A common but ineffective Verbal preparation strategy looks something like this: A student works through a couple dozen Official Guide Verbal questions under timed conditions, misses a significant number of them, and then reads the solutions in the hopes of understanding what went wrong. I’ve seen students repeat this process with hundreds of questions, only to find that their Verbal scores barely move, if at all.

This outcome is not surprising. Many test-takers, particularly native English speakers, tend to underestimate the level of precision and analytical reasoning the GMAT Verbal section demands. They assume that answering a large volume of questions will naturally lead to improvement. However, GMAT Verbal is rigorous, even for native speakers, and meaningful score increases—say, improving by 5 points or more—often require a deeper and more structured approach.

If your starting Verbal score is not already close to your goal, doing timed questions in large batches is unlikely to be the most effective path forward. To succeed, you need to build a strong foundation in the underlying concepts and strategies that the Verbal section tests. You are not likely to acquire that foundation by simply reviewing explanations of questions you got wrong.

Think of it this way: Practicing Verbal questions without mastering the fundamentals is like going to a driving range and hitting golf balls without first learning proper grip and stance. Rather than improving your swing, you are likely reinforcing poor technique. In the same way, answering GMAT Verbal questions without strategy can cement ineffective habits.

Also consider that reading a solution is not the same as internalizing a process and knowing how to apply it independently. When your practice jumps from one type of question to another, it becomes even harder to recall and apply what you just learned. In many cases, you won’t even recognize that the concept from a previous solution is relevant to the current question.

The takeaway is this: If you want real progress, especially in Verbal, focus on learning how to approach the questions before you dive into high-volume practice. Take time to understand the logic behind correct answers and the patterns behind incorrect ones. Build your skills methodically. With a strong foundation in place, your practice will be far more productive and your score gains much more likely.

Reach out to me with any questions about your GMAT prep. Happy studying!

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep