Ace GRE’s Long Passage

The reading comprehension section of the GRE can be challenging, especially when it comes to long passages. Long passages are typically around 400-500 words and require a different approach than short passages. Common challenges are difficulty focusing because the passage is ‘boring,’ grabbing the gist, etc. However, with the right strategies and techniques, anyone can ace long passages on the GRE. Here are some tips to help beginners improve their performance on long passages:

• 1. Skim the passage

Skimming the passage can help you get a sense of the author’s argument and the main points they make. Before diving into the details of the passage – something that you should do only when you read questions and come back to the back to find answers – read to skim the passage quickly. This will give you a general idea of the passage, which can help you focus on the relevant information.

• 2. Identify the structure

Long passages often have a clear structure, such as an introduction, body, and conclusion. Identifying the structure can help you understand the author’s argument and follow the flow of the passage. Pay attention to the first and last sentences of each paragraph, as they often contain the paragraph’s main point.

• 3. Take notes

As you read the passage, note the main points and arguments. This will help you remember important details and stay focused. You can use symbols and abbreviations to make your notes more concise. For example, use an arrow to indicate a cause-and-effect relationship or an exclamation mark to indicate an important point.

• 4. Look for context clues.

Long passages often contain context clues that help you understand unfamiliar words or phrases. Look for clues such as synonyms or antonyms to help you determine unfamiliar words’ meanings. Pay attention to how the word is used in the sentence and the surrounding sentences.

• 5. Read carefully

Once you have a sense of the author’s argument, read the passage carefully. Pay attention to details such as dates, names, and statistics. However, other ‘area-specific details’ should be ignored, e.g., a passage on music might use music-heavy terminologies you do not understand and should not fret about; the same can happen with a law passage that might go deep into using recondite law terminologies that might sway you away from the gist and drag you into confusion. 

Look for examples and evidence that support the author’s argument. Take your time and don’t rush through the passage. However, Long Passage’s reading should be given at most 5 minutes, and one should move to question after 5 minutes. 

• 6. Summarize the passage

After you have finished reading the passage, take a moment to summarize the main points and arguments. This will help you remember the important details and can be helpful when answering the questions. Try to condense the passage into a few sentences or bullet points. This is similar to ‘3. Take notes’ and it can be skipped if you perform step 3 really well.

• 7. Practice

The best way to improve your performance on long passages is to practice. Try to read a variety of long passages, such as academic articles, especially from areas of knowledge that you find boring or generally difficult to understand, e.g., for some, it could be law-related passages, for some, art.  

Practice taking notes and summarizing the main points. You can also practice answering questions based on the passages.

Acing long passages on the GRE requires a combination of strategies and techniques. Skimming the passage, identifying the structure, taking notes, looking for context clues, reading carefully but only details relevant to the gist, summarizing the passage, and practicing are all essential to improving your performance. With practice and persistence, you can become more comfortable and confident with long passages on the GRE.

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