How to prepare for GRE RC when the topics feel random, I lose focus midway, and the answer choices all seem correct?

Question

I’m really struggling with GRE Reading Comprehension. Most passages are from subjects I’ve never read about, I find it hard to stay focused while reading, and when it comes to answering, the options are so close that I end up confused. What actually helped you get better at this?

T Mehta · Accepted Answer

It&rsquo;s super common to feel lost with GRE RC&mdash;especially when the topics are unfamiliar, the wording is dense, and every option sounds &ldquo;sort of right.&rdquo; What makes a difference isn&rsquo;t more reading&mdash;it&rsquo;s reading differently.
&bull; Read one RC passage a day, and after each paragraph, write one sentence about what it did (e.g., &ldquo;Introduced a debate,&rdquo; &ldquo;Gave an example&rdquo;). &bull; Practice with official RC sets only&mdash;those mimic the confusing, subtle answer choices best. &bull; Highlight contrast words (however, although, yet) while reading. They signal where opinions shift. &bull; For every wrong answer, write out why it&rsquo;s almost right but fails. This trains your brain to catch GRE&rsquo;s common traps. &bull; If focus drops halfway, switch to shorter RC sets (1&ndash;2 paragraph passages) until stamina improves.
Improving RC isn&rsquo;t about mastering topics, it&rsquo;s about recognizing patterns in structure and logic. That&rsquo;s what the test actually rewards.
For more details you can read this blog on "GRE Test Verbal Reasoning"

Divakshi Arora · Answer

GRE RC passages can feel random, but there&rsquo;s a way to stay focused and avoid falling for similar-sounding options. The key is not reading everything, but reading with a purpose.
Each passage should be approached with two questions in mind: What is the author trying to say? and How is it structured? Before reading, glance at the first question. It gives a hint about what to pay attention to. While reading, don&rsquo;t try to understand every detail&mdash;instead, track the tone, argument shifts, and paragraph roles. That makes it easier to eliminate trap options later.
If answer choices feel too close, it&rsquo;s usually a sign that the passage wasn&rsquo;t broken down clearly during the read. Training to pause after each paragraph and paraphrase it mentally can fix that. It builds focus and helps retain key ideas without zoning out. Over time, even unfamiliar topics start to feel manageable.