Hi all-
Can anyone shed some light on what has been streamlined in the new CR & RC guides? I have the old guides and the forums have been indicating that the new CR & RC strategies are more streamlined. There is general consensus that the diagramming techniques are helpful but take up too much time, so would be interested to find out the newly refined CR strategy?
Thanks,
Jake
GMAT Forum
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- dbernst
- ManhattanGMAT Staff
- Posts: 300
- Joined: Mon May 09, 2005 9:03 am
RC and CR Guides
Jake,
At Manhattan GMAT we pride ourselves on responding rapidly to the needs of our students and to the changing nature of the GMAT. Many students have indicated that the digramming processes on both critical reasoning and reading comprehension were too time consuming. Thus, we have streamlined both formats.
On critical reasoning we still discuss the importance of diagramming the conclusion and supporting premises, but in a manner using significantly more shorthand than the previous method.
On reading comprehension, we have altered both the Skeletal Sketch (long passages) and the Detail Map (short passages). The Skeletal Sketch still contains a detailed summary of the first paragraph, since this is where the thesis of the passage is located. Each "limb" of your Skeletal Sketch, however, now contains only a one sentence summary of the main idea of each subsequent paragraph. Since you will only have to focus on the specific details that each question concerns, there is no need to waste precious time with all of the details during your initial read.
The Detail Map has been replaced by the Headline List. For each paragraph of the short passage, identify the topic sentence and summarize it "as a headline." As you continue reading, briefly summarize, jot down, or list any key points that are distinct from your headline.
Of course you can find examples of the updated Skeletal Sketches and Headline Lists, along with the modified Critical Reasoning diagrams, in the latest editions of the Strategy Guides. If you do not wish to purchase them again, simply drop by your local Barnes & Noble or other major book retailer and take a look!
-Dan
At Manhattan GMAT we pride ourselves on responding rapidly to the needs of our students and to the changing nature of the GMAT. Many students have indicated that the digramming processes on both critical reasoning and reading comprehension were too time consuming. Thus, we have streamlined both formats.
On critical reasoning we still discuss the importance of diagramming the conclusion and supporting premises, but in a manner using significantly more shorthand than the previous method.
On reading comprehension, we have altered both the Skeletal Sketch (long passages) and the Detail Map (short passages). The Skeletal Sketch still contains a detailed summary of the first paragraph, since this is where the thesis of the passage is located. Each "limb" of your Skeletal Sketch, however, now contains only a one sentence summary of the main idea of each subsequent paragraph. Since you will only have to focus on the specific details that each question concerns, there is no need to waste precious time with all of the details during your initial read.
The Detail Map has been replaced by the Headline List. For each paragraph of the short passage, identify the topic sentence and summarize it "as a headline." As you continue reading, briefly summarize, jot down, or list any key points that are distinct from your headline.
Of course you can find examples of the updated Skeletal Sketches and Headline Lists, along with the modified Critical Reasoning diagrams, in the latest editions of the Strategy Guides. If you do not wish to purchase them again, simply drop by your local Barnes & Noble or other major book retailer and take a look!
-Dan
2 posts Page 1 of 1