Best Way To Prep For The GMAT Verbal Section

Best Way To Prep For The GMAT Verbal Section

Best Way To Prep For The GMAT Verbal Section
Rojina Raut

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardised test that assesses a candidate's abilities in various fields, such as quantitative aptitude, verbal reasoning, analytical writing, and integrated reasoning. The GMAT Verbal section tests your critical reasoning, reading comprehension, and English grammar skills. It is an essential part of the GMAT exam, and preparing for it can be challenging. 

However, with proper planning and strategy, you can achieve a good score in the verbal section. This article will discuss the best way to prep for the GMAT Verbal section.

Understanding the Verbal Section

The GMAT Verbal section consists of three questions: Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, and Sentence Correction. Each question requires different skills and strategies; mastering them is crucial to achieving a good score.

Reading Comprehension

Reading Comprehension questions test your ability to understand and analyse complex written material. You will be given a passage to read and answer questions based on it. The passages range from science, economics, social sciences, humanities, and business. The key to mastering Reading Comprehension questions is to read actively, understand the author's main argument, and identify the supporting details.

Critical Reasoning

Critical Reasoning questions test your ability to analyse arguments and draw conclusions. You will be presented with a short argument and asked to identify its structure, assumptions, strengths and weaknesses. The key to mastering Critical Reasoning questions is understanding the argument's structure and identifying its flaws and assumptions.

Sentence Correction

Sentence Correction questions test your understanding of English grammar and usage. You will be presented with a sentence or a portion of a sentence that contains an error, and you will be asked to identify the error and select the correct answer. The key to mastering Sentence Correction questions is a solid understanding of English grammar rules and usage.

Best Way to Prep for the Verbal Section

By following these steps, you can improve your chances of achieving a good score in the GMAT Verbal section and ultimately achieving your goals in business school.

Now that we understand the Verbal section and its question types let's discuss the best way to prepare for it.

Best Way To Prep For The GMAT Verbal Section

Understand the Exam Format

The first step in preparing for the GMAT Verbal section is understanding the exam format. The Verbal section consists of 36 questions you must complete in 65 minutes. This means you have an average of 1 minute and 48 seconds per question. Knowing the time limit will help you manage your time effectively and ensure you save time on difficult questions.

Improve Your Reading Skills

Since the Reading Comprehension questions require reading and understanding complex material, improving your reading skills is crucial. You can improve your reading skills by reading newspapers, magazines, and books on various topics. This will help you improve your vocabulary, reading speed, and comprehension skills. It is also essential to read actively by taking notes, summarising key points, and identifying the author's main argument.

Practice with Official GMAT Study Material

Practising with official GMAT study material is crucial to prepare for the Verbal section. The GMAT Official Guide contains real GMAT questions and is an excellent resource for practice. You can also purchase additional study material from the GMAT website, such as the GMAT Verbal Review. Practising with official study material will help you understand the question types, format, and difficulty level.

Identify Your Weaknesses

Identifying your weaknesses in each question type and improving them is essential. For example, if you struggle with Critical Reasoning questions, you can practice with additional Critical Reasoning questions and review the correct answers to understand the structure and assumptions of arguments. Similarly, you can review English grammar rules and usage for help with Sentence Correction questions.

Take Practice Tests

Taking practice tests is essential to preparing for the GMAT Verbal section. Practice tests will help you simulate the exam conditions and identify your strengths and weaknesses. You can take practice tests from official GMAT study material or online resources. It is important to time yourself, and taking the test in one sitting is essential to simulate the actual exam conditions.

Analyse Your Performance

After taking practice tests, it is essential to analyse your performance and identify areas of improvement. You can review the correct answers and understand why you got specific questions wrong. Tracking your progress and seeing if you are improving is also essential.

Improve Your Vocabulary

Improving your vocabulary is crucial to succeeding in the GMAT Verbal section. You can improve your vocabulary by reading widely, learning new words, and using them in context. You can also use online resources such as flashcards and vocabulary-building apps.

Work on Time Management

Time management is crucial in the GMAT Verbal section. You have an average of 1 minute and 48 seconds per question, meaning you must work efficiently and effectively. You can work on time management by practising timed exercises and setting targets for each question type.

Get Feedback and Support

Getting feedback and support from peers, mentors, or tutors is important in preparing for the GMAT Verbal section. You can join study groups, attend GMAT preparation courses, or hire a tutor to provide personalised feedback and support.

Do’s and dont's of GMAT Verbal Section

Do's

  • Develop a solid understanding of English, including grammar rules, vocabulary, and reading comprehension skills.
  • Familiarise yourself with the GMAT Verbal section format, question types, and time constraints.
  • Practice regularly, preferably with official GMAT practice materials, to become familiar with the type of questions and improve your accuracy and speed.
  • Build a strong reading habit and read various materials, such as academic articles, newspapers, and business publications, to improve your reading comprehension and critical reasoning skills.
  • Analyse your mistakes and learn from them. Identify patterns of errors and work on improving weak areas.
  • Take mock tests to simulate the actual GMAT experience and to track your progress.

Don'ts

  • Do not rely solely on your native language skills. The GMAT Verbal section is designed to test your English proficiency.
  • Only spend a little bit of time on any one question. Time management is crucial in the GMAT Verbal section.
  • Do not neglect any question type. It is essential to be proficient in all questions, including sentence correction, critical reasoning, and reading comprehension.
  • Refrain from memorising answers. The GMAT Verbal section tests your critical reasoning and problem-solving skills.
  • Remember to pay attention to the importance of grammar and vocabulary. A solid understanding of grammar rules and a strong vocabulary are essential for success in the GMAT Verbal section.
  • Do not procrastinate. Start your preparation early and create a study plan to ensure you have enough time to prepare adequately.

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