Lexa Wiz: 00:03

Welcome to PodWiz GRE podcast by Wizako. I'm Lexa Wiz.

Theo Cipher: 00:08

And I'm Theo Cipher. Today, we're diving deep into one of the most challenging aspects of the GRE - reading comprehension.

Lexa Wiz: 00:16

You know, Theo, I've noticed that a lot of our students really struggle with RC passages. They see those dense blocks of text and just freeze.

Theo Cipher: 00:25

Absolutely. But here's the thing, it's not as scary as it looks. Let's break down what test takers are actually facing in the verbal section.

Lexa Wiz: 00:34

Right. So you've got two verbal sections. The first one hits you with 12 questions, and about half of those are RC questions.

Theo Cipher: 00:43

And then section two cranks it up to 15 questions with seven to eight RC questions. But here's what's interesting. You'll typically see one long passage around 300 to 400 words with multiple questions.

Lexa Wiz: 00:57

And several shorter passages that are just 100 to 200 words with single questions. Much more manageable when you think about it that way. Right?

Theo Cipher: 01:06

Exactly. And you know what? I've developed this TV show analogy that really helps students understand how to approach these passages.

Lexa Wiz: 01:14

Oh, this sounds interesting. Share it with our listeners.

Theo Cipher: 01:18

Well, think about when you're watching your favorite show. You naturally focus on the main plot points while taking in background details almost subconsciously. That's exactly how you should approach RC passages.

Lexa Wiz: 01:30

That's brilliant. And speaking of practice, I absolutely have to mention our #wizreadswednesdays, challenge on social media. It's such a fun way to build those RC muscles.

Theo Cipher: 01:41

Oh, yes. Every Wednesday, we post a fresh article with practice questions, and then Thursday brings the explanations. It's perfect for that recommended thirty minute daily reading practice.

Lexa Wiz: 01:52

Let's talk about note taking strategies. I always tell my students that an engaged brain is a learning brain.

Theo Cipher: 02:00

Definitely. Whether you're quietly talking to yourself or making quick notes, keeping your mind active while reading is crucial. I usually recommend jotting down paragraph themes, key terms, and especially the author's attitude.

Lexa Wiz: 02:13

Speaking of questions, shall we break down the different types students might encounter?

Theo Cipher: 02:18

Absolutely. The main types are main idea, detail, inference, strengthen / weaken, and structure questions. Each needs its own approach.

Lexa Wiz: 02:27

And this is where time management becomes crucial. What's your recommendation for timing, Theo?

Theo Cipher: 02:32

For those long passages with three to four questions, I say give yourself six to seven minutes total. That's about two to three minutes for reading and one to one point five minutes per question.

Lexa Wiz: 02:43

And for short passages?

Theo Cipher: 02:44

Two minutes flat. One minute to read, one minute to answer. Keep it simple.

Lexa Wiz: 02:48

This is all fantastic advice. And you know what? Students who want to dive deeper into these strategies should definitely check out Wizako's self paced GRE online prep course.

Theo Cipher: 02:58

Yes. We've packed it with 82 video lessons, including ten point five hours just on RC Strategies. It's really comprehensive.

Lexa Wiz: 03:07

Before we wrap up, any final tips for our listeners?

Theo Cipher: 03:10

Remember that dense passages are just part of the game. Success comes from combining smart strategies with consistent practice. And don't forget to mix official ETS materials with our course materials for the best results.

Lexa Wiz: 03:24

That's great advice. Well, that's all the time we have for today on Podwiz. Thanks for tuning in.

Theo Cipher: 03:31

And remember, if you found this helpful, don't forget to subscribe to our podcast and follow us on social media for more GRE tips and strategies.

Lexa Wiz: 03:40

Until next time. This is Lexa Wiz.

Theo Cipher: 03:43

And Theo Cipher signing off.