Eliminate, eliminate, eliminate - but maybe not scope?

[zainrizvi]

Trying to incorporate the Manhattan RC method in my prep, but I'm a bit confused by its application. Eliminating out of scope answers often seems easy enough, but at other points I find myself eliminating answers that I THINK are out of scope, but are actually supported by a detail somewhere along the passage that I forgot.

For example, for question 27 in PT 57. I forgot that fractal "didnt have a precise definition established", so I quickly eliminated that choice because I was like what the hell are they talking about? Turns out, that was the right answer.

Technically I should have been able to eliminate the answer I picked (E) since "significant number of mathematicians" isn't really talked about anywhere - however, that being said, should one just tend to avoid eliminating out of scope answers initially? Or is that just the risk that comes with the approach?

Thanks!

[giladedelman]

EXCELLENT question.

You've figured out something important, which is that relying on "out of scope" too often can be a dangerous crutch. So I agree with your suggestion: avoid eliminating out of scope answers initially, unless you are SURE that something mentioned is completely out of left field. Look for more affirmative reasons to get rid of answers, and always, always, always remember to check against the passage -- especially if your rational is that something wasn't mentioned.

Does that answer your question, kinda?

[mic_a_chav87]

and always, always, always remember to check against the passage

This is the best piece of advice for checking scopre. Often times they'll ask a question, like which one of these would the author most agree with, and some answers seem so relevant and are almost perfect, but are just a little off, whereas the right answer is a minor detail mentioned in the 1st paragraph that had no relevance to the rest of the passage but technically the author would agree.

It takes up time to always, always, always check against the passage, but if you're like me and are missing 2-4 questions a section, these types of questions account for all or almost all of them, so I should spend that extra time to get them right.