How to Prepare for GMAT Verbal Section

Do you want to impress the MBA admission panel and step right into your desired management institute with your prowess in GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) verbal questions (Graduate Management Admission Test)? Well, who doesn't? An impressive score in the GMAT exam can help you stand out during the selection process and increase your chances of making it to your dream B-school. 

The GMAT Verbal section tests your ability to comprehend written material, evaluate arguments, and express ideas clearly and effectively. It's a crucial component of the GMAT exam, and a high score on this section can help you stand out to top business schools by mastering various GMAT verbal topics.

Structure of GMAT Verbal Reasoning Section

Before diving into how to prepare for GMAT verbal, it is crucial to understand the basic structure of the exam. Attention to detail and planning in advance is the key to acing this test. Here is the verbal reasoning structure of the GMAT exam:

GMAT Verbal Section Structure

Time Limit	Number of Questions	Range of Score	Types of Questions
65 minutes	36	6 – 51	Reading comprehension, sentence correction, and critical reasoning

Source: www.mba.com 

The simple structure of this GMAT exam section makes it easy for you to focus on the main content. 

Understanding the crux of each question category is essential for effective GMAT preparation:

• Reading Comprehension: These questions require you to read and grasp the meaning of the given content or passage. 
• Sentence Correction: As the name suggests, you need to implement proper linguistic knowledge to rectify mistakes in a sentence.
• Critical Reasoning: In these questions, you need to analyze and put the arguments in the given query into proper context.

After learning these details, you can systematically plan how to prepare to study for the GMAT verbal section.

How Many Questions in GMAT Verbal Section

The Verbal section of the GMAT exam has 36 questions you must complete in 65 minutes. This part of the test checks how well you can:

• You'll need to grasp and interpret the information in the passages.
• Analyze and critique the logic behind different arguments.
• Identify and fix sentence structure, grammar, and usage errors to meet standard written English.

Practicing with various GMAT verbal questions will help you develop the skills needed to excel in this section.

Know More: GMAT Exam Eligibility

Best Preparation Strategy for GMAT Verbal Reasoning Section

Focus on these essential pointers to score high in the GMAT verbal reasoning segment and boost your chances to study abroad. Here's how to tackle each sub-section of the GMAT verbal reasoning section:

1. Reading Comprehension

Do you want to understand the primary intention of the reading comprehension questions? Well, take a look at the following points:

• The questions assess your ability to understand the main message in the content. To sharpen your comprehension, you must exhibit strong reading skills and vocabulary.

On a general level, these questions are 250 to 300 words long. Here are some of the main areas that the passages cover:

• Economics
• Natural science
• Finance and business
• Social science
• Humanities

So, to know how to prepare for the GMAT verbal section, you require a high level of consistency in solving these questions. Understand the passage's main idea, application, function, and tone. 

Solving several mock tests and reading comprehension passages from the previous year is a good strategy. So, to tackle these questions, read more to develop your analytical skills.

2. Sentence Correction

Here are the main aspects of the sentence correction question in the GMAT exam verbal section:

• A sentence with partial or complete underline
• Five options related to the question
• Need for identification of grammar or communicational errors

When preparing for the GMAT exam, knowing about tense errors, structuring flaws, modifier errors, and subject-verb agreement is crucial.

So, must you be a grammar wizard to score high in this section? Not really!

Regular preparation through customized webinars and suitable study material can instantly help you identify issues in incorrect sentences. This strategy is crucial for performing well in the sentence correction segment.

3. Critical Reasoning

For critical reasoning questions:

• These questions require strong reasoning practice. You must analyze, construct, and evaluate an argument based on the passage.
• The passages are usually less than 100 words. Choose one of the five options that best justifies the argument.

Overall Strategy

• Practice sample questions on all GMAT verbal topics.
• Regularly review your performance and focus on areas that need improvement.
• Develop strong reasoning skills to provide relevant answers and score high.

With a structured study plan, consistent practice, and the best resources, you can excel in the GMAT verbal section and move closer to your dream of studying abroad.

