Help picking the correct answer

[desouzad]

Hello,

I've significantly improved my LR sections (from about 12 correct to a 17/18 correct), but I'm really trying to push for a few more points. In every question I get wrong, it's because I am in between two answers and I just pick the wrong one every time. For example, on PrepTest 85, questions 9, 13, 18, 19, and 22 were all questions I almost got right, but I picked the wrong answer between the two. When I look over the questions I get wrong, I consistently miss weaken, strengthen, and flaw questions. It seems that I either doubt the answers or I over analyze.

How can I solidify that I pick the right answer each time? Are there any tips to make sure I'm consistently picking the right answer between two answer choices? How can I know?
Thank you!

[Malila Robinson]

Hi desouzad,
This is a tough question to answer without more info. Working with a tutor for an hour or so to go over the specifics of where you are going wrong may be the most efficient way to solve this problem.
But the general answer is that you may not be using the question type methods when you answer a question, and that is leaving answer choices in as contenders that really shouldn't be there.
Let's use Weaken Questions as an example. When you see a Weaken Question you need to quickly think of things like:
Is there Causal Reasoning or Conditional Reasoning?
If No:
Find the conclusion; Hurt the conclusion; Outside Info is ok
If Conditional Reasoning:
Hurt the Necessary Condition; Outside info is ok
If Causal Reasoning:
Find an alternate cause; Show the cause without the effect or the effect without the cause; show reverse cause/effect; show that the causal reasoning is based upon bad data; outside info is ok.

If one answer fits into one of those and the other one doesn't, choose the one that does.

Keep in mind this requires memorization and understanding of the methods used to answer question types, and the ability to use them quickly. The more you practice the more familiar they become and the faster you are able to use them. This is what tends to improve accuracy.
Hope that helps!!
-Malila