Classifying the basic subject and purpose of a passage is important as your approach and expectations should shift with the nature of the passage.
There are essentially three subjects of passages:
 A. Science
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| These passages deal with such topics as biology, chemistry, and medicine. Although these passages can often be unexciting and dare we say boring, they are also often straightforward and thus manageable. You are not likely to see any inference questions here. Instead, you will most likely see several factual questions that can be answered by direct, accurate reading of the passage. So long as you don't allow yourself to be blinded by the flashy jargon, science passages should be the easiest reading comprehension questions you encounter. |
Example Passage: Commentary in a physics journal on a new plan for solar power.
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Science isn't objective
We tend to think of scientists as clear and logical, like Spock on Star Trek, and scientific fact as static. The reality is that science is full of conflict and contains controversial ideas, such as the Big Bang, or "is Pluto a planet?". Science essays on the GMAT will often foray into controversy and its your job as the reader to see the points of view, bias and the conflict. |
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 B. Business
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| These essays may also be jargon intensive. If you are a business school candidate you may have a background knowledge in this area. This is usually beneficial, as it makes the passage easier to read; just remember that specific outside knowledge will never be called upon to answer an essay question. All the answers can be found in the essay itself. |
Example Passage: Harvard Business Review assessment of a new theory of corporate leadership.
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Don't use your own information
Maybe you were a business major and read the Wall St. Journal everyday. That's nice and may help you skim through backgrounders faster, but you should choose the answer best supported by the passage, not the one that appears most correct based on your general knowledge.
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 C. Cultural Studies
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These passages deal with topics such as history, politics, and geography.
GMAT essays are often pieces designed to persuade. Follow the argument as best you can and be able to summarize it before you go on to the questions. Read these essays knowing that the GMAT will never offend anyone.
Many of these essays may carry a political bias that upholds a politically correct stance. Wikipedia describes politically correct as a "term used to describe language that is calculated to provide a minimum of offense, particularly to the racial, cultural, or other identity groups being described." |
Example Passage: Piece on the achievements of the Harlem Renaissance.
There are three categories of purpose: (describe, evaluate, and persuade)
Author's main purpose is to convey information, to present a situation or idea as objectively as possible. The author will make some opinions or judgments, but there is a pretense of objectivity. The author wants to communicate. If you understand the passage, you've met the author's objective.
Example Author: Newspaper Reporter
Author describes a phenomenon, situation, viewpoint, or theory and analyzes it. The author is giving you the pluses and minuses, strengths and weaknesses of the topic in a methodical, detached manner.
Example Author: Researcher / Academic
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