I've been trying to adopt 1 method to tackle RCs; some say read and note down just first and last sentence of the first and last PARA, and first sentence of other paragraphs. Others instead say to read carefully the whole passage.

I tried both and on easy RC, the first works, but in tough RCs is a DISASTROUS method to use (doesn't work at all as you lack of understanding of the passage and questions will address that).

Questions:

1) What is a good balance that can be used for both easy and harder RCs ? [they say once you find your method stick with it, but how do you know if you have found your method??;should you look at the fewest # of wrong answers, or less time spent overall, or when you felt more comfortable??]

2)is advisible to read on the side (certain books/magazines as some people say) or not?

@bout me; [mgmat 9week course student, non-native, non-fast reader, takes lots of time to read/note the passage, I've been trying to use MGMAT method for 2weeks and I haven't seen much improvements on tough RCs such as the 1000rc]

Thank you all!

i'm not entirely sure why you're asking us for a method for RC. It sounds like you know what our method is, you've found that other things haven't worked for you, and you've even started using our method recently. What's the issue then? Is it that two weeks into using this method it hasn't revolutionized your GMAT experience and caused you to get 100% of the questions right?

You know what? Two weeks after i learned how to drive, i thought i was an expert driver. That's probably why they kept my insurance rates high until i was 25. :) But i promise you that if i had stopped driving after two weeks because i was discouraged with the results, i wouldn't be the good driver i am today. Give our methods an honest try. If you are impatient and keep switching methods, you will never settle on something that will work for you on the GMAT..

As for reading outside material, of course it's a great idea. You should also eat healthy and be nice to your family, but those things aren't going to help you on the GMAT either. Keep reading the outside material because it's enriching, but bear in mind that one of your objectives with GMAT RC is to get used to THEIR writing style and how THEY construct passages. i'm guessing you haven't exhausted all the RC passages in the OG books yet, so it's probably too early to start worrying about where you'll get fresh material when you run out.. :)

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Tim Sanders
Manhattan GMAT Instructor