RC timming issue

by **weiyuegao** Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:56 pm

Hi MGMAT,

Just have a 2 questions about RC timing.

I am aware of the double rule. but how do you time RC when we don't know how many questions are given per each passage?
On the real GMAT, it doesn't tell us "questions #x to #y refers to the following passage". So we don't know how many questions are there for a passage.

Also, how do you manage to time long RC with less questions?
Say you have a passage which is over 80 lines, but there are only 3 questions. so, obviously 1.5min x 3 = 4.5min will be really rushing.

Thanks for you advice.

Wei

by **weiyuegao** Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:59 pm

Sorry, for the 2nd question,

what I meant to say is that 2 x 3 questions = 6min will be really rushing for a long passage over 80 lines..

by **brian** Thu Feb 07, 2008 1:48 am

Good question -- ideally, you want to aim for an average of ~2mins/question on reading comprehension. But, don't get caught up in the specifics on a per question basis. For "shorter" RC questions (which will usually have fewer questions), target between 4-6 minutes (assuming 2/3 questions.) For "longer" RC questions, aim for 6-8 minutes per passage (assuming 3/4 questions.)

Hope that helps.

-Brian Lange
Instructor & Forum Moderator