let’s delve deeper into how to effectively implement this strategy while adhering to the 90-second benchmark.
When to Opt for a Second Reading
A second reading is beneficial when the passage contains intricacies and nuances that are difficult to grasp in a single read. This generally happens in passages laden with technical details, complex theories, or sophisticated arguments that demand a deeper understanding to answer the questions correctly.
The Two-Pronged Approach
This strategy operates on a two-pronged approach:
- First Reading: The initial reading should be meticulous, where you delve deep to understand the core ideas presented in the passage. This is your opportunity to build a foundational understanding of the text.
- Second Reading: In contrast, the second reading should be quicker, skimming over the text to reinforce the central points and crucial details that you unearthed in your first reading.
Balancing Depth and Speed
The crux of this strategy is to balance depth with speed. While the first reading allows for a deeper engagement with the text, the second skimming helps to reinforce crucial points swiftly, forming a robust understanding of the passage. It is essential to avoid getting bogged down with details during the second reading, as the focus here is to reaffirm what you understood initially.
Adhering to the 90-Second Benchmark
Though the strategy encourages a second reading, it also emphasizes the importance of time management. It’s pivotal to ensure that the combined time of both readings does not exceed the 90-second benchmark. This demands a disciplined approach where you are not just reading but strategically engaging with the passage to extract maximum understanding in the allotted time.
Benefits of a Second Reading
Undertaking a second reading has several benefits:
- Reinforcement of main ideas: It helps in reinforcing the central arguments and ideas, providing a stronger grasp of the passage.
- Better comprehension: It offers a chance to revisit complex parts of the passage, thus enhancing comprehension.
- Avoiding traps: A second, quicker reading can help in identifying and avoiding potential traps set in the text by revisiting key transition points and critical arguments.
To Sum Up
The strategy of considering a second reading is a thoughtful approach to mastering complex GRE short passages. By balancing a thorough first reading with a swift second skimming, you set the stage for a comprehensive understanding without falling prey to the complexity of the text. Remember, this approach is not just about reading twice; it’s about reading smart, with a clear focus on grasping and then reinforcing the vital points within a defined time frame. As you integrate this strategy into your GRE prep, remember to continuously hone your skills through practice, keeping the 90-second benchmark in mind to ace those challenging passages with confidence and precision.
Tip 6. Ignore Arcane Labels
The GRE is known for incorporating arcane labels and complex terminologies in its passages, a tactic aimed at unsettling readers and potentially leading them astray. In this section, we unpack the strategy of steering clear from the distraction posed by these unfamiliar terms and focusing on the broader context of their usage.
Understanding the GRE’s Strategy
The creators of the GRE often use a strategy where they introduce complex, and sometimes arcane, labels or terminologies in the passages. These terms can seem intimidating and might divert your focus from the main idea to the nitty-gritty details that are not essential to grasp the core message of the passage.
Encountering Unfamiliar Terms
When you come across terms such as ‘zooplanktons’ or ‘D.hylinia’ in a zoology passage, it is easy to feel bogged down trying to understand what these terms entail. This strategy advises against getting stuck on the unfamiliar terms and, instead, encourages you to understand the broader context in which they are placed.
Focusing on the Context
The primary tip here is to focus on the context rather than the term itself. Try to understand the role these terms play in the broader argument or narrative presented in the passage. Are they central to the main idea, or are they just examples illustrating a broader concept? Focusing on how the terms are used can often give you a sufficient understanding to answer the questions correctly.
Labeling Technique
In scenarios where terms are labeled as ‘X’ or ‘Y,’ leverage this to your advantage. These labels are a simplification tool; use them to track the narrative without getting ensnared in complex terminologies. Replace the unfamiliar terms with the labels in your mind and focus on understanding the relationships or comparisons being drawn in the passage.
Practice Makes Perfect
The art of ignoring arcane labels and focusing on context is cultivated over time through consistent practice. Engage with a wide variety of passages, and each time you encounter an unfamiliar term, practice deriving its meaning from the surrounding context rather than getting stuck on the term itself.
To Sum Up
Ignoring arcane labels is more than a tip; it’s a vital strategy to maintain your focus on what truly matters in a passage. It encourages you to rise above the confusion of complex terminologies and to understand the broader narrative or argument being presented. As you navigate the world of GRE short passages, remember not to get bogged down by intimidating terms; instead, foster a broader contextual understanding that paves the way for answering questions accurately. Embrace this strategy to build resilience against the GRE’s tactic of introducing arcane labels, steering your way adeptly towards success.
Tip 7. Spend Adequate Time on Each Question
In the race against time that is the GRE, it is pivotal to allocate a reasonable amount of time to each question to ensure accuracy in your responses. A generally suggested timeframe is around 90 seconds per question. This strategy dives deep into how to optimally utilize this time to select the most appropriate answer.
Setting a 90-Second Benchmark
Setting aside approximately 90 seconds for each question strikes a balance between being careful and maintaining a good pace. This window allows you to deeply analyze the options presented and to gauge them against the details and nuances gleaned from the passage.
When Stuck Between Two Options
It’s not uncommon to find yourself torn between two seemingly correct options. In such situations, the best course of action is to revert to the passage, seeking a direct word-by-word justification for the option you are leaning towards. This helps in ruling out any choice that, although seemingly correct, does not align perfectly with the information or tone of the passage.
The Significance of a Single Word
One fundamental truth about the GRE is that a single word can play a decisive role in determining the correctness of an answer. Therefore, being meticulous in evaluating each word in the options is not just advisable, but necessary. It urges you to differentiate between options that might appear correct on a superficial level and the option that is unequivocally supported by the passage.
Refining Your Approach
As you employ this strategy, it’s essential to continually refine your approach, learning to quickly identify words or phrases in the options that are unsupported by the passage. This could be through noting discrepancies in the degree of a statement, misaligned facts, or terminology not used in the passage.
The Benefits of a Meticulous Approach
Being meticulous comes with several benefits:
- Higher accuracy: Detailed scrutiny of each word increases the likelihood of choosing the correct answer.
- Avoiding traps: GRE is known for setting traps in answer choices, and a meticulous approach helps in sidestepping these potential pitfalls.
- Confidence in your answer: When you find direct justification from the passage for your chosen answer, it grants a higher degree of confidence in your choice.
To Sum Up
Adopting a meticulous approach by dedicating around 90 seconds to each question is a strategy grounded in precision and attentiveness. It urges you to dig deeper, going beyond the superficial allure of seemingly correct options to find the answer that stands unerringly supported by the passage. This approach is a beacon guiding you away from potential traps and towards correct answers, fostering accuracy and confidence in your responses. As you gear up for the GRE, embed this strategy in your preparation routine, nurturing a meticulous approach to ace the questions with precision and assurance.
Summary
By mastering these strategies, you’re not merely preparing for an exam; you’re honing essential skills for efficient comprehension and critical thinking. Remember, GRE success isn’t just about answering questions; it’s about unraveling complex ideas and articulating them with precision. With these strategies at your disposal, you’re not just gearing up for an exam; you’re preparing for a lifetime of analytical prowess and intellectual dexterity.