Thanks Stacey for writing articles on "How to analyze". Those series were very helpful and very thoughtful. I use Manhattan material and love the content.
While reading the "How to analyze -GMAT SC" article. I was able to associate to whats been happening to me.
"Did I COMPREHEND the symbols, text, questions, statements, and answer choices? Can I comprehend it all now, when I have lots of time to think about it?"
I always get wrong on those questions that I didn't comprehend. The stats are like 60% of those that I get wrong are those that I didn't comprehend in the time limit allowed. Sometimes on those hard to comprehend case, I won't be able to give up and spend even 5:00min (in case of a long complex SC or CR or a paragraph in RC), and still won't be able to comprehend under test scenario. Finally I will mark and move on.
Later after finishing the test and when I analyze (relaxed and little cool), the argument and answer choices and their flaws (in CR) and RC and to some extent even in SC, everything will be easy ti understand without seeing explanation or guide. So I am not sure its a pure comprehension issue. Its to do with time pressure or test taking attitude as well, I guess. can anyone pls help me on this. Any pointers will be highly appreciated. This is really killing me.
In SC, its little different. I have the same comprehending issue for long convoluted or extremely jumbled lines in the question. I will not be able to proceed without paraphrasing whats going on. Some question are s o idiotically jumbled (sometimes I feel its a stupid test) that I will spend so much to comprehend and then get into answers and fight to find the one that help me understand the meaning. By then it 3-4min or even 5min in worse case. In SC its little different. Most often the mistake is because I missed a hidden s-v error or modifier error. But the time spent in SC (if greater than 2:00min ) is proportional to the comprehension of the sentence to begin with.
Also another thing that bothers me in comprehending is the preposition phase in argument in CR or rarely even on RC passage (in RC its likely the subject. If its science discovery with chemical name all across I will fail). If the sentence carry/connected thru too many prepositional phase (eg: of the...on the ... etc.... I have seen one with 4 preposition phase connected to one sub and one verb far part). I take long long time to comprehend and by the time I understand and answer its easily 3-4mins in CR.
Overall I have comprehending issue. How to overcome that.
Also another observation, if I am on the run, like 2-3 question done, then I am up and running, its little less. Always happen in the initial few when I kick start.
I know that practice is likely the only one that can get me out of it eventually. But intermediate, any tips or tricks or anything specific that I need to keep an eye on while practicing. Any help, as to how I can overcome this will be greatly appreciate.
Thanks
Richard