The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardised test used by graduate schools in the United States and other countries to measure a student’s aptitude for graduate-level academic work. 

It is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and consists of three main sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. 

In this article, we will focus on the GRE Verbal section.

GRE Verbal Section

The GRE Verbal section measures a student’s ability to understand and analyse written material, evaluate arguments, and use vocabulary correctly. The Verbal section consists of two questions: Reading Comprehension and Text Completion.

Reading Comprehension

The Reading Comprehension questions test a student’s ability to understand and analyse written material. Each passage is followed by a set of questions that test the student’s understanding of the passage and their ability to draw logical inferences and make critical judgments about the text. There are usually 10-12 Reading Comprehension questions in each Verbal section.

Text Completion

The Text Completion questions test a student’s ability to use vocabulary in context. Each Text Completion question consists of a sentence or short paragraph with one to three blanks. The student must select the best answer from a list of possible words or phrases to fill in the blank(s). There are usually 6-8 Text Completion questions in each Verbal section.

GRE Verbal Syllabus

The GRE Verbal syllabus consists of the following topics:

Reading Comprehension

The Reading Comprehension questions in the GRE Verbal section can cover a wide variety of topics, including:

• Humanities
• Social Sciences
• Natural Sciences
• Business
• Arts

The passages can be anywhere from one to five paragraphs and can be written in various styles, including academic journals, newspapers, and literary works.

Text Completion

The Text Completion questions in the GRE Verbal section are designed to test a student’s ability to use vocabulary in context. The questions can cover various topics, and the vocabulary can range from standard to obscure. Some of the most common types of Text Completion questions include:

• Sentence Equivalence: These questions require the student to select two words or phrases that, when inserted into the sentence, create two complete sentences that are equivalent in meaning.
• Multiple Blanks: These questions require the student to select the best answer for each blank in the sentence or paragraph.
• One Blank: These questions require the student to select the best answer for the single blank in the sentence or paragraph.

GRE Verbal Pattern

The GRE Verbal section consists of two timed sections, each 35 minutes long. A 10-minute break separates the two sections. The number of questions in the Verbal section can vary, usually between 40 and 50.

The Verbal section is adaptive, meaning the difficulty level of the questions adjusts based on the student’s performance. If the student answers a question correctly, the next question will be slightly more complicated. The next question will be more manageable if the student answers incorrectly.

GRE Verbal Question Types

The GRE Verbal section consists of two questions: Reading Comprehension and Text Completion.

Reading Comprehension Questions

The Reading Comprehension questions in the GRE Verbal section can be broken down into three types:

• Detail Questions: These questions test the student’s ability to understand specific details in the passage.
• Inference Questions: These questions test the student’s ability to draw logical inferences from the information presented in the passage.
• Vocabulary-in-Context Questions test the student’s ability to understand how a particular word is used in the passage.

Text Completion Questions

The Text Completion questions in the GRE Verbal section can be broken down into three types:

• Sentence Equivalence Questions: These questions require the student to select two words or phrases that, when inserted into the sentence, create two complete sentences that are equivalent in meaning.
• Multiple-Blank Questions: These questions require the student to select the best answer for each blank in the sentence or paragraph.
• One-Blank Questions: These questions require the student to select the best answer for the single blank in the sentence or paragraph.

GRE Verbal Preparation Books

Preparing for the GRE Verbal section can be challenging, but many resources are available to help students succeed. Here are some of the most popular GRE Verbal preparation books:

• The Official Guide to the GRE General Test: This book is published by ETS and contains practice questions and strategies for all sections of the GRE, including the Verbal section.
• Manhattan Prep GRE Set of 8 Strategy Guides: This set of eight books covers all sections of the GRE in great detail, including the Verbal section.
• GRE Verbal Grail: This book focuses on the Verbal section of the GRE and includes practice questions, strategies, and tips.
• Kaplan GRE Verbal Workbook: This workbook includes practice questions and strategies specifically for the Verbal section of the GRE.
• Barron’s GRE Verbal Workbook: This workbook includes practice questions, strategies, and tips specifically for the Verbal section of the GRE.

GRE Verbal Scores

The GRE Verbal section is scored on a 130-170 in one-point increments. The Verbal section score is combined with the Quantitative Reasoning section score to give a total score, which is also on a scale of 130-170, in one-point increments. 

The Analytical Writing section is scored separately, on a scale of 0-6, in half-point increments.

The Verbal section score is an essential factor in the overall GRE score but is not the only factor. Graduate schools will also consider the student’s performance in the Quantitative Reasoning section, their undergraduate GPA, letters of recommendation, and other factors.

The GRE Verbal section is an essential part of the GRE, and it requires preparation and practice to achieve a high score. 

By understanding the Verbal syllabus, pattern, question types, and preparation resources, students can develop the skills and strategies they need to succeed on test day. 

With dedication and hard work, students can achieve their goals and pursue their dreams of graduate study.