What is the difference between critical reasoning and reading comprehension?

Answer 1

Critical Reasoning requires you to evaluate and analyze information in order to draw conclusions.

Critical Reasoning questions can be found on the GMAT. The questions have a prompt that presents some sort of argument. You would need to read the prompt, and then analyze the argument being presented by either strengthening it, weakening it, finding its underlying assumption etc. These questions ask you to draw conclusions based on the logical arguments being presented.

Reading Comprehension is understanding what you read.

It is the understanding and interpretation of text - the ability to construct meaning from the text.

Answer 2

Reading comprehension is about understanding the material you've read, whether that be understanding a plot point in a story, the main idea in an essay or following someone's argument in an article. Critical reading is taking the next step to engage with the material. The first step might be asking if you agree or disagree with what the author has to say. Being a critical and active reader is about responding to what you've read. Think of how an active listener doesn't just remember what someone says, they respond in the conversation and offer their thoughts and reaction. That's what an active and critical reader does as well. They don't simply accept something as true because they read it. They critique, analyze and respond.