Preparing for GMAT Verbal Reasoning involves learning Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning concepts. However, concept mastery only gets you partway to a great Verbal score. To reach your goal, you also need skill in finding correct answers. Read this article for 3 key tips to help you sharpen your Verbal skills.
GMAT Verbal Reasoning Practice Tips
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GMAT Verbal Reasoning Practice Tips
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Here are effective GMAT Verbal Reasoning practice tips to help you boost your performance:
1. Know the Verbal Section Format
Read for structure, not detail. Focus on the main idea, author’s tone, and paragraph flow.
Summarize each paragraph in your mind to retain core information.
Don't reread the entire passage—go back only to find specific info when answering.
3. Master Logical Thinking for CR
Identify the argument's conclusion, premise, and assumption.
Know common question types:
Strengthen
Weaken
Assumption
Inference
Evaluate
Pre-think before looking at answer choices. What would strengthen or weaken this?
4. Focus on Grammar for SC
Common GMAT-tested grammar rules:
Subject-verb agreement
Modifiers
Parallelism
Verb tense
Pronouns
Idioms
Eliminate choices systematically—GMAT usually hides one clear error in each wrong option.
5. Time Management
You have ~2 minutes per verbal question.
Don’t overthink—mark tough questions and move on.
Use process of elimination (POE) aggressively.
6. Use Official Materials
Prioritize Official GMAT Guide, GMATPrep software, and official question banks.
Third-party resources like Manhattan Prep, Veritas, and Kaplan are good supplements.
7. Review Mistakes Thoroughly
Don’t just practice—analyze your errors:
Why was the right answer right?
Why were the wrong ones wrong?
Keep an error log to track patterns and fix them.
8. Build Vocabulary Strategically
GMAT doesn’t test rare vocabulary, but understanding tone and nuance helps.
Improve your ability to distinguish formal vs. informal, concise vs. wordy, precise vs. vague.
9. Simulate Test Conditions
Take full-length timed practice tests.
Practice verbal sections under pressure, without distractions.
10. Stay Consistent
Aim for daily short practice over long weekly cramming.
Example:
2 RC passages
3 CR questions
5 SC questions
review every day
If you'd like a weekly study plan or question type–specific strategies, just let me know!
1. Know the Verbal Section Format
- The GMAT Verbal section includes:
Reading Comprehension (RC)
Critical Reasoning (CR)
Sentence Correction (SC)
Understanding what each question type tests is step one.
Read for structure, not detail. Focus on the main idea, author’s tone, and paragraph flow.
Summarize each paragraph in your mind to retain core information.
Don't reread the entire passage—go back only to find specific info when answering.
3. Master Logical Thinking for CR
Identify the argument's conclusion, premise, and assumption.
Know common question types:
Strengthen
Weaken
Assumption
Inference
Evaluate
Pre-think before looking at answer choices. What would strengthen or weaken this?
4. Focus on Grammar for SC
Common GMAT-tested grammar rules:
Subject-verb agreement
Modifiers
Parallelism
Verb tense
Pronouns
Idioms
Eliminate choices systematically—GMAT usually hides one clear error in each wrong option.
5. Time Management
You have ~2 minutes per verbal question.
Don’t overthink—mark tough questions and move on.
Use process of elimination (POE) aggressively.
6. Use Official Materials
Prioritize Official GMAT Guide, GMATPrep software, and official question banks.
Third-party resources like Manhattan Prep, Veritas, and Kaplan are good supplements.
7. Review Mistakes Thoroughly
Don’t just practice—analyze your errors:
Why was the right answer right?
Why were the wrong ones wrong?
Keep an error log to track patterns and fix them.
8. Build Vocabulary Strategically
GMAT doesn’t test rare vocabulary, but understanding tone and nuance helps.
Improve your ability to distinguish formal vs. informal, concise vs. wordy, precise vs. vague.
9. Simulate Test Conditions
Take full-length timed practice tests.
Practice verbal sections under pressure, without distractions.
10. Stay Consistent
Aim for daily short practice over long weekly cramming.
Example:
2 RC passages
3 CR questions
5 SC questions
review every day
If you'd like a weekly study plan or question type–specific strategies, just let me know!
