GRE READING COMPREHENSION STRATEGY
#1 READ FIRST THIRD OF THE PASSAGE
Introduces Topic
Introduces Scope
Introduces Author’s Main Idea or Primary Purpose
Introduces Overall Tone
Look for key words such as however, thus, or likewise for indication of
the direction, shape, and point of the passage
• Determine if Author is:
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• Arguing a position
• Discussing something specific in a field of study
• Explaining new findings or research
#2 DETERMINE TOPIC, SCOPE, & PURPOSE
• Identify Main Idea by determining
• Topic (broad)
• Scope (focused)
• Author’s Purpose
• Notes:
• Everything in the passage supports the Main Idea
• Correct answer choices will be consistent with the Main Idea & incorrect answer
choices will not
#3 READ STRATEGICALLY
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Think about what you are reading
Paraphrase complex ideas
Ask yourself questions about the passage as you read
Jot down notes about author’s arguments (use scratch paper)