Struggling With Tough RCs? Here's the Secret Toppers Use

Tough passages aren’t going anywhere. Your strategy needs to level up.

Tough RC passages are where most aspirants lose time—and marks. They can feel overwhelming and dense, making you feel pressured to read faster, which often leads to poor comprehension. But here's the truth: you don’t need to read faster, you need to read smarter.

In this exclusive breakdown, Rahul Sir shares the secret strategies used by 99+%ilers to stay calm, focused, and accurate during dense RCs. It's a method that helps you find the right information quickly and confidently eliminate the wrong options.

What You’ll Learn:

1. The "Preview-Skim-Dive" Technique

Instead of reading the passage from start to finish, try this three-step, time-saving method. This helps you get a sense of what to look for before you dive into the details.

• Preview: First, read the questions. This gives you a clear purpose for reading the passage and helps you identify what information you need to locate. Don't read the options, just the question stems.

• Skim: Read the passage quickly—not for detail, but for structure. Pay attention to the topic sentences of each paragraph. Your goal is to understand the main idea of each section and how they relate to each other.

• Dive: Now, return to the questions. You have a mental map of the passage. For each question, "dive" back into the specific paragraph you think holds the answer. Read that part slowly and carefully to find the details needed.

  
  

2. How to Identify the Central Idea in Under 60 Seconds

The central idea or main point is the most frequently asked question type. To find it quickly:

• Read the introduction and conclusion paragraphs first. The author often introduces their main argument in the beginning and restates it in the end.

• Pay attention to the author's tone and purpose. Are they arguing for something, critiquing something, explaining a phenomenon, or presenting a historical account?

• Look for repeated ideas or phrases throughout the passage. These are often clues to the central theme.

  
  

3. Keyword Strategies to Locate Answers

For fact-based or detail-oriented questions, you don't need to re-read the entire passage. Use these techniques:

• Identify unique keywords or proper nouns in the question (e.g., "The study by Dr. Sharma," "The year 1985").

• Scan the passage for these keywords. This is a quick "search and find" mission, not a slow read.

• Once you find the keyword, read the sentence and the surrounding sentences carefully. The answer is usually located right there.

  
  

4. Eliminating Close Options with Logic

This is where the real skill comes in. You’ve narrowed it down to two options, but one is a trap. Apply the elimination logic you've learned for VARC:

• Out of Scope: Does the option introduce an idea not discussed in the passage?

• Too Extreme: Does the option use absolute words like "always," "never," or "only" when the passage uses more moderate language like "often" or "sometimes"?

• Incorrect Inference: Does the option require a leap of logic that is not directly supported by the text?

Master the Most Feared Part of VARC!

By shifting your approach from a passive reader to an active problem-solver, you can take control of the RC section. Remember, tough passages aren't going anywhere, but with a solid strategy, you can confidently navigate them and secure a winning score.

Want to Master RC?

Join Rahul Sir Classes today for comprehensive coaching, expert-led sessions, and personalized mentorship to ace the VARC section. Our modules are designed to build your conceptual strength and strategic thinking!

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FAQs

Q1. How many RC passages should I attempt in the exam?

Focus on quality over quantity. Aim for a high accuracy rate on the passages you feel most comfortable with. Don't be afraid to skip a passage that seems overly complex or topic-heavy if you're short on time.

Q2. How can I improve my reading speed?

Instead of focusing on speed, focus on comprehension. As your comprehension improves, your reading speed will naturally increase. Regular practice with diverse texts—from philosophy to science—is key to building this skill.

Q3. Should I read the questions before the passage?

Yes. Reading the questions first gives your mind a purpose and helps you actively search for relevant information. It helps you avoid passively reading and then having to re-read the entire passage.

Q4. How do I identify the author's tone?

Look for words that convey emotion or attitude, such as "surprisingly," "unfortunately," "crucially," or "misguided." The author's tone is often revealed in their choice of adjectives and adverbs throughout the passage.

Q5. How can Rahul Sir Classes help me with my RC preparation?

Rahul Sir Classes offers specialized VARC modules with expert-led video lectures, extensive practice sets, and detailed solutions. Our faculty helps you build a strong foundation and develop a strategic mindset to tackle any RC question with confidence.