The Reading Comprehension (RC) section of the GMAT assesses your ability to read and understand passages similar to those found in academic journals and professional publications. Success hinges on developing effective strategies tailored to the unique characteristics of different passage types. This module will equip you with these strategies, focusing on how to approach passages commonly encountered in GMAT preparation.

GMAT passages often fall into distinct structural categories, each requiring a slightly different approach. Recognizing these structures early can significantly improve your comprehension speed and accuracy. The most common types include: Argumentative, Descriptive, and Narrative/Expository.

These passages present a viewpoint, a theory, or a hypothesis, often followed by supporting evidence, counterarguments, or elaborations. The core task is to identify the author's main argument, the evidence used to support it, and any opposing viewpoints acknowledged.

Descriptive passages focus on detailing a subject, phenomenon, or concept. They often involve rich imagery, factual information, and explanations of characteristics or processes. The challenge here is to absorb and organize a significant amount of information without getting lost in the details.

These passages tell a story, recount an event, or explain a historical or scientific development. They often involve a chronological order, characters, or a sequence of events. The focus is on understanding the plot, the context, and the significance of the events or information presented.

Regardless of the passage type, certain fundamental strategies will enhance your performance.

<b>Active Reading:</b> Don't just passively scan the text. Engage with it by identifying the main idea, the author's purpose, and the overall structure. Underline or mentally note key phrases, topic sentences, and transitions.

<b>Identify the Main Idea:</b> Every passage has a central theme or argument. Your first goal is to identify this overarching point. It's often found in the introduction or conclusion, but can also be implied.

<b>Understand the Author's Purpose:</b> Why did the author write this passage? Are they trying to inform, persuade, criticize, or explain? Understanding the purpose helps you interpret the information correctly.

<b>Note Structure and Tone:</b> Pay attention to how the passage is organized (e.g., chronological, compare/contrast, problem/solution) and the author's attitude towards the subject (e.g., objective, critical, enthusiastic).

<b>Preview Questions (Optional but Recommended):</b> Briefly skimming the questions before reading the passage can give you an idea of what information to look for. However, avoid getting bogged down in the questions without understanding the passage first.

<b>Eliminate Incorrect Answers:</b> For multiple-choice questions, use the process of elimination. If an answer choice is not supported by the passage, is too extreme, or misinterprets the author's intent, it's likely incorrect.

Many GMAT RC questions require critical reasoning skills. You'll need to analyze arguments, identify assumptions, and evaluate evidence. Understanding the structure of arguments within the passage is key.

<b>Common Argument Components:</b>

Consistent practice with a variety of passage types is essential. Focus on understanding why you got a question right or wrong, not just the answer itself. Analyze the reasoning behind each correct answer and the flaws in the incorrect ones.