A memory apparatus and method of operation are provided. The apparatus includes a page of memory cells connected to a plurality of word lines and arranged in strings and configured to retain a threshold voltage. A control circuit couples to the word lines and strings and identifies the memory cells having the threshold voltage less than a primary demarcation threshold voltage of a series for demarcating between memory states in a page read. The control circuit also identifies the memory cells having the threshold voltage less than a secondary demarcation threshold voltage of the series. The control circuit supplies a near zero voltage to the strings of the memory cells identified as having the threshold voltages less than at least one of the primary and secondary demarcation threshold voltages to inhibit conduction currents while identifying the memory cells having the threshold voltage less than a tertiary demarcation threshold voltage.