Challenging Passages and In-Context Vocabulary
For those looking to learn vocabulary in context while dealing with sophisticated prose, reading the New York Times does not always provide GRE-caliber passages. Sure, there is the Sunday book review, which is always filled with challenging vocabulary and twisted syntax. But if you want a concentrated source of challenging passages, which will provide you plenty of reading in context, GRE-level vocabulary, and questions to test your reading skills, then I have the source for you.
Warning: the following advice is only for those who are looking to score in the top percentile, and who do not mind their reading on the dry side.
The answer: The LSAT guide.
LSAT Guides
There are many LSAT guides, which are comprised of official LSAT questions that have been put to pasture, so to speak. I’m not sure of the exact number, but there are well over 40 official LSAT tests. Each contains a reading comprehension section of 25 questions, and four passages. This translates to 1000 questions and 160 passages.
The passages are very much like what you’ll see if you receive the difficult section of the section-adaptive Revised GRE. (Again, if your reading skills are not completely honed to this degree you may want to consider GRE or GMAT guides. Simply put: LSAT questions and passages tend to be more difficult).
A quick flip through an LSAT reading passage as yielded up such vocabulary gems as promulgate, arcane, and ambivalent. So not only will you be exposed to GRE-level vocabulary, but it will be in the context of a reading passage. Meaning you brain will already be in the testing/learning mode (which isn’t always the case when you are reading the New York Times).
Pros and Cons
You will also have access to 50 Critical Reasoning questions per test (yes, the LSAT is big on Critical Reasoning). Some of the question types are beyond the scope of the GRE, but if you really want to nail the Critical Reasoning component of the GRE Verbal section, then the LSAT questions will help you do so.
The downside is that none of the questions come with explanations. They do come with answers, which in some ways can be a positive. By forcing yourself to wrap your head around why a particular answer is correct can be a far more valuable learning experience than simply reading an explanation. That is, when you figure something out on your own you’ve learned it much better. Of course there will be some instances in which you will be stymied. But despair not: the test is more difficult than the GRE, so you’ll be ready for test day from a reading standpoint. And you’ll definitely pick up some choice vocab along the way.
Where to Find Them
Amazon.com has all of the LSAT guides you’ll ever want. You can even by one test at a time (to try it out) vs. the other option: a book of 10 official tests. I’d say two 10 official guides will provide enough practice for even the most ambitious GRE student.
Could you point out the major differences and similarities between LSAT and GRE RCs ?
That’s a great question
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The LSAT passages are all medium to medium long (50-90 lines). GRE passages are anywhere from 15 lines to 70 lines. Secondly, the LSAT ones tend mostly to be dense and academic. Most tend to deal with an ongoing academic debate, describing multiple viewpoints on the subject, often injecting their own respective viewpoints.
While you do get this type of passage on the GRE, many GRE passages are informative. A few are apparently straightforward, but oftentimes the wording in the answer choices can make the questions relatively difficult.
Hope that helps!
I tried all the reading comprehensions (Section 4) in Prep Test 56 (December 2008) LSAT. They all seemed pretty easy – I answered almost all of them correctly – compared to the RC’s in your Data Bank.
Am I missing something?
From what I have observed until now the LSAT RCs seem to be quite lengthy.
Hmmm…are you comparing these passages to the ones in the Magoosh question bank? Typically, the LSAT ones are very difficult, and I think you are one of the first to say they are pretty easy
. I’d recommend trying a few more sections from the LSAT. If you continue to get them right, you are simply doing really well. At least on the long passage on the GRE, you shouldn’t have too much of a problem.
Good luck!
Hi Chris, by analyzing my progress with RC passages I realized that the only way I can improve my comprehension of advanced type questions like inference, idea application and synthesis/analysis is trying to make sense of separate paras and then connecting these paras together with leading para (usually the first para). In your experience of exam taker or tutor how sensible is this? Am I on the right track? The thing is that with some convoluted passages it was difficult for me to even link some long paras (like in ones from LSAT set RC passages) and catch the general idea (by contrasting the gen. idea to all paras naturally). After applying “read-understand-reflect on” each para methodology
I indeed started hitting 80% and plus accuracy rate with convoluted RC passages on constant basis. Does this make any sense to you?
Hi Pemdas,
You are definitely on the right track! Indeed many of the most difficult passages have paragraphs that do not relate in obvious ways. Developing the skill of linking paragraphs is an indispensable one to have for cracking tough passages
. So continue using the “read-understand-reflect” method.
Good luck!
hi Chris, could you please also check the content and comprehensiveness of passages at http://www.codecoax.com/grerc/. I am using one-two passages on a daily basis for adjusting my eyes and brain to the type of GRE RC.
Here’s the thing on that: I can’t endorse it. Basically, it contains passages from actual GMATs, LSATs, and GREs. I don’t think the person received permission (I’m pretty sure this constitutes major copyright violation). Just my two cents
.
I recently discovered Edge.org, and I’d recommend it to others looking to supplement their reading, GRE-driven or not. While the advantage of test questions and ‘testing’ mode are missing, there’s a lot of higher-level reading material and vocab for the verbal section and some great ideas that can help with the AWA. You should check it out, Chris, and let us know what you think.
Wow, this looks cool so far
. I’m going to spend some serious time on the site to get a better sense of just how one can thread it into the gre prep. Thanks for the link! Also, if I forget to follow up on this, just give me a little nudge 
.
Chris,
A little Nudge on Review of Edge.org, that you asked..
Expecting a post soon from you..
Chris ,
Thanks . LSat RCs right away.
I have signed up for the magoosh 1 week trial. n its superb my friend.
I am gonna gt the complete version to galvanize the prep…
P.s: i have my GRE on Oct 17
Great! Welcome on board
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Chris! I got a 1330 on my GRE! (V 160, Q 156), thank you so much for all the help!!! This was a huge improvement over my first score of 1000. Magoosh seriously changed my life, I feel like y’all gave me the weapons I needed to vanquish a monster that was a fusion of Einstein’s ghost and T.S. Elliot. You guys are amazing!!!!
Awesome James Brown
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And I’ve never heard of such a description, but I’ve loving it (I can see Einstein and Eliot hunched over concocting diabolical quant and verbal questions respectively
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Great job and your score and I am happy we helped
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Any idea about the LSAT reading comprehension bible?
Yes, it’s by PowerScore, which has a strong reputation for its “Bible” series. I have not yet looked into the LSAT guide. I’d say it may be a good idea if you are looking for a near perfect verbal score, otherwise probably wouldn’t be worth one’s time.