6 Tips to Maximize Scores in GMAT Verbal Reasoning Section

Here are some of the valuable pointers that can help you score high in the verbal segment:

1. Organize your study schedule to cover all verbal topics systematically.
2. Regular verbal questions practice will help you get accustomed to the exam format and time constraints.
3. Analyze your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to focus your preparation effectively. 
4. This approach helps in mastering individual GMAT verbal questions thoroughly.
5. Regular study and practice are crucial for steady improvement.
6. Use a mix of study materials for a well-rounded GMAT verbal review.

Overall, these simple tips can prove beneficial and offer the best strategy to prepare for GMAT verbal.

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Prepare for GMAT Verbal Reasoning- Resources and Books

To excel in the GMAT verbal reasoning section, you need some suitable resources to carry out your preparation. To make your search easier, we have mentioned a list of eight GMAT preparation books that you can use during your preparation. 

• Kaplan GMAT Verbal Book
• PowerScore GMAT Verbal Guides
• Manhattan GMAT Strategy Guides
• Veritas Prep Complete GMAT Course Set
• The Official Guide for GMAT Verbal Review
• Magoosh Verbal + AWA GMAT Online Course
• GMAT Official Guide Verbal Review by GMAC
• PowerScore's GMAT Critical Reasoning Bible

These resources will provide you with the necessary tools to excel in the GMAT verbal section.

Also Read: Best GMAT Preparation Books & Resources for 2024

GMAT Sample Questions and Answers

Practicing with GMAT verbal practice questions is essential for mastering the verbal section. Here are some sample questions and answers to help you get started:

1. Reading Comprehension Example: Question:
Read the following passage and answer the question.
"Singapore's rapid development as a global city has been driven by its strategic planning and investment in key sectors. This includes a focus on technology, finance, and education, which has attracted multinational companies and skilled professionals worldwide."

What is the main idea of the passage?

• A) Singapore's focus on tourism.
• B) The role of education in Singapore's development.
• C) Singapore's strategic planning and investment in key sectors.
• D) The challenges faced by Singapore.

Answer:
C) Singapore's strategic planning and investment in key sectors.

2. Sentence Correction Example: Question:
Correct the following sentence:
"The manager, along with his team members, are attending the conference in New York next week."

Answer:
"The manager, along with his team members, is attending the conference in New York next week."

3. Critical Reasoning Example: Question:
Read the argument and answer the question.
"Many companies are shifting towards remote work due to its numerous benefits, including increased productivity and reduced overhead costs. Therefore, implementing a remote work policy will undoubtedly lead to higher profits for all companies."

Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?

• A) Some employees prefer working in an office environment.
• B) Not all companies have the technology to support remote work.
• C) Remote work policies are not effective for all types of businesses.
• D) Companies may face challenges in monitoring employee performance remotely.

Answer:
C) Remote work policies are not effective for all types of businesses.

These GMAT verbal examples illustrate the types of questions you will encounter and help you prepare effectively.

Timing Strategy for GMAT Verbal

Mastering the GMAT verbal section requires effective time management. Here's a concise strategy to optimize your timing:

• First 30 Minutes: Complete six questions every 10 minutes for the first 18 questions, solving 5 and skipping 1 Critical Reasoning question each time.
• Next 10 Minutes: Tackle the remaining five questions without skipping.
• Last 5 Minutes: Review and solve up to 3 of the skipped questions.

Tips for Effective Timing:

• Regular Practice: Consistent GMAT verbal practice builds speed and accuracy.
• Mock Tests: Take GMAT verbal mock tests to simulate real exam conditions.
• Performance Review: Use an error log to track and improve on question types that take the longest.
• Stay Structured: Follow the timing plan strictly to ensure balanced time allocation. 

Conclusion

Preparing for GMAT exam can be a cakewalk if you follow the above-listed preparation strategies and remain persistent in your endeavors. So, chalk out your customized study plan keeping in mind the days at hand, solve various mock tests, and refer to online and offline resources.

Stay upbeat, and you can ace the verbal reasoning segment to gain admission to top-notch MBA colleges.