Different approaches towards Reading Comprension for CLAT
You may find many ways to approach the CLAT Reading Comprehension Section, including some alternatives which may work better than others. It is possible to combine approaches or switch them up depending on the passage. This section provides several options to consider, and these approaches are not mutually exclusive. For example, even if one reads the passage first, they must still decide whether they complete the main point question first or last.
Reading Approach #1: Passage first
Read the passage through thoroughly before beginning the questions. Do not preview the questions in order to determine what the correct answer will be, because doing so will distract you from the reading.
Reading Approach #2: Questions first
For this approach there are a few steps. Begin by reading the passage's questions. This preview gives you an idea of what parts of the text the questions will focus on. When you come across a “word/phrase in context” question, you should highlight the word/phrase in the passage so that you can pay close attention to the highlighted text when you read the passage.
Some students first thoroughly read the text with attention to the questions and then answer the questions after reading the passage in its entirety using this approach. However, others may choose to search for the answers within the text without ever thoroughly and completely reading it.
People should use caution with this tactic. Remember, the CLAT Reading Comprehension Section evaluates your ability to synthesize long and dense materials. Therefore, people often build arguments by scanning for keywords and using various portions of the text, which may be insufficient. Though this approach could help you if you are short on time.
Reading Approach #3 Skim first
Some test-takers find it easier to skim the questions first and then read the passage and answer the reading comprehension questions. When you read the passage, you should understand the main idea, important details, and any important details that are missing or irrelevant.
Reading Approach #4 Main Point Question
This approach focuses on main point questions. Usually, each set of questions starts with a question about the passage's main point, purpose, or argument. Some test-takers complete this question first as it appears, while others reserve it for last after they’ve spent time answering other questions and exploring the passage in greater detail.
Confirming your general understanding of the passage before moving into more specific questions allows you to complete the question first. However, sometimes the other questions you read and the analysis they required may have illuminated the main point. If you struggle with the main point question in a passage or often complete these questions incorrectly, you may want to try saving it for last.
Reading Approach #5 Back and Forth
Some students find it helpful to first skim the passage and then slowly answer the questions. When these students encounter a question they cannot complete from memory, they then study the passage more in-depth. You can save time with this approach because you only read slowly the portions of the text that you need more clarity on.
Reading Approach #6 From Memory
First, try to read or skim the passage and then complete only the questions that you can answer from memory is another approach. Once you complete these questions, you return to the text and answer the remaining questions. You save time with this approach because you don't go back and forth, and instead, you focus only on either the text or the questions.
Reading Approach #7 Time Restrictions
Students find the CLAT Reading Comprehension Section one of the main challenges of timing. You may find that you do not have enough time to finish the section. To keep yourself on pace, setting smaller time restrictions can be one solution to this (very common) problem. You can limit the time you spend reading the text and the time you spend on each passage and its questions by using two of the most common frameworks.
Some kids find that limiting their reading of the text to 3 - 5 minutes gives them enough time to answer the questions. If you need more time to read, you may find it helpful to restrict the time you spend reading and answering questions in full instead of spending more time.
Some test-takers find it helpful to spend only 8-9 minutes on each set of the CLAT Reading Comprehension Section, which includes 5 questions from wach passage set of readings and questions, to ensure that they can make it to each set.
Wrapping Up
I hope these strategies give you an overview of what the various approaches towards RC's for CLAT are like. You can mix and match, and try most of these across your practice material to find the best fit for you. There is NO ONE SIZE FITS ALL approach to anything. So keep experimenting
See you in....
Part 3: Comprehension Strategies (contd...)
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