A piece of common advice given to GMAT test takers is to ignore facts and focus on the main idea and the intent of the author. Before you do that, understand the difference between relevant and irrelevant facts. The relevant ones come together to create the foundation for the main idea, therefore, instead of writing all of them, find patterns in facts and learn to discern the facts that convey the main idea from the ones that offer a context.
GMAT Fact Question
GMAT fact questions are the easiest. Most of them are in quote format, or the line numbers are clearly mentioned. The reader has to go back to the paragraph or quickly scan the passage to find the matching text, and then address the question. Most test takers find it tedious to go back to the passage because they have a faulty assumption about their memory. They feel that they can remember relevant facts, and the 5-10 seconds required to scan the passage can be better used to answer the next question. Avoid this tendency. For all fact questions where a quote or a line number is mentioned, go back to the text, and confirm the information stored in your memory.
Differentiating Between Relevant & Irrelevant Facts
Authors always have something to say. The facts and the use of language are garbs to hide the main points. Some facts strengthen the argument that the author is trying to make while others offer the context. The Five Questions - “Who,” “When,” “Where,” “Why” & “How” would help you with the process.
Scan for Fact Question
GMAT test takers don’t fully understand the difference between skimming and scanning. A critical aspect of speed reading is skimming the text or reading the text superficially and noting down ideas or positions that the author is supporting. This process is effective in answering the main idea question. Don’t skim for fact question; scan instead.
When you scan the text, each word is read with great attention until the answer to the question is found. The reference point where the reading should start influences the speed with which fact questions are answered. For example, if you have skimmed the passage, and your memory tells that the answer to the fact question is in paragraph 2, you should start scanning from paragraph 2 and save precious reading time.
If you have skimmed the passage without a purpose – not understanding what each paragraph represents, you might have to scan the entire passage.
Therefore, skim to understand the passage structure, and scan to find the answer.
Read the Question First
This applies to all GMAT reading comprehension questions. If you have an overview of the questions – the main idea, facts, assumptions, and the tone that the passage follows, the reading exercise will have a purpose. Your accuracy rate will improve when you know what to answer.
