LR Question Type Training Chapter 2

[Stephanie Oswalt]

Below is a question from a student. An instructor will respond below. Thanks!

LR Question Type Training Chapter 2

I have done this chapter 3 times (with sufficient time in between to actually forget the answer). (I’ll explain that I started this course work last year and was interrupted. I have started all over as of this January.) My success rate improved each time but I achieved only a 71% correct answer rate in my most recent effort. (The missed questions were a mix of: didn’t correctly understand the stimulus and read/eliminated answer choices too quickly.) I’m perfectly willing to return to this chapter as many times as necessary to improve the correct answer rate by practicing greater understanding of the stimulus and more careful reading of answer choices. I just don’t know if that’s beneficial or not. I certainly realize how important MBT/MSS questions are and the benefit of strong performance on these type questions. Nor am I on a rigid timetable to complete this course. Suggestions?

[Jonathan Evans]

Hi!

Good job revisiting these problems! You've got the right idea, but I have a couple suggestions.

First, consider reviewing Chapter 4 on Must Be True questions in the Logical Reasoning Bible. It sounds like you're getting solid practice with the problems but might have a couple conceptual areas in which you could make improvement.

During your review of these problems, break your approach down into steps. Revisit the Primary Objectives of the LR approach (page 110 in the LR Bible). How strong is your grasp of each step in this approach? Are there any weak links that you could improve?

For instance, you could focus on Primary Objective #6, prephrasing. Do you have a good idea of what you would like or what you expect to see in a correct answer choice before you look at the answers?

As you review these fundamentals, use your improved grasp of these concepts in your analysis of the questions in the Question Type Training book. Here's a key point: It is not important whether you remember the correct answers or not. In your review, you should zero in on your process. Do you know the steps necessary to get the problem right?

On a problem you have attempted before, even if you remember the correct answer, you will still know whether you are confident in the process you use to get to the solution. In other words, you can't "fake" it.

Thus, you should work on and review these problems until you are confident in the steps necessary to get to the right answer. Go through the motions with this. Work through the problems in the way you know you'd need to to get the right answer. Then, when you're taking practice tests (or the real thing!) and see MBT problems you will be able to replicate this process on unfamiliar questions.

Lastly, yes, keep working on MBT even as you work on other problem types and sections of the test. The concept of making a valid inference is crucial for this test. Also, don't get discouraged. If there are some very hard problems that you just can't seem to get, don't stress. Look up answer explanations here on the forum, or submit a new question. We're here to help!

[marieallen]

Thank you very much Jonathan - you are very encouraging!!!!

I'm sure I'll have many more questions!!!!