<p>I speak English as a foreign language for me so my reading abilities are bad.
I was wondering about the Verbal Section of the MCAT and whether the most crucial component is speed and comprehension (like the SAT) or the depth of our analysis of the passage (Rhetorical techniques, organization, symbolism, diction... like the AP English language).
Is it as hard as the AP english language and/or literature?
Does the difficulty stem from the fact the passages are extremely hard to understand (philosophy & trenscendental ideas such "Essays" of Montaigne)?
If not, is the difficulty finishing all the questions in time (passages relatively easy to understand like on the SAT or science magazines)?
Finally, is the difficulty in the questions themselves or in understanding the passage?
I think many on this forum have already taken the MCAT, so it would be very helpful to give a few hints.
Thanks!</p>
<p>Also, does anyone know if reading science magazines (or political science magazines) like Nature (very scientific), Natural History, Scientific American, Bioscience helps for the MCAT verbal?
If not, does magazines like "the New Yorker" or literary analysis magazines help?</p>
<p>Probably closer to the AP exams.</p>
<p>Being a fast reader helps on every single standardized test known to man.</p>
<p>Being well read in a variety of subjects is a great place to start. The passages come from the natural sciences, social sciences and literary pieces. Many people have a problem switching modes between types of passages b/c each requires slightly different skill sets. This is probably why social science and english majors do better on VR than science majors.</p>
<p>Thanks Bigredmed.</p>
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Being a fast reader helps on every single standardized test known to man.
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<p>....and being able to comprehend what you just read.</p>