CR - The T diagram

[mirfan2]

I am not questioning the rationale behind the T diagram, but I often find myself flipping pros and cons while I am doing a CR questions. My avg. speed for answering CR question between a 1:45 to 2:30 depending on the length of the text. Is there any alternative approach that I should try for diagramming ?
I do believe that diagramming is the way to go, but sometimes my fixation for extracting pros and cons (very few questions in my experience contain cons) slows me down, which can be a little frustrating to say the least.

[messi10]

I have found similar issues. Now, I use my own version of the diagram. I write down details that I find important. If the argument is very simple, I don't bother.

This goes against the advice of the strategy guide but I am not that fast a reader. So reading, diagramming and answering cost me a lot of time. I had to make a compromise somewhere

[mirfan2]

Thanks for your reply.
I am hoping that one of the instructors will take a stab a this one soon. For a time pressured test such as the GMAT, one must follow method to avoid unnecessary slips. Hence, the T diagram has been recommended by MG. Folks at MG definitely know what they're doing
I have complete and almost blind faith in them.
I feel that there should be an alternate diagramming method, I am not sure what it should be like, and what to do when one struggles with timing on CR questions resulting from T diagramming. Should I try to improve timing with brute practice alone ? Is there a more efficient way perhaps ?

[tim]

Mirfan, if you have trouble identifying pros and cons, that is all the more reason you should be using a T diagram. Understanding how the premises affect the argument is fundamental to achieving any measure of success on CR, and since the T diagram focuses specifically on the pros and cons that you have identified as your biggest weakness, that is all the more reason you should use the T diagram..

For the rest of you, a T diagram is not always necessary; as Varun says, sometimes the arguments are easy enough you can evaluate them in other ways. The T diagram is there for you to use as a tool if you need it. As such, you should definitely practice making T diagrams on some of your practice questions - even if you feel it is not strictly necessary - because you’re trying to build skills that will allow you to use a T diagram on the GMAT in the event you need to..