How to CRUSH Reading Comprehension: 3 Effective Strategies to Ace RC [+worked example!]

Summary

The video provides strategies to excel in reading comprehension tests like the GRE and GMAT. The speaker emphasizes three key methods: intercepting negative thoughts, reading more slowly to understand, and summarizing after every sentence or two. The video encourages active engagement with the text by using imagination and critical thinking to make reading interesting and memorable. The speaker, who achieved perfect scores in verbal sections, argues that these approaches enhance comprehension, allowing for quicker and more accurate answers to questions.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The battle with reading comprehension begins in the mind—overcoming initial negative thoughts about the text is crucial for effective understanding.
• 🚫 Intercept negative thoughts like 'this is boring' to keep your brain engaged with the passage, making it easier to remember details.
• 💡 Use imagination and critical engagement by reacting to the text mentally, such as thinking 'that's interesting' or 'I disagree,' to help retain information.
• 🐢 Reading slowly and deliberately is better than rushing; it ensures better understanding and reduces the need to reread.
• 🎯 Aim to be the slowest reader in the room for comprehension but the fastest to answer questions accurately.
• 📝 Summarize each sentence or two in your head as you read to ensure you understand the passage before moving forward.
• 🚫 Skimming should only be a last resort as it often misses the subtleties and deeper arguments in the text.
• 📚 Building familiarity with complex sentences and vocabulary through regular reading of challenging materials, like essays and long-form journalism, can enhance comprehension skills.
• 🗂 Taking notes may not always be necessary if you read slowly enough to retain the argument and tone in your mind.
• 👍 Engage with the passage as an opportunity to learn, not just as a test requirement; this approach can make reading more enjoyable and beneficial.

Q & A

What is the first mental hurdle students face when approaching reading comprehension?

The first mental hurdle is the negative thought that the passage is uninteresting or irrelevant, such as 'I don't care about frogs or 17th-century politicians.' This leads students to disengage with the text, affecting their ability to retain information.

What is the first method the speaker suggests to improve reading comprehension?

The first method is to intercept and dismiss negative thoughts about the passage. Instead of assuming it's boring, persuade yourself that the information might be interesting or useful. This primes the brain to engage and remember the content more effectively.

How does the speaker suggest students critically engage with a text?

Students should use their imagination while reading, thinking critically by reacting to the text, either agreeing or disagreeing with it, making predictions, and actively engaging with the material. This helps the brain retain more information.

Why does the speaker discourage skimming passages?

The speaker discourages skimming because it only captures the most obvious points of the text. Many exams, especially at medium or higher levels, test the subtleties of the argument or conclusion, which are often missed by skimming.

What does the speaker say about reading pace and comprehension?

The speaker advises reading slowly and carefully, which allows for better comprehension. While it may seem like reading slowly would take more time, it actually helps answer questions more quickly and confidently because the reader understands the passage better.

Does the speaker recommend reading the questions before the passage?

The speaker has tried both approaches (reading the questions first and reading the passage first) but doesn't believe one is significantly better than the other. The most important factor is to read the passage at a deliberate pace.

Why does the speaker not take notes during reading comprehension sections?

The speaker avoids taking notes because it takes extra time, and since they read slowly and carefully, they don't need to. The speaker finds that those who do take notes often don't refer back to them or gain much from them.

What does the speaker recommend for students who struggle with complex sentences or unfamiliar vocabulary?

The speaker suggests reading more complex texts, such as articles from 'The Economist,' 'New York Times,' and nonfiction books to become familiar with complex sentence structures. For vocabulary, the key is to look up and memorize every unfamiliar word encountered.

What is the speaker's third method for improving reading comprehension?

The third method is to stop and summarize after every sentence or two. This helps ensure comprehension before moving on, especially with complex or critical sentences that are likely to be tested in the exam.

What long-term strategies does the speaker recommend for improving reading comprehension skills?

The speaker recommends regularly reading complex materials like long-form journalism, essays, and nonfiction books. This helps with understanding complex sentence structures and building vocabulary, which are crucial for better comprehension over time.